Recruiting starts for the Youth Forest Monitoring Program

HELENA - The Montana Discovery Foundation and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are looking for one field instructor and seven incoming high school students who love the outdoors-or are curious about the outdoor-based jobs-to apply to the 2021 Youth Forest Monitoring Program, or YFMP.

"Students gain a great deal of confidence collecting data in the field and presenting their recommendations to our forest managers," said YFMP Program Leader Liz Burke. "Our 2020 students met the challenge of working safely outdoors, following Covid safely protocols, and holding themselves up to a high standard of accountability. We expect the same level of dedication from this year's team while having an amazing time learning about our national forests."

This year's program will take place in June and July and includes a tentative multi-day overnight in the Scapegoat Wilderness. During the program students receive training alongside Forest Service scientists to learn forest ecology concepts and field protocols for monitoring streams, soils, vegetation, recreation areas. Students split into teams and apply their training to specific monitoring projects. Teams collect, compile, and interpret monitoring data. Field instructors supervise students and each monitoring project is sponsored by a designated Forest Service scientist. Students consult with their Forest Service contact periodically throughout the program and have a chance to present their results to the community at the end.

People can visit https://go.usa.gov/xskbE to learn more about the program as well as the position openings and stipends.