Youth Project Abstract Summary SNDO Wildlife 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 Wildlife Restoration Youth Intern Maximum Available Funding in FY22: $150,000 Project Background Information: The Southern Nevada District Office has been working toward the protection and restoration of populations of the threatened Mojoave Desert Tortoise since its Endangered Species Act listing in the 1990s. A recent focus of this work includes rescuing tortoises in the path of development and rearing them for release back into the wild and monitoring ecosystem characteristics that affect tortoise populations including nesting and occurrence of common ravens which are a key predator of young tortoises associated with Involving an intern with this project is important for developing careers in the BLM and helping the District accomplish priority wildlife restoration work. BLM wildlife and restoration specialists will guide the the interns work and provide insights into resource management and career opportunities.

Project Objective: The intern will provide husbandry for Mojave Desert Tortoises rescued from projects and temporarily housed at the BLM Desert Tortoise Research Center (DTRC), formally the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (Tortoise Center). Husbandry includes providing food and water, health inspections, transportation to and from veterinary care as needed, and administration of medications prescribed by vet for housed animals and inspection of fencing and minor repairs to fencing as needed. Monitoring of ravens will be done by driving powerline roads and recording nests and tortoise remains, collecting samples and data.

Work Schedule: Youth crews will generally work Monday – Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5PM, for approximately 10 weeks, with flexable start/end dates from approximately October to April.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for organizations that have experience recruiting for and managing youth wildlife internship programs. Members of this internship program must have a valid drivers liscense, conduct health inspections, provide accurate records and reporting, and provide basic husbandry for Desert Tortise.

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, vehicle use and operation, first aid and CPR, admistering basic husbandry for Desert Tortise, and record keeping.

· Travel: Travel for the internship program consist of up to 20 miles.

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

1. Surveying 350 miles of powerlines for raven nests to provide data for desert tortoise conservation actions.

2. Complete data and sample collection on 50 raven nests and an estimated 10 redtail hawk nests.

3. Provide husbandry for temporarily housed tortoises

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, husbandry, and record keeping of Desert Tortise.

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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