Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands

Deadline: 18-Apr-22

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced Wyoming Youth Conservation Grant Opportunities on Public Lands. This program’s projects provide employment for participants and opportunities to learn about and gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management while promoting long-term interest in public lands stewardship and the BLM. The BLM Youth Program assists the BLM with diversifying the workforce while exposing participants to complex cultural and natural resource issues.

Objective and Goals

Projects available under this program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Offices and emphasize on-the-ground projects, training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to connecting youth, from diverse backgrounds to natural and cultural resources on public lands through conservation service projects, recreational experiences, natural resource-based employment, and educational opportunities, including scientific studies. These projects create jobs that strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with youth conservation corps striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.
Participants are mentored by BLM professionals, acquire new skills, and gain experience in natural and cultural resource management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about conservation-related careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) and the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) initiatives. These initiatives offer an opportunity to address climate change and address racial inequity by providing training opportunities for young people of color and others from historically disenfranchised communities.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding: $500,000
Maximum Award: $500,000
Minimum Award: $100,000
Anticipated Number of Awards: 1

Outcomes

Projects may vary in length, but none should last longer than three years. Projects may be located in different geographic locations on BLM administered lands. The overall project success shall be validated and tracked by the BLM project coordinator using various criteria such as:
- Expose young people to public service, furthering their understanding and appreciation of the nation’s natural and cultural resources, while implementing Secretarial Orders and priorities.
- Stimulate interest in conservation careers by working with BLM conservation professionals and providing qualified conservation projects that will allow corps members to be certified for two-year noncompetitive hiring status upon completion of the projects and 640 hours.
- Promote job creation to strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.
- Promote and stimulate public purposes by providing education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, and productive community involvement in the care and enhancement of natural and cultural resources.
- Assist qualified conservation corps to enhance and maintain public lands and waters by engaging youth in conserving or developing natural and cultural resources.
- Engage young people within the local area or within the states to provide opportunities to stimulate interest in conservation activities.

Eligibility Criteria

County governments
State governments
City or township government
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Additional Information on Eligibility: This opportunity is open to any qualified youth conservation corps established by a state or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a qualified nonprofit organization interested in working cooperatively with the BLM to develop and administer multiple-use conservation projects. Conservation projects must focus on providing employment, education, and public-service opportunities for U.S. citizens and legal residents (between ages 16 and 30 inclusive and veterans up to age 35 inclusive) recruited from local and surrounding communities to assist with projects on public lands. No other entities are eligible to respond. All responding non-profit entities must provide a copy of their Section 501(c) (3) status determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service.