To support coordinated cooperative research, technical assistance, education and training, and usable knowledge development to inform science-based management of the national park system

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $320,000 Cooperative Agreement under CFDA 15.945 "Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System" to the University of Montana. This five-year project, beginning in July 2024, aims to develop a climate vulnerability assessment for the fluvial and terrestrial landforms and infrastructure within the Upper Yellowstone River watershed, including areas affected by the June 2022 floods. The assessment will characterize the impacts of the 2022 event and consider how future climate events may cause flooding and hillslope instability. As a sub-awardee, Whitman College will assist the University of Montana by providing undergraduate student field support, generating inundation mapping, and contributing to the dissemination of project results. The partnership between the University of Montana, Whitman College, and the National Park Service supports science-based management of the National Park System through collaborative research, technical assistance, education, and training.

To facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products related to the resources of the national park system. To maintain a comprehensive network cooperative study units as will provide full geographic and topical coverage for research, technical assistance, and educational activities related to the resources contained in units of the national park system and their larger regions. The primary goal of this five-year project is to develop a climate vulnerability assessment for the fluvial and terrestrial landforms and infrastructure within the upper yellowstone river watershed. This includes the areas affected by the june, 2022 flood as well as other sub-watersheds within and adjacent to the park with federal assets. This assessment is accomplished through both the characterization of the impacts of the 2022 event and the consideration of how and where future climate events may cause flooding and hillslope instability. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and individuals (including members of the general public).for more information and guidance, refer to NPS financial assistance policy guidance document on usaspending.GOV award descriptions (project abstracts), or contact the NPS financial assistance policy office at financial assitance