DOI Youth Coordination Grant in Arizona

B. Cost Sharing or Matching:

A match is not required by statute, but encouraged. Match can include in-kind labor, travel, field expenses, and laboratory facilities, etc. If match is from a third party, include a copy of the letter committing funds or interest in the project.

A. Project Background Information:

The mission of the Department of Interior (DOI) includes protecting America¿s natural and heritage resources, honoring different cultural and tribal communities, and supplying the energy to power our future. To accomplish these goals, the DOI¿s developed a strategic plan that reflects the priorities of President Obama and the Secretary of the Interior for a 21st Century Interior. The Youth in the Great Outdoors program is a key component of building a skilled and diverse 21st Century DOI workforce. To implement this strategy of connecting youth to the outdoors and careers with agencies that manage public lands, the DOI agencies in Arizona have joined forces, working in a coordinated management group called Youth Careers & Academic in Nature Arizona (You CAN AZ). You CAN AZ is developing a youth program that integrates environmental education, engagement, and employment in the outdoors. These programs provide opportunities for youth to gain appreciation for, and become stewards of our natural resources.

This is accomplished through youth programs that create pathways from education to experience and to employment by,

¿ Educating the mind through environmental literacy programs that provide the basic understanding and appreciation for nature and responsible management of natural resources;

¿ Encouraging the heart through hands-on engagement in outdoor experiences and hands-on learning experiences; and

¿ Inspiring stewardship through providing academic and career pathways in natural resources with curricula in elementary, middle, high schools, colleges and for volunteer- employment opportunities.

¿ You CAN AZ will utilize existing DOI Arizona youth programs/initiatives as well as other programs that allow youth from all backgrounds to explore, connect with, and preserve America¿s natural and cultural heritage. The federal agencies have identified the need for a project advisor for the six agencies.

B. Project Objective:
The purpose of this program is to bring together six DOI Bureaus and Programs to fully develop and implement the YOU CAN AZ program. A public well informed on environmental and resource issues is essential to continued support of agency programs, and environmental education and appreciation is best begun early in academic careers. In addition, the Interior agencies face an aging workforce and the potential difficulty in finding talented professionals to fill the voids left by retiring agency personnel. It is for these reasons that the parties to this memorandum of understanding (MOU) are developing YOU CAN AZ, as a means of enhancing an understanding of, and participation in, natural resource and resource science practices by Arizona citizens.