FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Youth Conservation Corps

The Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices have collaborated with Qualified Youth and Conservation Corps, as authorized by the Public Lands Corps Act (PLC), to accomplish conservation projects for numerous years. This program's projects provide employment for participants and opportunities to gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management. Through their BLM experience, youth gain an appreciation for public lands, learn about conservation-related careers, and become the next generation of public lands stewards. The BLM Youth Program also helps diversify the BLM workforce while exposing participants to complex cultural and natural resource issues. The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth and conservation corps through the Public Lands Corp (PLC) Program to engage individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 (inclusive) and veterans up to age 35 (inclusive) including tribal members. Recruitment efforts should focus on young, diverse people from local communities to assist with conservation projects that protect and promote multiple-use on public lands. Projects available under the PLC Program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Office project coordinators. The projects emphasize engagement in on-the-ground projects, training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. These projects create jobs that strengthen America's economy and foster relationships with youth conservation corps organizations striving for balanced stewardship and use of public lands. Participants are mentored by BLM professionals, acquire new skills, and gain experience in natural and cultural resource management. Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the American Climate Corps (ACC) initiative. Proposed projects may also incorporate the goals of the Indian Youth Service Corps Program through outreach to Indian tribes and tribal-serving youth corps organizations and the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) initiative. Youth participants will have opportunities to help build a clean energy and climate-resilient future in their own communities and across the nation. They will also be able to address racial inequity by increasing opportunities for qualified youth, which will benefit members of Indian tribes.Projects will include the following:Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g. kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data as well as, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational materials for visitors.Studies such as resource inventories, historic or archival research, archaeological excavation or stabilization, oral histories, historic preservation, habitat surveys, etc.Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disastersReduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.In-house projects, such as science, policy, or program internships, with a clear benefit for natural or cultural resources. In-house projects must include a field component of at least 120 hours.