USFWS; Natural Resource Conservation Careers Program; CFDA 15.676

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award(s) to 1) Northwoods Stewardship Center, East Charleston, VT 2) Mobilize Green, Washington DC; and 3) Chesapeake Youth Foundation, Chesapeake, VA. This announcement is for notification purposes only. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the Northeast Region intends to award up to thirty agreements over an award period of fourteen months (August 2019 to September 2020). The purpose is to provide introductory educational experiences in natural resource careers to young people and veterans, including culturally, ethnically and economically diverse students, and underserved communities that traditionally have low participation in outdoor recreation activities through hands-on experience and mentoring at a variety of USFWS programs including but not limited to, national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, and ecological services offices. Under this program, individuals and/or groups of youth, young adults, and veterans: ¿ Will be introduced to natural resource careers through hands-on work with, and training by, natural resource professionals employed by the USFWS. ¿ May be given the opportunity to serve both seasonal and or year-round assignments. ¿ Will enhance conservation stewardship; increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans and improve the management of game species and their habitats for this generation and beyond. ¿ Will be introduced to various real-world conservation and rehabilitation activities such as invasive species management, habitat restoration, wildlife management, public education and interpretation, disaster response and mitigation, and communications, mixed with informal and formal training sessions directed by USFWS employees during assignments. ¿ Will enhance and expand public access to lands and waters ¿ Will be provided feedback for their future growth and may receive consideration for future employment with the USFWS. This funding opportunity addresses Department of the Interior priority number 1, Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second on to Teddy Roosevelt. This opportunity fosters relationships with conservation organizations and our youth and veterans.