This program utilizes qualified non-profit youth- and veteran-serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation, education, volunteer service and education…

Grant Award Summary

The National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, awarded Santa Monica Mountains Fund a $361,952 cooperative agreement under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931) effective August 19, 2025, through December 31, 2027. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will provide 11 paid internships for youth to perform natural and cultural resource conservation work across multiple park sites within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Interns will engage in trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and public land beautification activities while developing practical skills in resource management and environmental stewardship.

Beyond direct conservation outcomes, the internship program delivers workforce development and educational benefits to participating youth through mentorship, professional skills training, and visitor engagement opportunities at park events. The initiative addresses critical resource management needs on federal lands while serving as a career pathway for young adults. Beneficiaries include the participating non-profit organization, academic institutions, state and local government agencies, students, and the general public through enhanced visitor safety, improved park access, and strengthened public land stewardship knowledge.

This program utilizes qualified non-profit youth- and veteran-serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation, education, volunteer service and education projects on department of the interior lands through authorized national park service programs. This project will provide 11 internships for youth while addressing necessary maintenance and improvements across multiple park sites within the santa monica mountains national recreation area. Activities may include trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and public land beautification, aimed at enhancing visitor safety and access. The interns will gain practical skills and as well as engage with visitors at park events, enhancing their work capabilities and public stewardship knowledge.beneficiaries include private non-profit institutions and organizations public and private non-profit academic institutions state and local government agencies quasi-public non-profit institutions and organizations that support youth and young adult career training and development, and education in the areas of natural and or cultural resource conservation and management. Individuals families students and the general public will receive a benefit from the development and execution of these programs and projects.