Blue Water Youth Exchange

 Embark on a 6-month hybrid journey from Feb- Aug for young professionals 20-30 y/o to explore landscapes, connect with different cultures and indigenous peoples, discover conservation careers, and delve into deep dialogues on community challenges and solutions.


Applications now open for the 2024 Blue Water Exchange cohort! See our Program page to learn more.

Our Organization

A group of people sit outside in a circle while a single standing speaker addresses the group

Learn about our vision and mission and meet the team that makes it all happen. 

Exchange Program

See what the program offers and how you can apply.


 

"The strength of the program is that it puts people together in an environment that encourages discussion, especially with a group of people that wouldn't necessarily have interacted otherwise."

-Member Feedback


The Blue Water Youth Exchange is a program with support from the 

USDA Forest Service, Region 5 (Pacific Southwest Region) 

“The Blue Water Youth Exchange links young professionals in Region 5—California and the Pacific Islands. This program aligns well with Forest Service values of diversity, interdependence, and conservation service. The inspiration and spark comes from the personal discovery and learning that participants experience during this exchange. Blue Water Youth Exchange is a experiential capstone program which explores conservation ideas from a range of viewpoints and challenges participants to define their contribution and role in their communities.”


—Randy Moore, former Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region/

current Chief of the USDA Forest Service