The Department of the Interior National Park Service Grant for Park Restoration and Resource Education

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and Student Conservation Association (Recipient), for the purpose of building the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land through service opportunities, outdoor skills and leadership training. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Master Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

Project title: Park Restoration and Resource Education Interns- INDU
1. Miller Woods Wetlands: SCA will provide uniformed interns that have been trained in basic safety and work etiquette. Interns will be trained by NPS staff to conduct wetland restoration in the Miller Woods unit of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The NPS training will include safety. Interns will; apply herbicide, remove invasive vegetation by hand or with hand tools, collect and clean seed, assist with greenhouse operations, and plant seeds and plants. Work will be outdoors and exposure to insects and poisonous plants is likely. They will also be trained by NPS staff to interpret their activities to the public and school children. The interns will perform several public education programs under the supervision of NPS staff.
2. Park Restoration and Maintenance: SCA will provide uniformed crews trained in basic safety, hand tool use, and outdoor work. NPS will also provide safety training and direct the work of crews including periodic training and work inspection. Work will include removal of vegetation through chemicals and hand tools, trail maintenance using hand tools, removal of logjams in the river, and greenhouse operations (planting).

STATEMENT OF WORK

RECIPIENT AGREES TO:

1. Recruit and select 2 teams of interns comprised of a crew leader and 4 team members to participate in the work described in Article I –Park Restoration and Maintenance and throughout this document.
2. Recruit and select 5 individual interns for restoration and education project entitled Miller Woods Wetlands Project described in Article I and throughout this document.
3. Train, mentor and supervise interns.
4. Provide interns with a living allowance, housing allowance, and travel allowance for relocation to and from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, workers compensation, and liability insurance.
5. Provide transportation to project work sites (Park Restoration and Maintenance project).
6. Routinely communicate with park staff and identified project officials.
7. Be available for resolution of issues related to the interns.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO:

1. Support the education and professional development of the interns.
2. Participate and collaborate jointly with the Recipient in carrying out the scope of work.
3. Provide NPS technical representative to assist with specifics of the project as needed.
4. Review and approve one stage of work before the next stage begins.
5. Provide supplies, tools, and equipment as necessary for execution of restoration tasks.
6. Provide transportation for the Miller Woods Wetlands Project interns.
7. Oversee Recipient discretion with respect to scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, mode of operations and other management processes, combine with close monitoring or operational involvement during performance under this Task Agreement.