The NPS biological resources division supports the NPS mission of preserving natural resources by providingtechnical assistance to parks and using multi-disciplinary, integrated, landscape-scale…

The NPS biological resources division supports the NPS mission of preserving natural resources by providingtechnical assistance to parks and using multi-disciplinary, integrated, landscape-scale approaches for solvingcomplex conservation, recovery, restoration and health challenges. The biological resources division works atthe intersection of many natural resource challenges including providing policy guidance, consultation andtraining, and engaging in research to aid park management decisions. Habitat loss and fragmentation, climatechange, pollution, invasive species and diseases pose substantial and increasing threats to the health ofhumans, animals, plants and the environment (i.e., one health). These threats are often complex and havesignificant biological, social, political and economic impacts. As such, parks require technical assistance withplanning, surveillance, diagnostics and research to better understand impacts to their resources andoperations and to identify and implement effective management actions within socio-ecological contexts. This project will leverage the expertise and resources at colorado state university to provide critical supportto parks, in collaboration with the NPS biological resources division. The CSU veterinary diagnosticlaboratory (csuvdl) has the expertise and facilities to assist with investigations of important and emergingdiseases of wildlife, as well as development of new diagnostic tools. This partnership also provides access toother colleges and departments within CSU including the warner college of natural resources, which includesecosystem science and sustainability fish, wildlife, and conservation biology forest and rangelandstewardship natural resource ecology laboratory and human dimensions of natural resources, and thecollege of natural sciences, which includes computer science. The one health institute at CSU is another keypartner with 280 faculty affiliates and students across all eight CSU colleges, collaborating partners, andmembers of the community investing in the one health approach a transdisciplinary approach to advancehealth for humans, animals, and the environment by solving complex problems at these intersections throughresearch, training, and outreach. All these departments and programs at CSU can assist the NPS in addressingemerging and on-going natural resource stewardship challenges and can. Provide well-trained technicians, students, faculty and other staff who can maintain close communication with the NPS biological resourcesdivision. This partnership also facilitates access to specialized laboratories and facilities at CSU by NPS staff. The NPS biological resources division and csuvdl have been working cooperatively to address wildlifehealth, welfare and one health issues in parks for more than two decades and are seeking to expand thispartnership to advance other priority areas of natural resource stewardship. This partnership will continue tofacilitate two-way training and information exchange between NPS and recipient staff and students tocoproduce actionable scientific information while providing opportunities for staff and students to gain handsonexperience and apply their knowledge to real-world situations for investigating and managing threats tohuman, animal, and environmental health through stewardship of natural resources in national parks.