Youth Project Abstract Summary SNDO Vegetation Youth Restoration Intern.docx

Office: Southern Nevada District Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L22AS00306 Project Submission Dates and Times: June 16, 2022, 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Project Title: Southern Nevada District Vegetation Restoration Youth Crews Maximum Available Funding in FY22: $150,000 Project Background Information: The Southern Nevada District Office has been working toward the restoration of key vegetation communities for well over a decade. These communities include riparian habitat adjacent to springs and in the Virgin River Watershed, as well as upland habitat in ACECs. These vegetation communities include some of the last remaining nesting habitat for the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and areas habitat for the threatened Mojave Desert Tortoise. Youth internships have been an important component in the on-going effort to restore the ecological integrity to riparian and upland plant communities that have been severely degraded by invasive plants, unregulated OHV activity, overgrazing and other disturbance agents.

Involving youth interns in this project is important for developing careers in the BLM and helping the District accomplish priority habitat restoration. BLM specialists in botany, forestry, weeds management and wildlife will guide the youth intern in completing the work, as well as providing insights into resource management and career opportunities.

Project Objective: The main project objective is to re-establish native plant dominance on sites that have been overcome by invasive plants and/or have been denuded by disturbance. This is a long-term effort that may take several years in riparian areas, and decades in upland desert areas. However, once the trajectory toward native species dominance is set, natural recovery can be accelerated.

The intern will primarily be responsible coordinating work and logistics of a conservation crew which will include a variety of restoration tasks in the Virgin River Watershed.The intern will be responsible for mapping using the ArcGIS platform, recording restoration techniques utilized, quantifying vegetation removed and planted, data analysis and collection, and ensuring accurate records.

Work Schedule: The Youth Intern will generally work Monday – Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5PM, for up to one year, with flexable start/end dates from approximately October 2023 to October 2024.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for organizations that have experience recruiting for and managing youth internships. The youth intern must be able to work in outdoor conditions and have the basic skills and abilities to complete routine restoration, knowledge utilizing ArcGIS, writing skills, 4x4 driving experience, and organization skills.

Housing: Agency cannot provide housing. Camping locations for field crews are available at no charge.

Vehicle Needs: The applicant is required to provide transportation for the internship program to and from the work location. This transportation must be able to handle gravel, dirt, and the occasional primitive road conditions.

Other Project Considerations:

· Food: The applicant is required to supply youth interns with all food and living supplies.

· All Supplies: The applicant is required to provide the youth interns with basic living supplies and work tools. The BLM may be able to supplement crews with basic work tools on a limited basis.

· Training Requirements: The applicant is required to provide the youth intern with the appropriate training to complete the work outlined in this opportunity, including, but no limited to, basic tool and vehicle use and operation, ArcGIS, first aid, and crew lead training.

· Travel: Travel between the Southern Nevada District Office and the project site may be required.

Duties: The successful youth internships will assist the Southern Nevada Distritct with the following specific projects:

· Record, map, and document approximately 1,000 tree saplings and 1,000 herb/grass transplants in riparian areas masticated by BLM Fuels Program in previous years.

· Record, map, and document approximately one (1) mile of riparian fencing restoration activities performed by field crews.

· Record, map, and document approximately 25 linear disturbance (illegal route) intersections.

· Coordinate all work, equipment, and logistics for restoration field crews.

· Provide monthly progress reports to the BLM with information about restoration progress.

This internship is expected to last up to 12 months in the Southern Nevada District Office. BLM specialists will meet with the intern to coordinate working plans and an introduction with field crews prior to the start of new restoration projects which the intern will oversee. The internship will be primarily field based, but will have access to BLM facilities and teleworking arrangements. The intern will often be working in remote locations without cell service, and in weather conditions common in the Mojave Desert.

Project expected outcomes include the employment of 1 youth intern who will also gain knowledge on natural resource management and careers while completing oversite and logistics of restoration in sensitive riparian and upland desert habitat.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professionals that will work with the crews weekly to ensure project objectives are known and complete, as well as providing information to crew members on the purpose of the work, relation to BLM management objectives, and career opportunities. The BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project work, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc.

BLM Program Contact:

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L22AS00306 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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