National Park Service Oak Savanna Restoration Grant

No government housing is available; however, many reasonably priced houses and rental properties exist in the surrounding communities. A work vehicle, pick-up truck, will be necessary for team and equipment transport to and from various work locations. Necessary safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, chaps, and helmets will be provided.

Background:
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan approximately 50-60 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois. Small towns and resort communities on the beaches of Lake Michigan and farms interspersed with large tracts of woodland and wetlands surround the Lakeshore. An abundance of cultural and recreational activities are available year-round. The area has weather typical of the Midwest, with temperatures normally ranging from 0 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees in the summer.

Possible Projects and Work Activities for 2015:
• Manage plants present in oak savanna using mechanical and chemical methods
• Felling and Bucking of brush and trees
• Collecting, cleaning, and sowing of native seeds
• Use GIS and GPS technology to map and identify work areas

Desired Skills and Attributes:
• Health Insurance
• Knowledge of plant identification
• Knowledge of chainsaw use and safety
• Knowledge of brush cutter use and safety
• Pesticide application training
• Knowledge of and ability to control exotic plants using manual, mechanical, and chemical techniques
• Ability to coordinate and work with others

Educational background desired:
• Botany/Forest Ecology – some coursework or experience

Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Interested organizations must submit a Statement of Information, including an estimated budget and limit the response to a three-page maximum. Be sure to include a summary of how you would implement and manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of relevant qualifications and experience with recruiting and placement of youth interns, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would be available to work on the project. Include a bid with the Statement of Information.

The Request of Information response will be reviewed by the NPS Awarding Officer in conjunction with the potential Project Manager (s) in order to determine the organization best suited to provide services for this specific project.

Submit electronic Requests for Information to catherine_schroeder@nps by 5:00 CST on Monday, January 16, 2015, as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.

Note: This Request for Information seeks responses from organizations qualified to provide individual and/or crews of youth and young adults for internship opportunities with the National Park Service that provide environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities through conservation, natural resource management, and emergency response work.