IIJA Bureau of Land Management Utah Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking applications for the Utah Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

Donor Name: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Deadline: 04/11/2023

Size of the Grant: $250,000

Grant Duration: 5 years

Details:

This program’s projects provide employment for participants and opportunities to learn about and gain work experience in public lands and natural resources management while promoting long-term interest in public lands stewardship and the BLM. The BLM Youth Program assists the BLM with diversifying the workforce while exposing participants to complex cultural and natural resource issues.

The BLM Youth Program partners with qualified youth and conservation corps 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 this program are developed in collaboration with the State Youth Program Lead and District/Field Offices and emphasize on-the-ground projects, training, and mentorship opportunities for participants. The BLM is committed to connecting youth, from diverse backgrounds to natural and cultural resources on public lands through conservation service projects, recreational experiences, natural resource-based employment, and educational opportunities, including scientific studies. These projects create jobs that strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with youth conservation corps 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. 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.

Proposed projects within this funding opportunity notice will support the Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) and the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) initiatives. These initiatives offer an opportunity to address climate change and address racial inequity by providing training opportunities for young people of color and others from historically disenfranchised communities.

Projects developed for this fiscal year will be identified in Grants.gov on the “Related Documents” tab. These project will include but not limited to 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, 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 and informational materials for visitors.
• Performance of 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 disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.
• Reduction 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.
• Performance of in-house projects, such as science, policy, or program internships, with a clear benefit for natural or cultural resources. In-house projects to include a field component of at least 120 hours.
• The focused projects may be organized as crews in which participants work collectively and intensely together under supervision of trained and experienced crew leaders or conservation professionals; or may be organized as individuals or small teams working on specific individual tasks requiring dedicated attention; or projects may be organized in both formats. Regardless of the format, trained and experienced crew leaders or staff from partner organizations shall directly supervise participants. While BLM conservation professionals will provide project guidance and mentoring, they cannot serve as direct supervisors.
• Individuals/crews must be paid either a stipend or wage to offset living costs e.g., food and housing.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding $680,000
• Award Ceiling $250,000
• Award Floor $25,000

Project Period

Agreement terms for funded projects are estimated to range between one and no more than five years and are determined based on the period of performance as stated on the recipient’s project proposal.

Eligible Applicants

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility

• Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.
• This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to “hire” interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.