The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service (NPS) evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal…

The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service (NPS) evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal resources, sustains biological communities on the lands and waters in parks, and actively endeavors to improve the resiliency of these natural resources and adapt them to the effects of climate change. To carry out and further this stewardship responsibility, NPS implements programs that encompass a broad range of research, operational, and educational activities by utilizing park personnel and contractor support or page 4 of 4 cooperative agreements. This project establishes the first year of a planned multi-year early detection and rapid response treatment program for a new invasive plant to the great lakes region, slender false brome (brachypodium sylvaticum). Slender false brome (SFB) was first collected in michigan in 1984 in benzie county, and michigan flora currently reports verified collections in only two counties. The midwest invasive species information network has no reported SFB observations in the entirety of its service area. Benzie and leelanau counties are the home to both sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore (slbe) and the entire known extent of SFB in the great lakes region. Beneficiaries include the general public.