America’s most significant environmental protection and conservation program is accredited to the Civilian Conservation Corps. Their hard work and dedication to building a sturdy foundation for future generations contribute to the positive impact the program had on America, especially in Virginia.

If you have visited a Virginia State Park, then you might be familiar with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Started as a public works program by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, the CCC ran for nine years and is considered by many to be one of the most successful of Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of this group and the impact this unit had still carries weight to this day.

The Rise and Fall of the CCC

On April 5, 1933, President Roosevelt signed the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) Act, commonly known as the Civilian Conservation Corps. He proposed to recruit thousands of unemployed young men, enroll them in a peacetime army and send them into battle against destruction and erosion of our natural resources.

On April 7 the first enrollee was selected and by April 17 the first camp, Camp Roosevelt, was in operation near Luray, Virginia. The program provided manual labor in environmental conservation and the development of natural resources in rural lands.

The Department of Labor was responsible for the selection and enrollment of applicants. Enrollees had to be single and unemployed men 18-25 years old (expanded to 17-28 years old in 1935) from families on relief. They enrolled for six months and worked a 40-hour week for about $30/month. The money was divided between the soldier and his family to help with costs back home. On average, $25 a month was sent home to the workers’ parents and the men had about $5 spending money in their possession.

By July 1, 1933, there were 275,000 enrollees and 10,000 supervisory personnel in 1,.468 camps. It was the fastest large-scale mobilization of men in U.S. history.

CCC camps were located in all 48 states and these territories: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

The CCC disbanded in 1942 due to increased employment opportunities elsewhere, changes in public opinion, lack of funding and the need for soldiers to serve in World War II.

The Impact of the CCC

CCC workers planted trees, built dams and preserved historic battlefields. In fact, the CCC was responsible for over half the reforestation, public and private, in the nation’s history. They left trail networks and lodges in state and national parks that are still widely used today. CCC enrollees throughout the country were credited with renewing the nation's decimated forests by planting an estimated three billion trees between 1933 and 1942 and were also known as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army.” 

The CCC created 94 national parks and 741 state parks. The CCC taught useful skills to thousands of unemployed young men and inspired later generations to get outside and help conserve America’s public lands.

During its nine-year run, the CCC employed more than three million men and left an undeniable imprint on the nation's landscape. The CCC built more than 40,000 bridges, planted billions of trees, restored nearly 4,000 historic sites and structures and improved thousands of beaches, roads and shorelines.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy is a national organization that is “dedicated to research, preservation and education of future generations to create a better understanding of the CCC and its continuing contribution to American life and culture."

Visit the Corps Legacy webpage or the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum for more information.

You can participate in the Throwback Thursday events held at Pocahontas State Park this month.

Virginia State Parks History

On June 15, 1936, Virginia simultaneously opened six state parks: Douthat, Westmoreland, Hungry Mother, Fairy Stone, Staunton River and Seashore, which is now First Landing. The CCC also helped develop what would become Pocahontas State Park and the National Park Service's Prince William Forest Park.

This year, Virginia State Parks celebrate its 87th Anniversary and most locations are celebrating History and Culture Day with events this weekend.

Thanks to the CCC, you can visit a Virginia State Park to enjoy the scenery and wildlife as well as learn more about the park’s history through an adventure.