Veterans Discover New Opportunities in CCC-NOAA Fisheries Program

Military veteran Keoni Fisher is taking on a new mission that may sound a little fishy. Literally. "We're trying to ensure the survival of steelhead," Keoni said.

After his military service, Keoni joined the California Conservation Corps' Veterans Fisheries Program in the fight to save endangered fish species, like steelhead trout. "There's not a lot left. They're at a historical low right now," he said.

Instead of military fatigues, Keoni and his fellow veteran Corpsmembers gear up in waders then take action. They slog through California's creeks equipped with measuring tapes, thermometers, and stadia rods to determine if the water is suitable for steelheads to dig their nests and survive.

"We're looking for redds" said Corpsmember Kyler Godfrey, who lives and works in Camarillo. "Steelhead slap and swish their tails around, creating a divot to lay their eggs in. So, we're looking for that."

None of these veterans had fisheries experience prior to joining the CCC. Kyler is in the Army Reserves. Remy Channer served in the Marines. Keoni, after four years in active duty with the Army, spent another four years in the National Guard before returning to his hometown of Atascadero.

"I was an 11 Bravo infantryman," Keoni said. "I served as an honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery, and I was activated during COVID-19 where I staffed emergency rooms, working as an EMT."

Now their work is taking them into an entirely new field with new opportunities. In the course of a year, the veterans learn how to monitor water flow, survey creek habitats, identify fish, and protect the environment.

"There was a whole learning curve," said Remy, who's from Riverside and based at the CCC Los Padres Center. "You start to pick up skills and get better at things, and it just gets more exciting the more you go."

The Veterans Corps Fisheries Program is offered at CCC's Camarillo, Delta, Fortuna, Los Padres, and Ukiah centers in partnership with the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The CCC also collaborates on projects with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Caltrans, and resource conservation districts.

"The fisheries crews remind me of special forces because they are force multipliers - they bring in multiple people from different agencies for one purpose and one goal," said Remy.

Many veterans in the CCC leverage this opportunity to amplify their environmental impact and also network with future employers, launch fulfilling careers, and transition into civilian life.

"The military instills in you a lot of meaning for your job. After exiting the military, I really was searching for that," said Keoni. "The California Conservation Corps really provided that for me."

The program is helping these veteran Corpsmembers on their respective pathways to meaningful careers. Keoni is working on his Environmental Studies degree with plans to become a park ranger. Remy wants to work in agriculture and Kyler plans to become a firefighter.

"We owe our veterans an enormous amount of thanks for their service," said CCC Director JP Patton. "Our Veterans Fisheries Corpsmembers continue to protect our people and our planet. We're honored to support them in their new mission serving California."