NOAA’s Veterans Corps partnerships are building on more than a decade of growth, supporting habitat and fisheries restoration projects on the West Coast.
Supporting veterans is imperative to our agency. NOAA VetCorps gives veterans the training and tools to pursue careers in habitat conservation and restoration.
NOAA and partners have supported communities through restoration at two urban Superfund sites in Massachusetts and Washington. We’re increasing access to parks, and getting locals involved in habitat restoration through training and job opportunities.
After four years of success, the RESTORE Council Approved almost $12 million for GulfCorps to continue work for an additional four years, restoring habitat and boosting local economies to help the Gulf Coast recover after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Through a NOAA Veterans Corps internship, Air Force veteran Tillie Smith will begin a new journey restoring habitat and resources in Puget Sound, and gaining scientific experience to build a career in natural resources.
Barney Boyer, former Air Force engineer, and our first veteran intern in Washington, leveraged the internship to earn a graduate degree, then landed at a Michigan environmental agency where he’s keeping the state’s waters clean for fish and communities.
NOAA and partners provide job training for young people and veterans through hands-on work experience in on-the-ground restoration and science projects.
Veteran and corps programs are enhancing workforce development and opportunities for higher education in the natural resources field, while restoring coastal habitat to support healthy fisheries, fishing communities, and NOAA trust resources.