BLM AZ CESU Grant for Lower Colorado River Ecosystem Restoration and Student Professional Development

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, academic institutions, tribal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations (300 partners).

This project started in the early 2000¿s with a Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation project, which then transitioned into restoration of the lower Colorado River projects. Invasive species, including Giant Salvinia, bulrush, bufflegrass, and Phragmites are all managed along the lower Colorado River within the restoration sites. Riparian restoration is a common goal among many of our city, county, state, and federal partners.

B.Project Objective:

The CESU applicant will train and engage college students to carry out critical stewardship projects within the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area, the lower Colorado River, and other areas within the Yuma Field Office. Professionals delivering this program will encourage students to pursue college degrees resulting in natural resource careers.

The principle purpose of this project is to develop partnerships with CESU participants, in order to improve and maintain healthy riparian ecosystems.

The objective of this agreement is to provide an opportunity for the CESU students to gain marketable skills implementing weed management through the guidance of the multi-agency invasive species task force.

The public will benefit from this project by having more knowledgeable and experienced students available to work within our communities. It also instills ownership and appreciation towards the resources on public lands.