Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Sarah Birkeland, Acting Parks Director
Subject: Measure K: Amendment to the agreement with the Student Conservation Association for Conservation Crews Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Parks Acting Director to amend the agreement with the Student Conservation Association to provide a Conservation Crews Program, extending the term to June 30, 2018.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 1957, the nonprofit Student Conservation Association (SCA) has served as a conservation corps protecting and restoring national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in all fifty states. Since 2008, County Parks and SCA have collaborated to provide educational opportunities for high school-aged youth and young adults with hands-on conservation and natural resource management in San Mateo County Parks.
On July 21, 2015, the Board adopted Resolution No. 073934 for an agreement with SCA for $341,000 for three Summer Conservation Crews, three School Year Youth Programs, a Winter Adult Crew, a Public Service Event and other Conservation Crew Program activities. On June 28, 2016, the Board approved an amendment to the agreement with the SCA to increase the amount by an additional $341,000 and extend the term through June 30, 2017. The summer Conservation Crews and School Year Youth Programs had significant achievements. Five youth crews logged 7,360 hours in a various parks and open spaces in San Mateo County. Crews restored natural habitat, built fences, decommissioned social trails and built new, appropriately sited trails, and tackled road and trail drainage issues. The five crews also spent 1,840 hours engaged in a wide variety of life skills and youth leadership activities.
DISCUSSION:
This proposed amendment is for a term extension for the Conservation Crews Program through June 30, 2018. The current Volunteer Coordinator Intern will continue to assist the Parks Department in implementing a citizen-based Volunteer Stewardship Corps and focus on developing volunteer stewardship events including outreach, recruitment, and coordination of individuals and groups. Two five-week conservation crews, each containing eight members (ages 16-19) and two adult crew leaders, will work in several County Parks during the summer of 2017. A North County Crew will focus its efforts on improving trail tread and removing vegetation on the San Andreas Trail at Junipero Serra Park. A South County Crew will spread wood chips and undertake entrance gate and parking lot striping at San Pedro Valley Park and at the Devil’s Slide Trailhead. The crews will also build a split rail fence and remove invasive plants at Wunderlich Park. The conservation crews will log 2,560 work hours in various County Parks and the SCA will provide an additional 640 hours of environmental education, job readiness training, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the amendment as to form.
This amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcomes of an Environmentally Conscious Community by introducing youth to natural resource conservation and reservation, and project work that will provide them with valuable skills and knowledge about open space and urban parklands management.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The amendment is for a term extension only and does not add any additional funding. There is no additional fiscal impact as a result of this change.