When it came time for my kids to find summer jobs, a friend suggested they work for the forestry industry planting trees. She spent all her student summers planting trees in Northern Ontario Canada, earning enough cash to help her complete her education. However, when they tried to find these jobs, they didn’t seem to exist. In the U.S., these jobs were common as well. First started as the Roosevelt Tree Army, young unemployed men planted trees for the eco-conscious president.  Today almost 7.7 million American workers under 30 are unemployed. In the past month, three million in that age group dropped out of the labor force. When you do the math, almost one in three young workers is unemployed. That’s the highest unemployment rate for this group since 1948. Could it be time for a new Tree Army? (1)

Tree Army Of 1933

The Tree Army was created in 1933 when America faced the risk of creating a lost generation due to unemployment. Officially called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) the corps provided plenty of work in the forestry industry with young men recruited to assist in conserving trees, soil, and recreational areas. (1)

Up to 3.4 million participated in the Tree Army by 1942. They planted over three billion trees. The army also created hundreds of parks, thousands of miles of nature trails, and even some wildlife refuges. (1)

Tree Army To Replace Lost Jobs

Today, it’s COVID-19 causing job loss for this demographic. Considering almost 40% worked in retail or food service, that’s not surprising. These sectors are some of the hardest hit by shutdowns designed to encourage social distancing. Many young workers were recently hired and therefore the first to be laid off and the last to be recalled for work. In fact, being young and a person of color increases the odds of job loss. A modern CCC could provide work for the millions unemployed due to the crisis.  (1)

Tree Army Produced The Greatest Generation

At the time the CCC was introduced, jobs were limited to men who lived in segregated camps. As well, some projects did more harm than good. However, as far as such American programs go, it proved to be the most successful in history. (1)

The program produced the “Greatest Generation” who defeated Hitler and helped build the world’s strongest economy. By resurrecting the program, millions of young Americans might find new jobs, but in a modernized, politically non-racist or prejudiced version of the corps. (1)

Tree Army To Tackle Backlog

Right now America has a backlog in projects required to manage the country’s lands and waters. Open areas of land are more vulnerable to increased threats such as wildfires and floods. There are also droughts and devastating weather such as hurricanes taking turns at pummeling America. Currently, damages to national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands total $20 billion in deferred maintenance. (1)

Tree Army For Today

While investment in natural solutions could create millions of jobs, it’s not just about job creation. The country can also benefit from more recreational space, build a natural resilience to severe weather and also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Much of the natural troubles plaguing our planet can be reduced with more trees. It’s a win-win situation — youth unemployment is tackled, hopes for future generations is improved and local economies and communities can prosper. (1)