About the Bridge Project

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The Challenge: The conservation field can be hard to break into. Employers across the sector, from federal land management agencies to nonprofit conservation groups, environmental organizations, natural resource management companies, and the outdoor recreation industry struggle to connect with a talented, diverse pool of potential employees. Hiring pathways need to be more consistent and replicable, and they need to be cleared of barriers that have traditionally worked to keep underrepresented candidates from finding permanent jobs in conservation.

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The Bridge Project: The Bridge Project is a public-private partnership to create an inclusive and innovative hiring pathway that will embolden and diversify conservation employment practices. The pilot event took place on May 11 and 12, 2021 with a virtual two-day peer learning and hiring event, we will work to close the gap between qualified potential employees and employers in the conservation field. Our goal is to build learning and create relationships for long-term solutions by bringing together leaders from across the sector. 

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The Bridge Project is action-oriented: organizations that are ready to hire for full-time positions are invited to join the virtual pilot hiring event on May 12th, and will have access to a pre-screened set of qualified applicants who have the skills to succeed. The Bridge team will recruit participants from 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) and similar programs, so that all candidates will come to the event having already had initial work experiences in conservation, recreation, natural resource management, or experiential education. The Bridge team will identify a diverse group of candidates for the event, with a focus on elevating underrepresented applicants, and will match candidates with employers based on the skills needed for each position being offered at the event.

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Organizations who are not hiring through The Bridge Project in May can sponsor the event to have access to the pre-event training, Day 1 cross-sector learning and networking opportunities on May 11, and a second round of facilitated hiring in the fall. Note, organizations must sponsor and participate in the May event to gain access to the fall event.

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For more information or questions about The Bridge Project, please contact The Bridge Project Manager, Hannah Malvin at hmalvin@gyfoundation.org or Leandra Taylor at Leandrataylor@wildernessstewards.org.