Denver Parks and Recreation: Youth Urban Ranger Program Grant

Through a partnership between the NPS, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK, an urban nonprofit organization), and Denver Parks and Recreation, the Denver Urban Ranger Program seeks to engage underrepresented urban communities in fun, safe, educational outdoor experiences. The Urban Rangers work as educational facilitators and ambassadors for the National Park Service and ELK. The NPS and ELK work together to develop a training to achieve these objectives. This year, the training will be held at Colorado State Universityâ¿¿s Mountain Campus June 7-9.

Throughout the summer the Urban Rangers will conduct 20+ fishing clinics and 20 school-based environmental programs in urban communities to teach youth about how they can explore, learn, and protect our National Parks, and how important it is that the NPS is celebrating its Centennial anniversary this year. Participants will also learn about ecosystems, ethical angler practices, and fish ecology. Following the education portion of each workshop, the youth will participate in a Junior Urban Ranger quiz and will then be sworn in as Junior Urban Rangers to wrap up the education portion of the event. All fishing clinic participants receive a free fishing rod and reel, donated by Denver Parks and Recreation, to encourage them to get outside and go fishing again.