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

Under this Cooperative Agreement award from the National Park Service (NPS) through the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945), the University of Utah will conduct a four-year research initiative examining vibration impacts on fragile cultural resources at five southwestern national monuments: Montezuma Castle, Tonto, Navajo, Canyon de Chelly, and Casa Grande Ruins. The $145,533 award, effective August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2029, will generate science-based findings to inform NPS management decisions regarding aircraft vibrations and their effects on these culturally significant resources. Deliverables will include research data, technical analysis, and integrated information products designed to support cooperative management efforts between the NPS and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The project directly supports the NPS mission to maintain science-based management of the National Park System through coordinated research and technical assistance. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and the general public. This cooperative agreement aligns with the broader program objective of establishing multi-disciplinary research networks that provide geographic and topical coverage for resource management challenges across the National Park System.

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 purpose of this agreement is to provide the national park service with a better understaning of how vibrations impact the fragile cultural resources at montezuma castle, tonto, navajo, canyon dechelly and casa grande ruins national monument. The resources that will be studied are the reason the national monuments were created and are susceptible to damage from aircraft vibrations. This project will help to inform management decisions and will allow the national park service to work cooperatively with the federal aviation administration and pilots.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).