Youth Conservation Corps and Public Land Corps

CFDA 10.740 Active Other Financial Assistance
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$45.1M FY2026
$16.5M
FY24
$44.2M
FY25
$45.1M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 In 2025, 42 agreements were awarded.

Program Objective

The Public Lands Corps will provide experience, education, and employment opportunities for members between the ages of 16 and 30, or up to 35 for veterans. Members will participate in meaningful, paid, on-the ground activities while advancing the conservation and stewardship of public lands. Project activities may be performed to support wildfire risk reduction, trails and recreation management, habitat restoration, research, or other Forest Service programmatic areas.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Local
  • State
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government
  • Tribal Government (other)
  • Tribal
  • U.S. State Government

Partners interested in entering into a Youth Conservation Corps or Public Lands Corps agreement with the Forest Service may be any nonprofit organization, state or local government, or governing body of any Indian Tribe that: offers meaningful, full-time, productive work in a natural and cultural resource setting through conservation projects; provides a variety of work experience, life skills, education, training, and support services; provides participants with the opportunity to develop citizenship values and skills through service to their community and the United States; and provides participants with a living allowance, stipend, or wages.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Partners provide proposals to agency officials who determine if a partnership for the activity is warranted and if there are funds for approval. Awards are determined at the region, station and national level.

Program details & compliance

Description

Youth Conservation Corps provides young individuals between 16-18 years of age and Public Lands Corps participants 16-30 years old, or up to 35 years old for veterans, a meaningful paid work experience while you advance the conservation and stewardship of public lands. You will contribute to important work in wildfire risk reduction, trails and recreation management, habitat restoration, research, visitor services, and more, developing skills necessary to join the next generation of conservation leaders.

Mission Categories

Primary: Equal Employment Opportunity

Other categories:
Agricultural Resource Conservation and DevelopmentForestryRecreation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funds will be used for trail maintenance and construction, wildfire risk mitigation, fuels reduction, and prescribed burning. Also, funds will be used for participants to learn about forest conservation, visitor services and outreach as well as, wildlife habitat restoration, reforestation, tree planting, and seed collection, mapping and geographic information systems, and more.

Restrictions

The authority and agency directives determine restrictions on awards. May not be used for activities unrelated to the use of assistance.

Matching Requirements

Match is determined by agency directives and/or the authority utilized.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Contacts

Chernoh Barrie
2022050533
201 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-11. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:28:25.