Department of Interior Grant for ACE Crews: Invasive Species Treatment and Hazardous Fuel Reduction

The principal purpose of the project is to support the Governmentâ¿¿s objective to provide opportunities for youth to learn about the environment by spending time working in Saguaro National Park. The project motivates its youth participants to become involved in the natural, cultural, and historical resource protection of their communities and beyond. The participants will gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom on natural resource projects. The NPS receives the indirect benefit of working toward the completion of the project. The project is designed to promote the general welfare, security, prosperity, and public convenience, and is part of a Restoration and Invasive Plant Program at Saguaro National Park and part of the Department of Interior Resilient Landscapes Program. The conservation project being undertaken by ACE will help the general public enjoy public lands and help to conserve public land for the enjoyment of the general public. Managing non-native plant species, reducing fuel loads, mitigating wildfire damage, restoring native plant species, and monitoring treatment effectiveness will help the park achieve management goals and objectives of protecting natural ecosystem integrity and function for the enjoyment of future generations, as well as protecting public safety and private property in the wildland urban interface. The NPS will be involved in the training and education of the interns as well as program management decisions. NPS personnel will be collaborators in the accomplishment of the activity and have daily operational involvement and participation during the project.