news releases

24 August 2021

New Hispanic Access Foundation and USFWS Partnership Will Help Build the Next Generation of Climate Change Leaders



Category: News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hispanic Access Foundation through its MANO Project initiative and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have launched a 18-month fellowship program for the newly reintroduced Civilian Climate Corp (CCC) program at the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). As part of President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan, the Civilian Climate Corp program will hire young Americans to work on combating the climate crisis with the NWRS by developing and refining a climate adaptation planning framework, which utilizes existing plans, data on climate change and other stressors, ecological transformation, and a structured decision-making process to inform how Refuges will address climate change.

“Our nation’s Latino community cares deeply about addressing the harsh impacts of climate change that disproportionately affects communities of color.” said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “This exciting fellowship program offers a wonderful opportunity for young people to build essential career skills while serving the community and fighting to reverse the harsh effect of the climate crisis.”

“The National Wildlife Refuge System is on the front-lines of climate change,” says Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System.  “The Civilian Climate Corps is helping us enlist the next generation with new ideas and perspectives to help ensure a sustainable future for both wildlife and people.”

Our first cohort of CCC fellows will be deployed to national wildlife refuge across the country to support managers in building a framework to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manage adapt to the impacts of climate. We are seeking a broad range of disciplines to perform a wide variety of work, potentially including field work, geo-spatial analysis, analysis of existing data sets, and developing adaptation planning documents. 

“Engaging young people in diverse communities to be at the front and center of addressing the climate crisis is one of the MANO Project’s core goals,” said Michelle Neuenschwander, Director of the MANO Project. “Our work is about the next generation of Latino leaders. This unique experience provides extensive training, mentoring and professional development to ensure students have the tools and knowledge needed to excel in their fellowship.”

Fellowship positions will be posted by August 24 and applications will be accepted until November 1, 2021. For more information visit the project page at www.MANOproject.org/ccc

About Hispanic Access Foundation

Hispanic Access Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, connects Latinos with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society. Our vision is that one day every Hispanic individual in America will enjoy good physical health and a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success, and civic engagement in their communities with the sum of improving the future of America. For more information visit www.hispanicaccess.org

Given Hispanic Access Foundation's mission and vision we encourage those who culturally identify as Latino/a to apply; however we do not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, marital status, familial status, family responsibility, pregnancy or other pregnancy-related conditions, childbirth, disability, military/veteran status, citizenship status, religion or political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal or state law, local ordinance or Executive Orders. The Hispanic Access Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

We work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of these important natural resources for the American public. Our programs are among the oldest in the world dedicated to natural resource conservation and many prominent figures in the history of American wildlife conservation have been associated with what would become the Fish and Wildlife Service, including Spencer Fullerton Baird, first curator of the Smithsonian Institute, J.N. "Ding" Darling, originator of the Duck Stamp, and perhaps our most famous employee, Silent Spring author Rachel Carson.

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Hispanic Access Foundation connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society.

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