Recruiting for the Youth Forest Monitoring Program

HELENA, Mont. – March 7, 2022 - The Montana Discovery Foundation and the Helena- Lewis and Clark National Forest are looking for 1 (one) field instructor and 9 (nine) high school students (grades 10-12) who love the outdoors-or are curious about the outdoor-based jobs-to apply to the 2022 Youth Forest Monitoring Program (YFMP).

"This will be our 24th summer in the field with students and we cannot wait to get started," said YFMP Program Leader Liz Burke. "Students who have participated in this program have enjoyed the hands-on way to learn about forest health and have gone on to work for the Forest Service and become leaders in conservation work."

This year's program will take run from June 21- July 28 and includes a 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, and wildlife. 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.

Applications for the program are due April 8, 2022. Visit: https://go.usa.gov/xskbE to learn more about the program as well as the position openings and stipends.