Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPP_NorthwestYouthCorps_PoplarPlantingNorthwest Youth Corps Cooperative Agreement Retrospection Todd Miller May 8, 2020 1 MWMC first use of the Northwest Youth Corps Joined by Jeff Parker, Executive Director Services provided to the MWMC Project performance Successes, lessons, recommendations Introduction 2 122 Acres (27,000+ trees) 5 acres pre-harvest in 2015 117 acres harvested in 2017 122 acres replanted 2018 9 replanting blocks Project: MU-2 Replanting 3 Bid Services The four tasks comprising the bid total provide planting services, signage at each change in planting type, weed maintenance around trees, and pruning as trees grew in. NYC over 50% lower cost GWR much higher on planting and vegetation management GWR provided harvest services – better knowledge of site planting and vegetation management needs. Relied more heavily on machinery and herbicides Had been in discussion with NYC about providing some tasks at the Biocycle Farm With bid, opted to use NYC on entire MU-2 replanting project 4 Cooperative Agreement: Youth Development Organization  ORS 344.415 to 344.425 “Youth job development organization” provides job training, skill development, and academic credit.  “Youth participants” between 13 and 22 years of age perform tasks. Cooperative Agreement: in connection with a public resource project develop job and workforce skills provide benefits to the public body ORS 279A, 279B and 279C (Procurement Rules) do not apply MWMC entered into Cooperative Agreement with NYC NYC is a Youth Development Organization As a Youth Development Organization, ORS 344.415 to 344.425 “Youth job development organization” means a nonprofit entity exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in ORS 314.011 that is operating or doing business in Oregon and that provides a program of job training, skill development and academic credit for youth in this state.  “Youth participants” means youth between 13 and 22 years of age who have been qualified by a youth job development organization to perform jobs and work tasks on a public resource project. A public body may enter into a written cooperative agreement with a youth job development organization for the provision of services by youth participants in connection with a public resource project for the purpose of providing opportunities to develop job and workforce skills to the youth participants and to provide benefits to the public body.   (5) The provisions of ORS chapters 279A, 279B and 279C do not apply to cooperative agreements entered into under this section. 5 Buried stumps Wood debris on surface No weed treatment Summer start – dry conditions Pre-Planting Conditions What GWR knew and NYC did not – imperfect replanting site Stumps left in place – new planting locations between old trees Site was not pretreated with herbicide – rampant regrowth of grass and weeds Portions not completed with harvest cleanup until late spring were wide open – stumps largely buried, no tree alleys visisble The pre-harvested 5-acre area posed a thick mat of grass 6 Replanting – Signage – Vegetation Management - Pruning Services Provided 7 Project Outcome Red areas indicate poor tree survival after 2019 replanting. 2020 whip plantings boost survival rate (number of new plantings by section) 436 784 839 378 732 Planting whip count updated – number in memo is an over-estimate, however reduced count still maintains target 95% survival (Was 3,558 whips, now 3,169). 8 Final Costs 9 Successes & Lessons 10 Youth Involvement 120 high-schoolers earned money and high school credit 60+ young adults Earned money and an AmeriCorps Education award. Learned about wastewater infrastructure and role of Biocycle Farm. developed skills and habits for success in future workplaces NYC Experience NYC crews at the Biocycle Farm visiting with Representative Nancy Nathanson 11 Outline replanting services for 2022 (MU-3) Identify post-harvest field work and planting prep to be completed prior to NYC planting (in-house or other contract services) Identify other interim MWMC opportunities at Biocycle Farm and Beneficial Use Site for NYC use Recommendations 12 13