Applications Open for Bureau of Land Management California Youth Conservation

Deadline: 14-May-21

Applications are now open for the Bureau of Land Management California Youth Conservation to 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 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.

Young people are recruited from local communities to assist with conservation projects that protect and promote multiple-use on public lands.

Projects developed for this fiscal year are detailed in Section B3 as noted below and include, but are not limited to, such things as:

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 delisting 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

Funding Information

Estimated Total Funding: $ 2,000,000
Maximum Award: $ 250,000
Minimum Award: $ 50,000
Anticipated Number of Awards: 9

Expected Program Outcomes

Projects may vary in length, but none should last longer than three years. Projects may be located in different geographic locations on BLM administered lands. The overall project success shall be validated and tracked by the BLM project coordinator using various criteria such as:

Expose young people to public service, furthering their understanding and appreciation of the nation’s natural and cultural resources, while implementing Secretarial Orders and priorities.
Stimulate interest in conservation careers by working with BLM conservation professionals and providing qualified conservation projects that will allow corps members to be certified for two year noncompetitive hiring status upon completion of the projects and 640 hours.
Promote job creation to strengthen America’s economy and foster relationships with organizations advocating for balanced stewardship and use of public lands.
Promote and stimulate public purposes by providing education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, and productive community involvement in the care and enhancement of natural and cultural resources.
Assist qualified conservation corps to enhance and maintain public lands and waters by engaging youth in conserving or developing natural and cultural resources.
Engage young people within the local area or within the states to provide opportunities to stimulate interest in conservation activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
State governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
County governments
City or township governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Private institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities