Onondaga Earth Corps is helping Syracuse go green by planting trees across the city.

Crew member Terrence Valdes started working his senior year in high school and has plans to study environmental science in college.

"It shaped a lot of my interests in the environment; you know what people are doing to the planet now,” said Valdes. “Not only appreciate the plant and what’s it done for us, but how we can reverse the negative effects."

Valdes is one of 40 other young adults employed at the non-profit organization.

"Earth corps helps those who are facing the toughest challenges," said Onondaga Earth Corps Executive Director Greg Michel.

Their mission is to empower the youth through improving the environment. They've helped employ 300 young adults.

"They come here learn work skills, plant trees, they learn how to maintain gardens they've grown and it improves our ecosystem," Michel said.

It helps get young people involved in the environment, especially at a time when climate change is an issue many are fighting for.

"Sometimes we're in an urban setting, sometimes were in a forest setting, but being able to get out there and do that we those young folks just to get their minds on something positive, off of social media, onto planet earth, real life, is just amazing," said Onondaga Earth Corps Crew Leader Taj Martin.

Most importantly it sets them up for a stronger future. Teens get training to have careers in related fields.

"Just you to get them see them grow in so many ways that's what it’s mostly about,” Martin said. “It's about saving the earth but getting the youth to want to save the earth too."