Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitatecooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science based management ofthe…

This cooperative agreement award of $105,631.83 from the Department of the Interior National Park Service will support the Tucson Audubon Society in conducting research and producing reports and recommendations to inform management of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System federal grant program, the Society will complete two phases analyzing potential declines in burrowing owl breeding success at Casa Grande Ruins over two seasons. Fieldwork will include active burrow surveys and wildlife camera photos to document terrestrial mammals near burrows that could impact owls. Using field data, land use records, habitat assessments and other research, the Society will produce a condition assessment report by June 2025 with recommendations for park managers. This award advances the program's goals of facilitating multi-disciplinary science through cooperative study units to inform stewardship of the National Park System.

Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitatecooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science based management ofthe national park system. The study units facilitate multi disciplinary science and integrated informationproducts across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. This project will complete two complimentary phases looking at the possible decline and breeding success of burrowing owls (athene cunicularia) at casa grande ruins (cagr) over two breeding seasons. The field data will comprise of active burrow surveys as well as wildlife camera photos of terrestrial mammals within close proximity (prey and predators) of burrows. Field data along with historic records of land management use and actions, habitat assessments and other research will be used to complete a focused condition assessment report including recommendations for park managers. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognizedindian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of highereducation, and the general public).