The Alaska Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth and Conservation Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish conservation projects for numerous years.

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 the complex cultural and natural resource issues faced by National Conservation Lands managers.

The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth and conservation corps to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive) including tribal members. Young people are recruited from local communities to assist with conservation projects that protect and promote multiple-use on public lands.

Priorities                  

Projects developed within this funding opportunity support the following Secretarial orders and priorities:

• SO 3347 - Conservation Stewardship & Outdoor Recreation  
• SO 3356 - Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting & Wildlife Conservation Opportunities & Coordination with States, Tribes & Territories  
• SO 3362 - Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range & Migration Corridors
• SO 3366 – Increasing Recreational Opportunities on Lands and Water
• SO 3372 – Reducing Wildfire Risks on Department of the Interior Land Through Active Management.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Funding:  $ 115,000        
• Maximum Award: $ 50,000
• Minimum Award: $ 5,000
• Anticipated Number of Awards: 3

Expected Outcomes

• 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

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Special district governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• State governments
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
• Private institutions of higher education

For more information, visit Grants.gov.