Conservation Interns at the Corps of Engineers Raystown Lake Project | W912DR22R0020

Opportunity Information: Apply for W912DR22R0020

The Conservation Interns at the Corps of Engineers Raystown Lake Project opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W912DR22R0020) is a discretionary Department of Defense grant offered through the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected partner should expect to work closely with USACE staff to carry out the project. The overall purpose is to support the management and enhancement of natural resources at the Raystown Lake Project (RLP) while also strengthening the site’s water safety program through education and public outreach.

This funding is aimed specifically at non-federal, nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (excluding institutions of higher education). USACE anticipates making a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $19,100. The recipient organization would use the agreement to help place and support two Conservation Interns, with the intent of providing meaningful training and education opportunities for early-career participants who have backgrounds in fish and wildlife, forestry, or education-related fields. In other words, while the agreement is awarded to one eligible nonprofit entity, the day-to-day work supported by the award is designed around developing and deploying two interns to assist USACE at Raystown Lake.

The work described for the interns falls into two main tracks. The first track focuses on natural resources and conservation field work, including wildlife management activities, monitoring of threatened and endangered species, fisheries management support, wildlife habitat enhancement projects, forest management tasks, and boundary inspection and maintenance. These duties suggest a hands-on role that can include field monitoring, data collection, habitat or infrastructure upkeep related to conservation, and routine stewardship activities that help USACE maintain compliance and sustain ecological conditions at the project.

The second track centers on water safety promotion and public-facing interpretation. Intern activities in this area include updating bulletin boards and maintaining life jacket loaner stations, helping organize special events, conducting interpretive programs and roving interpretation with visitors, writing news releases, and potentially participating in media outreach such as radio interviews. The interns may also help promote USACE safety campaigns, develop public service announcements, and interact directly with park visitors to reinforce safe recreation practices. Taken together, this portion of the work reads like a mix of visitor services, environmental education, communications, and public safety outreach, with a strong emphasis on practical messaging and on-the-ground engagement at a high-use recreation site.

The opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources and is associated with CFDA number 12.010. The announcement was created on January 26, 2022, and had an original application closing date of February 28, 2022. The core deliverable is not simply a report or a product, but a staffed and supervised internship program implemented through a nonprofit partner, with interns supporting both resource management priorities and water safety/interpretation needs at Raystown Lake under the guidance and collaboration of USACE Baltimore District.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Interns at the Corps of Engineers Raystown Lake Project" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.010.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $19,100.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for W912DR22R0020

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