Next Generation Ranger Corps Opportunity to Practice Traditional | P19AS00407

Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00407

The grant opportunity titled "Next Generation Ranger Corps Opportunity to Practice Traditional" (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00407) is a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. It is offered as a cooperative agreement under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.954). The program is structured to support a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with a maximum funding level (Award Ceiling) of $73,917. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The opportunity was created on July 22, 2019, with an original application closing date of August 1, 2019.

At its core, the project funds a "Next Gen Ranger" placement at Saguaro National Park within the park's Division of Interpretation. The position is designed as an intensive, mentored, hands-on professional development experience in environmental education and interpretation within the National Park Service context. The intern is mentored by Chip Littlefield, identified as the Park Ranger and Education Branch Coordinator, and will meet regularly with mentor(s) as part of a structured learning and accountability process. In addition to mentoring, the intern is expected to track hours and produce reports summarizing activities and accomplishments, emphasizing both workforce development and measurable outcomes.

The work plan described in the announcement centers on building practical skills in environmental education through direct participation in programming that reaches the public, especially youth. The Next Gen Ranger will work alongside professional education staff and progressively move from learning and assisting to implementing and leading curriculum-based environmental education programs. This implies involvement in lesson delivery aligned with educational standards or structured curricula, supporting school groups or youth organizations, and gaining experience in planning, facilitation, and interpretive communication. Another major component is leading citizen science projects, which typically involves coordinating public participation in data collection or observations, educating participants on methods and purpose, and helping ensure data quality while also making the experience meaningful and accessible.

A significant youth engagement and recreation element is also included through implementation of a park-wide Hiking Club program. The stated goal is to provide recreation opportunities for local diverse youth, suggesting an emphasis on inclusion and outreach to communities that may face barriers to accessing parks. This aspect likely involves program design and logistics, coordination with partners (such as schools and community nonprofits), safety and trip planning considerations, and interpretive or educational content integrated into hikes. In practice, this would give the intern experience in program management, community engagement, and youth-focused interpretation while strengthening connections between the park and surrounding communities.

Beyond education and public programming, the position includes an applied research and resource documentation component. The Next Gen Ranger will gain familiarity with wildlife cameras (commonly trail cameras) used to research and document small carnivore behavior in riparian areas of the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. This indicates field exposure and technical skill-building related to camera deployment or operation, data retrieval and organization, basic wildlife monitoring protocols, and interpreting behavioral patterns captured on camera. The emphasis on riparian areas also points to learning about habitat-specific ecology and how monitoring supports resource management and interpretation.

Overall, the opportunity blends workforce development with mission-driven park work. It is framed as a professional pathway experience that combines environmental education, interpretation, citizen science leadership, youth recreation programming, and basic wildlife monitoring. The cooperative agreement structure suggests the selected nonprofit partner would work closely with the National Park Service to place and support the intern, align activities with park priorities, and document progress through regular mentoring, hour tracking, and reporting on accomplishments.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Next Generation Ranger Corps Opportunity to Practice Traditional" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 22, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 01, 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 $73,917.00 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.

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