Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Utah State University received a $107,271 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Environmental Biology (CFDA 47.074 - Biological Sciences program) on August 1, 2026, for a collaborative long-term research and education network (LTREB) renewal project extending through July 31, 2031. The award supports continuation of one of North America's longest-running observational studies of insect populations, with primary performance at six monitoring sites in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California and Nevada. The project delivers comprehensive data collection and analysis services encompassing over 500 species of butterflies and moths, investigating habitat use patterns and the direct and indirect effects of temperature and precipitation fluctuations on insect population dynamics.

The principal deliverables include ongoing field monitoring data, species population forecasting capabilities utilizing artificial intelligence methodologies, and research findings advancing understanding of pollinator and insect population health and stability. The project generates significant public engagement and science education products through public talks, field days, an interactive forecasting website, and collaborative partnerships with local school groups and teachers serving both urban and rural communities. These outputs collectively contribute to advancing biological sciences knowledge regarding species persistence during environmental change while supporting national priorities in pollinator conservation and ecosystem health monitoring.