East Idaho Restoration Landscape Youth Opportunity Project Description.pdf

Office: Upper Snake Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L25AS00149 Project Submission Dates and Times: 5 pm ET on Monday, February 3, 2025

Project Title: East Idaho Restoration Landscape Youth Opportunity

Maximum Available Funding in FY25: $125,000

Project Background Information:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Restoration Landscape Program is a focused effort in ecosystem restoration of public lands impacted by historical use, invasive species, wildfire, and climate change. Part of the Investing in America Agenda and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), restoration efforts will provide improvements to landscape health, clean water, habitat for fish and wildlife, opportunities for recreation, and resilience to wildfire and drought. An additional priority of the IRA investment is youth involvement to provide needed assistance for restoration efforts while providing skills training, work experience, and a path to employment.

The East Idaho Rivers and Plains (EIRP) Restoration Landscape is centered on the Henry’s Fork and South Fork of the Snake River and Blackfoot River in Eastern Idaho. The EIRP Restoration Landscape is focused on the restoration and improvement of upland and riparian lands protected through a successful history of working with private lands owners to protect habitat and resources through conservation easements and land acquisitions. Restoration of native plant communities and ecological function on these lands will provide habitat for threatened and special status species including greater sage-grouse and the western yellow-billed cuckoo; improve winter range and migratory connectivity for big game; increase resilience to wildfire and drought; and provide for improved recreation opportunities.

The East Idaho Restoration Landscape Youth Opportunity will employ Conservation Crews and Seasonal Interns to provide the needed assistance to accomplish identified restoration projects and meet the dual goals of ecosystem restoration and youth involvement.

Under the The East Idaho Restoration Landscape Youth Opportunity; Conservation Crews and Seasonal Interns will assist with restoration efforts including:

1. Vegetation plantings;

2. Fence removal, construction, and maintenance;

3. Vegetation and other monitoring efforts;

4. Low-tech riparian restoration;

5. Noxious weed control.

Project Objective: The East Idaho Restoration Landscape Opportunity will introduce youth and young adults to careers in the BLM and natural resource management and put a new generation of Americans to work conserving and restoring public lands and waters. The project will provide opportunities to learn about public lands, and further understanding and appreciation of natural and recreation resources. Participants 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. The project will be focused on gaining experience in natural resources management. The youth will gain experience with habitat restoration techniques, noxious weed control, land management activities, and inventory and monitoring protocols used widely across BLM and by other agencies, along with other important skills such as native plant identification, orienteering, 4x4 travel, and self awareness in remote locations.

Work Schedule: Generally 7 AM to 5:30 PM Monday thru Thursday, April through October.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the natural resource field or others with and interest in the outdoors and natural systems. Youth candidates with the following qualification would have a greater opportunity for success in the position: 1) ability to identify plants common to the Snake River Plain and Middle Rockies region to the species level, 2) ability to safely operate a four-wheel drive vehicle such as a ½ ton pickup on two-track or other low maintenance roads, 3) ability to navigate to remote work sites, 4) ability to work outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions, and 5) ability to follow instructions with limited direct supervision following training.

Required qualifications for intern positions include 1) current valid drivers license and 2) ability to pass a DOI security background check.

Housing: Agency cannot provide housing but will assist Conservation Crews in identifying field camp opportunities and Interns with acquiring seasonal housing.

Vehicle Needs: Conservation Crews will need to supply needed vehicles, Interns will be provided access to government vehicles during scheduled work. Personal vehicles are not required but highly recommended as public transportation is limited and access to off work food, housing, and recreation can be widely dispearsed. The closest regional airport is located in Idaho Falls, ID, but the nearest large airport is in Salt Lake City, UT (Salt Lake Internation Airport - about 220 miles away), where you can get much lower fares.

Other Project Considerations:

Food: Conservation Crews would provide Crew meals. Interns will be responsible for personal food and housing needs.

All Supplies: Conservation Crews to provide needed field clothing and supplies, hand tools and camping equipment. Interns will need to supply personal field clothing and supplies including supportive footwear.

Other equipment and materials will be supplied.

Training Requirements: Training requirements will be project specific.

Travel: Travel outside the Restoration Landscape Program Area will not be required.

Duties: Conservation Crews and Interns will assist with the following conservation efforts:

1. Planting of upland vegetation including sagebrush and upland shrubs

2. Planting of riparian vegetation including willow, cottonwood, and other riparian shrubs.

3. Removal of unnecessary fences

4. Construction and maintenance of fence

5. Monitoring of upland and riparian vegetation for baseline data and project effectiveness.

6. Construction of low-tech riparian structures.

7. Noxious weed control.

BLM’s Involvement: BLM professionals from the Restoration Landscape Program assisted by professionals from multiple programs will work directly with the youth corps to ensure project success. BLM professionals have developed the projects the youth corps will assist with under the agreement and will provide project orientation and guidance, hands-on training, and assistance in the field. BLM professionals/representatives will provide project oversight and will share responsibility for project management, control, and direction, and will have the right to intervene by modifying the project work plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. Additionally, BLM professionals will be available daily to discuss progress, review accomplishments, and assist with any technical issues.

BLM Program Contact:

Field PO Name: Aren Eddingsaas Field PO Email: aeddingsaas@blm.gov

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.