Baseline phenological observation of seasonal biological events | P18AS00423

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00423

The grant opportunity titled "Baseline phenological observation of seasonal biological events" is a National Park Service (Department of the Interior) cooperative agreement focused on building a foundational dataset on plant phenology in Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ) parks. The core purpose is to capture year-over-year changes in the timing and intensity of key biological events, especially those tied to plant growth and reproduction, so park managers and researchers can better understand how seasonal patterns may be shifting and what environmental conditions might be driving those changes.

The main work proposed under this project is a year-long monitoring effort in all three SEAZ parks, with field observations occurring about once per week. The target species for repeated phenology tracking are agaves and ocotillos, which are prominent desert plants whose leafing and flowering patterns can be sensitive to weather and moisture. Each weekly visit would document specific phenological stages and indicators, such as the presence and condition of leaves, whether plants are flowering, and the abundance of flowers when flowering occurs. In addition to the focal plants, observers would also note the phenology of neighboring vegetation, with particular emphasis on overall greenness and the growth stage of grasses, since surrounding plant conditions can provide broader context for landscape-level responses to seasonal conditions.

A key deliverable is standardized data entry into Nature's Notebook, the online interface used by the USA National Phenology Network (NPN) to collect and archive phenology observations. Using this system ensures the data are stored in a national archive and are comparable with phenology monitoring happening elsewhere. The project also includes taking photographs during monitoring, but with the explicit understanding that these images would be stored outside the NPN system because the NPN archive does not retain photos. This implies the project would maintain a separate photo management approach to support verification, communication, and potential future analyses.

To make the phenology observations more useful for interpretation and modeling, the project pairs the weekly phenology data with both static site descriptors and repeated environmental notes. Static information captured for each plant location would include soil type and soil cover, slope, aspect, elevation, and surrounding vegetation, all of which can influence water availability, temperature exposure, and microclimate. During each weekly monitoring visit, observers would add contextual conditions such as soil moisture and visible evidence of animal activity, which could matter for plant condition and reproductive success. These field observations would be combined with rainfall information and used in a modeling effort aimed at identifying likely predictors of phenological change, helping distinguish which environmental factors most strongly align with earlier or later leafing, flowering, or changes in flower abundance.

Beyond data collection and analysis, the opportunity also emphasizes communication and engagement. The project includes creating public outreach materials for SEAZ park websites and social media, and for volunteers, indicating an intention to translate monitoring results into accessible content and potentially encourage participation or broader awareness of seasonal ecological change. Overall, the project is framed as establishing a baseline dataset that can support future monitoring, resource management decisions, and research, giving the parks a starting point for detecting trends over time and responding to changing environmental conditions.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00423) was issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the Natural Resources activity category, with CFDA number 15.945. Eligibility was limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The anticipated award structure was a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with a funding ceiling of $45,000. The opportunity was created on July 11, 2018, with an original closing date of July 20, 2018, reflecting a short application window typical of certain targeted cooperative agreements tied to specific park needs and timelines.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Baseline phenological observation of seasonal biological events" 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 Jul 11, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2018. (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 $45,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

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