15.945: cooperative research and training programs of the national park system cesu networkprogramming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research,…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $178,000 Cooperative Agreement under CFDA 15.945, the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System, to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech). The award supports a survey of 11 National Capital Region parks to assess changes in the distribution of federally endangered bat species following the devastating White-Nose Syndrome disease. Virginia Tech will develop predictive models and identify priority conservation areas to inform at-risk bat species recovery actions and forest restoration efforts across the parks. This work will provide critical data to park managers for Endangered Species Act compliance and to guide resource management decisions.

15.945: cooperative research and training programs of the national park system cesu networkprogramming 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 study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. The recipient will survey 11 national capital region parks to assess changes in the distributions of federally endangered BAT species following the devastating fungal disease called white-nose syndrome. Park managers need to understand and track BAT current habitat use and population trends for park endangered species act section 7 consultations to allow park operations. The recipient will develop predictive models and identify priority conservation areas to inform the at-risk BAT species recovery actions and forest restoration efforts across parks.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public.