The Bureau of Land Management's National Youth Initiative Funding
In Reply Refer To:
1115/1700(NV933) P
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Nevada State Office
P.O. Box 12000 (1340 Financial Blvd.)
Reno, Nevada 89520-0006
http://www.nv.blm.gov
January 08, 2010
EMS TRANSMISSION 01/11/2010
Instruction Memorandum No. IM-NV-2010-013
Expires September 30, 2011
To: District Managers and Field Managers, Nevada
From: State Director, Nevada
Subject: The Bureau of Land Management’s National Youth Initiative Funding
Due Date: January 20, 2010
Program Areas: All, particularly Recreation and Visitor Services; Cultural and Paleontological Resources; Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation; Soil, Water, and Air; Rangeland Resources; Forestry; Wild Horse & Burro; NLCS; Education and Interpretation
Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) contains information on submitting proposals for the 2010/2011 Youth Initiative.
Budget Impact: The Bureau of Land Management has identified $5,000,000 of new funding for the National Youth Initiative for FY 2010; and $7,000,000. for FY2011. As directed by the Department, a substantial portion of these funds should be targeted to programs and initiatives that will result in employing young people in the work of the Bureau.
It is important to distinguish that there are two separate funding sources for Youth Initiative related funding. The first is at the Nevada State Office (NVSO), the second will be funded by the WO Division of Education, Interpretation and Partnerships.
Policy/Action: District Offices can submit proposals for the following funds:
1) Nevada Funds: As part of the AWP, Nevada has received a one-time allocation in the amount of $100,000 ($50,000 each in sub-activities 1010 and 1220). These funds should be used to augment base funding already being used in support of project-based work and internship programs. They may be used to hire youth for projects and/or to build capacity by taking the steps needed to plan and develop projects that can be completed with additional funding in FY 2011. The funds can be used to hire seasonal employees or can be obligated to partnerships. Such as: Agreements with youth partnerships. Offices should be able to provide youth (ages 15-25) with meaningful work experiences. In order to realize the full intent of this program, which is to expand career pathways for young people, work experiences must include mentoring, transference of conservation and stewardship ethics, development of employable skills, and career transition counseling. Nevada will fund three projects at $30,000 each, and $10,000 will remain at NSO to cover operations cost. Please complete Attachment 2 to submit a proposal for the NV funds.
2) Washington Office Funds: All District Offices (DO) can submit project proposals to NVSO, using the form in Attachment 3. Approved projects will be funded by the WO, through a merit ranking grant process. A total of $2 million is available bureauwide. The primary purpose of these funds is to introduce and provide career pathways to young people by expanding existing and new projects, programs, and materials that engage and educate youth in the outdoors and promote stewardship. Offices can apply for funding to support:
-Take It Outside projects that provide direct, hands-on outdoor experiences to children and families ($15,000 limit per year)
-Hands on the Land programs that link BLM offices with local schools, resulting in standards-based education programs for schoolchildren ($10,000 limit per year)
-Interpretation ($10,000 limit per year) Other ($10,000 limit per year)
Key Activities and Dates: State and Field Offices should submit project proposals using the attached incentive funding application and nomination criteria provided in the Attachments. As this initiative becomes established, the WO Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships Division will work with the WO Budget Office to integrate Youth Initiative funding into the Budget Planning System for FY 2011 and beyond.
Recommended Process:
-Each district must identify a Youth Program lead who will coordinate with the State Youth Lead, Heather Emmons. -Each proposal must be approved by the DO Manager.
-The DO Youth Lead will submit all approved proposals for both the NV and WO funding, using attachments 2 and 3, via email, to Heather Emmons by 1/20/10.
-NSO will rank and provide recommendations for NV funded projects to the State Director for concurrence, and rank, recommend and forward the WO funded projects.
Timeframe: Effective immediately. Proposals must be submitted to Heather Emmons via email by COB January 20, 2010. Project submissions must use the attached formats or they will not be accepted. States/Field Offices will be notified of approved projects by February 19, 2010.
Contact: If you have any questions concerning this IM, please contact Heather Emmons, 775-861-6594, heather_emmons@blm.gov
Signed By:
Ron Wenker
State Director
Authenticated By:
Ellyn Darrah
Administrative Assistant
Attachments
1 - Descriptions, Criteria, and Guidelines
2 - NV Application
3 - WO Application