Field Rangers will work alongside USDA Forest Service staff engaging in hands-on learning about local ecology, issues facing public lands, environmental education, community outreach, habitat restoration, and recreation management. This summer, one crew leader (16 weeks) and three crew members (10 weeks) will be hired through HISPANIC ACCESS' MANO Project starting in June 2023. Interested individuals should apply for the Field Ranger Program by Sun., May 7, 2023. For additional information about the program visit NFF’s Field Rangers website.

This project is funded through a $432,259 grant to NFF from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District’s Youth and Veteran Job Training and Placement Program under Measure A. The recruitment for the Field Rangers program is focused on recruiting youth from High and Very High Park Need Communities. The ANF, NFF, and HISPANIC ACCESS have strategically partnered with higher education institutions and local community- based organizations to help with recruitment efforts.

“As per the latest USDA Forest Service statistics (2021), the Angeles National Forest received more recreation-based visits from the public (4.59 million) than Grand Canyon National Park (4.53 million) or Yosemite National Park (3.29 million) in the same year,” said Roman Torres, forest supervisor of the Angeles National Forest. He added, “The Field Ranger program will help serve forest visitors from the local area and all across the world.”

“Surrounded by over 9 million people, the Angeles National Forest is the perfect location for youth to explore federal careers and develop a relationship with their local National Forest. The Field Ranger Program plays a crucial role engaging local communities, connecting youth to paid work experiences, and bridging participants to their public lands,” said Dania Gutierrez, Southern California Program Senior Manager for the National Forest Foundation. “The NFF is proud to work with our partners to help build the next generation of environmental stewards for LA County.”

“One of our core goals through the MANO Project is to engage young leaders in diverse communities to new conservations careers,” said Michelle Neuenschwander, Director of the MANO Project. “This unique experience provides extensive training, mentoring and professional development to ensure students have the tools and knowledge needed to excel in the Field Ranger Program and future careers.”