Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: this proposal fulfills the BLM legal mandate to monitor wsas at gsenm by providing resources (e.g., gsep staff time, data…

Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: this proposal fulfills the BLM legal mandate to monitor wsas at gsenm by providing resources (e.g., gsep staff time, data collection tools) to support BLM in requirements under manual 6330. We propose to develop a pilot program that will collect data on wilderness character to support and guide BLM actions to meet the non-impairment standard, and implement land use actions consistent with manual 6330 across gsenm. Establishing the connections between current conditions, actions, and policy helps to: -improve stewardship of wsas to meet the non-impairment standard -clarify how management decisions and actions influence trends in wilderness character -improve communication among staff and with the public about WSA stewardship -create a legacy of experience and knowledge about wsas locally and broadly within the agency gsep, in collaboration with BLM, will develop and launch a citizen science program that leverages our robust volunteer network to monitor three wsas at gsenm. Funds from this proposal will be used for gsep staff time to work with the BLM and define what standards criteria are most beneficial to study capture, develop a rigorous monitoring protocol, design a data collection APP, and coordinate a team of volunteers that will implement the monitoring beginning spring of 2024. IT will also allow for securing additional funding that will support expansion of the project in subsequent years to cover all wsas at gsenm, as well as follow-up monitoring that will establish trends at WSA to support management decision-making.