Grant: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in cooperation with its federal partners, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Forest Service (USFS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announce an initiative to connect youth to the outdoors by providing financial support for conservation employment programs. The initiative, Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists, brings together public and private partners to support those organizations that are developing innovative conservation job opportunities for youth on public lands which expose young people, particularly urban, tribal and minority youth, to the natural world and career opportunities available in conservation.

In 2014, approximately $1.75 million ($1,000,000 BLM, $425,000 Reclamation, $225,000 USFS, and $100,000 FWS) will be available for matching grants nationwide. The funding is part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) effort to provide meaningful employment opportunities to young Americans to protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s great outdoors. Project work funded through this program is restricted to habitat and species restoration projects that directly benefit BLM, Reclamation, USFS, and/or FWS National Wildlife Refuge System facilities, lands, programs, or mission.