Opportunity Information: Apply for FY2014 WICA VMA 0001
Apply for FY2014 WICA VMA 0001
- The National Park Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information FY2014 Intern Vegetation Management Assistant (Intern) Wind Cave National Park" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.931 Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 5, 2014 and posted on Jan 27, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 7, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,600.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,600.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This opportunity is a National Park Service (NPS) Request for Information (RFI) tied to a cooperative agreement for a single intern position: the FY2014 Intern Vegetation Management Assistant at Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The park anticipated one award/one placement, with an estimated total funding amount of $4,600 (also listed as the award ceiling). The proposed project period runs from May 19, 2014 through August 31, 2014. The funding is associated with CFDA 15.931, "Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations," and it is aimed at eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education). No cost share or matching funds are required.
The intern would work directly with the park botanist and a permanent vegetation technician, supporting a broad range of vegetation management work that blends monitoring, field data collection, and on-the-ground treatment actions. Wind Cave National Park covers about 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and Black Hills ecosystems, with a management mission centered on protecting Wind Cave resources while maintaining healthy native plant communities and hydrological processes that support wildlife such as bison, elk, antelope, and prairie dogs. The announcement also sets expectations about the setting and logistics: field conditions can be extreme, from sub-zero winters to summer heat above 100 degrees F, and the nearest services are in smaller nearby towns (Hot Springs and Custer), with Rapid City about 60 miles away.
Work activities described for the 2014 season emphasize practical field ecology and applied resource management. A major task is inventorying and monitoring multiple occurrences of 17 plant species tracked by the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program that are known or suspected to occur in the park. The intern would also help monitor perennial stream condition using the Bureau of Land Management Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocol, and collect data on residual forage using a modified Robel protocol calibrated for the southern Black Hills (attributed to Dr. D. Uresk). Those forage measurements are intended to help evaluate wildlife impacts while ensuring long-term vegetation health.
Another large component involves invasive plant management using chemical and mechanical methods guided by the park's 2014 Invasive Species Action Plan. Priority invasive targets listed include white horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgare), and Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica). The intern may also assist with the Wind Cave Canyon Vegetation Rehabilitation Project, which focuses on restoring native vegetation near the park entrance and visitor center in an area altered over time by restricted natural processes (like wildfire and grazing) and by historic vegetation manipulation, including Civilian Conservation Corps tree and shrub plantings in the 1930s and 1940s. In addition, the intern would support data collection related to mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) activity within the park.
The position is described as field-heavy and operational. The intern would be trained to use GPS units, computers, cameras, and government vehicles, and must have a valid state driver's license. Work would occur primarily outdoors and often in adverse weather, especially high heat (noted as 90 to 100 degrees F). While a South Dakota Commercial Applicator License is not required at the time of selection, the intern is expected to study for and successfully obtain a South Dakota applicator license during the internship. The announcement also notes that the job may include operating an ATV for herbicide application, with training provided.
In terms of desired qualifications, the park is looking for applicants with at least some experience using hand tools, navigating with orienteering/compass skills, conducting field research, identifying plants, and using GPS. Preferred educational background includes coursework or experience in botany, ecological restoration, ecology, range management, or resource management. Because this is structured as a cooperative agreement with an eligible nonprofit, the nonprofit organization would be proposing how it would supply and manage the intern in coordination with NPS staff rather than an individual applying directly as a job candidate.
To respond, interested organizations were asked to submit a Statement of Information (maximum three pages) explaining how they would implement and manage the project alongside NPS staff. The statement needed to include the applicant's name, organization, and contact information; a short description of the organization and its mission; and relevant qualifications, experience, past projects, and the specific staff, faculty, or students available to support the work. Along with the statement, organizations also had to submit a preliminary bid. NPS planned to review the statements and preliminary bids to identify the organization best suited to provide the services, with final costs and the budget to be negotiated after selection.
The posting timeline shows it was posted January 27, 2014, with a closing deadline ultimately set to 5:00 p.m. CST on February 7, 2014 (the original closing date listed earlier as February 3, 2014). Submissions were to be emailed electronically to catherineschroeder@nps and juliehendricks@nps.gov. The NPS contact listed for access issues was Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist (phone 402-661-1662).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) Request for Information (RFI) tied to a cooperative agreement to support a single intern placement: the FY2014 Intern Vegetation Management Assistant at Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
2) Is this funding for more than one intern or award?
No. The park anticipated one award and one intern placement.
3) What is the estimated funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $4,600, which is also listed as the award ceiling.
4) What is the project period?
The proposed project period runs from May 19, 2014 through August 31, 2014.
5) What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.931, "Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations."
6) Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education).
7) Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. Institutions of higher education are excluded from eligibility based on the information provided.
8) Is cost share or matching required?
No. The opportunity states that no cost share or matching funds are required.
9) Can an individual apply directly for the internship?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement with an eligible nonprofit organization. The nonprofit would propose how it would supply and manage the intern in coordination with NPS staff, rather than an individual applying directly as a job candidate.
10) Where would the intern be based?
The intern would be placed at Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota.
11) What is the park environment like?
Wind Cave National Park covers about 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and Black Hills ecosystems. The management mission focuses on protecting Wind Cave resources while maintaining healthy native plant communities and hydrological processes that support wildlife such as bison, elk, antelope, and prairie dogs.
12) What kind of working conditions should be expected?
The work is primarily outdoors and field-heavy. The announcement notes that field conditions can be extreme, ranging from sub-zero winters to summer heat above 100 degrees F, and specifically highlights working in high heat (90 to 100 degrees F).
13) How remote is the work location and what services are nearby?
The nearest services are in smaller nearby towns (Hot Springs and Custer). Rapid City is about 60 miles away.
14) Who would the intern work with on a daily basis?
The intern would work directly with the park botanist and a permanent vegetation technician.
15) What are the main categories of work for the intern?
The intern would support a broad range of vegetation management work that blends monitoring, field data collection, and on-the-ground treatment actions.
16) What plant monitoring work is included?
A major task is inventorying and monitoring multiple occurrences of 17 plant species tracked by the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program that are known or suspected to occur in the park.
17) What stream monitoring method will be used?
The intern would help monitor perennial stream condition using the Bureau of Land Management Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocol.
18) What is the residual forage monitoring method mentioned?
The intern would collect data on residual forage using a modified Robel protocol calibrated for the southern Black Hills (attributed to Dr. D. Uresk).
19) What is the purpose of the residual forage measurements?
Those forage measurements are intended to help evaluate wildlife impacts while ensuring long-term vegetation health.
20) What invasive plant management work is included?
Another major component involves invasive plant management using chemical and mechanical methods guided by the park's 2014 Invasive Species Action Plan.
21) Which invasive species are listed as priority targets?
Priority invasive targets listed include white horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgare), and Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica).
22) Will the intern work on restoration or rehabilitation projects?
Yes. The intern may assist with the Wind Cave Canyon Vegetation Rehabilitation Project, focused on restoring native vegetation near the park entrance and visitor center.
23) What is the Wind Cave Canyon Vegetation Rehabilitation Project addressing?
It focuses on an area altered over time by restricted natural processes (like wildfire and grazing) and by historic vegetation manipulation, including Civilian Conservation Corps tree and shrub plantings in the 1930s and 1940s.
24) Is there any forest pest-related work included?
Yes. The intern would support data collection related to mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) activity within the park.
25) What tools and equipment will the intern be trained to use?
The intern would be trained to use GPS units, computers, cameras, and government vehicles.
26) Is a driver's license required?
Yes. The intern must have a valid state driver's license.
27) Will ATV operation be part of the internship?
It may be. The announcement notes the job may include operating an ATV for herbicide application, with training provided.
28) Is a pesticide/herbicide applicator license required to apply?
A South Dakota Commercial Applicator License is not required at the time of selection, but the intern is expected to study for and successfully obtain a South Dakota applicator license during the internship.
29) What experience is the park looking for in an intern?
The park is looking for applicants with at least some experience using hand tools, navigating with orienteering/compass skills, conducting field research, identifying plants, and using GPS.
30) What educational background is preferred?
Preferred educational background includes coursework or experience in botany, ecological restoration, ecology, range management, or resource management.
31) What does the nonprofit organization need to submit to respond?
Interested organizations were asked to submit a Statement of Information (maximum three pages) explaining how they would implement and manage the project alongside NPS staff.
32) What must be included in the Statement of Information?
The Statement of Information needed to include: the applicant's name, organization, and contact information; a short description of the organization and its mission; and relevant qualifications, experience, past projects, and the specific staff, faculty, or students available to support the work.
33) Is a budget required with the submission?
Organizations also had to submit a preliminary bid. NPS planned to negotiate final costs and the budget after selecting the organization.
34) How will NPS select an organization?
NPS planned to review the statements and preliminary bids to identify the organization best suited to provide the services, with final costs and the budget to be negotiated after selection.
35) When was the opportunity posted?
The posting timeline shows it was posted January 27, 2014.
36) What was the application deadline?
The closing deadline was ultimately set to 5:00 p.m. CST on February 7, 2014. (An earlier closing date of February 3, 2014 was also listed.)
37) How were submissions supposed to be delivered?
Submissions were to be emailed electronically to catherineschroeder@nps and juliehendricks@nps.gov.
38) Who is the NPS contact for access issues?
The NPS contact listed for access issues was Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist, phone 402-661-1662.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Increasing the Engagement of Men and Boys in Programs to Reduce Gender Based Violence in Iraq
Previous opportunity: Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers (U42)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FY2014 WICA VMA 0001
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FY2014 WICA VMA 0001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Apply for F14AS00070 Funding Number: F14AS00070 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY2014 Youth Interns Intrepretation Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Apply for FY2014 LIBO YII 0001 Funding Number: FY2014 LIBO YII 0001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $8,715 |
| Youth Crew for Trail Rehabilitation Apply for FY2014 VOYA YCC 0001 Funding Number: FY2014 VOYA YCC 0001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| 2014 State/Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Program Apply for F14AS00063 Funding Number: F14AS00063 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| 2014 Youth Interns Interpretation and Resource Management Interns Apply for FY2014 HOME YI3 0001 Funding Number: FY2014 HOME YI3 0001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $17,160 |
| YPP 2014 Diversity Youth Intern Program Wind Cave National Park Apply for FY2014 WICA YDI 0002 Funding Number: FY2014 WICA YDI 0002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $9,023 |
| Coastal Program Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Apply for F14AS00096 Funding Number: F14AS00096 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Wetland Restoration in PPJV Priority Areas of the Iowa Wetland Management District Apply for F14AS00110 Funding Number: F14AS00110 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Request for Information Apply for RFA 492 14 000002 Funding Number: RFA 492 14 000002 Agency: Philippines USAID Manila Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information Wind Cave National Park 2014 PLC Trail Crews Maintenance Apply for FY2014 WICA PLC 0004 Funding Number: FY2014 WICA PLC 0004 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| R2 State Wildlife Grant Program (TO STATE FISH AND GAME AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F14AS00125 Funding Number: F14AS00125 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Youth Crew Plant Management National Park Service Missouri National Recreational River Apply for FY2014 MNRR YPMC 0002 Funding Number: FY2014 MNRR YPMC 0002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Partnership to conduct vital signs monitoring Apply for NPS P14AC00221 Funding Number: NPS P14AC00221 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2014 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F14AS00135 Funding Number: F14AS00135 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2014 Recovery Implementation Fund Apply for F14AS00134 Funding Number: F14AS00134 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Wildlife Without Borders Amphibians in Decline Apply for F14AS00155 Funding Number: F14AS00155 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Wildlife Without Borders Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund Apply for F14AS00153 Funding Number: F14AS00153 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Wolf Livestock Demonstration Project Grant Program (WLDPGP) Apply for F14AS00136 Funding Number: F14AS00136 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Apply for R14AS00037 Funding Number: R14AS00037 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $668,579 |
| Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Apply for F14AS00178 Funding Number: F14AS00178 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $173,855 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FY2014 WICA VMA 0001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.