part I and part II DNR B21663ehd.pdf

Sole Source Justification Form

Version 7.01 Page 1 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information

Department/Bureau/Section: Director's Office

Need Identified Date: April 1, 2021 Supply/Service Need By Date: May 1, 2021

Project Title: Northeastern Illinois Summer Teen/Youth Adult Pilot Program

Vendor: Student Conservation Association (SCA)

Provide a description of the supplies or services required:

The objective is to protect existing habitats, restore ecological functions of these habitats, and ultimately improve the patron experience at William Powers and IBSP. Among the projects to be conducted will be maintenance of trails and other areas of the parks, provide improved waterfowl hunting opportunities, and increase safety conditions and educational opportunities at these facilities.

Even more so than in the rest of the state, William Powers SRA and Illinois Beach State Park -- and the communities that depend on them -- are threatened by climate change, contaminated watersheds, habitat destruction, and more. These interconnected challenges demand both awareness and leadership. Chicago area youth must develop the skills, experiences, and passion to lead the conservation agenda for public lands.

Through the SCA, interns and team-based crews will be placed at William Powers SRA on Chicago's Southeast Side and Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) in Chicago's northern suburbs during Summer 2021. Both of these facilities are located in communities with a large minority population and lower income levels -- groups that often underserved by IDNR programming -- and from which the participants in this project will be chosen.

The two young adult interns (aged 19-25 years) will conduct interpretive services and other critical projects as deemed necessary by IDNR professional staff at the two above facilities. For example, they will conduct programmatic needs such as education, interpretation, outreach, web development, event planning and leadership, social media posting, wildlife monitoring, and other needs.

Among the work to be conducted by a team-based crew of 2 leaders and 11 high schoolers for six weeks at William Powers SRA is the following: Clear buckthorn from pond at office, clean flower beds at Douglas Tombs, restore shoreline, plant trees, and habitat enhancement.

At Illinois Beach State Park, a young adult crew (ages 19-25 years) of 1 leader and 3 members will conduct the following work for a period of 3 months:

Sand/stain the office deck, pull sweetclover, cut black locus, clean beach from Wisconsion state line to Mansville, sand/stain handicap fishing pier at Sand Pond, paint/decorate garbage cans, and plant wildflowers in front of nature center.

Because underserved youth in these communities often lack access to basic job-readiness skills which can make them more competitive in the job market, this program can offer young people the technical skills needed to succeed in work and particularly in the green jobs economy. Just as

Version 7.01 Page 2 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources important, program participants will share their positive engagement with nature by spreading the word of their stewardship to the rest of the community.

Value: Estimated Value of Initial Term, this Change Order or Amendment: 191,000

Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract? Yes No

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Type: New Sole Source

Section II - Proposed Term

One-Time Purchase Term Contract

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply): State Appropriate Funds Federal Funds Other (Explain):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification

This purchase is economically only available from a single source primarily because it is: (If "Other" explain in one sentence)

Other. The not-for-profit SCA has the only Chicago-based program that can fully support interns and work crews at both of our pilot sites

Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source? Yes No

Section V - Purchase History

Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past? Yes No

Section VI - Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

IDNR has a critical need to better serve urban constituencies and to recruit and retain a diverse urban workforce. The retiring generation of public land stewards provides the opportunity to identify well-educated and diverse candidates for future jobs. The agency also has critical project work that needs to be accomplished at urban sites. This pilot project provides the opportunity to accomplish the dual purpose of accomplishing important project work and create a qualified pool of diverse candidates for future full-time jobs.

Thousands of Chicago area youth are "disconnected"-- out of school and out of work, with no meaningful relationship to the world around them. For urban youth the challenges are especially great. Conservation service offers hope and purpose to young people while ensuring the critical care of irreplaceable natural and recreational resources. SCA'S community programs provide opportunities for urban youth traditionally underrepresented in the conservation field.

The proposed projects support community engagement and skill-building activities that enhance the environmental quality and availability of useable outdoor recreation spaces in urban neighborhoods.

Further, this pilot project will allow IDNR to evaluate the success of summer urban work crews in accomplishing our objectives and whether to implement an on-going program of work in later years to reach even more of these underserved youth.

Version 7.01 Page 3 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

Through the eradication of invasive species natural habitats will be restored to its natural state by the youth in the program. The urban youth will be provided with employment and will develop the skills and scientific understanding of urban ecology and their role in the system through experiential learning. The programmatic goals and objectives are as follows:

• Work-Readiness: Participants will learn and practice skills needed to enter the green workforce and to serve as effective team members and leaders.

• Eco-Literacy: Participants will develop a conservation ethic by building an understanding of environmental issues and contributing factors. Participants will participate in hands on skill building activities.

• Green Career Pathways: Participants will become aware of career and career pathways included in a new green economy.

By outreaching to a younger disadvantaged generation, there will be an early intervention that will support the introduction to the Conservation field. This gained awareness will create an appreciation and connection to natural settings in their community. This awareness will be followed by action to service the land through stewardship.

The two young adult interns (aged 19-25 years) will conduct interpretive services and other critical projects as deemed necessary by IDNR professional staff at the two above facilities. For example, they will conduct programmatic needs such as education, interpretation, outreach, web development, event planning and leadership, social media posting, wildlife monitoring, and other needs.

Among the work to be conducted by a team-based crew of 2 leaders and 11 high schoolers for six weeks at William Powers SRA is the following: Clear buckthorn from pond at office, clean flower beds at Douglas Tombs, restore shoreline, plant trees, and habitat enhancement.

At Illinois Beach State Park, a young adult crew (ages 19-25 years) of 1 leader and 3 members will conduct the following work for a period of 3 months: Sand/stain the office deck, pull sweetclover, cut black locus, clean beach from Wisconsion state line to Mansville, sand/stain handicap fishing pier at Sand Pond, paint/decorate garbage cans, and plant wildflowers in front of nature center.

Because underserved youth in these communities often lack access to basic job-readiness skills which can make them more competitive in the job market, this program can offer young people the technical skills needed to succeed in work and particularly in the green jobs economy. Just as important, program participants will share their positive engagement with nature by spreading the word of their stewardship to the rest of the community.

Version 7.01 Page 4 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

Based in Chicago, the not-for-profit Student Conservation Association provides all oversight and training for the staff performing this work. There is no other organization that does so. SCA provides all oversight and training for the staff performing this work. There is no other organization that provides this full level of service. Crew leaders will be hired to oversee the students in their projects. High school students and young adults will be selected to serve as crew members working together in a team environment under the direction and supervision of SCA Crew Leaders. Additionally, daily program operation and implementation, programmatic oversight and supervision will be performed by SCA's Chicago staff.

For over 40 years, SCA has successfully deployed community-based programs that are specifically designed to link environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation activities with unmatched experiential opportunity for diverse urban youth. The proposed work provides students with training in hands-on conservation service work that increases public access to local parks and nature areas while improving the environmental quality of the communities in which they live. SCA will focus locally on the top stewardship priorities.

SCA's application and interview process helps students learn to navigate the job search and hiring processes, while the projects themselves facilitate the development of work readiness skills. SCA's Chicago program focuses on increasing knowledge and skills among participants in four areas: Environmental Stewardship; Leadership Development; Public Outreach and Education and Service Learning and Conservation Skill Building. The Programming will employ multiple levels of activity to encourage the development of participating program members and is geared toward the differing learning styles of participants.

The internship program will be delivered through environmental service work, field studies, outdoor recreation, service projects, travel, community outreach, and civic engagement, all designed to strengthen interest in conservation.

IDNR has literally worked for decades with hundreds of Chicago area organizations, and none are aware of any entities, either public or private, who provide the complete turn-key suite of services that SCA provides. We have had conversations with several of our partner organizations in the Chicago area regarding how we could best meet our needs of recruiting and training diverse young people for careers in the conservation workforce while accomplishing important work on our lands, and they indicated SCA was ideal, or they had themselves utilized SCA. Some governmental agencies who have utilized SCA for comparable services include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Chicago Park District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Forest Service.

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

SCA's unique community programming and recruitment staff focuses on increasing outdoor recreation among youth, while fostering environmental stewardship, community engagement and job skills readiness. For example, SCA has successfully run a similar program in partnership with Chicago Park District, Cook County Forest Preserve District, and other public land partners.

With its emphasis on green jobs and employment skills training, SCA attracts many young people seeking meaningful work experience and educational opportunities. The current job market has been especially difficult for teens. A new market of green jobs has emerged from concern over climate change and increased public awareness about environmental sustainability. To respond to this growing demand, SCA has utilized its more than 40-year history of placing 60,000 young people in on-the-job training, internships and on crews for experiential learning opportunities and created a Green Jobs Training Program especially geared to diverse urban youth. Crew leaders will be Chicago-area youth hired as temporary staff. SCA will pay all temporary staff during their training sessions. The training will be conducted in conjunction with IDNR staff.

There is no other not-for-profit organization that combines full turn-key support for work crews and interns including recruiting, crew supervision, training, payroll, and necessary tools and equipment; a focus on diverse candidates; knowledge of public land management agency procedures and needs; and ability to serve both of our pilot sites at opposite ends of the metropolitan area.

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need? Yes No

Version 7.01 Page 5 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

As noted, there are no alternative vendors who can conduct the proposed scope of work from start to finish. IDNR has worked with hundreds of Chicago area organizations, and none are aware of any entities, either public or private, who provide the complete turn-key suite of services that SCA provides.

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

Yes No N/A

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

An hourly rate for participants was set at $15/hour to meet Chicago’s hourly minimum wage.

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

Yes No

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

The proposed restoration work and maintenance in these parks will be further delayed, thus creating uncertainty about the availability of funds in future fiscal years and increasing long-term costs for conducting this work in the future.

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

The State has made it a priority to address social justice. By conducting outreach to a younger disadvantaged generation, there will be an early intervention that will support the introduction to the Conservation field. This gained awareness will create and appreciation and connection to natural settings in their community. The awareness will be followed by action to service the land through stewardship. Youth will develop the skills to become conservation advocates and thus creating a positive community engagement with nature. Finally, the impacts of the restoration of natural habitats will be sustained through the eradication of invasive species. The

Through this pilot effort, an evaluation of its effectiveness can be conducted and the next generation of conservation stewards can be reached. If funding is approved, the program evaluation will be completed later this year, and, assuming a source of funding, we would likely competitively bid this program moving forward for multiple years.

Version 7.01 Page 6 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section VII

Requesting Department Representative

Requesting Department Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

Date Apr 9, 2021

Printed Name Ted Penesis E-mail Address ted.penesis@illinois.gov

Phone Number 847-608-3108

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required

I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed)

E-mail Address craig.r.foxall2@illinois.gov

Phone Number 217.782.8731 Date Apr 9, 2021

Printed Name Craig Foxall

Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director and Not a Designee

SPO Approval and Signature Required

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and agree with the State Agency or University determination.

I have reviewed and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and do not agree with the State Agency or University determination. As a result, the State Agency or University must explore other sourcing methods to satisfy their need.

State Purchasing Officer Signature Phone Number 2176221908 Date Apr 19, 2021

Printed Name Andrew Hennig E-mail Address andrew.hennig@illinois.gov

Version 7.01 Page 7 of 7

Bulletin Reference Number B-21663

Requesting Agency/University Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information

Project Title Northeastern Illinois Summer Teen/Youth Adult Pilot Program

Vendor Student Conservation Association (SCA)

Initial Date of Procurement Bulletin Posting Apr 14, 2021

Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Yes - Complete Section II and III below (Section II will only be visible when this option is selected)

No - Section II not required, go to Section III below Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required

Based on my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed in accordance with the published Notice referenced above.

Based upon my review, I authorize the Agency/University to proceed with the following Changes.

Based on my review, the Agency/University is not authorized to proceed with this sole source as presented and my recommendation is that it be cancelled.

Other

CPO Signature CPO Phone 2175586897

Printed Name Ellen H. Daley Date

CPO E-mail Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

Version 7.01 Page of Sole Source Justification Form - Part I Section I - General Information Will this Sole Source amend a Professional or Artistic Services contract?

If yes, what was the original contract value?

*Sole Source may not be used for amendments for Professional or Artistic Services if the amendment would increase the value by more than 5% of the initial award or extend the term by more than 60 days.

Section II - Proposed Term If a Term Contract, does the term, including renewals, exceed 12 months?

If yes, provide a detailed justification including any economic benefit received for agreeing to a multi-year term:

Section III - Funding Source Select the type of funding to be used (Check all that apply):

Section IV - Sole Source Justification Are there secondary justification(s) for this sole source?

Section V - Purchase History Has the Agency or University Purchased these supplies or services in the past?

Term Term From Term To Value Description Contract Number Type Section VI - Business Rationale

1. Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the supplies or services:

2. Provide a list and describe in detail the specifications required to satisfy the need:

3. Provide detail explaining the justification selected in Section IV to explain why the requested supplies or services are the only ones available that can satisfy the agency or university requirements?

4. What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific quantifiable factors/qualifications:

5. Has the Agency or University considered alternative supplies or services to satisfy their need?

5a. If yes, name the alternative vendors whose supplies or services were evaluated:

5b. If yes, what were the alternatives for each vendor and why were they unacceptable? Be specific with regard to features, characteristics, requirements, capabilities and compatibility:

5c. Explain how the market evaluation was conducted?

*This evaluation is to determine available options within a market. If the evaluation is to determine quality or best suited option, this is not the appropriate source selection. Under no circumstances shall the evaluation consist of testing alternative options. These activities must be conducted in a competitive transparent environment (i.e. IFB or RFP).

5a. If no, why weren't alternatives evaluated?

6. Are there resellers or distributors?

7. What efforts were made to get the best possible price (i.e. did the agency/university negotiate) and how did you determine the price for this purchase is considered fair and reasonable?

8. Will this purchase obligate the State to this vendor for future purchases such as maintenance, licensing or continuing need?

8a. If yes, please provide details regarding future obligations and/or needs:

9. What will be the financial or other impact to the State if this sole source is not approved and a competitive bid is required?

10. Is there any additional information you would like to add to justify this sole source?

Section VII Requesting Department Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed.

State Agency Bureau/Division Head or University Purchasing Director Approval and Signature Required I know and understand the contents of this Sole Source Justification and attest that all statements are true and correct and the fairness and reasonableness of the price was adequately confirmed. (All prior form fields will lock once this e-signature is completed) SPO Approval and Signature Required Sole Source Justification Form - Part II Section I - General Information Was a Sole Source hearing held per 30 ILCS 500/20-25?

Section II - Sole Source Hearing Details The State posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin a description of the State's need, the justification for the sole source decision, and information regarding the opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing. Notice of the hearing was also posted outside of the hearing room 48 hours prior to the hearing.

The public hearing was conducted for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the sole source determination. The Hearing Officer recommends the following:

The following relevant documents are attached:

Section III - CPO Approval and Signature Required 9.0.0.2.20101008.1.734229 Ellen.H.Daley@illinois.gov

Even more so than in the rest of the state, William Powers SRA and Illinois Beach State Park -- and the communities that depend on them -- are threatened by climate change, contaminated watersheds, habitat destruction, and more. These interconnected challenges demand both awareness and leadership. Chicago area youth must develop the skills, experiences, and passion to lead the conservation agenda for public lands.

Through the SCA, interns and team-based crews will be placed at William Powers SRA on Chicago's Southeast Side and Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) in Chicago's northern suburbs during Summer 2021. Both of these facilities are located in communities with a large minority population and lower income levels -- groups that often underserved by IDNR programming -- and from which the participants in this project will be chosen.

The two young adult interns (aged 19-25 years) will conduct interpretive services and other critical projects as deemed necessary by IDNR professional staff at the two above facilities. For example, they will conduct programmatic needs such as education, interpretation, outreach, web development, event planning and leadership, social media posting, wildlife monitoring, and other needs.

Among the work to be conducted by a team-based crew of 2 leaders and 11 high schoolers for six weeks at William Powers SRA is the following: Clear buckthorn from pond at office, clean flower beds at Douglas Tombs, restore shoreline, plant trees, and habitat enhancement.

At Illinois Beach State Park, a young adult crew (ages 19-25 years) of 1 leader and 3 members will conduct the following work for a period of 3 months: Sand/stain the office deck, pull sweetclover, cut black locus, clean beach from Wisconsion state line to Mansville, sand/stain handicap fishing pier at Sand Pond, paint/decorate garbage cans, and plant wildflowers in front of nature center.

Because underserved youth in these communities often lack access to basic job-readiness skills which can make them more competitive in the job market, this program can offer young people the technical skills needed to succeed in work and particularly in the green jobs economy. Just as important, program participants will share their positive engagement with nature by spreading the word of their stewardship to the rest of the community.

IDNR has a critical need to better serve urban constituencies and to recruit and retain a diverse urban workforce. The retiring generation of public land stewards provides the opportunity to identify well-educated and diverse candidates for future jobs. The agency also has critical project work that needs to be accomplished at urban sites. This pilot project provides the opportunity to accomplish the dual purpose of accomplishing important project work and create a qualified pool of diverse candidates for future full-time jobs.

Thousands of Chicago area youth are "disconnected"-- out of school and out of work, with no meaningful relationship to the world around them. For urban youth the challenges are especially great. Conservation service offers hope and purpose to young people while ensuring the critical care of irreplaceable natural and recreational resources. SCA'S community programs provide opportunities for urban youth traditionally underrepresented in the conservation field.

The proposed projects support community engagement and skill-building activities that enhance the environmental quality and availability of useable outdoor recreation spaces in urban neighborhoods.

Further, this pilot project will allow IDNR to evaluate the success of summer urban work crews in accomplishing our objectives and whether to implement an on-going program of work in later years to reach even more of these underserved youth.

Q2Answer: Through the eradication of invasive species natural habitats will be restored to its natural state by the youth in the program. The urban youth will be provided with employment and will develop the skills and scientific understanding of urban ecology and their role in the system through experiential learning. The programmatic goals and objectives are as follows:

• Work-Readiness: Participants will learn and practice skills needed to enter the green workforce and to serve as effective team members and leaders.

• Eco-Literacy: Participants will develop a conservation ethic by building an understanding of environmental issues and contributing factors. Participants will participate in hands on skill building activities.

• Green Career Pathways: Participants will become aware of career and career pathways included in a new green economy.

By outreaching to a younger disadvantaged generation, there will be an early intervention that will support the introduction to the Conservation field. This gained awareness will create an appreciation and connection to natural settings in their community. This awareness will be followed by action to service the land through stewardship.

The two young adult interns (aged 19-25 years) will conduct interpretive services and other critical projects as deemed necessary by IDNR professional staff at the two above facilities. For example, they will conduct programmatic needs such as education, interpretation, outreach, web development, event planning and leadership, social media posting, wildlife monitoring, and other needs.

Among the work to be conducted by a team-based crew of 2 leaders and 11 high schoolers for six weeks at William Powers SRA is the following: Clear buckthorn from pond at office, clean flower beds at Douglas Tombs, restore shoreline, plant trees, and habitat enhancement.

At Illinois Beach State Park, a young adult crew (ages 19-25 years) of 1 leader and 3 members will conduct the following work for a period of 3 months: Sand/stain the office deck, pull sweetclover, cut black locus, clean beach from Wisconsion state line to Mansville, sand/stain handicap fishing pier at Sand Pond, paint/decorate garbage cans, and plant wildflowers in front of nature center.

Because underserved youth in these communities often lack access to basic job-readiness skills which can make them more competitive in the job market, this program can offer young people the technical skills needed to succeed in work and particularly in the green jobs economy. Just as important, program participants will share their positive engagement with nature by spreading the word of their stewardship to the rest of the community.

Q3Answer: Based in Chicago, the not-for-profit Student Conservation Association provides all oversight and training for the staff performing this work. There is no other organization that does so. SCA provides all oversight and training for the staff performing this work. There is no other organization that provides this full level of service. Crew leaders will be hired to oversee the students in their projects. High school students and young adults will be selected to serve as crew members working together in a team environment under the direction and supervision of SCA Crew Leaders. Additionally, daily program operation and implementation, programmatic oversight and supervision will be performed by SCA's Chicago staff.

For over 40 years, SCA has successfully deployed community-based programs that are specifically designed to link environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation activities with unmatched experiential opportunity for diverse urban youth. The proposed work provides students with training in hands-on conservation service work that increases public access to local parks and nature areas while improving the environmental quality of the communities in which they live. SCA will focus locally on the top stewardship priorities.

SCA's application and interview process helps students learn to navigate the job search and hiring processes, while the projects themselves facilitate the development of work readiness skills. SCA's Chicago program focuses on increasing knowledge and skills among participants in four areas: Environmental Stewardship; Leadership Development; Public Outreach and Education and Service Learning and Conservation Skill Building. The Programming will employ multiple levels of activity to encourage the development of participating program members and is geared toward the differing learning styles of participants.

The internship program will be delivered through environmental service work, field studies, outdoor recreation, service projects, travel, community outreach, and civic engagement, all designed to strengthen interest in conservation.

IDNR has literally worked for decades with hundreds of Chicago area organizations, and none are aware of any entities, either public or private, who provide the complete turn-key suite of services that SCA provides. We have had conversations with several of our partner organizations in the Chicago area regarding how we could best meet our needs of recruiting and training diverse young people for careers in the conservation workforce while accomplishing important work on our lands, and they indicated SCA was ideal, or they had themselves utilized SCA. Some governmental agencies who have utilized SCA for comparable services include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Chicago Park District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Forest Service.

Q4Answer: SCA's unique community programming and recruitment staff focuses on increasing outdoor recreation among youth, while fostering environmental stewardship, community engagement and job skills readiness. For example, SCA has successfully run a similar program in partnership with Chicago Park District, Cook County Forest Preserve District, and other public land partners.

With its emphasis on green jobs and employment skills training, SCA attracts many young people seeking meaningful work experience and educational opportunities. The current job market has been especially difficult for teens. A new market of green jobs has emerged from concern over climate change and increased public awareness about environmental sustainability. To respond to this growing demand, SCA has utilized its more than 40-year history of placing 60,000 young people in on-the-job training, internships and on crews for experiential learning opportunities and created a Green Jobs Training Program especially geared to diverse urban youth. Crew leaders will be Chicago-area youth hired as temporary staff. SCA will pay all temporary staff during their training sessions. The training will be conducted in conjunction with IDNR staff.

There is no other not-for-profit organization that combines full turn-key support for work crews and interns including recruiting, crew supervision, training, payroll, and necessary tools and equipment; a focus on diverse candidates; knowledge of public land management agency procedures and needs; and ability to serve both of our pilot sites at opposite ends of the metropolitan area.

Through this pilot effort, an evaluation of its effectiveness can be conducted and the next generation of conservation stewards can be reached. If funding is approved, the program evaluation will be completed later this year, and, assuming a source of funding, we would likely competitively bid this program moving forward for multiple years.