The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service NPS evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $543,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Natural Resource Stewardship program (CFDA 15.944) to the C & O Canal Trust Inc., a non-profit organization in Williamsport, Maryland. The project will work in priority natural landscape blocks and unique plant communities to promote forest resiliency through management of invasive plant species, surveying and monitoring of forest pests, and planting native species including trees, forbs, graminoids, and rare plants. The project will be carried out over a period of 5 years, with a start date of January 15, 2025, and a planned completion by December 31, 2029. The C & O Canal Trust Inc. will serve as the primary awardee, delivering these specialized natural resource stewardship services to support the NPS's efforts to evaluate and improve the health of watersheds, landscapes, and biological communities within national parks.

The natural resource stewardship program is the principle means through which the national park service NPS evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal resources, sustains biological communities on the lands and waters in parks, and actively endeavors to improve the resiliency of these natural resources and adapt them to the effects of climate change. To carry out and further this stewardship responsibility, NPS implements programs that encompass a broad range of research, operational, and educational activities by utilizing park personnel and contractor support or cooperative agreements. This project will work in priority natural landscape blocks and unique plant communities to promote forest resiliency through management of invasive plant species, surveying and monitoring of forest pests, and planting native species including trees, forbs, graminoids, and rare plants. Beneficiaries include the general public.