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

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded the University of Tennessee a $423,665 Cooperative Agreement under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) effective June 17, 2025, with completion targeted for March 31, 2028. Under this award, the university will conduct a comprehensive bat species inventory across twelve parks in the NPS Southeast Region to identify current bat species presence and distribution. This inventory work addresses critical resource management needs driven by severe bat population declines across the Eastern United States due to white-nose syndrome and habitat loss, which have resulted in federal listing of multiple bat species.

The products and services delivered through this cooperative agreement will inform science-based management decisions and ensure that park operations do not inadvertently impact remaining bat populations or their habitats. The inventory data and findings will support compliance with statutory requirements established under the National Park Service Omnibus Management Act of 1998. Beneficiaries of this research include state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and the general public, positioning the research within the broader CESU Network framework that facilitates multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the National Park System.

15.945: cooperative research and training programs of the national park system cesu network programming 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. This project inventories all BAT species for 12 parks across the NPS southeast region. The work will determine which BAT species are currently present at those parks. Across the eastern US, BAT species have severely declined due to white-nose syndrome and changing habitat conditions, leading to federal listing of numerous BAT species. Information from this inventory will ensure park management actions do not further impact BAT habitat or populations. This work is being done per statutory requirements established in the national park service omnibus management act of 1998. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public).