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…

Award Summary

Conservation Corps received a $615,358.50 cooperative agreement from the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931), effective August 19, 2025, through December 31, 2029. Under this award, Conservation Corps will deploy youth crews throughout the National Park Service (NPS) Midwest region to deliver critical natural resource management and conservation services on federal lands. Primary deliverables include grassland and forest management activities, invasive species control through mechanical removal and herbicide application, timber stand improvement for wildlife habitat enhancement, prescribed burning for wildfire fuel reduction, and cultural landscape restoration across multiple national parks.

The program directly supports NPS resource management priorities by improving visitor safety, protecting park infrastructure, and enhancing recreational experiences while simultaneously providing career development and skills training for young adults and veterans. Conservation Corps will leverage AmeriCorps members and other conservation service participants to execute projects focused on managing tallgrass prairie encroachment, controlling early-detected invasive plants, and conducting ecological restoration work. Beyond the direct environmental benefits, the program creates workforce development opportunities for youth and veteran participants engaged in hands-on natural resource conservation, education, and professional development activities across the Midwest 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 will utilize youth crews throughout the national park service midwest region to manage grasslands and forests and improve visitor safety by reducing those invasive species that impact recreation, human health and resource protection within national parks. Projects will focus on managing tallgrass prairie against woody plant encroachment and exotic forbs conducting timber stand improvement for wildlife habitat and cultural landscape restoration controlling early detected invasive plants through tree felling and herbicide application and prescribed burning for wildfire fuel reduction to protect property, enhance visitor experience and recreation, and improve wildlife habitat within national parks.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 benefitfrom the development and execution of these programs and projects.