SNAP Service Plan
Member Service Plan
Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership
Service plans lay the framework for what each member will be doing during their service.
Service plans detail the major projects and expected results each member will have.
Members review these service plans during the application process to find the position that
most closely matches their experience as well as their career goals and professional
development needs. SNAP staff understands that service projects will change based on
funding availability, staffing, etc. If Host Sites make major changes to their service plans they
must contact their Regional Coordinator to discuss what impacts the changes will have on
the Members outputs and results. Sites must also consult with their Member about these
changes to ensure that members are still receiving the training and hands on experience that
was originally included in the Service Plan which the member agreed to. Please complete
the following form and submit it with your Host Site Application or Reapplication. If you are
applying to host more than one member you will need to submit a separate Service Plan for
each Position you are applying for unless the positions are exactly the same.
Host Site: Sequoia Riverlands Trust
Position Title: Land Conservation Technician
Designated Site Supervisor: Ann Huber, Stewardship Director
Term of Service: April 13, 2015 – September 30, 2015
Organizational Background:
Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) is a regional, non-profit land trust dedicated to conserving the
natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley. Our
mission is to protect working landscapes, wildlife habitat and scenic open spaces, while
ensuring that economic growth in our communities remains vibrant and sustainable. To
accomplish this, SRT engages landowners, farmers, conservationists and business partners in
the counties of Tulare, Fresno, Kern and Kings to collaborate for the land conservation of our
Central California heartland.
Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT)’s Conservation Department’s primary objective is to help fulfill
SRT’s mission of conserving natural and agricultural resources in our region. Our staff are
biologists that are responsible for the natural resource management of SRT’s six nature
Preserves; manage project sites that provide habitat for protected plant and animals (mitigation
projects); and monitor the conservation values of properties affiliated with SRT (conservation
easement monitoring). We also work regularly with SRT’s environmental education staff to
support their efforts to educate and foster the public’s appreciation for nature through volunteer
opportunities on the Preserves, school field trips, guided nature walks, and nature education
events. Some of our core activities include:
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Conservation easement monitoring of rangelands and farmlands and undeveloped lands
affiliated with SRT;
Invasive species, native plant, and grazing management on SRT’s nature preserves;
Implement and manage habitat restoration projects on SRT’s nature preserves;
SNAP Service Plan
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Implement and manage habitat mitigation projects (primarily native species plantings);
and
Support to SRT’s Environmental Education outreach activities and events.
Department/Program Goals 2015:
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Conservation easement monitoring: SRT helps landowners of rangelands and farmlands
conserve the biological resources and open space values of their land for the future with
conservation easements. A conservation easement is a legal agreement that provides
protections to the property from development and degradation of its biological and
conservation values. The Member will receive training in conservation easement
monitoring methods and, once trained, will conduct monitoring on rangelands and
farmlands with SRT-held conservation easements.
Natural resource management on SRT Nature Preserves: The Member will assist SRT’s
Stewardship Director with activities on the Preserves to enhance habitat conditions for
native plants and animals. Member will receive training on identification of plants, best
management practices for invasive species, and natural resource monitoring methods.
o Invasive species management: Implement SRT’s invasive species control
program to remove invasive plants such as yellow star thistle, tamarisk, and
tobacco tree. Member will work independently on control efforts and also work
with SRT’s Education staff to recruit volunteers for this effort.
o Monitoring: Assist with vegetation monitoring of the effects of grazing on
Preserves (photo monitoring and line-transect).
Assist with habitat restoration and mitigation projects: The Member will be trained in
native plant restoration techniques and habitat mitigation project implementation. The
Member will assist with native plant restoration monitoring and management on the
Preserves (monitoring plant survival, watering and invasive species removal). The
Member will also be trained and assist with maintenance of SRT’s existing mitigation
habitat sites (mainly native plantings to provide habitat for rare or threatened plants or
animals), and assistance with implementation of new mitigation site projects.
Assist with SRT’s Education Program: The Member will provide support to SRT’s
Environmental Education staff-led events that facilitate engaging educational
opportunities at SRT Preserves. These programs are designed to engage community
members of all ages at SRT preserves by providing educational and recreational
opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
Member Service Plan Overview and Outcomes:
The Conservation Technician will be responsible for carrying out natural resource management
activities on SRT’s nature preserves and conservation easement monitoring of farmlands and
rangelands affiliated with SRT. These activities enhance the natural resources and
conservation of lands primarily within the Kaweah, Tule, Kern, and Kings River
watersheds. The Member will work closely with SRT’s Stewardship Director to become trained
in native plant restoration, invasive species management, and land conservation policy and
practices (via conservation easements). The Conservation Technician will also gain experience
in environmental education by occasional participation in SRT’s education program. Together,
SRT’s conservation and education programs aim to increase the level of public interest and
understanding about watershed in which they live, influencing them to become greater stewards
of the land and resources which sustain them.
SNAP Service Plan
Service Position Major Projects:
1) Watershed restoration, management, and conservation
2) Watershed education and outreach
3) Resource attainment
4) Member training and development
1. Watershed Restoration, Management, and Conservation:
Total Projected Hours: 685
Total Estimated Outcome Acres Restored/Assessed for Conservation: 3,035
Total Acres Restored: 25
Acres Restored by Member: 10
Acres Restored by Volunteers: 15
a. Priority Project: Conservation easement monitoring. Carry out easement
monitoring to assess conservation status of properties with SRT-held conservation
easements in the Tule, Kaweah, and Kern River watersheds and in Carrizo Plains
National Monument. This work involves visiting properties to ensure compliance
with conservation agreements, such as protections of open space and integrity of
biological values (for ex., rare plant populations, water quality, control of noxious
plants, and native plant communities). The Member will also help train and recruit
volunteers to assist with monitoring.
1. Projected Hours: 350 hours
2. Estimated Outcome: 3,000 acres monitored
Monitored by member: 2,000 acres
Monitored by volunteers: 1,000 acres
b. Priority Project: Habitat restoration and mitigation project management at
SRT’s nature preserves. Restoration projects are focused on restoring riparian
areas by planting native vegetation, minimizing erosion, and removing invasive
species. Mitigation projects are restoration projects (typically native species
plantings) that provide habitat for rare or endangered plants or animals. These
projects improve plant and animal habitat and water quality within watersheds that
the Preserves are located (Tule and Kaweah River Watersheds). Specific projects
include riparian habitat restoration projects at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Homer
Ranch Preserve, Blue Oak Preserve, and Dry Creek Preserve. Member will assist
with implementation and management of restoration projects, including planting
native species, monitoring survival, and managing invasive species within
restoration and mitigation sites.
1.
Projected Hours: 150 hours
2.
Estimated Outcome: 25 acres restored
Restored by member: 10 acres
Restored by volunteers: 15 acres
SNAP Service Plan
c. Priority Project: Natural resource management of SRT’s nature preserves.
Enhance the natural resources condition of the preserves including: enhancing
native plant and animal habitat by removing invasive species; monitoring
vegetation and wildlife on the Preserves, and monitoring rare plants. Management
actions result in acreages restored (via removal of non-native species) that are not
formally designated as restoration projects of a specific area, but instead involve
regular management and maintenance of various areas on the Preserves. Member
will coordinate work with volunteers to complete projects.
1.
Projected Hours: 185 hours
2.
Estimated Outcome: 10 acres restored
Restored by member: 5 acres
Restored by volunteers: 5 acres
2. Watershed Education and Outreach
Total Projected Hours: 40 hours
Total # of Students/Public reached: 300
a. Priority Project: Assist SRT’s Education Director with monthly education
program and other environmental education outreach. Our education
department staff and Americorps members coordinate a monthly education
program, usually held on a Saturday. These are usually local expert led
informational hikes and presentations at SRT’s nature preserves. Topics typically
include plant, wildlife, star gazing, and other nature-focused themes. The member
will provide support to this program and other environmental education outreach
as needed.
1. Projected Hours: 50
2. Estimated Outcomes:
- Presentations: n/a
- Outreach : 300 preserve visitors
3. Resource Attainment: Please note that members can complete no more than 170 hours of
Resource Attainment Activities. Resource Attainment activities must raise money that goes directly
to member service projects. Members may NOT raise general funds, write federal grants, or write
grants to cover your site’s cash match.
Total Projected Hours: 5
Total Number of Donations: 5
Total Dollar Amount of Donations: $125.00
a. Priority Project: Seek donations to support SRT’s Conservation and
Education program. Set up a table at Kaweah Oaks Preserve to provide
information about ways that Preserve visitors can support Conservation service
projects through becoming a SRT member, or providing a donation.
1.
Projected Hours: 5
SNAP Service Plan
2.
Estimated Outcomes:
- Number of Donations (Grants, Services, Goods, etc): 5
- Dollar Amount of Donation: $125.00
4. Member Training and Development: (Please note that members can complete no more
than 240 hours of training.)
Total Projected Hours: 110 hours
a. SNAP Specific Trainings: Required SNAP Member Orientation, Spring Training
and Service Projects, and Graduation
i. Projected Hours: 75 Hours (approximate)
b. Site Specific Orientation: Orientation to SRT, nature preserves, and the
conservation program with site supervisor.
i. Projected Hours: 10 hours
c. Site Specific Training: Learn about conservation and stewardship techniques,
including easement monitoring, identifying plants, restoration techniques, and
invasive species management.
i. Projected Hours: 25 hours
5. Field Trip and Programs Coordinator 2015 Half-term Member Service Plan
Total Hours: 850
Percentage Totals:
a. Watershed Restoration and Conservation: 80.5%
b. Watershed Education and Outreach: 6%
c. Resource Attainment: .5%
d. Member Training and Development: 13%