2024 Trail Apprentice Program

The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is pleased to announce the 2024 Trail Apprentice Program for emerging leaders aged 20 to 28 years. 

The PNTS Trail Apprentice Program provides scholarships to young leaders interested in a career in recreation, natural resource management, conservation, environmental studies, history, or a related field, so that they may attend the PNTS National Trails Workshop and participate in leadership development, career exploration, networking and educational opportunities amongst the National Trails community. The 2024 program will begin in August 2024 and end in February 2025. 

This year, a small, diverse group of Apprentices will build leadership skills by working with PNTS on a project. The projects may involve developing skills in social media, fundraising, advocacy and policy, programs, and more. Apprentices will provide valuable perspectives to PNTS work and leave the program with hands-on experience and a greater knowledge of priority issues in the trails community. Each Apprentice will present their project to the trails community at the end of the program during a PNTS webinar. 

In addition to working on a project with PNTS, the program will include orientation to the National Trails System, career exploration and team-building virtual sessions and attendance at the 2024 National Trails Workshop November 17th– 21st in Tucson, Arizona. PNTS will provide workshop registration, lodging, and a per diem for meals to those selected for the program. The workshop offers trainings and skill-building opportunities covering an array of topics important to trails such as management and stewardship, land protection, engagement, policy and advocacy and more. Those selected for the program will be an active part of the workshop dialogue, engaging in sessions and networking amongst the National Scenic and Historic Trail (NSHT) communities as well as many other communities not traditionally associated with the NSHTs.

Eligibility

• We are looking for applicants between the age of 20–28* with an interest in the National Trails System.
• Applicants must be available to attend the program orientation on August 1.
• Applicants must be available for the Career Exploration session in September.
• Applicants must also be able to commit to planning and participating in the Social Media Takeover in early October.
• Applicants must be able to commit to participating in the January webinar.
• Applicants must be able to devote at least 5 hours per month to project work and check-in calls with PNTS.
• Applicants must commit to attending in-person sessions at the 2024 National Trails Workshop to be held in Tucson, Arizona from November 17th through November 21st, 2024. Travel to and from the event may include November 16th and November 22nd.

*If you are older than 28 and just beginning your career in the trails space, we still encourage you to apply and let us know why the program will benefit you.

Application Deadline: June 17, 2024 at 11:59pm PST

LEARN MORE & APPLY: https://pnts.org/new/trail-apprentice-program-2024/

Watch reflections from 2022 Trail Apprentice Program participants: https://youtu.be/BoM5fJHthtc?list=PLuuJPcB3mF9KaKhaCd5o0Z1C0MYBjMS--

About PNTS: The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is a 501(c)(3) that connects member not-for-profit trail organizations and Federal agency partners to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the 32 national scenic and historic trails within the National Trails System.

The PNTS advocates on behalf of the National Trails System as a whole for land preservation and stewardship resources. Other major roles of the PNTS include the collection and dissemination of National Trails news and the development of outreach initiatives and youth programming.

Visit our website to learn more: https://pnts.org/new/