Appalachian Trail: Natural Resource Management

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This is JUST an announcement that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has extended their current task agreement with the NPS for their work on: Appalachian Trail: Natural Resource Management. Specifically, ATC agrees to:1. Collaborate with NPS on the development of common goals and objectives for the natural resource program.2. Plan and conduct volunteer training workshops for natural resource management including, but not limited to, rare plant monitoring, invasive species, and phenology monitoring programs.3. Seek opportunities to collaborate with partners to foster ongoing and potential research and monitoring projects affecting the Appalachian Trail.4. Coordinate the rare plant monitoring program with volunteers and partners to monitor and report priority occurrences and assist with the implementation of new rare plant monitoring and reporting protocols. Identify threats to rare plants through monitoring and report finding to the appropriate land management agency. Compile and review rare plant monitoring reports from volunteers and enter monitoring data into a MS Excel Spreadsheet to be submitted to NPS and the appropriate land managing agency. Review and improve locations of rare plant GIS spatial data.5. Continue implementation of a phenology monitoring program by establishing and monitoring phenology monitoring sites near the Trail. Conduct interpretive programs to raise awareness at appropriate Trail-related meetings, events and trainings, and facilitate collaboration with volunteers, partners, and other organizations to increase awareness and participation in phenology monitoring on the A.T.6. Conduct invasive species inventories of 15% annually of priority areas (as defined by GIS analysis), engage in control and restoration efforts, and ensure inventory and control efforts are consistent with Trail-wide protocols and support overall program goals. Compile, edit and submit finalized invasive inventory and control data to NPS. Coordinate and confirm environmental compliance has been done to allow restoration or any vegetation management projects to move forward. 7. Assist in the environmental review of Trail rehabilitation and construction projects on the A.T. and provide guidance to clubs / volunteers on Natural Resource Priority Zones. 8. Purchase materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to complete Natural Resources tasks, including data collection devices and related peripherals. 9. Disseminate information about A.T. related natural resources through e-newsletters, AT Journeys, the Register, and other communication opportunities.10. Prepare quarterly narrative and budget reports on all regional natural resource activities and complete a year-end comprehensive narrative report of all Natural Resource management activities to be submitted to NPS. 11. Document volunteer contributions for all natural resource management related projects on the A.T. 12. Coordinate and participate in a natural resource team building and skills workshop.13. Coordinate and execute four vegetation restoration projects on APPA lands.14. Conduct inventories of maintained landscapes and open areas along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Develop and establish an inventory protocol for maintained landscapes based on management goals and NPS data requirements. Delineate maintained landscapes and open areas using GPS technology, enter all relevant data into a spatially referenced database and submit final dataset to NPS.

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