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PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Department(s): Department of Resource Management
Vendor: Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to extend and increase contract
Good(s) or Service(s): North Branch Conservation Corps Program
Original Contract Period: 1/9/2018 - 12/31/2019
Proposed Contract Period Extension: 1/1/2020 - 12/31/2021
Total Current Contract Amount Authority: $300,000.00
Original Approval: 1/9/2018
Previous Increase(s): N/A
This Increase Requested: $300,000.00
Estimated Fiscal Impact: FY 2020 $150,000.00, FY 2021 $150,000.00
Accounts: Special or Co-op Programs 51058.521313 and all future special or co-op program accounts; Habitat Enhancement 51009.521452, 51051.521452, 51058.521452 and all future habitat enhancement accounts; EAB Tree Removal 51009.521456, 51051.521456, 51058.521456 and all future EAB tree removal accounts; Conservation Corps 51009.521525, 51051.521525, 51058.521525 and all future conservation corps accounts; Grant & Mitigation 51010.521444
Contract Number(s): 74000004350
Concurrences:
The Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Attorney have approved this item.
District(s): 9, 10, 12, 13, 14
Summary: Friends of the Forest Preserves has received additional grant funding from The Caerus Foundation to continue a North Branch Conservation Corps program providing conservation and leadership skills training to young adults, ages 18-24, at stewardship sites located along the North Branch of the Chicago River. The Forest Preserves would like to extend the program for an additional two (2) year term. The proposed 2020-2021 program would engage three (3) participants, one (1) crew manager, and one (1) assistant crew manager in hands-on ecological restoration activities including invasive species control, herbicide application, seed collection and dispersal, and prescribed fire. Participants will receive the training and technical expertise necessary to pursue a long-term career in ecological restoration and related fields.
The Conservation Corps co-facilitates innovative job training and employment programs that provide participants with paid, hands-on experiences in conservation that train the next generation to restore and be responsible stewards of the land.
Total project costs are $500,000.00 over the two (2) year term, with $246,000.00 in match by the Forest Preserves leveraging $200,000.00 in investment by The Caerus Foundation and $54,000.00 in investment by Friends of the Forest Preserves. The overall annual contract authority was increased in anticipation of additional funding opportunities. This program advances the goals of the Next Century Conservation Plan.
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