The Austin Conservation Corps launched Wednesday, opening new opportunities for young adults to earn money and an education, while improving local parks.

The new program, gives young adults the opportunity to earn money and an education, while improving local parks.

Nine Austin Community College students have made a 12-week commitment to service.

The city gets an inexpensive work force for cleaning and maintaining its parks and trails. Students, in addition to pay, gain access to work skills training, and education opportunities through Austin Community College.

Several local and state leaders attended Wednesday's inauguration of the Corps, including former Texas governor Mark White. He said the entire nation stands to gain from programs like this.

"The advantages to our country are enormous, because we see first of all the contributions that they make and the work that they do, providing opportunities for those young people provides some small income for them as a well, and society as a whole benefits from the work that they do," White said.

The Austin Conservation Corps has a budget $250,000. The program is overseen by ACC's Center for Public Policy and Political Studies.