Support the SCRA Aquatic Invasive Species Program- SACN | NPS NOIP19AC00075

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00075

Support the SCRA Aquatic Invasive Species Program - SACN (Funding Opportunity Number NPS NOIP19AC00075) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement intended to strengthen aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention work in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) by partnering with the park's established friends group, the St. Croix River Association (SCRA). The core purpose is to expand the park's on-the-ground capacity for AIS prevention and related field support by using a youth internship model that combines practical workforce development with direct natural resource protection. The opportunity is structured around collaboration: SCRA leads much of the recruitment, hiring, logistics, and day-to-day supervision for interns, while the National Park Service provides training, meaningful project assignments, and oversight so the work aligns with park priorities and standards.

A central feature of the agreement is continuation and scaling of an internship program that has operated for multiple years and has become a key component of the Riverway's AIS efforts. The description highlights that the park itself does not currently have sufficient internal staffing capacity to carry out necessary AIS prevention activities at the desired level. The internship program is positioned as the solution to that gap, supplying a recent graduate and a crew of interns to complete essential tasks such as watercraft inspections, field monitoring, and public outreach. Beyond these core duties, interns may also support invasive plant control when needed, assist with aquatic-focused research and monitoring, and contribute to general research management projects that otherwise would not receive enough field support.

The work is explicitly visitor- and community-facing as well as field-based. Interns are expected to engage directly with park visitors, local stakeholders, and partner organizations, reflecting the program's dual emphasis on education and prevention. AIS programs often rely on consistent public contact to reduce the spread of invasive organisms (for example, by promoting clean, drain, and dry practices and reinforcing inspection routines), and this grant opportunity aims to make that contact more consistent by ensuring dedicated staffing through paid internships. The intent is not only to accomplish field tasks but to build a stronger culture of compliance and awareness throughout the Riverway community.

The opportunity also emphasizes targeted youth engagement and local workforce development. SCRA's recruitment strategy focuses on college-enrolled youth from within the St. Croix Watershed, the Metropolitan Twin Cities area, and beyond, which is meant to bring in a pipeline of motivated early-career participants and connect them to conservation careers. The description notes a history of internships provided through this partnership, beginning in 2014 with six internships, followed by seven internships in 2015 plus logistical support for additional interns funded through other sources. Since 2016, community organizations, schools, and informal educators have played an integral role, and the internship program has effectively served as the backbone of the Riverway's AIS program. This context signals that the proposed work is a continuation of an established, functioning partnership rather than a brand-new pilot.

In terms of scope and deliverables, the agreement provides for at least three paid internships focused on AIS outreach, monitoring, and research, with flexibility to address invasive plant control and other aquatic resource management needs as they arise. The cooperative agreement includes financial support not only for intern compensation but also for the supplies and equipment required to conduct field operations, which can include inspection tools, monitoring gear, outreach materials, and other operational necessities. Cost-sharing is also built into the model, since SCRA can leverage cooperation with local and regional partners to extend the program's reach and resources.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, using a cooperative agreement instrument, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency in guiding and collaborating on the work. The funding activity categories span community development, education, employment and training, environment and natural resources, and science and technology research and development, reflecting the program's blend of public engagement, workforce development, and applied resource protection. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), which aligns with the intent to fund a partner organization like SCRA. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $125,000, anticipated a single award, and was originally posted April 4, 2019 with an original closing date of April 14, 2019.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, education, employment, labor and training, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support the SCRA Aquatic Invasive Species Program- SACN" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 04, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 14, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 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.

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