Natural Resource Management - Lane County Youth Services

The Natural Resource Management - Lane County Youth Services funding opportunity is offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, as part of its Environmental Stewardship Program. The agency is responsible for managing water resources and public lands within the Willamette Valley Project in Oregon, and this opportunity supports its mission to maintain ecological integrity, recreation areas, and dam safety. The program is authorized under federal statute for conservation and recreation management and is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement between the federal agency and the recipient throughout the project lifecycle. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide education, training, and workforce development opportunities in natural resource management for adjudicated youth involved in the Lane County juvenile justice system. Through structured participation in environmental stewardship projects, youth participants gain hands-on experience in project planning, development, and implementation. The program emphasizes skill-building in ecological restoration and land management while promoting job readiness, vocational training, and educational advancement such as high school credit or GED progress. Funded activities focus on land stewardship and habitat restoration across multiple USACE-managed sites in Lane County, Oregon, including Fern Ridge, Lookout Point, Dexter, Fall Creek, Dorena, and Cottage Grove Lakes. Eligible project activities include invasive species removal, native planting, wetland and prairie restoration, fisheries habitat enhancement, campground maintenance, vegetation management for dam safety, and environmental education. The program also incorporates training in ecological concepts, tool use, and land management practices, ensuring participants develop both technical and practical knowledge relevant to conservation careers. The total estimated program funding is approximately 155000 dollars, with one expected award under a cooperative agreement structure. Individual awards may range from 20000 to 175000 dollars. The agreement includes a one-year base period with up to four optional one-year extensions, contingent on funding availability and mutual agreement. All funding is provided by the federal agency, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligibility is limited to non-federal public entities, nonprofit organizations, and youth service or conservation corps organizations that specifically serve youth with active cases in the Lane County Department of Juvenile Justice system. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to recruit, supervise, and train youth participants, provide experienced crew leaders, and manage program logistics including transportation, safety, and compliance with labor and civil rights laws. The program requires close coordination with USACE staff, who provide technical guidance, materials, and oversight. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov or via email if necessary, and applicants are required to complete standard federal forms including SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed program narrative and supporting documentation such as past performance records and budget justifications. The application process also requires registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, management capability, and past performance, with equal weighting across these criteria. The application deadline is May 21, 2026, and the anticipated award date is aligned closely with this timeline. The period of performance begins upon award and extends through the base year, with potential continuation through option periods. Program implementation is expected to occur between May 2026 and April 2027 for the initial term. Interested applicants may contact the Grants and Agreements Officer, Melanie Barrett, for additional information or assistance with the application process.

Ensure strong alignment with program goals in Section A; demonstrate clear management capacity and staffing plan; provide detailed past performance with federal programs; emphasize ability to train and supervise youth in environmental work