The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant has opened recruitment for a special short-term Guam Green Growth Guam Restoration of Watersheds Conservation Corps, offering community members an opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience in forestry, watershed restoration and other green-industry careers.

This term of the G3 GROW Corps is a full-time, 12-week workforce development program scheduled to run from August 10 through October 31, 2026. Selected corps members will work 40 hours per week and receive a stipend of up to $1,300 every two weeks.

Participants will work alongside the UOG CIS and Sea Grant Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) Initiative, learning practical skills such as seed collection, native plant propagation, nursery maintenance, site preparation, tree planting, firebreak maintenance and other watershed restoration practices. The program is designed to prepare participants for careers in Guam’s growing green economy while supporting efforts to protect the island’s forests, watersheds, and coastal ecosystems.

“This short-term cohort of the GROW Corps will provide a great opportunity for those looking to learn more and break into this field of work,” said UOG CIS and Sea Grant Program Leader Phillip Cruz. “Gaining these skills can help people move into conservation and restoration work within the emerging green economy and help jumpstart a career.”

The GROW initiative restores degraded watershed areas to reduce erosion and prevent sediment from flowing into rivers and coastal waters, where it can damage coral reefs. Previous corps members have supported restoration activities in the Ugum watershed, including raising and planting trees, maintaining restoration sites and assisting with community planting events. UOG’s watershed restoration partners have now planted more than 7,000 trees through these efforts.

The G3 GROW Corps recently received national recognition through the 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs showcase organized by Apolitical, the National Academy of Public Administration and Humans of Public Service. The program was selected in the climate, energy and disaster-response category for combining environmental restoration, climate resilience and workforce development.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically able to perform demanding outdoor work and prepared to work in heat, rain and other extreme conditions. Program activities may include lifting, hiking across uneven terrain, operating equipment, and completing labor-intensive restoration work.

The G3 initiative is facilitated by UOG in partnership with the Office of the Governor of Guam and members of the Guam Green Growth Working Group. Its workforce programs aim to give residents practical experience while helping the island advance its sustainability and economic-development goals.

Applications are now being accepted. For eligibility requirements and application information, visit GuamGreenGrowth.org or call 671-735-5631.