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…

Friends of Saguaro National Park received a $266,456.63 cooperative agreement from the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931) for the period July 3, 2025, through May 30, 2027. The organization delivers paid internship and career development opportunities for youth ages 18-30 from the Tucson, Arizona area through its "Next Generation Ranger Corps" initiative. Interns, designated as Next Generation Rangers, receive mentorship and professional training from park staff in areas including visitor services, education, park management, resource conservation, and trail maintenance while performing meaningful conservation work at Saguaro National Park and potentially other park locations.

The program's deliverables include enhanced visitor experiences, educational outreach programming, and support for visitor safety initiatives, with anticipated direct benefits to over 5,000 students. Participants gain practical skills and professional development that support their educational and career advancement goals in natural and cultural resource conservation and management. The cooperative agreement also supports engagement with local tribal communities and addresses critical park management needs while simultaneously providing workforce development pathways for underrepresented youth in the region.

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 aims to prepare youth from tucson and surrounding communities for future careers through paid internships at national parks. Participants, known as next generation rangers, will receive mentorship and training from park professionals in areas such as visitor services, education, and park management. Activities include developing and delivering educational programs, supporting visitor safety initiatives, and engaging with local tribes. Deliverables include enhanced visitor experiences and educational outreach, ultimately benefiting over 5,000 students. Participants will gain practical skills that support their educational and career goals.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.