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

American Conservation Experience received a $140,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Park Service (NPS) under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931), effective August 5, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Under this award, the organization will establish and operate a five-person youth trail crew on St. Croix to conduct trail repair and rehabilitation work at Buck Island Reef National Monument and Salt River Bay National Historic Park over approximately 24 weeks. The crew will enhance park amenities, improve visitor safety and access, and rehabilitate recreational areas within these protected units.

In addition to direct conservation outcomes, the award provides professional development and workforce training benefits for local students through hands-on experience in facilities management and public lands stewardship. This cooperative agreement aligns with the NPS program's dual objectives of addressing critical resource management needs on Department of the Interior lands while simultaneously creating career pathways and skills development opportunities for youth participants.

This program seeks to utilize 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. American conservation experience will establish a youth trail crew on ST. Croix to repair and rehabilitate trails and recreational areas at buck island reef national monument and salt river BAY national historic park. The 5-person crew will work for approximately 24 weeks on projects aimed at enhancing park amenities and improving visitor safety and access. Additionally, the initiative will provide local students with professional development opportunities through hands-on experience in facilities management within the national parks.