Science to support management of chronic wasting disease and white-nosesyndrome on tribal lands.project period: 10 1 2024 through 9 30 2025THE project enhances coordination and collaboration between…

This $100,470 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the USGS Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) will support collaboration between the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) and the USGS Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program. The project aims to enhance tribal engagement in biological threat (wildlife disease) detection, surveillance, and adaptive management on tribal lands.

Key products and services to be delivered include:

• Two in-person workshops on chronic wasting disease (CWD) data collection and research, with travel assistance provided for tribal wildlife professionals
• An in-person workshop to build tribal capacity for white-nose syndrome (WNS) sampling protocols
• Development of training videos and webinars on biological threat management for tribal workforces
• Hiring a 90-day intern to support outreach and engagement on CWD and WNS research and data collection on tribal lands

The award will facilitate knowledge transfer, peer-to-peer learning, and opportunities for tribal wildlife professionals to collaborate with USGS scientists on shared research priorities related to wildlife disease issues of importance to indigenous communities.

Science to support management of chronic wasting disease and white-nosesyndrome on tribal lands.project period: 10 1 2024 through 9 30 2025THE project enhances coordination and collaboration between native american fish and wildlifesociety (NAFWS) members and the US geological survey (USGS) biological threats andinvasive species research program. USGS will work with NAFWS to ensure tribal wildlifemanagement agencies are engaged in biological threat (wildlife diseases) detection andsurveillance, adaptive management, and capacity-building activities through support of in-persontrainings on data collection and scientific research on chronic wasting disease and white-nosesyndrome. Biological threats detection and adaptive management techniques will be taught andleveraged to inform tribal risk assessments and communication on indigenous lands. Efforts willinform research and data collection decisions through the lens of the cultural and social value ofwildlife to indigenous communities. As appropriate, USGS scientists and staff will collaboratewith tribes on shared science priorities to inform decision-making for tribal wildlife professionalson biological threats research and management.deliverables and expected outcomes:-two chronic wasting disease (CWD) in-person workshops will be offered in collaboration withusgs. Travel assistance and registration costs for students and travel assistance for tribalwildlife professional attendees will be provided to attend said workshops that facilitate trainingand peer-to-peer learning opportunities concerning CWD data collection and research of thewildlife disease in indian country.-an in-person workshop will be delivered that will assist tribes in engaging in current samplingprotocols and build research capacity in indian country for white-nose syndrome (WNS). Travelassistance to tribal attendees will be provided to defray the cost of attendance.-relevant materials will be made available for tribal attendees participating in CWD and wnsin-person workshops. These materials include 3D deer heads, personal protective equipment, laminated sample extraction instructions utilizing tribal rendering and artwork, etc.-an intern will be hired for a term of 90 days to support development of outreach andengagement works related to CWD WNS biological threat research and data collection on triballands.-training videos and webinars will be CO-produced with USGS for tribal workforce capacitybuilding and information-sharing related to management of biological threats on tribal lands.USGS and NAFWS will work together to promote and identify opportunities to distribute videos.-USGS will provide opportunities for staff and tribal wildlife professionals to communicate withother stakeholders regarding biological threat issues that are a priority to indigenouscommunities.intended beneficiary: award to be granted to native american fish and wildlife society for thebenefit of the public at large.