Department of the Interior – Youth Summer Conservation Crew Grant for Habitat Restoration at CUVA

The objective of this Task Agreement (agreement) is to support and stimulate work, education and/or training opportunities for youth through collaborative management of invasive plants and trails. The project also will help stimulate the local economy by employing local youth. These objectives will be accomplished by partnering with the Recipient to provide one (1) crew leader and four (4) high-school crew members to work at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (park). The crew leader and crew will use mechanical and chemical treatments to manage infestations of target species of non-native, invasive plants throughout the park, including high-visibility areas with high-visitor use, natural areas, and cultural landscapes. The crew also will assist with habitat restoration, including propagating native plants; preparing sites for planting; and establishing native vegetation at restoration sites. In addition, the crew may repair and construct trails, complete soils testing and/or complete other activities that support park operations and learning. The crew leader and crew members also will meet with park staff across divisions for informational and educational purposes.

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:
1. Assist with recruiting and selecting one crew leader to work with and supervise the four-member work crew and otherwise participate in work described in “Article I – Background and Objectives”, as well as elsewhere in this Agreement for a period of 6 weeks.
2. Assist with recruiting and selecting four, high-school crew members to participate in work described in “Article I – Background and Objectives”, as well as elsewhere in this Agreement for a period of 6 weeks.
3. Provide crew transportation to and from Cuyahoga Valley National Park during the crew leader and crew’s tour of duty.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

B. NPS is substantially involved with this agreement and agrees to:
1. Participate and collaborate jointly with the Recipient and Recipient’s crew and crew leader in carrying out the scope of work.
2. Provide an NPS technical representative to be on-site with the Recipient’s crew and crew leader to assist with specifics of the project as needed.
3. Review and approve one stage of work before the next stage begins.
4. Help select the crew leader and crew members.
5. Direct or redirect work because of interrelationships with other projects.
6. Immediately halt an activity if performance specifications are not met.
7. Oversee Recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, combined with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under this Agreement.
8. Help coordinate educational opportunities for the crew and crew members while working at the park, including arrangement of meetings with other park staff and interpretive activities associated with the nature, history or other aspects of the park.