“Helping kids feel welcome on public lands at a young age can help create the next generation of conservationists or spark a passion to be good stewards of nature that will last a lifetime,” she added. The winning proposal, called the SoCal Urban Wildlife Refuge Project, incorporates outdoor learning, service and stewardship of natural habitats, and conservation-based projects for youth and young adults from diverse communities. It includes partnerships not only in San Diego but also at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and in Los Angeles through the Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnerships with the CondorKids and Friends of the Los Angeles River. Some of the programs in the SoCal Project: n Working with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to develop job skills with inner city, low-income young adults to restore wildlife habitats along the Los Angeles River and to lead outdoor education activities;
Expanding the partnership with Earth Discovery Institute to build a cadre of young, technology-savvy environmental stewards and to expand service opportunities for
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volunteers and communities to connect with their wild lands; Growing the next generation of environmental scientists and developing skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the Living Coast Discovery Center; and
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Training teachers and students on the use of cutting-edge science to solve conservation problems with the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research.
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Headquarters
Youth and Service Grow, Thanks to C4Y Program
T
he past two summers, you may have noticed them walking the hallways at Headquarters, attending meetings or asking other employees, even Service Director Dan Ashe, about their work. They all seemed to have some things in common...they’re young, they’re engaged, and they all wore navy blue vests with colorful Service pins. They were students from the Conservation4Youth (C4Y) Internship Program. Just finished its second year, C4Y was envisioned by Denise Sheehan, the Assistant Director of Budget, Planning and Human Capital, and came together in partnership with Fairfax Families4Kids and the Educating Youth through Employment Program. These local organizations provide mentor/guide training for participating Service staff, along with workplace training, transpor-
tation and funding for the students. The internship offers practical work experience in conservation biology and administrative support while giving participants a chance to gain confidence through on-the-job training, mentoring opportunities and shadowing assignments. “This program gives the Service the opportunity to enhance our reputation as a socially responsible organization as we strive to develop the next generation of conservation professionals,” Sheehan says. The first year, C4Y gave nine local people ages 15 to 21 in the Fairfax County foster care system the chance to learn about wildlife conservation while working in a professional setting. The C4Y Pilot Program was honored with the coveted Fairfax County Gold Star Community Partner Award in recognition of the Service’s outstanding contributions to the residents of Fairfax County. This led to interest from other federal agencies and created a model program to help implement similar initiatives, which can provide local disadvantaged youth with useful and productive office skills, and improve their opportunities for successful employment and/or higher education. The program also received the Service Above Self award from a local Rotary Club. One of the C4Y interns was also awarded a $2,000 college scholarship from the Joyce and Thomas Moorehead Foundation. This past summer’s C4Y Program welcomed nine interns, including five returning students, to the Service family for the sevenweek program. Staff from
Alisa Ballew-Rawlins/USFWS
news
Conservation4Youth interns check out Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland.
Migratory Birds, Information Resources and Technology, Law Enforcement, Business Management and Operations, Budget, Planning and Human Capital, International Affairs, Fisheries, Refuges, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, and Science Applications gave of their time and talents as they mentored the interns. Highlights of the program included a trip to the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum; a visit from the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia to view a selection of local raptors up close; an interactive workshop with HR Officer Rebekah Giddings on job interviewing and resume writing; travel to Patuxent Research Refuge to experience the vital role that wildlife refuges play in preserving the diversity of wildlife and plant life; and a talk with a local marine biologist who brought along an array of live sea animals. For more information about the C4Y Program, please contact Alisa Ballew Rawlins at <alisa_rawlins@fws.gov>. Anita N oguera ,and Al isa Balle wRawlins , Budget, Planning and
Human Capital, Headquarters
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