Project Grant F24AP01875

THIS GRANT AGREEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITH THE LEARNING CENTER AT THE EUCHEE BUTTERFLY FARM INC (RECIPIENT) TO PURCHASE PRESCRIBED FIRE EQUIPMENT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR PURCHASING GUIDANCE IN THE GRANT AGREEMENT DOCUMENT ATTACHED TO THIS FORM. WE WORKED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP THIS DOCUMENT, AND IT OUTLINES THE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR A CREW OF INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM A PRESCRIBED FIRE EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY.ONCE EQUIPMENT IS PURCHASED IT WILL BE STORED AND USED AS DETERMINED BY THE RECIPIENT.THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL ALLOW THE RECIPIENT TO PURCHASE PRESCRIBED BURN EQUIPMENT TO BE USED TO FACILITATE PRESCRIBED BURNING ON TRIBAL TRUST LANDS ACROSS OKLAHOMA. PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE TO INCREASE THE USE OF PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR NATIVE PRAIRIE RESTORATION, IMPROVE POLLINATOR HABITAT AND TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF WILDFIRE URBAN INTERFACE IN THIS AREA. RESTORING NATIVE GRASSLANDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE SERVICE S EFFORTS IN GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN HABITAT, IMPROVE POLLINATOR HABITAT AND IMPROVE NATIVE PRAIRIE HABITAT FOR OTHER MIGRATORY AND GROUND NESTING BIRD SPECIES. PRESCRIBED FIRE IS A TOOL TO MANAGE INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES, SUCH AS EASTERN RED CEDAR ON PRIVATE LANDS, WHICH IS ANOTHER OBJECTIVE FOR THE GRANT AGREEMENT. OKLAHOMA S NATIVE GRASSLANDS ARE BEING FRAGMENTED AND LOST TO THE CONVERSION OF NON-NATIVE GRASSES, ENCROACHMENT BY INVASIVE EASTERN RED CEDAR AND OTHER WOODY VEGETATION ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.