SUBJECT
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Approve the Wildland Conservation (Wildlands), Inc. Scope of Services Agreement with the County to provide Land management support to the Environmental Lands Program. (Fiscal Impact $195,000)
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DESCRIPTION
Parks and Natural Resources currently manage 15 properties in Polk County for the protection of water and natural resources. At times the County may need assistance to implement certain land management tasks that may include but are not limited to conducting property inventories, developing management plans, monitoring rare or invasive species, conducting mechanical treatments, overseeing timber harvesting and/or executing prescribed fires. Other tasks needed to support the program may include environmental education and assistance with developing a conservation bank.
To address the need for additional support with land management, the County entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with WILDLANDS, December 2023 and ends September 30, 2028. The agreement provides the foundation and enables the working relationship between WILDLANDS, a nonprofit environmental organization, and the COUNTY to function. The agreement establishes the process for the nonprofit, WILDLANDS, to work with County staff to develop an annual scope of work that may be approved by the County. Once the scope of work is approved a purchase order will be issued. The agreement authorizes the County Manager to approve scope of works with Wildlands to assist with land management activities. The Scope of Services Agreement will assist the County in Land Management Planning and Research/ Data Analysis necessary to perform successful land management activities. The Scope is an amount not to exceed $195,000 and has an end date of one year, after date approved by the County Manager.
Approval of this scope will assist staff with meeting the expectations and maintaining the standards of the Environmental Lands Program.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Wildland Conservation (Wildlands), Inc. Scope of Services Agreement with the County to provide Land management support to the Environmental Lands Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds of $195,000 are budgeted and allocated in the Environmental Lands Management Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net