NPS HOME Youth Interns Grant

Provide a brief overview of the project – the Recipient and why they were chosen – NPS Substantial Involvement

American Conservation Experience (ACE), one of the 18 national agreement holders was selected based on the information received after posting a request for information. ACE was able to recruit and hire the intern’s for the last amount and provide them with a larger stipend. The intern is given a work plan when they arrive; one of the activities on the work plan is to develop an independent project that aligns with their personal interest and career goals and will help the monument better protect the resources. The parks resource manager serves as the selecting official and direct supervisor for the interns. The interns work side by side with the resource and interpretation staff to complete assigned duties.

The Recipient is a member of the American Conservation Experience who was awarded a Master Cooperative Agreement P15AC00015 allowing American Conservation Experience to participate in specific tasks, and can provide the necessary activities involved in this particular task while providing an effective outcome for NPS and the objectives of this research/educational project.
The interns work directly with park staff to learn about how the different divisions within a park site work together to ensure that the site is protected for future generations of park visitors. The interns gain knowledge about interpretation, resource management, facility management and administration. The interns work with the public presenting Jr. Ranger and curriculum based activities. They help the park to do public outreach at local parades and fairs. The interns develop environmental education activities. Specifically they develop the kids in the parks programs every Saturday during July and August. Those programs talk about the biodiversity of the plants and animals at Homestead.