The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service (NPS) evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the National Park Service (NPS) under the Natural Resource Stewardship program (CFDA 15.944) provides $692,370.67 in funding to Conservation Legacy's Southwest Conservation Corps for a 5-year project (2/9/2024 - 2/8/2029). The project will engage youth in natural resource management activities across the National Capital Region, including identifying, reporting, and managing invasive plant species. Youth participants will be trained by NPS staff and work alongside them on independent projects to contribute to park conservation and management, such as increasing forest resiliency through strategic invasive vegetation control. This project aims to provide employment, education, and training opportunities for youth to gain hands-on experience in natural resource stewardship and support the NPS's broader efforts to evaluate and improve the health of park ecosystems.

The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service (NPS) evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal resources, sustains biological communities on the lands and waters in parks, and actively endeavors to improve the resiliency of these natural resources and adapt them to the effects of climate change. To carry out and further this stewardship responsibility, NPS implements programs that encompass a broad range of research, operational, and educational activities by utilizing park personnel and contractor support or cooperative agreements. This project will provide employment, education, and training opportunities for youth to engage in natural resource management activities in both a field and office setting. Youth participants will be trained by NPS staff to identify, report, and manage invasive plant species found across the national capital region parks and adjacent land. Youth participants may engage with volunteers and partner to increase awareness of threats posed by non-native invasive species. Youth will work alongside NPS staff to develop and improve already existing tools to refine management prioritization of non-native species present in or with the potential to be introduced to the national capital region. Youth will be mentored by both NPS and recipient during independent projects that contribute to park conservation and management. Youth will assist the national park service with increasing forest resiliency through strategic invasive vegetation management across the national capital region. Beneficiaries include the general public.