National Park Foundation Commits Nearly $5.5 Million to 42 Service Corps Projects

# What the investment is and who it serves Foundation announced a near $5.5 million investment to back 42 service corps projects nationwide. The funded programs engage youth, young adults, and veterans. Crews work with National Park Service (NPS) staff to complete needed hands-on work in parks while gaining practical job skills and trade certifications.

# Types of work funded Projects include trail construction and maintenance, dock repair, recreation access improvements, deferred maintenance, historic preservation, resource protection, museum collections care, and structural fire protection support. The funding also covers seasonal crews and longer, year-long placements depending on park needs and grantee capacity.

# Teams allocation Of the total, $1.5 million is dedicated to assemble 12 Maintenance Action Teams. These teams are intended to address high-priority, time-sensitive infrastructure projects that are already underway and scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

# Notable grantees and project examples

• American Conservation Experience: Assigned to recreation access projects, dock repair, trail maintenance, deferred maintenance, and historic preservation at Christiansted National Historic Site.
• American YouthWorks: Focused on priority deferred maintenance and recreation access upgrades across high-use and historically significant areas of Hot Springs National Park.
• Conservation Legacy: Piloting a fellowship program with the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center to strengthen youth program capacity and expand access to preservation training.
• Environment for the Americas: Partnering with Golden Gate National Recreation Area on trail maintenance, resource protection, and museum collection preservation across an 11-month engagement.
• Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: Hosting a year-long crew to complete recreation access projects, trail construction and maintenance, and disaster assistance.
• Student Conservation Association: Placing 12 fellows with NPS Structural Fire Program for a 10-week assignment supporting inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems, portable extinguishers, and hydrants.

# What participants gain

# Timing and next steps Selected projects were chosen through a competitive process. The Maintenance Action Teams' projects are already underway with completion expected by year end. The announcement referenced a full list of grantees available through the foundation's posted materials.

# Why this matters for park operations The investment targets visible needs—trails, visitor access, and infrastructure—that directly affect visitor experience and park safety. Short-term crews address immediate workloads, while fellowship pilots and year-long crews build longer-term workforce capacity in preservation and fire protection.

# Practical takeaways for park partners and local communities

• Local park partners can expect additional crew capacity for physical projects already identified as priorities.
• Organizations that place corps members may use the funding to expand training or long-term placements.
• Communities near parks may see accelerated progress on access and infrastructure projects before the end of the year.