The project addresses invasive plant management in alaska region parks in collaboration between the national park service and the university of alaska anchorage alaska center for conservation science

The National Park Service awarded a $620,000 Cooperative Agreement to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Alaska Center for Conservation Science under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program. The project, with a performance period from January 15, 2025 to June 30, 2029, focuses on invasive plant management in Alaska region national parks. It involves early detection and rapid response techniques to control invasive species, as well as an evaluation of the persistence of an herbicide in Alaska soils to inform effective and environmentally responsible treatment approaches. Key deliverables include detecting and controlling invasive plant species, developing invasive species datasets, and producing a report on herbicide persistence to inform best practices for invasive plant control and site restoration. The project combines expertise from the National Park Service and UAA to support biodiversity conservation in these remote environments.

The work supports early detection and rapid response techniques to control invasive species in challenging remote environments. Early detection and rapid response are cost effective and an efficient approach to protect the natural environments. The project will also evaluate the persistence of an aminopyralid herbicide in soils in a controlled setting. Understanding the persistence rate and dosage in alaska soils will inform proper prescription rates to reduce costs and excess herbicide presence. The project combines multiple disciplines to support invasive plant management and biodiversity conservation. Deliverables include detection and control of invasive species within the alaska region parks. Invasive species datasets and a report on herbicide persistence project will be available online to the general public findings will inform best practices for invasive plant control and site restoration while minimizing non target effects. The national park service created the invasive plant management team program to assist parks in controlling infestations. The alaska center for conservation science provides expertise on invasive species and will manage the project tasks including data collection training and database maintenance.