The team-based, community and conservation service model of the CCC was eventually emulated by various state conservation corps programs. Following the end of WW2, a number of congressional representatives proposed creating international service organizations but these failed to pass both houses. President John F. Kennedy would eventually create such an organization, the Peace Corps, by executive order in 1961, sending young people abroad to promote diplomacy, local development and international awareness among returning Americans. President Lyndon Johnson would provide the next push for domestic public service with the Volunteers In Service To America program, part of the Great Society. VISTA was conceived as the Peace Corps within America, offering loans for community service in low-income areas.

During President Clinton’s administration VISTA was folded into the newly conceived Americorps Program along with the National Civilian Community Corps, FEMA Corps, and the State and National division. NCCC functions like the CCC with a more regional and locally-driven focus. The State and National division provides local and national nonprofits, faith-based organizations, public agencies and intuitions of higher education with Americorps member/volunteers to engage in community service projects. In our case that means planting, caring for, and educating the public about the benefits of a healthy urban forest. Incidentally, this blog is almost entirely written by Americorps members. In other organizations, Americorps members conduct after-school tutoring, build houses or other community service activities.