2019 Youth Corps Conservation Crew | P19AS00146

Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00146

The 2019 Youth Corps Conservation Crew grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00146) was offered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service as a discretionary cooperative agreement focused on natural resource stewardship and hands-on youth conservation work. Released on May 7, 2019, with an original application deadline of May 16, 2019, the program was designed to fund one project award with a maximum federal funding amount (award ceiling) of $47,200. The assistance listing/CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 15.931, which aligns with National Park Service-related assistance programs and conservation priorities.

Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, specifically excluding institutions of higher education. In practical terms, the intended applicant is a qualified nonprofit capable of recruiting, supervising, and training youth crews and coordinating closely with the National Park Service under a cooperative agreement structure. Because the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the project implies substantial involvement by the NPS in planning, oversight, or implementation, such as defining work standards, ensuring compliance with park resource protection requirements, and coordinating logistics and safety expectations for field operations.

The project itself centered on teaching youth conservation corps participants core skills used in protecting and maintaining park infrastructure and ecosystems. The training and field tasks were tied directly to on-the-ground resource protection goals: maintaining boundary fences to help exclude non-native or unauthorized animals (including livestock) from entering the park and harming sensitive natural and cultural resources; controlling invasive plant species that can displace native vegetation and degrade habitat; improving trail conditions so visitors can safely use hiking routes while reducing erosion and resource damage; and reducing wildlife-human conflict at campgrounds by installing secure food storage infrastructure (wildlife food lockers) that discourages wildlife from accessing human food.

Work outputs were clearly defined and measurable. Youth crews were expected to inspect approximately 4 to 8 miles of boundary fence, which typically involves walking the fence line, identifying breaks or weak points, noting areas of erosion or animal pressure, and documenting needed repairs. In addition, crews would clear vegetation along roughly 1 mile of boundary fence, a task that supports fence longevity and effectiveness by preventing vegetation from weighing down wires, obscuring damage, or allowing animals to bypass the fence. The project also included installation of 34 wildlife food lockers at campgrounds, a practical intervention to keep food and scented items secure, protect wildlife from food-conditioning behaviors, and reduce safety incidents and property damage tied to animals seeking human food. Finally, the crews would repair a hiking trail, reinforcing visitor safety and resource protection by addressing issues like tread damage, drainage problems, and erosion. A specific invasive species removal component was also included: removing Russian knapweed along the Mancos River, targeting a known invasive plant that can spread aggressively in riparian corridors, outcompete native plants, and alter habitat conditions.

Overall, the opportunity combined youth development with direct conservation outcomes, using structured field training to build practical skills (fence repair tools and techniques, invasive vegetation removal methods, trail maintenance practices, and installation of durable campground infrastructure) while advancing broader park management goals. The emphasis throughout was on maintaining ecological integrity, reducing preventable impacts to natural and cultural resources, and improving the visitor experience through safer trails and better-managed campground food storage that helps keep wildlife wild.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2019 Youth Corps Conservation Crew" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 07, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 16, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $47,200.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for P19AS00146

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