NYCALC is a federal and non-governmental collaborative that invites native communities to work together to address conservation challenges in a changing environment. NYCALC provides training in leadership principles and conservation skills for the next generation of native leaders (rising high-school seniors) and their communities. The one-week, on-site Congress utilizes open space technology to allow students to create a personalized action plan each year that is relevant to current issues. A mini-grant program provides students with resources for implementing lessons learned once they return to their communities with the goal of empowering communities to address social change and conservation priorities.