Department of the Interior’s GL-EPMT Young Adult Exotic Plant Interns Grant

Great Lakes Exotic Plant Management Team – Exotic Plant Interns.
In order to protect parks significant and valued resources many plant communities require active management. Mowing/cutting, seeding, prescribed burning and management of problematic plants are needed to maintain both natural and cultural resources “unimpaired” for future generations. These activities are well suited to provide youth with service learning opportunities. While parks provide many opportunities for youth, the hands on real world experience of completing vegetation management projects in multiple national park units across a larger geographic region involving serval stakeholder groups will provide an unparalleled youth service learning experience. The intent is that projects will; motivate youth to become involved in the natural, cultural and/or historical resource protection through active management of their national parks; introduce them to careers in resource management; install work ethic and develop leadership skills; reduce the impact of invasive species and to improve the condition of plant communities and habitats in the parks. This unique experience will provide highly relevant job skills for careers in resource management and assist training/engaging the next generation of natural resource stewards.

In order to complete the desired objectives the National Park Services Great Lakes Exotic Plant Management Team (NPS-GL-EPMT) will work directly with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa to provide for engaging and meaningful service learning experiences. Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa and the NPS-GL-EPMT will jointly recruit and select 2 Exotic Plant Interns. Young adult interns will work side by side with members of the GL-EPMT and other NPS staff to complete the tasks of this project.

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:
1. Provide 2 individually placed young adult interns to assist in the Great Lakes Exotic Plant Management Team with vegetation management projects.
2. Organize a leadership and training program for the interns.
3. Track the progress and experience of each intern during the program. This includes organizing a mid-year retreat, which provides corps members a chance to reflect on their experiences.
4. Implement a health, safety and risk-management programs, which includes methods for managing driver safety, liability insurance, health insurance, and workman’s compensation.
5. To provide interns a housing stipend, and, as needed, assistance with obtaining housing arrangements.
6. Provide travel funds to cover up to 75 days of travel per season for each intern.
7. Interns will work 40 hours per week. The typical work day length is 10 hours, which may be shortened to 8 hours or extended up to 16 hours as needed. In addition, crew members may be required to work for up to 80 consecutive hours, and may be called back in to service after 24 hours of rest. Typical work schedule during the field season (Late April to Mid-October) will be Wednesday to Wednesday (8, 10 hour days) followed by 6 days off.
8. Provide the interns with Corps uniform items and Corps personal protective equipment required to participate in vegetation management projects.
9. Allow crews to work with utility type vehicles (UTVs) or truck mounted sprayers as needed, following training with park staff.
10. Minimize travel expenses by sharing accommodations and camping when in agreement with NPS staff that such accommodations are sufficient to support crew safety, morale, and welfare.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Provide and NPS staff member to accompany interns on 90-100% of field project and will advise on 100% of field projects.
2. Provide introductory training regarding the service’s mission prior to the start of the field season.
3. Provide interns with access to computers and USAccess credentials if necessary, in accordance with NPS requirements.
4. Provide transportation and fuel to complete field work and training in 11 National Park units depending on project priorities: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historic Park, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Voyageurs National Park.
5. Ensure that interns successfully complete CPR and First Aid, Driver Training, Herbicide application safety training and chainsaw users training.
6. Ensure all interns are licensed to mix an apply herbicides in the state of Wisconsin and Michigan.
7. Provide hands-on training in the identification of invasive plants and operation of equipment, including GPS.
8. Provide GPS units to be returned following use, and will provide technical support on their use and maintenance.
9. Deliver a minimum of five presentations to the interns discussing careers with the NPS. Presentations will include NPS personnel from natural resource management, but may also include cultural resource management, interpretation, law enforcement, and administration. Depending on availability, a park superintendent may also address the interns.
10. Provide a one-hour one-on-one job counseling sessions individually with each intern.
11. For every project, and NPS employee will brief the interns on significant resource management issues and decisions leading to their work at each park.
12. Work closely with the partnering organization with scheduling in order to reduce expenses and increase productivity, while providing for safety, moral and welfare of the interns.
13. Provide all work equipment, transportation, equipment fuel, and PPE including UTVs, chainsaws, portable sprayers, herbicide, mechanical equipment, backpack sprayers, and herbicide.
14. Provide work areas, and areas for camping or lodging, as available, for use in parks.
15. Provide technical input on restoration techniques and herbicide selection.
16. Designate a Great Lakes Exotic Plant Management Team or NPS designee to work with the partnering organization to design project specifications that fit within the capabilities of partner and the NPS.
17. Determine where interns are most needed depending on evolving conditions such as local weather, emergencies (such as wildfire), progress and needs of park-based invasive plant control projects, prescribed fire windows, and availability of local park staff.
18. Stop work on any project that does not meet the specifications with regard to herbicide use, effectiveness, resource impacts, or other observed unsafe practices.