SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Reaffirming the State’s commitment to build a more climate ready and safe California, Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature approved an additional $4.6 million in annual, ongoing funding to double the amount of paid service opportunities for California Climate Action Corps in the 2023-2024 State Budget.
The ongoing, increased funding will allow more California Climate Action Corps Fellows to serve in communities across the state to engage volunteers, educate the public and participate in urban greening, wildfire resiliency and organic waste and edible food recovery activities.
“Tackling the climate crisis takes partners at all levels, and the California Climate Action Corps is mobilizing energized Californians all across our state to drive climate action in ways never seen before,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The budget deal comes on the heels of a high-profile visit from President Joe Biden who expressed his optimism about the program, “When I think of climate, I think of jobs. When I think of climate, I think of innovation. When I think of climate, I think of turning peril into progress.”
Governor Newsom launched California Climate Action Corps as the nation’s first state-level climate service corps with the mission of empowering Californians to take meaningful action to protect their homes, health and communities against the harshest impacts of climate change. The program is led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.
“This budget is a statement about Californian’s values and their passion to take action against this existential threat,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Our California Climate Action Corps Fellows are doing critical work, engaging community members and inspiring us to do more.”