Cooperative Agreement L25AC00471

AWARD PURPOSE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE KALAPUYA CONSERVATION CORPS (KCC), OPERATED BY THE BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KALAPUYA HIGH SCHOOL, PROVIDES CRITICAL CONSERVATION SERVICES WHILE CREATING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON. THIS PROJECT WILL CONTINUE AND EXPAND THIS SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM) OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD, ENGAGING STUDENTS IN SUPERVISED FIELDWORK TO RESTORE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH, IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECREATION AREAS, AND DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS. YOUTH CREWS, CONSISTING OF EIGHT STUDENT MEMBERS AND ONE PROFESSIONAL CREW LEADER, WILL COMPLETE FIELD-BASED CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES IDENTIFIED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLM RESOURCE SPECIALISTS. SPECIFIC METHODS WILL INCLUDE MANUAL AND MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF PRIORITY INVASIVE PLANTS SUCH AS SCOTCH BROOM AND HIMALAYAN BLACKBERRY, INSTALLATION OF EROSION CONTROL MEASURES, STABILIZATION OF STREAMBANKS, PLANTING OF NATIVE SPECIES TO IMPROVE BIODIVERSITY, AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS AND VISITOR FACILITIES. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN WORKPLACE SAFETY, FIRST AID CPR CERTIFICATION, AND JOB READINESS SKILLS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION, PUNCTUALITY, AND TEAMWORK. THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS WILL WORK UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION TO ENSURE PROJECT QUALITY AND SAFETY, WHILE ALSO BENEFITING FROM MENTORSHIP AND PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK DESIGNED TO BUILD TRANSFERABLE SKILLS.EXPECTED DELIVERABLES: THE PROJECT HAS THREE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: 1. RESTORE AND ENHANCE THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF BLM-MANAGED LANDS IN NORTHWEST OREGON THROUGH INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, RIPARIAN RESTORATION, AND NATIVE PLANT ESTABLISHMENT. 2. IMPROVE RECREATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING TRAIL MAINTENANCE, SIGNAGE INSTALLATION, AND SAFETY UPGRADES, TO ENSURE PUBLIC LANDS REMAIN ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING. 3. PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH PAID CONSERVATION EMPLOYMENT AND STRUCTURED TRAINING TO BUILD WORKPLACE READINESS SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND EXPOSURE TO CAREER PATHWAYS IN PUBLIC LANDS STEWARDSHIP. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE KALAPUYA CONSERVATION CORPS LEVERAGES FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO ACHIEVE MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, RECREATION ACCESS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AT THE SAME TIME, IT PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH THEIR FIRST PAID, SUPERVISED WORK EXPERIENCES, HELPING THEM DEVELOP PRACTICAL CONSERVATION SKILLS, PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, AND DOCUMENTED WORK HISTORIES THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR READINESS FOR EMPLOYMENT OR FURTHER EDUCATION IN NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT. THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY ADVANCES BLMS GOALS OF SUSTAINING HEALTHY PUBLIC LANDS, SUPPORTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.