NWOD_West Eugene Wetlands Youth Education Intern_FY2025.docx

Office: Northwest Oregon District, Siuslaw Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L25AS00147 Project Submission Dates and Times: January 31, 2025, 5PM EST

Project Title: West Eugene Wetlands Education Intern Youth Opportunity

Maximum Available Funding in FY25: $28,000

BLM has determined that individual stipends of $600 a week, equal to $15.00 per hour, are reasonable. Higher stipends must be justified in the budget justification in Attachment B. Crew based work will be evaluated based on how many crew members and weeks are needed and must be justified in Attachment B.

Project Background Information: The BLM manages the West Eugene Wetlands to contribute to the recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act while providing other benefits, particularly maintaining the ecological function of wetlands; habitat for other plant and animal communities; and recreation and environmental education opportunities, to the extent compatible with threatened and endangered species management. To increase environmental education opportunities, the BLM is seeking proposals to develop and support an internship that will maintain and build public knowledge and support for management activities at the West Eugene Wetlands through outreach and education.

Project Objective: The objectives for this internship program are to increase public knowledge of, and access to, local public lands, increase awareness of the science that guides conservation activities at the Wetlands, and increase awareness of BLM’s presence and management objectives in the Wetlands.

Work Schedule: Generally, Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 5PM. Weekend schedules may be required at times. Flexible start/end dates for the internship will best meet program needs identified in the successful proposal.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in outdoor recreation, education, or science-related disciplines. This opportunity will require time outdoors and with groups that does not involve strenuous physical conditions.

Housing: The BLM cannot provide housing but may be able to assist in locating appropriate clean housing.

Vehicle Needs: The successful proponent will consider vehicle needs as part of the intern selection process. Mass transit in the Eugene/Springfield provides some opportunities, but reliance on public transportation could limit the intern’s experience.

Other Project Considerations:

The youth corps organization will consider food, supplies, travel, and training requirements for the intern.

Duties: The intern will be involved with a variety of programs including leading educational field trips for school-aged children in the West Eugene Wetlands, leading educational lessons for local summer camps and libraries, writing articles to maintain community engagement with educational programs, and coordinating several events for the public including a National Public Lands Day event. The intern may be involved with BLM staff conducting field work.

Project expected outcomes include an estimated 1,500 adult and students engaged in educational programs delivered at the West Eugene Wetlands.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive involvement by the BLM program officer to develop a program of work that will engage the capacity of the successful project proponent to address education and outreach needs at the West Eugene Wetlands. BLM will provide necessary project orientation and hands-on training. 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 quarterly at a minimum 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:

Please refer to the full program announcement number L25AS00147, 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.

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