The National Park Foundation (NPF) announced its fiscal year 2024-25 investment in service corps programs across the country, including $50,000 to support the Next Generation Ranger Corps Internship Program at Saguaro National Park. This is part of a $5.8 million investment that will support 47 service corps projects across the country as a means of engaging diverse young adults with the outdoors while exploring future careers, gaining practical field skills, and developing confidence as leaders.

Working closely with the National Park Service (NPS), crews will complete projects that address climate change, accessibility, recreation, conservation, disaster response, and community needs across 58 parks. Each experience will contribute to dual goals of enhancing national parks and cultivating a cadre of future park stewards.

"The NextGen Program is transformational and provides participants with mentoring, training, skill building, and leadership development to pursue careers at federal land management agencies," said Fred Stula, Executive Director of Friends of Saguaro National Park. "In addition to increasing the capacity throughout Saguaro National Park to complete vital activities and protect the park for future generations. Since the creation of the program in 2015, it has had 115 participants; 58% were women, 76% were from underrepresented communities, 79% achieved Public Land Corps hiring authority, 95% of graduates work in the environmental field, 38

graduates work for federal and state land management agencies across the country, and 18 graduates work at Saguaro National Park." 

“Service Corps is one of the best investments we can make to inspire the next generation of park enthusiasts,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, NPF’s Chief Program Officer. “Whether crews are restoring critical habitats, preserving historic structures, or helping with infrastructure improvements, these hands-on experiences give young adults a chance to envision their future in national parks – as rangers, conservationists, even visitors – and encourage them to care for these shared treasures.”

Now in its 6th year, NPF’s Service Corps program is placing a priority on funding innovative projects with a strong potential for scaling and replication as the impacts of climate change and increased visitation are seen across the National Park System. NPF is also dedicated to reaching participants from new communities to support equitable access to parks and the career opportunities that they provide.

Since 2018, NPF has granted more than $25 million to over 260 service corps crews and individual placements.

Learn more about NPF’s efforts to inspire and diversify the next generation of park leaders and grow the capacity of park partners through programs such as service corps.