Invest in the next generation of island stewards

YCC featured in spring 2026 GiveOrcas Campaign

||| FROM JULIE CURTIS for YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS |||

The Orcas Island Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a program of the San Juan Islands Conservation District, has been selected as a featured program in the Orcas Island Community Foundation's Spring 2026 GiveOrcas Campaign, running May 12–21. The program is aiming to raise $10,000 in 10 days, every penny of which will go directly toward making the 2026 YCC summer season possible.

unds raised will support crew member stipends, camping equipment, work tools, and educational materials for local youth doing real, meaningful conservation work across Orcas Island. This season's projects include repairing trails at Moran State Park, removing invasive gorse in Olga, constructing a rain garden in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, seeding eelgrass in nearshore environments, and conducting tree ring analyses on Turtleback Mountain.

A Program That Matters
Most young islanders have limited access to the vast public lands on Orcas Island, and even fewer have the chance to explore outer islands like Patos. While the average teenager spends nearly 60 hours a week looking at screens and nearly five hours a day on social media, a YCC crew member spends over 200 hours outdoors each summer — building skills, values, and a sense of place that lasts a lifetime.

For over a decade, YCC has given young people on Orcas Island a chance to earn a paycheck, build skills, and fall in love with the landscapes we all call home. The program helps guarantee a livable island for every member of this beautiful ecosystem we share.

How to Support the Campaign
Community support is everything in a campaign like this. Community members can:

• Donate at giveorcas.org — every gift, large or small, makes a difference.
• Spread the word by sharing the campaign with friends, family, and neighbors. Word of mouth on a small island goes a long way.
• Follow along on Facebook and Instagram throughout the campaign — liking, sharing, and commenting helps boost posts and reach a broader audience.
• Subscribe to the SJICD newsletter for updates on special campaign days when donations may qualify for bonus grants.

The campaign runs through May 21st. Every dollar raised goes directly toward investing in Orcas Island's lands, waters, and its next generation of conservation stewards. To learn more or donate, visit giveorcas.org.

The San Juan Islands Conservation District's Youth Conservation Corps is a youth employment and conservation program serving Orcas Island. For more information, contact the San Juan Islands Conservation District.