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…

This $299,999 Cooperative Agreement award by the Midwest Region of the National Park Service under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) 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 project is designed to catalyze resilient prairie grassland management and spans science-driven planning to field-based action, with a focus on accomplishing system recovery under novel climate conditions. Key activities include facilitating scientific discussion on updating the Annual Brome Adaptive Management (ABAM) decision support tool to incorporate climate change, developing a revised ABAM model, and testing and operationalizing the new model. Beneficiaries include state/local governments, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, universities, and the general public. The award period of performance is from September 8, 2023 to September 14, 2027 and is made to the University of Colorado Office of Contracts and Grants Division.

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 (NPS). The study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. This project is the management of grasslands in the northern great plains has historically focused on system recovery following agricultural conversion, intensive livestock grazing, and widespread planting of non-native forage grasses. Climate change now requires accomplishing that work under novel ecological conditions. This project is designed to catalyze resilient prairie grassland management and spans the spectrum of science-driven planning to field-based action. The project supports cross-park decision-making with clear objectives, structured decision models, and collaborative governance and actively directs grassland systems in the NPS towards plant communities resilient under a range of potential future climates. The project will facilitate scientific discussion about the current state of the annual brome adaptive management (abam) decision support tool, how to incorporate climate change into its structure, and the potential for partnering with other agencies and entities doing similar work. This project will identify a priority list of attributes for revising the abam model, including the possibilities of integrating IT with other models and applications. A new model will be developed based on the prioritization, followed by model testing, and finally documentation and operationalization of the model. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public.