BLM-[Arizona] Youth GIS & Database Management Grant

Qualified Youth or Conservation Corps only

BLM intent is to award one financial assistance agreement per District office as well as one for the State office, totaling five separate financial assistance agreements. This would allow for the continued exposure of youth to this growing field and to the BLMâ¿¿s recreational and natural resource values.

a. Background:

BLM Arizona in the past provided youth organizations an opportunity to work with BLM professional by providing three geospatial projects. 1). Geospatial mobility (one of the Geospatial Steering Committee (GSC) priorities) 2). Support of the national Recreation Mapping Project for National Conservation Lands, one of the Directorâ¿¿s geospatial intiatives and 3). BLM Arizona Strategic Plan. These three project were in support of natural and cultural resources on public land as it pertains to Geographic information System (GIS). The youth involved in these project were able to be mentored by BLM professionals in the support of the BLMs vision to create and disseminate accurate, user friendly information and to utilize digital tools to distribute maps and other valuable information that fosters a safe, enjoyable, and responsible outdoor experience.

Since that time, the geospatial program has continued to gain momentum and managers and program leads across the state have recognized the benefit of this youth engagement, both for possible career exposure as well as the benefits in support of public resources, so due to the success of the projects BLM AZ has funding available to provide an opportunity for upper-level college students or recent college graduates. These projects are most suited for youth with education and training in computer science, geography, cartography, or a related discipline â¿¿ to provide support for a web-based geospatial mapping projects and data base management.

b. Objectives:

BLM Arizona has an opportunity to introduce youth to career opportunities in the growing field of geographic information systems (GIS) and database management.

1. The selected candidates will provide geospatial support to State and Field office staff, for the development and implementation of spatially referenced map products, the geospatial data used to make those products and other methods for digital consumption.

2. The youth interns will learn how to utilize GIS software to design and create attractive, user friendly maps under the guidance of BLM staff.

3. Completed products will be made available for public consumption using a wide variety of digital platforms that will allow the public to easily search for and browse [BLM] spatially referenced maps; download maps; and track real-time movements on maps using a mobile deviceâ¿¿s built-in GPS.

4. Will be taught to update existing recreation geospatial data and interactive webmaps used by BLM and the public in support of BLMs National Conservation Lands (NCL) that include National Monuments and National Conservation Areas.

5. Learn to update a variety of BLM geospatial datasets and databases supporting programs such as Abandoned Mine Lands (AMSCM), Lands and Realty (LR2000 or LRAM), Recreation (RMIS), Invasive Weeds (NISIMS), Facilities (FAMS), Rangeland Health (RAS) or associated planning databases (ePlanning).

6. The selected candidates may provide other geospatial support that would contribute to the youthâ¿¿s overall exposure to the BLM.

BLM intent is to award one financial assistance agreement per District office as well as one for the State office, totaling five separate financial assistance agreements. This would allow for the continued exposure of youth to this growing field and to the BLMs recreational and natural resource values.