Enhancing cooperative fish and wildlife science: a partnership between the southeastern association of fish and wildlife agencies (seafwa) and the U.S. Geological survey cooperative fish and…

This Cooperative Agreement award, valued at $100,000 and awarded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the CFDA program 15.808 "U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection", aims to enhance cooperative fish and wildlife science through a partnership between the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) and the USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program.

The key products and services to be delivered under this award include: 1) Collaboratively identifying strategic and priority scientific research gaps related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) across the southeastern states, 2) Developing a strategic framework to advance CWD research and management in the region, 3) Connecting USGS Cooperative Research Unit scientists with state fish and wildlife agencies and other stakeholders to implement the findings, and 4) Producing a final report detailing the contractor's activities and identified priority research areas. This project is expected to improve understanding of CWD research capacity and foster greater collaboration between state agencies and the USGS Cooperative Research Unit program.

Enhancing cooperative fish and wildlife science: a partnership between the southeastern association of fish and wildlife agencies (seafwa) and the U.S. Geological survey cooperative fish and wildlifeproject period: 09 18 2024 - 09 17 2025ABSTRACT summary: the southeastern association of fish and wildlife agencies (seafwa) and the u. S. Geological surveys cooperative fish and wildlife research unit program will work collaboratively to identify the strategic and priority science and research needs associated with chronic wasting disease (CWD) across the southeastern states, including the collaborative integration and use of CRU scientists, through a seafwa-focused pilot research collaborative on CWD. Seafwa will provide funds to the university of georgia (UGA) for a part-time contractor to complete the work outlined in this proposal in close coordination with seafwa leadership and staff, state member leadership and key staff, and USGS staff and leadership. To be successful, the contractor will have the necessary expertise in CWD and wildlife health as well as strong, existing relationships with key state agency staff. The contractor should already be integrated into existing state-related meetings and seafwa committees and working groups that address CWD and related issues. The contractor will:as appropriate collaborate with jennifer mock, who is a wildlife management institute contractor working at a national scale to explore pilot research collaboratives.develop a process involving scientists and state leaders and experts and relevant seafwa committees and working groups using both traditional and novel communications and meeting technologies to collaboratively identify strategic scientific research gaps on CWD in the southeast and prioritize those research needs that would advance management of the disease. If warranted and supported by the states, develop a strategic framework for advancing CWD research and management in the southeast and, if appropriate, suggest next steps including but not limited to identifying missing and desired scientific expertise across the region that potentially could be filled by the USGS CRU program.present findings to state leaders and key staff, USGS CRU program leaders and staff, and others as appropriate.connect USGS CRU program leaders and scientists with state fish and wildlife agencies and any other state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations who may serve an important role in implementing the findings of this pilot research collaborative.deliverables for this project will include multiple meetings between the contractor, seafwa personnel, state agency personnel, and USGS personnel to identify scientific research gaps related to CWD in the southeast and a final report detailing the contractors activities and identified priority research areas. This project is expected to result in a better understanding of CWD research capacity and needs in the southeast and greater collaboration between state agencies and the USGS CRU. IT will ultimately benefit the public through improved management of CWD.