fire ecology

Yosemite National Park hosts a Woman’s Fire Internship as part of the California Conservation Corps, encouraging more young women to join the wildfire-fighting and natural resource workforces. Women aged 18-25 learn about firefighting and conservation work in a safe, supportive environment while developing professional skills. Guadalupe Ruiz, a wildlife biologist, joined to gain more experience in the field after earning her bachelor’s degree. Another member, TeeTee Andrews, explains how it helped her financially, allowing her to obtain her high school degree and more, while building her confidence in professional, traditionally male-dominated spaces. Corpsmember Mirna Camey joined after coming to the United States as an asylee and fell in love with working outdoors through the program. Research shows that the discouraging culture and leadership in wildfire fighting, alongside policy issues like inadequate childcare, prevent women from joining the industry. Through this internship, the California Conservation Corps supports young women with education and industry connections to begin their natural resource careers. While there is still a way to go in diversifying the field for everyone, this is an amazing step in the right direction that uplifts the next generation of environmental workers.