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

Montana State University received a $150,000 cooperative agreement from the National Park Service (NPS), awarded August 1, 2025, under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program. The agreement, extending through December 31, 2028, supports coordinated research and technical assistance to inform science-based management of the National Park System through multi-disciplinary scientific investigation and integrated information products.

The primary focus of this award is to improve understanding and management of Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations in Yellowstone Lake by documenting movement patterns and habitat use throughout the entire lake across spring, summer, and autumn seasons and over multiple years. The research directly supports ongoing population recovery efforts for this keystone species, which harbors the largest genetically unaltered population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout but faces significant threats from invasive lake trout and disease. Deliverables and products will inform the NPS's expansive lake trout gillnetting suppression program and contribute to broader resource management objectives. The award benefits state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, public and private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public through generation of actionable scientific knowledge for national park resource conservation and management.

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.yellowstone lake harbors the largest genetically unaltered population of yellowstone cutthroat trout in existence but is facing significant threats from invasive lake trout and disease. Monitoring the movements and habitat use of this keystone species is imperative to inform the ongoing population recovery program that includes expansive lake trout gillnetting suppression efforts. The primary goal of this research is to improve the understanding and management of yellowstone cutthroat trout populations in yellowstone lake by documenting movement patterns and habitat use throughout the entire lake, across spring, summer and autumn seasons, and among years.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).