National Park Service

Description

The purpose of this project is to enhance our understanding of habitat quality and availability for pollinator species, particularly monarch butterflies and native bee species in parks of the southern plains. We also hope to gain some insight regarding how management of those grasslands (e.g., fire and exotic plant treatments) might influence the quality or availability of such habitat. It is our intention to use this information to help guide us toward inclusion of pollinator habitat attributes into our ongoing monitoring of grassland habitats conducted the Southern Plains Network and Southern Plains Fire Group. The loss of pollinators in recent years has been dramatic and widespread. Declines and concern for pollinators has gotten so severe that the President of the United States has issued a Memorandum calling for a strategy to promote the health of pollinators. The implication of pollinator declines to the public is sufficiently dramatic that the Presidential Memorandum concluded that ⿿the problem is serious and requires immediate attention to ensure the sustainability of our food production systems, avoid additional economic impact on the agricultural sector, and protect the health of the environment.⿝ In addition to the impacts on our economy and agriculture, the National Park Service also has the obligation of preserving unimpaired our natural (and cultural) resources for the enjoyment of this and future generations. In this context, the loss of pollinators also impacts our ability to preserve our nation⿿s natural resources. For example, the population of migrating Monarchs reached its lowest recorded level in the 2013-2014 migrating season, and according to the Presidential Memorandum there is an imminent risk of failed migration. This project is a first step for the Southern Plains Network to better assess, and manage for, pollinator habitat in grasslands of the Southern Plains.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Others

Contact

Grants Managment Officer Kelly Adams <br/>Kelly_Adams@nps.gov<br/>
Kelly_Adams@nps.gov