Grassland Ecological Potential and Restoration Effectiveness Evaluation

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For information on how to apply, please see the attached 'Outreach of Interest Template Instructions' document. This Outreach of Interest (OOI) functions as an outreach mechanism to cultivate relationships and connect with potential partners. This OOI is intended to solicit responses to explore future projects meeting the needs and interests of potential partners through partnership agreements within legislative authority with USDA Forest Service. USDA Forest Service is looking to enhance knowledge about grassland communities, their ecological potential and improve understanding of restoration approaches and their effectiveness. This initiative aims to explore partnerships focused on grassland ecosystems while increasing awareness of their importance. New partnerships can help leverage existing ecological classification systems (e.g., ecological sites, disturbance response groups, etc.) and monitoring methodologies to develop streamlined approaches that can be used to: ·      determine ecological potential across the national grasslands. ·      determine grassland resiliency and restoration effectiveness. Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to connect with you to explore your ideas/projects/programs and how they may align with federal funding opportunities. USDA Forest Service is committed to fostering strong, collaborative partnerships. These collaborations are vital for increasing understanding of the ecological potential across the national grasslands, national tallgrass prairie and associated restoration needs/opportunities, expanding capacity, and ensuring resilient and healthy grassland ecosystems. By working together, all stakeholders can maximize the impact of restoration efforts on the national grasslands and national tallgrass prairie. Grasslands provide a myriad of benefits ranging from wildlife habitat and open space to climate regulation services, yet they are considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. The loss of these ecosystems has broad impacts including marked declines in the native plants and animals that depend on them as well as the people and communities that rely on them for their work and enjoyment. There are several factors that have impacted the health of grassland ecosystems. Some contemporary ecological stressors include invasive and non-native species, woody plant encroachment, and climate change. Some historic ecological stressors include cultivation, disruption of natural disturbance processes, and development. The National Forest System includes approximately 3.8 million acres of National Grasslands and National Tallgrass Prairie. Numerous vegetation management and restoration efforts have been undertaken. Knowledge of ecological potential is varied and information relative to restoration success and factors influencing success is lacking. USDA Forest Service is seeking partners interested in assisting with leveraging existing ecological classification systems (e.g., ecological sites, disturbance response groups, etc.), and monitoring approaches to: ·      determine ecological potential across the National Grasslands. ·      determine grassland resiliency and restoration effectiveness. The intent of this work is to inform future prioritization of areas for restoration as well restoration approaches that might be used. This could ultimately enable USDA Forest Service to make informed decisions on how to maximize the conservation return on investments. Additional opportunities may include correlating restoration effectiveness with associated benefits (e.g., habitat improvement, grassland bird population stabilization/improvements, enhanced opportunities for carbon sequestration, improve pollinator habitat and numbers, etc.).