Portland’s youth continue to impress us at Rose City Bluff Restoration with their interest in ecology volunteering. When they come to us through the PP&R website for volunteers (volunteer.portland.gov), when we host a SOLVE event, or when Portland Public School groups visit, our age 13 to 18 volunteers show up, work hard, and are clearly interested in the RCBR brand of environmentalism through restoration.
Most of our area youth have already determined what their summer plans will be, but for future reference here are just a few of the volunteer or paying programs that we’ve learned about from students and parents:
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) offers the Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) program. It provides paid summer work for teens to restore local natural areas, manage community gardens, maintain trails, and explore environmental careers. Crew members work from June 23 to August 7, 2026. Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) is a paid summer employment program for Portland-area youth (ages 14–19). Teens work in local parks protecting natural areas, community gardens, and trails while exploring environmental careers.
Northwest Youth Corp. Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) provides opportunities for youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success through paid conservation service work that enhances public lands and strengthens communities across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Portland Public Schools offer several ecology-oriented programs. For example, McDaniel High School’s Sustainable Agriculture Program is an Oregon State Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program. Students can receive six college credits for taking Intro to Sustainable Agriculture, and four college credits for taking Urban Farming. Through hands-on urban farming and practical gardening, the program offers agricultural and business skills training.
Bird Alliance of Oregon has environmental education programs that explore and connect with the natural world. Through programs for kids like camps, field trips, and mentorship programs, their educators help young people develop a relationship with the natural world, all while exploring wild places and learning about natural history.
We could go on, but we just want to encourage students and parents to think ecology when looking for volunteering, summer job, or future career opportunities. Thanks to all our youth who give us hope for the future!
Rose City Bluff Restoration 