The National Park Service is Offering a Grant for Conservation Interns in Denali’s Sled Dog Kennels

Cooperative Agreement Number P15AC00031 was entered into by and between the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, (NPS), and Student Conservation Association (SCA) for the purpose of Conservation Projects. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

The objective of this Task Agreement is to support and stimulate work and/or education and training opportunities for young adults through collaborative participation in Denali National Park and Preserve’s Division of Interpretation Sled Dog Kennels.

ARTICLE II – LEGAL AUTHORITY

54 U.S. Code § 101702 – Cooperative agreements
(a)TRANSFER OF SERVICE APPROPRIATED FUNDS.—
A cooperative agreement entered into by the Secretary that involves the transfer of Service appropriated funds to a State, local, or tribal government or other public entity, an educational institution, or a private nonprofit organization to carry out public purposes of a Service program is a cooperative agreement properly entered into under section 6305 of title 31.

ARTICLE III – STATEMENT OF WORK

The Student Conservation Associates will serve as interns in areas of interpretation, visitor services, and cooperatively work with community outreach and education.
The SCA interns will work together to complete three projects:
1. Coordinate and oversee dog yard improvements. Improvements include, but are not limited to, assisting with the replacement of failing chain link fencing in the kennel area dog pens, take care of the backlog of dog waste composting including turning, data recording, and distributing end product soil to park and local community projects that can use it for revegetation, backfill, etc. In addition, they will assist with the installation of a free run pen to improve exercise and socialization opportunities for dogs and puppies.
2. Coordinate Kennels education and outreach efforts to inform the public of the upcoming National Park Service Centennial including creation of special educational displays and products and planning social media outreach, both of which relate the Denali Kennels to the NPS mission and Organic Act.
3. Assist with historic cabin preservation inventorying efforts.

The projects may include travel on the park road or off trail in the backcountry. The interns may be based in the park’s backcountry overnight or be temporarily assigned to work at another duty station within the park in order to complete their projects. All travel will comply with NPS Invitational Travel (no-cost) protocols and will be of benefit to the United States government.

As part of their training and educational experience, interns may also be asked to travel to Cantwell, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla, Willow, Eagle River, or Fairbanks, Alaska to participate in training sessions, assist in transporting dogs to veterinary clinics in emergency situations, or other experiences.

A. The SCA agrees:

1. To assist with recruitment and selection of selected candidates as Conservation Associates to participate in the work described in the above Scope of Work.

2. To provide for transportation to and from DENA and subsistence during the period of performance.

3. To provide stipend, insurance, and Americorps awards (when applicable).

4. Provide 24/7 staffed hotline assistance, site visit, and performance evaluations.