Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF)
PROJECT TITLE: Mentoring the Next Generation of Conservation Professionals 

I.   PROJECT STATEMENT: 

With this grant, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), its Wetland Management District (District) and the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust (Trust) will build an extensive program of summer internship and full-time apprenticeship opportunities on the Refuge and District. We will engage a diversity of young people in paid positions to work side-by-side with and learn from USFWS professionals and other local conservation partners. Some of the participants will experience outdoor activities like fishing, paddling, orienteering, camping and hunting for the first time. Students will design and deliver environmental education programs, plan and co-lead wildlife interpretive and nature-based activities, assist USFWS personnel with habitat restoration and enhancement projects, conduct biological surveys, improve visitor facilities, and explore conservation-related career options. Activities will occur on the Refuge and District, as well as in the urban community through the Refuge's Urban Outreach Program.

These internships and apprenticeships will introduce 57 young people over three years to careers in the conservation field (19 positions per year). This experience will enable them to compete for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.  In addition, their 60,000 hours of service will improve the habitat conditions of over 700 acres of prairie, wetland and forest, and introduce thousands of children to the wonders of the natural world through environmental education and nature-based activities. 

To ensure we can attract a diversity of young people to these opportunities, all positions will be paid, with the wage ranging from $12.50 to $18.00/hour (weighted average of $16.00/hour). Workers compensation insurance coverage will be provided, along with transportation assistance and free housing, as needed. 

The Refuge is a valuable, but under-utilized resource in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Refuge's 14,000 acres stretch from urban to rural along nearly 70 miles of the Minnesota River. Its floodplain forest, river, lakes, prairies, oak savannas and wetlands provide critical habitat for a diversity of waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish, and resident wildlife. In addition, the Wetland Management District managed by the Refuge, is a 14-county district that manages more than 8,000 acres of land critically important to migrating, breeding and nesting waterfowl, as well as grassland birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and other creatures.

The Refuge and District offer vast opportunities for Twin Cities residents to connect with wildlife, learn about their habitats and enjoy wildlife-related recreation. As one of only 14 priority urban wildlife refuges in the 568 National Wildlife Refuge System, this Refuge is charged with engaging the next generation of diverse youth who, for a variety of reasons, are not connected to outdoors and nature. This is critical to ensuring a future constituency passionate about protecting our environment and public lands, as well as encouraging youth to consider conservation careers. 

Given its location, size and varied habitats, the Refuge and District are able to serve as a learning laboratory and training site for future conservationists, natural resource biologists and environmental educators.  Currently, this is done through a handful of unpaid internships every year.  However, with the rising costs of a college education and intransigent economic disparities, many students cannot afford to take on unpaid internships. This is especially true for young people of color and low-income. Students need to take jobs outside of their chosen field to pay for college or even help support their families.  Without good internships, they do not gain the experience needed.  This grant program will attract students with diverse backgrounds, introduce them to the conservation field and provide mentorship and job skills to these future resource professionals.

II.   PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES

ENRTF BUDGET: $755,544

Outcomes - Completion Date
1.  Urban Outreach Apprenticeship - 1 apprentice / year (2-3 total) connects 2,500 urban youth / year with nature-based activities (7,500 youth over 3 years) - June 30, 2024
2.  Teaching Practicum Internships - 4 interns / year (12 total) deliver environmental education and lead nature-based activities to 8,000 students / year (24,000 over 3 years) - June 30, 2024
3. Summer Urban High School Internships - 6 high school interns / year (18 total) schedule, plan and co-lead nature-based education and recreation programs at the Refuge and in the community, and participate in career discovery across Refuge programs - June 30, 2024
4. Summer Intern Coordinator - 1 coordinator mentors and guides 6 high school interns per summer (18 interns over 3 years). - June 30, 2024
5. Visitor Services Apprenticeship - 1 apprentice / year (3 total) plans and delivers strategic communications that increase public awareness of the Refuge and drive 20% more visitors to experience the Refuge and engage in nature-based activities. - June 30, 2024
6. Biology Summer Internships - 4 interns / year (12 total) gain natural resources management experience through plant and animal surveys, water monitoring, habitat assessments, invasive species removal and mapping, boundary postings and more on at least 120 acres of Refuge and District habitat. - June 30, 2024
7. Refuge Biology Apprenticeship-1 apprentice / year (3 total) gains skills in biological monitoring, habitat plan design and restoration activities, assists with restoration and enhancement of at least 250 acres of Refuge habitat and learns how to balance habitat and wildlife needs with public access. - June 30, 2024
8. Wetland Management District Apprenticeship - 1 apprentice / year (3 total) gains skills in habitat plan design and restoration activities and assists with restoration and enhancement of at least 350 acres of wetlands and prairies. - June 30,2024

III. PROJECT PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends, USFWS Region 3 Division of Refuges Youth Internship Program, Hispanic Access Foundation, StepUp Achieve (Minneapolis), Right Track (St. Paul), Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Twin Cities area high schools, colleges and universities, and an expanding pool of nonprofit partners working with low-income students in education and career exploration. 

IV. LONG-TERM IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge are committed to maintaining this expanded internship and apprenticeship program for the long-term. Future funding will be sought through philanthropic efforts with foundations, corporations, civic organizations and individuals by the Trust and Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends, as well as through other state and federal source of funds (e.g., workforce grant programs).