(a) The purpose of the New York State Conservation Corps is to further the development and enhancement of the natural, cultural and historic resources of the State by its young men and women and, in doing so, to prepare them to manage the resources and their own lives.

1. (1) To provide needed community services in urban, suburban and rural settings by the conservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of the State's natural, historic, environmental, cultural and recreational resources.
2. (2) To develop in participating youth basic employment skills and an understanding of the State's natural environment and cultural heritage.

(b) Goals of the program.

(d) To the maximum extent possible, each Conservation Corps project will have the following characteristics:

1. (1) a balanced work/learning program in which environmental awareness and work skills are learned primarily through meaningful work activities on public lands or facilities;
2. (2) a mixture of youth of both sexes from various social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds which is representative of youth residing within the recruiting area;
3. (3) an enrollment of size sufficient to permit group learning and social interaction;
4. (4) components that will educate the enrollees about our natural environment and cultural heritage, teach first aid and basic employment skills and encourage them to further their education; and
5. (5) crews which are easily recognized as members of the New York State Conservation Corps regardless of the identity of project sponsors.