Cooperative Agreement P26AC00102

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 PROVIDES NEXT GENERATION RANGERS WITH HANDS-ON TRAINING IN MODERN FACILITY MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING TRADE SKILLS, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, ASSET MANAGEMENT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES. INTERNS WILL SUPPORT VEGETATION AND RODENT-HAZARD MITIGATION IN HIGH-USE AREAS OF SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, IMPROVING VISITOR SAFETY, FIRE PROTECTION, AND SITE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE GAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP, AND COMPETITIVE HIRING SKILLS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE CLEARED AND SAFER VISITOR FACILITIES, REDUCED FIRE AND RODENT RISKS, AND A COHORT OF TRAINED INTERNS PREPARED TO PURSUE FUTURE CAREERS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OR OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.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.