ANTFARM YOUTH SERVICES IS A NONPROFIT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION BASED IN RURAL NORTHEASTERN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON. IN A REGION WHERE ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS LIMITED BY POVERTY, GEOGRAPHY, AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, ANTFARM PROVIDES LOCALLY ACCESSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES. THROUGH 16 INTEGRATED PROGRAMS, WE ENGAGE AND EMPOWER YOUTHMANY OF WHOM FACE SYSTEMIC CHALLENGESWITH HANDS-ON LEARNING, MENTORSHIP, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.THIS PROPOSAL BUILDS ON OUR LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM) AND EXPANDS OUR YOUTHCORE PROGRAMS DIRECT SERVICE WORK IN THE MOLALLA RIVER CORRIDOR AND THE SANDY RIVER BASIN. CREWS OF LOCAL YOUTH WILL ENGAGE IN ESSENTIAL STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND OBLITERATION, ROAD DECOMMISSIONING, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, NATIVE PLANTING, AND TRASH CLEANUP. THESE PROJECTS RESTORE PUBLIC LANDS WHILE ALSO TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF PARTICIPANTS, WHO REPORT INCREASED CONFIDENCE, PURPOSE, AND A DEEPER CONNECTION TO NATURE AND COMMUNITY. IN THE WORDS OF ONE PARTICIPANT, I FELT GROUNDED OUT IN NATURE. IT FELT GOOD TO HAVE EACH OTHERS BACKS AND ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING HARD. THIS PROGRAM REFLECTS OUR SHARED MISSION WITH BLM TO CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC LAND STEWARDS.