Additional Coverage:
- A century ago, the government hired unemployed young men to build America’s forests, trails, and parks. Photos show FDR’s ‘tree army.’ (businessinsider.com)
Roosevelt’s Tree Army: How the Civilian Conservation Corps Changed America’s Landscape
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a key component of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, left an enduring legacy on the American landscape. Formed in 1933 amidst the Great Depression, the “tree army,” as it was affectionately known, planted over two billion trees and played a pivotal role in shaping state and national parks as we know them today.
Responding to devastating floods on the Ohio River, which he attributed to soil erosion and deforestation, Roosevelt swiftly mobilized the CCC. His goal: to employ 250,000 young men in conservation camps across the country by July 1st of that year.
The CCC not only planted trees but also fought fires, built park infrastructure, and even installed telephone lines. Their work touched everything from iconic structures in national parks to local features we may not even realize they built.
Driven by the economic hardship of the Great Depression, Roosevelt envisioned the CCC as a way to address both unemployment and conservation. He believed these projects offered both immediate economic relief and long-term benefits for future generations. The CCC reflected Roosevelt’s personal commitment to conservation, influenced by his own experiences combating erosion on his family estate and the prevailing conservationist philosophy of the era, which emphasized responsible resource management for human benefit.
The CCC rapidly mobilized. Within months, over 1,400 camps sprang up across the nation, exceeding Roosevelt’s initial enrollment goal.
The logistics of operating these camps were complex, requiring collaboration between the Army, the National Park Service, and other agencies. The Army provided essential services, from food and medical care to transportation, while the Department of Labor oversaw recruitment, and the Forest Service and NPS directed the conservation work.
The CCC primarily employed young men aged 18 to 25, who were required to be unmarried citizens with families on relief. These temporary jobs offered much-needed financial support, with most of their $30 monthly earnings sent home to their families.
Life in the camps was structured, with eight-hour workdays and a mix of militaristic discipline and recreational activities. Enrollees could participate in sports, attend classes, and enjoy a variety of leisure pursuits.
Many fondly remembered the plentiful and nutritious meals, a welcome contrast to the hardships of the Depression.
While predominantly white and male, the CCC also included segregated camps for Black workers and a separate division, the CCC-ID, for Indigenous workers. Unfortunately, discriminatory practices limited Black enrollment until 1941. Women were excluded from the CCC, although Eleanor Roosevelt championed “She-She-She” camps that provided summer employment and educational opportunities for young women.
The CCC’s impact was far-reaching. From combating the Dust Bowl on the Great Plains to building trails in the Grand Canyon and constructing the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the CCC left its mark on diverse landscapes across the country. While the CCC’s approach to conservation, which prioritized human benefit over ecological preservation, faced criticism from some environmentalists, the program was widely popular and played a significant role in shaping public appreciation for conservation.
With the onset of World War II, the CCC’s focus shifted to national defense, and the program eventually disbanded in 1942. Many former enrollees went on to serve in the war. The CCC’s legacy continues to resonate today, not only in the physical landscapes they shaped but also in the enduring impact on conservation efforts and the countless lives they touched.