A Santa Fe nonprofit organization has launched a new program aimed at getting young people interested in environmentally friendly careers.

On Saturday, the Earth Works Institute's Climate Change Conservation Corps began its first project in its own backyard. A group of 12 young adults from around Northern New Mexico learned how to conduct a "resource audit" at the Second Street building that houses the institute and two other nonprofit organizations.

Members of the group — who ranged in age from 17 to 25 — first broke into three teams, said Dana Richards, Earth Works Institute's associate director. One team analyzed the building's energy bills to calculate its carbon footprint, he said. After installing weather stripping, window insulation and other quick fixes that will save energy, the group planned to come up with a list of recommendations — including the possible installation of solar panels — for the building's owners to contemplate, Richards said.

Another team analyzed the building's water usage, including flow rates in toilets and sinks as well as landscaping needs, he said. The last team looked at the building's waste and recycling practices.

Ideally, the institute would like to be able to send its resource audit teams to businesses and homes in the community, Richards said. He would especially like to work with low-income families to make their homes more energy-efficient, he said.

The Climate Change Conservation Corps — dubbed "4C" by organizers — is an effort to teach young people about so-called "green collar" — as opposed to white or blue collar — jobs, Richards said. These jobs include stewardship of natural resources, green architecture and building, designing, using or installing energy-efficient or renewable-energy systems, raising organic food and community mobilization.

Toribio Garcia, 17, of Chamisal said he planned to take the information he learned Saturday and apply it to his home. "I'm a farmer myself," he said. "I never realized what kind of an impact each of us has on the Earth."

Sheldon Tenorio, 17, a student at Santa Fe Indian School, said he felt he learned valuable information Saturday. "I love nature," he said. "I think this will better prepare me for my life."

For more information about Earth Works Institute or the Climate Change Conservation Corps, call 982-9806 or go to earthworksinstitute.org.

Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or :jauslander@sfnewmexican.com.