National Park Service

Description

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE) has suffered from repeated outbreaks of type E botulism since 2006. Over the last decade the NPS and a team of agency and academic partners have committed significant resources toward monitoring bird mortality and nearshore ecosystem processes, identifying bird foraging patterns and diets, mapping food web pathways, understanding outbreak epidemiology, and communicating risks to park visitors and local communities. However, the underlying drivers of botulism toxin production have remained elusive due to limitations in the available tools and approaches for investigating the responsible microbe, Clostridium botulinum. Via this new agreement, we aim to apply new microbiological tools and experimental approaches to understand what drives growth of the botulism bacterium and production of the botulinum toxin. Broadly, NPS and UM will seek to: 1) Develop a collaborative research program addressing microbiological issues of concern, particularly outbreaks of type E botulism. 2) Provide opportunities for student training and engagement in field research in national parks. 3) Develop NPS technical and analytical capacity for addressing type E botulism issues at SLBE.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Contact

Noel Miller <br/>Grants Management Specialist <br/>Phone 402-661-1658
noel_miller@nps.gov