RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia is looking for stewards of public lands under a program inspired by the Depression-era Civil Conservation Corps.

The modern-day version is called the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is teaming up with the Corporation for National Community Service to launch the inaugural season the Virginia version of the corps.

Members of the Virginia corps will help build and maintain trails and work to control invasive species, among other duties. They also could see short-term deployments for disaster relief.

Crew members will complete 1,700 hours of service from November through August 2015.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and 17 and older, be a high school graduate and pass a background check.

Corps members are given a living allowance, among other benefits,

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