Overview
he Vegetation Restoration Manager will work in partnership with the Salmon-Challis National Forest
(SCNF) Botany, Invasives, and Pollinators program (BIP) to identify species, collect seeds, develop a
seedball pilot program, and implement local solutions to address the need for accelerating the pace and
scale of native plant restoration. Work is predominately in sagebrush steppe habitat.
Time will be spent about 50/50 between Program Development and Field Work:
Plan and coordinate activities to assist the Salmon-Challis National Forest (SCNF) and partners with a
phased programmatic approach to achieve native plant restoration objectives, not limited to:
● Research and employ best available science to enhance success rates of re-vegetation efforts and
develop a local seed ball pilot program.
o Identify and procure the necessary materials, seed mixes, equipment for local production
of seed balls and identify storage solutions for maximum seed efficacy.
o Source seeds identified by the SCNF as appropriate for restoration needs. Identify and
build relationships with regional seed producers and procure prescribed amounts and
species of seeds.
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o Determine best methods for seed ball distribution and site location preparation.
o Field Monitoring: Use a standard point cover transect protocol to conduct pre-seed ball
deployment, and mid- and long-term vegetation monitoring at site locations. Monitor
germination and survival rates from seed ball mixes and placement.
o Document the various steps in the seed ball production process and iterations made to
improve the process.
● Initiate a native seed collection program, with appropriate collection sites and timeframes
identified by BIP staff.
o Coordinate with agency staff to identify collection locations of priority species through
scouting, collections, and vegetation mapping.
o Plan field operations and incorporate safety plans for conducting field work safely.
o Monitor phenology of target plant populations.
o Record and maintain required population data, photos, using ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey
123 or other appropriate apps.
o Collect species using the BLM Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol https://www.blm.gov/SOS
(training provided).
o Manage seed collection crews and package and ship seeds to partners, keeping detailed
records of all collections and shipments. Ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of seed
collections and data provided by the collection crew.
o Complete end-of-season final reports and final data entry into SOS data portal or
determined USFS portal.
● Work with partners from the East Central Idaho Native Plant Communities Restoration Working
Group on other restoration projects as applicable.
● Continue to leverage federal and non-federal sources of funding for program sustainability by
assisting with grant-seeking and writing, fundraising events, and when funds are acquired, by
assisting with reporting requirements.
Qualifications:
Experience or Education in botany, plant science, ecology/environmental science.
Strong plant identification skills (to species) and knowledge of plant taxonomy; strong knowledge of
plant biology. Familiarity with plants of the western U.S., particularly of Sagebrush Steppe habitat.
Experience conducting seed collections (through SOS programs or other seed handling work).
Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment, experience leading a field team or other
supervisory experience
About Salmon Valley Stewardship
Salmon Valley Stewardship, founded in 2004, works to promote a sustainable economy and healthy environment in the Salmon Valley Region of Central Idaho. SVS works with the Salmon-Challis National Forest Service to collect timber data to inform the management of forests, restoration projects and treatments within the SCNF. SVS crews work with public land management agencies and wildlife management agencies to collect vegetation, aspen, timber, and riparian data to be used in establishing baseline conditions, assess trends, and prioritize restoration projects.
