BLM Utah Urban Rangers Program | L17AS00015

Opportunity Information: Apply for L17AS00015

The BLM Utah Urban Rangers Program is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement opportunity designed to expand environmental education, public outreach, and volunteer stewardship in the Salt Lake Valley, with a strong emphasis on connecting urban and traditionally underserved communities to public lands. The core idea is to recruit local college students as "Urban Rangers" who serve as approachable, youth-focused citizen stewards. These students act as a bridge between land management agencies and the public by leading nature-based outings, delivering classroom presentations, and supporting hands-on service projects that improve trails and public land sites.

This opportunity is grounded in several Department of the Interior and BLM priorities related to youth engagement, community connection, and STEM-focused learning. The program explicitly aligns with federal initiatives and plans such as Engaging the Next Generation, the Education, Interpretation and Youth Engagement National Strategy and Implementation Plan (2013-2018), BLM Connecting With Communities (2014-2019), the STEM Strategic Plan (2013-2018), and Lets Move Outside. In practical terms, that alignment signals that the program is meant to do more than one-off events; it is intended to create sustained engagement that builds outdoor confidence, environmental literacy, and awareness of public service careers among young people and families who may not otherwise see public lands as accessible or relevant.

The program objectives center on delivering natural resource education programs, expanding volunteer and recreation opportunities, and sharing information about land management and agency career pathways. The BLM Salt Lake Field Office plays an active role by providing leadership and professional development to the participating Urban Rangers, orienting them to the BLM mission, and helping them understand how to effectively reach urban audiences through resource education and community-based outreach. Urban Rangers are expected to take on public-facing responsibilities and support the logistical and relationship-building work that makes education and stewardship programs succeed.

Typical Urban Ranger activities include classroom presentations that teach youth about natural resources, why public lands matter, and what kinds of education and careers relate to land stewardship, recreation management, wildlife, archaeology, and other resource fields. They also help manage volunteer projects, assist with partnership development, and contribute to BLM outreach tied to major public events and service days. Examples specifically called out include Earth Day, National Public Lands Day, Bonneville Flats Speed Week, Nature High Summer Camp, and Archaeology Week. In addition, Urban Rangers may assist with Outdoor Recreation Program data collection and work with Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, including supporting Eagle Scout projects conducted on public lands managed not only by the BLM but also by county, state, and other federal partners. This multi-jurisdiction aspect reflects how outdoor recreation and trail stewardship in the region often crosses agency boundaries, requiring coordination and consistent public messaging.

The public benefit focus is straightforward: the program is intended to deepen partnerships with schools and youth-serving organizations, increase access to positive outdoor and classroom experiences for underserved urban youth in the Salt Lake Valley, and encourage long-term environmental stewardship among the broader public, particularly people using regional trail systems like the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Rather than relying on passive information sharing, the program emphasizes personal engagement with diverse youth and families on the Wasatch Front in culturally appropriate ways. That means meeting communities where they are, using inclusive and relevant approaches, and helping participants feel comfortable on public lands while also learning how to care for them. The intended outcome is increased understanding and appreciation of public lands and trails, greater participation in outdoor recreation and volunteering, and clearer visibility into land management career options.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, under CFDA 15.225, with funding provided through a cooperative agreement (indicating meaningful involvement by BLM in implementing the project). The opportunity number is L17AS00015. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any additional eligibility details that may be included in the full notice. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $20,000, with BLM expecting to make one award. The original posting dates indicate it was created on January 20, 2017, with an original closing date of March 20, 2017, framing it as a time-limited competition for a partner capable of recruiting and supporting the student Urban Rangers and delivering the described community and education outcomes.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BLM Utah Urban Rangers Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.225.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 20, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2017. (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 $20,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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