In 2017, the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (service) awarded the association of usfwsretirees (association) financial assistance for youth programs support

Under that award, the association has supported conservation career awareness activities at nctc. Inaddition, the association has collaborated with the services national friends groupcoordinator to implement a mini-grant program. The mini-grants provided through thataward support partners working with FWS field stations to expand conservation careerawareness and activities that connect people with nature, with a focus on youth. Thataward expires on september 30, 2023.reaching the countrys youth with a message that connects them to nature and theoutdoors has been widely recognized as a key natural resource need since richard louvwrote the last child in the woods. At one of the key frontlines of this effort are US fishand wildlife refuges and hatcheries and the friends groups and other partners that sharethis vision. This program has long been funded by USFWS for the retirees association tocreate linkages and reach out to the above referenced partners. The last grant received bythe association was fully expended with applicant requests that far exceeded availablefunds. Highlights from this effort include the awarding of 8 mini-grants in 2019 and 27 minigrantsin 2023. Additionally, the association awarded corazon latino a grant to reachlatinos and their families and connect them to national wildlife refuges. The needcontinues.key program ELEMENTS1. Objective 1. Fund at least 12 national wildlife refuge hatchery field station partnerssupporting projects that address the program goals above by the end of the fundingperiod.2. Objective 2. Fund honoraria for at least two speakers for nctc-operated youthprograms such as the native american youth by the end of the funding period.3. Objective 3. Fund at least one project that focuses on connecting minorities with natureby the end of the funding period.4. Objective 4. Establish a partnership link with the wildlife society to connect studentsmajoring in wildlife biology sciences with association members for mentorshipopportunities.