National Park Service Grant: Youth Conservation for Invasive Plant Management at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

OVERVIEW

The objective of this task agreement is to support and provide opportunities for selected persons to gain experience in the principles and practices of conservation and resource programs by providing a corps team composed of a two 12-month Conservation Interns and to six 3-month Conservation Interns to address critical invasive plant management projects along carriage roads and trails at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park to preserve and protect the Mount Tom Forest, one of the oldest planned and managed forest in the United States. The focus of the work will be on invasive plant eradication, but will also include invasive plant inventorying and monitoring, treatment plan development, site restoration, and outreach and education for volunteer recruitment to support treatment efforts.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

1. Recruit, appoint, place and maintain qualified individuals who are acceptable to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park for Conservation Interns Positions;

2. Provide the least expensive round-trip transportation required to locate the Conservation Interns at the beginning of their assignment and return them at the end of their assignment;

3. Reimburse the Conservation Interns for commuting mileage costs who live within commuting distance of Woodstock, Vermont; or provide for a van for official government use to carry out the transportation and functions of the Interns related to this Task Agreement; based on which ever option is the least cost-alternative to the government.

4. Provide subsistence and housing for the Conservation Interns during their tour of duty;

5. Provide a uniform and/or clothing allowance, including patches and name tags for the Conservation Interns.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

1. Provide meaningful work projects and experiences that will address critical invasive plant management projects along carriage roads and trails at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park to preserve and protect the Mount Tom Forest

2. Provide general orientation to park operations and NPS mission;

3. Provide appropriate mentoring to Conservation Interns provided by the SCA;

4. Provide training to the Conservation Interns to ensure that they are properly trained for all activities they are expected to perform;

5. Provide for equipment and tools to carry out the work of this Task Agreement.