NM Youth Project RPFO RecreationReclamation - Round 1 Due 8.14.2026.doc

STATE: New Mexico Office: Rio Puerco Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L26AS00064 Project Submission Dates and Times: Round 1 Due 5 pm EST 08/14/2026

Project Title: New Mexico Outdoor Recreation and Reclamation Rio Puerco Youth Opportunity Available Funding in FY26: $30,000 Maximum Funding (if multi-year): $150,000 Note: BLM has determined $800 weekly stipend equal to $20.00 per hour is reasonable. Stipends above this amount must justify in budget narrative increase needed.

Period of Performance: December 31, 2026 - April 30, 2027 Project Background Information: The BLM Rio Puerco Field Office manages nearly one million acres of public land just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The office is looking for an organization to engage youth crews to help create better access to outdoor experiences. From hiking in the Ojito Wilderness and exploring volcanic formations at El Malpais National Conservation Area to learning about geology and land management at Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, these lands provide hands-on opportunities for environmental education, stewardship, and recreation. Their proximity to the city encourages high visitation and fosters strong community engagement, making the area an ideal setting for youth programs focused on land restoration, trail work, and public outreach.

Project Objective: To provide meaningful learning and mentorship opportunities for youth that support the BLM’s Recreation and Visitor Services, Youth, and Interpretation programs. Through hands-on projects such as trail restoration, invasive species removal, riparian rehabilitation, and habitat enhancement, youth crews will actively participate in the restoration and stewardship of public lands. Recreation-focused efforts, including trail building, signage installation, campsite improvements, and visitor outreach—will enhance public access and enjoyment while promoting responsible land use. These projects will foster environmental awareness, leadership, and career development in land management, while helping plan, implement, and restore America’s public lands for current and future generations. This project is in alignment with EO 14313 and Secretary’s Orders 3435 and 3442 and national priorities by enhancing outdoor recreation access and improving public land experiences across the BLM lands.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Weekend work optional, flexible hours.

Qualification Requirements: Applicants must also pass a DOI security background check.

Housing: Housing is available in Grants, NM, it is not available at Albuquerque, NM.

Vehicle Needs: Transportation to and from work location. Valid Driver’s License required. Government owned vehicles available for field work.

Other Project Considerations: Youth corps will provide essential field supplies, safety gear, and tools necessary to complete restoration and recreation tasks. BLM will provide training on topics such as safety protocols, Leave No Trace principles, and BLM resource management practices. Additional training may include wilderness first aid, GPS mapping, and interpretive communication. Partner organization and members will be responsible for water, meals and snacks during fieldwork days. Travel to and from project sites will be coordinated between the BLM and the host organization. Overnight camping may be required for multi-day projects, and partner organization will provide camping gear.

Duties: Youth crews will support the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office (RPFO) through a variety of hands-on projects that align with the agency’s Recreation, Travel Management, National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHT), and Interpretation programs. Their work will include trail restoration and erosion mitigation to improve access and protect natural resources, as well as habitat and riparian area restoration to enhance ecosystem health. The youth will assist in monitoring and maintaining recreation areas, perform inventory and assessments along NSHT corridors, and contribute to the development of interpretive materials that educate the public on geology, ecology, and cultural history.

In addition, youth crews will support travel management planning through signage and mapping and engage in outreach efforts promoting Leave No Trace principles. These tasks will provide valuable mentorship and skill-building opportunities in land stewardship, environmental science, and public engagement, while directly contributing to the long-term sustainability and accessibility of America’s public lands for current and future generations.

Youth crews will restore at least 30 acres of disturbed public land, maintain three miles of trail to improve access and reduce erosion, conduct four miles of inventory, monitoring, and assessment along segments of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) and conduct one volunteer/outreach project. These efforts will contribute directly to BLM’s goals for recreation, travel management, and landscape restoration.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professionals to include mentoring, oversight, and engagement with youth participants as appropriate. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then make a decision what direction to take in finalizing project or move to the next phase.

BLM Program Contact:

Field PO Name: Joseph Tumidalsky

Field PO Phone Number: 505-954-2154

Field PO Email: jtumidalsky@blm.gov Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L26AS00064 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.