GLNF-CESU Determine Changes in Rare Plant Abundance and Diversity at APIS | NPS NOIP19AC00041

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00041

The grant opportunity titled "GLNF-CESU Determine Changes in Rare Plant Abundance and Diversity at APIS" (Funding Opportunity Number: NPS NOIP19AC00041) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on evaluating the current condition of rare plant populations and how they have changed over time. It sits within the Environment, Natural Resources, and Science and Technology research and development space (CFDA 15.945) and is structured to produce practical, management-ready information that can guide future conservation decisions. The project is designed as a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with a funding ceiling of $56,992, and it was published on March 15, 2019, with an original closing date of March 25, 2019. Eligibility is limited to private institutions of higher education, signaling that the work is intended to be conducted by an academic partner with the capacity to carry out rigorous field surveys and produce defensible analyses.

The core purpose of the project is to determine the status, abundance, and diversity trends for 29 rare plant species at APIS, using the same seasonal conditions across surveys so that comparisons are as reliable as possible. A major emphasis is on measuring whether these species have experienced declines in abundance or diversity compared to earlier efforts, specifically referencing prior studies conducted by Judziewicz (1996), Horky (2006), and Marr (2013). By aligning new fieldwork with the timing and context of earlier work, the project aims to reduce the chance that apparent differences are simply due to seasonality or survey timing, and instead provide a clearer picture of real ecological change.

Another key piece of the work is to evaluate whether any observed declines inside the park are also showing up in nearby surrounding areas that support similar species and habitats. This broader comparison matters because it helps separate park-specific issues from regional drivers. If declines are mirrored outside the park, that could point toward larger-scale factors such as climate shifts, landscape fragmentation, invasive species pressure, or broader hydrological and ecological change. If declines are concentrated inside the park but not outside, the results could suggest localized stressors or management challenges that can be addressed more directly within park boundaries.

The field component is centered on returning to historic rare plant locations to determine continued presence, estimate abundance, and document diversity patterns. In practice, this means revisiting known sites from earlier datasets, conducting targeted surveys, and compiling consistent observational records that can be compared across decades. The deliverable is a report that summarizes how populations have changed since the early 1990s and interprets those changes in light of both park conditions and comparable surrounding landscapes. Framing the work as the most comprehensive assessment of these 29 rare plants in the park since 1993 highlights the intent to consolidate and update long-term knowledge, rather than producing a narrow, one-off snapshot.

Beyond data collection and analysis, the project includes a communication and outreach expectation. Results are meant to be shared with cooperators and the public, increasing public awareness while also providing the scientific community with updated information on rare plant status and trends. This dual audience is important: park managers need clear findings to inform future management of sensitive species, while researchers and partners benefit from updated baseline data that can support additional studies or collaborative conservation actions. Overall, the opportunity is positioned as applied conservation science: it generates new knowledge, directly supports understanding and stewardship of natural resources, and strengthens the evidence base for managing rare plant populations into the future.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "GLNF-CESU Determine Changes in Rare Plant Abundance and Diversity at APIS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 15, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 25, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $56,992.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00041

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