NOTICE OF INTENT: Restoring Biotic Diversity in Lehmann Lovegrass Dominated Grasslands: Fertile Islands | P19AS00436

Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00436

This grant opportunity, issued by the Department of the Interior through the National Park Service, focuses on improving native biodiversity in grasslands that have been heavily invaded by Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). Because past attempts to eradicate this invasive grass have largely failed, the project is built around the idea that broader, more integrated restoration methods may work better than direct eradication alone. The central strategy being tested is a "fertile island" approach, which concentrates restoration efforts on smaller, high-potential patches within invaded grasslands rather than trying to treat large landscapes uniformly.

The work is set up as a controlled research study conducted at two National Park Service sites in southeastern Arizona: Coronado National Memorial (often abbreviated as CORO) and Chiricahua National Monument (CHIR). The project uses a nested, randomized, factorial experimental design, meaning multiple treatment types are combined in different ways across replicated plots so researchers can measure not only whether a single action helps, but also how actions interact with each other. In practical terms, this design allows the study to compare restoration techniques side by side under real field conditions and identify which combinations are most effective.

Three categories of treatments are tested within the plots. First, the Lehmann lovegrass control factor has two levels: hand pulling of Lehmann lovegrass versus no action. Second, the seeding factor has three levels: broadcast seeding, pelletized seed application, and no seeding. Third, the soil or surface amendment factor also has three levels: pine mulch, Lehmann thatch, and no amendment. By combining these treatments in a structured experiment, the study aims to see whether physically removing the invasive grass, adding native seed in different formats, and modifying ground cover or microhabitat conditions can increase native plant establishment and/or reduce lovegrass dominance within these fertile island patches.

Monitoring is a core component of the work. The plots will be tracked over two field seasons, with data collected on the establishment and performance of both native species and Lehmann lovegrass. The emphasis is on measurable outcomes such as increases in native plant presence, diversity, or cover, and decreases in Lehmann lovegrass abundance. The practical value of this monitoring is that it moves beyond anecdotal restoration claims and instead produces evidence on what actually works, where, and under what treatment combinations.

The stated objectives of the project are straightforward and research-driven. The first objective is to establish the fertile island research plots at both CORO and CHIR using a rigorous experimental framework. The second objective is to monitor those plots and build a dataset that captures treatment effects over two field seasons. The third objective is to publish the findings in the public domain, ensuring the results can inform future invasive grass management and restoration planning beyond these two park units.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary funding announcement with funding provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the National Park Service during project implementation. It falls under the Natural Resources activity category and lists CFDA number 15.945. The funding opportunity number is P19AS00436. The announcement was created on July 29, 2019, with an original closing date of August 8, 2019. The award ceiling is $39,815, and the National Park Service anticipated making one award. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the original eligibility text field.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOTICE OF INTENT: Restoring Biotic Diversity in Lehmann Lovegrass Dominated Grasslands: Fertile Islands" 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 29, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 08, 2019. (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 $39,815.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for P19AS00436

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