“Imagine gaining the knowledge and tools to change your community for the better.”
As communities face worsening climate impacts, economic inequities, and aging infrastructure, Groundwork is investing in the next generation of changemakers through paid, hands-on programs focused on environmental restoration and neighborhood revitalization.
Groundwork’s GroundCorps program offers paid industry-recognized training to young adults (ages 18–30) ready to build healthier, more resilient communities. From planting trees to maintaining green spaces, Corps participants do work that matters—while building skills for careers in green infrastructure, stormwater management, urban forestry, and more.
To better understand the impact—and future—of this program, we spoke with Tanner Yess, Groundwork USA’s Chief Youth and Workforce Officer. Tanner began his journey with Groundwork as a youth leader and went on to build the network’s largest youth workforce program in Cincinnati. He has worked with hundreds of youth around the country, helping them to claim their space in the world of green jobs. He shared why GroundCorps works, what sets it apart, and why this program matters now more than ever.
Q: You’ve worked with a lot of youth and adults through Groundwork—how does GroundCorps create a different kind of opportunity?
“GroundCorps levels up our work!
At its best, youth who’ve grown up with Groundwork join GroundCorps after turning 18. That transition opens the door to a more technical skillset—using heavier equipment and taking on tougher projects. These crews show up strong and make moves to improve their neighborhoods. They even compete with other businesses for projects, budgeting, and writing proposals that reflect real community priorities. Learning the process behind projects like stormwater infrastructure, park creation, urban forestry, and energy efficiency is a skillset that helps them wherever they go. At the end of the day, all jobs can be green jobs.
Check out Groundwork NOLA: their team is building park space that responds to climate emergencies like neighborhood flooding. Imagine gaining the knowledge and tools to change your community for the better. That’s the agency and power GroundCorps builds.”
Q: Why is a program like GroundCorps important right now?
“Let’s be real: the world is on fire—literally and otherwise. With the decline of disaster relief operations and the increasing frequency of climate emergencies, who will be on the ground responding? How about a local workforce trained to both adapt infrastructure and respond to disasters.
That’s part of the vision here: everyday adaptation through capital projects that keep health and wealth in our communities.
We still have work to do to reach these goals. This is life and death out here—hotter temperatures, worsening air, increased flooding—all paired with rising social and economic challenges – and our youth are a big part of the solution. We’re reaching our ancestors through gardening, planting trees that fight the heat, and creating healthy green spaces in disinvested places that deserve so much more.”
Q: What potential do you see if this model continues to grow? What’s at stake if it doesn’t?
“The model is built on opportunity. We’re combining hustle and creativity with community priorities through social enterprise. Good luck outcompeting our passion.
There is so much unearthed potential in our young folx. The next great conservationist, innovator, advocate, or leader is already in our employ, with thousands more across the country in our 21-city network. Our communities have been studied to death. ‘Experts’ have offered every kind of solution, but they often miss the mark. The most resilient creativity is born from scarcity—just ask a young person about their world and how to fix it.
Q: What’s needed to strengthen the pipeline from GroundCorps into long-term careers in climate resilience or environmental work?
“This is an area where we’re making real strides!”
There hasn’t been enough accountability to our young people—no clear, concrete job connections after training. Groundwork is a community connector and is stepping in as that bridge to help young folx transition into careers that matter.
We’ve got to ramp up partnerships with employers—so they’re ready for our youth, and our youth are ready for them. Luckily, we’ve already got great business and government partners who believe hiring local talent from diverse backgrounds fosters more buy-in and leads to better results.
We’re also looking ahead—forecasting where the job market’s going and designing pipelines to match. And in some cases, when there is no market, we’re creating our own. We’re scaling up our business capacity so we can take on bigger projects, generate our own revenue, and reinvest in the communities we serve.”
Meeting today’s environmental and social challenges requires creative ideas and bold leadership—and GroundCorps is cultivating exactly that. The future of climate-resilient communities, thriving green spaces, and healthy neighborhoods depends on investing in these emerging leaders and expanding opportunities that ensure a strong pipeline to lasting careers in conservation, climate resilience, and community revitalization.
