The National Park Foundation (NPF) in the US is investing nearly $5.5m to support 42 service corps projects across the US, engaging youth, young adults, and veterans to complete essential work and enhancements in national parks. At the same time, participants gain practical experience and deepen their connections to these places.
Service corps crews work under the guidance and mentorship of National Park Service (NPS) staff to complete essential projects to improve access for recreation, protect parks from wild fires, and address critical facilities and infrastructure needs. Each crew provides much-needed support for parks and makes a tangible impact, while crew members gain practical skills in the field, earn trade certifications, develop as leaders, and form connections with each other and the parks they work in. Whether participants return as part of another seasonal crew or pursue a career in parks, trades, or private sector work, each experience strengthens parks while inspiring future stewards.
Chosen through a competitive process, some of this year’s grantees include:
American Conservation Experience will complete critical recreation access projects, dock repair, trail maintenance, deferred maintenance, and historic preservation projects at Christiansted National Historic Site.
American YouthWorks will complete priority deferred maintenance and recreation access improvements across high-use and historically significant areas of Hot Springs National Park.
Conservation Legacy will pilot a fellowship programme dedicated to strengthening the capacity across youth programs with the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center within NPS, increasing opportunities for youth corps participation.
Environment for the Americas will partner with Golden Gate National Recreation Area to complete trail maintenance, resource protection, and museum collection preservation over the span of 11 months.
Friends of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park will host a year-long crew at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, completing recreation access projects, trail construction and maintenance, and disaster assistance.
Student Conservation Association will place 12 fellows with NPS’ Structural Fire Program to support structural fire protection and prevention efforts – like inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems, portable fire extinguishers, and fire hydrant systems – in parks.
This year’s investment also includes $1.5m to assemble 12 Maintenance Action Teams (MAT) projects to address high-priority, timely infrastructure projects in as many parks. Their projects are already in the field and will be completed by the end of the year.
“Service corps crews make a tangible difference in national parks today, while building the skills and connection that can shape how they care for these places in the future,” said NPF president and CEO Jeff Reinbold.
“Whether they are clearing trails, restoring habitats, or preserving historic structures, young people see firsthand what stewardship looks like and the role they can play in carrying parks forward.”
This is the eighth year NPF has invested in service corps, which impacts participants, parks, and the experience of visitors. In 2025, NPF-funded service corps projects maintained over 400 miles of trails, engaged nearly 600 volunteers, and restored and improved over 2,400 acres.
