Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on the ecology of bison in the Western USA, which is aligned with EO 14303 – Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025) Studies will be comprised of data-driven modeling, field-based data collection, and a combination of both field based and analytical modeling of accelerometer data from GPS collars on bison across 3 National Park units, and of field data collection to ensure no damage is occurring to park resources. The aim is to fill data gaps with collaborative research conducted jointly by USGS and University partners, capitalizing on the unique skillset and talents provided by modelers and data analysts who have experience modeling with extreme large datasets, such as accelerometer data, as well as conduct research to assure that bison in the Great Sand Dunes (GRSA) ecosystem are not causing damage to park resources. This funding opportunity is to conduct research on resource selection and ecology of free-ranging bison across the western USA. Specific research will conduct modeling of data collected over 2 years in 3 wild bison populations, that span the Rocky Mountain region and Great Plains ecosystems. The goal of this research is to increase understanding of bison ecology, and to relate this information to public land managers to protect natural resource assets that belong to the American people, to improve management of bison on the landscape, and to improve management of habitat. Scientific analysis will be performed by a tight collaboration of USGS and University scientists.