Thanks to a grant from the National Park Foundation, 20 young people from 20 states were able to spend their summer working in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Estes Park News reports.
The National Park Foundation's Service Corps program provides grants to parks and community organizers to support crews across the country as a meaningful way to engage young adults in national parks.
Through an array of restoration and preservation projects, service corps members form deep relationships with each other and parks, explore outdoor careers, gain practical field skills, and develop confidence as leaders.
"We're just completing the 21st season of our Corps where we hosted a diverse group of fantastic young people from 20 different states," Estee Rivera, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, said in a press release.
Among the projects the corps worked on in Rocky Mountain National Park during the 2024 season: the creation of burn piles for fire mitigation, invasive species removal, and trail restoration in areas scarred by the 2020 East Troublesome Fire.
"Whether crews are restoring critical habitats, preserving historic structures, or helping with infrastructure improvements, these hands-on experiences give young adults a chance to envision their future in national parks," said Lise Aangeenbrug, chief program officer of the National Park Foundation.
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