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

The U.S. Department of the Interior's National Park Service awarded a $122,000 Cooperative Agreement to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, doing business as Virginia Tech, to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the National Park System. Under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945), the funding will support a comprehensive network of Cooperative Study Units that will conduct multi-disciplinary science and produce integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the National Park System. Specifically, the effort will rehabilitate 5-10 acres of globally imperiled basic hardpan oak-hickory woodlands that have been impacted by forest encroachment at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The project aims to benefit state/local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and the general public through this cooperative research and management program.

Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the national park system. The study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. In the absence of fire, NCR eastern woodland tree canopies close to become forests, causing the decline of native grasses and forbs and the increase of shade tolerant, nonnative invasive exotics and shrubs. We will rehabilitate a pilot area of 5 to 10 acres of globally imperiled (G2) basic hardpan OAK-hickory woodlands (called G2 woodland, herein) that has become a closed canopy forest. The G2 woodland covers over 500 acres on flat and rolling hills throughout the cultural landscape in manassas national battlefield park (mana) on the eastside of the appalachian mountains. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public).