Youth Corps

The Bureau of Land Management�s Public Lands Corps (PLC)/Youth Program engages youth and veterans in hands-on natural and cultural resource projects that sustain the long-term health and productivity of America�s public lands. Through partnerships with qualified youth and veteran corps organizations, the program offers participants valuable field experience, professional development, and exposure to public service careers in areas such as natural and cultural resource management and wildland fire. Participants gain practical skills through projects including habitat restoration, trail construction, invasive species removal, riparian monitoring, recreation infrastructure improvements, and fire mitigation. These activities directly enhance ecological resilience and improve visitor experiences. Simultaneously, the program enables the BLM to accomplish mission-critical work efficiently by leveraging partnerships to complete high-impact projects that restore landscapes, protect wildlife, and foster community stewardship of public lands. By cultivating future land managers and promoting healthier landscapes, the PLC/Youth Program is a vital investment in both public lands and the next generation of their caretakers.

Any qualified youth or conservation corps that supports youth career training and development in the areas of appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation projects. A qualified service and conservation corps means any program established by a State, or local government, by the governing body of any Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit organization.

First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant�s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

The Public Land Corps Act requires a recipient match of 25%. The Public Lands Corps Act stipulates that the BLM must share the costs of work performed by youth or conservation corps with non-federal sources. Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1729, the Secretary of the Interior may not pay more than 75% of the costs of any appropriate conservation project carried out on public lands by a qualified youth or conservation corps. The remaining 25% of costs may be provided from non-federal sources in the form of funds, donations, in-kind services, facilities, materials, equipment, or any combination thereof. The 25% match shall be waived for Youth Program projects implemented with Inflation Reduction Act funding or through a Federally Recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native entity.

Fiscal year 2025: Youth Corps projects, as outlined in the youth funding opportunity notice, supported the goals of the PLC Program while also advancing the objectives of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through targeted outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations. These projects included: Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.). Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health. Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc. Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors. Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc. Preservation of cultural...