The overall objective of this project is to introduce youth to careers in the BLM

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) awarded a $249,999.86 Cooperative Agreement under the Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands (CFDA 15.243) program to Conservation Legacy, operating as the Southwest Conservation Corps, to introduce youth to careers in the BLM.

The agreement will fund two 18-week cohorts in 2025 and 2026, each consisting of a 3-person rare plant survey crew, including one crew lead and two crew members. The crews will conduct rare plant surveys within identified renewable energy development zones in the BLM's Las Cruces District Office in New Mexico. The surveys will focus on the Lordsburg noino (Muilla lordsburgana) and Chihuahuan scurfpea (Pediomelum pentaphyllum) plant species. The lead intern will manage field safety, crew coordination, survey preparation, data management, quality assurance, and data submission. The member interns will perform the rare plant surveys according to protocols provided by the BLM New Mexico State Office.

This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, further their understanding and appreciation of natural resources, and pique their interest in future careers in public service. From this they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values.specifically, this task agreement has the following objective for the LAS cruces district office:three-person rare plant survey cohort with 1 crew lead and 2 crew members (2025) (18 weeks) three-person rare plant survey cohort with 1 crew lead and 2 crew members (2026) (18 weeks) crews will serve to conduct rare plant surveys within identified renewable energy development zones in the LAS cruces district office on BLM lands. The 3 rare plant survey interns will be recruited to do the following:interns will survey for priority rare plant species within planned renewable energy developmentzones in the LAS cruces district office.primary species of focus for survey work will include lordsburg noino (muilla lordsburgana)and chihuahuan scurfpea (pediomelum pentaphyllum).lead intern (crew lead) will manage field safety, crew coordination, survey prep, data management QA QC, and data submission.member interns will perform rare plant surveys for target species according to survey protocolsprovided by the BLM new mexico state office