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…

American Conservation Experience (ACE) received a $121,158.35 cooperative agreement award from the National Park Service (NPS) under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931), effective August 19, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Under this agreement, ACE will mobilize youth crews to improve trail accessibility and maintenance at Joshua Tree National Park in California. The project activities include converting a standard hiking trail to meet accessibility standards, clearing overgrown vegetation, improving water mitigation systems to prevent erosion, and enhancing the overall trail corridor. These efforts will expand park access for all visitors, particularly those with disabilities, while providing meaningful conservation work and career development opportunities for participating youth and young adults.

The Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program supports qualified nonprofit youth and veteran-serving organizations in executing natural and cultural resource conservation projects on Department of the Interior lands. Through this cooperative agreement structure, the NPS funds organizations like ACE to deploy trained crews that simultaneously address critical resource management needs at national parks while providing paid employment, professional development, and skills training to young adults and veterans, creating tangible benefits for both park stewardship and workforce development.

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 improve trail accessibility and maintenance at joshua tree national park. Youth crews will work alongside national park service staff to convert a standard hiking trail to meet accessibility standards and perform maintenance on existing trails. Activities include clearing overgrown vegetation, improving water mitigation to prevent erosion, and enhancing the trail corridor. The outcome will be improved access for all visitors, particularly those with disabilities, benefiting everyone who enjoys the parks natural beauty.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.