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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Avian Knowledge Network - Collaboration with MWR Inventory

What is the "Avian Knowledge Network - Collaboration with MWR Inventory" grant opportunity?

This is a National Park Service (NPS) notice of intent to fund a specific project through a non-competitive cooperative agreement. It is not an open call for proposals; it publicly notifies that NPS planned to move forward with a single, defined project focused on bird monitoring data and management.

Is this an open grant that anyone can apply for?

No. The announcement describes a non-competitive funding action (a notice of intent), meaning NPS intended to fund a specific project without competition rather than solicit applications from the general public.

What is the main goal of the project described in the notice?

The project aims to strengthen how bird monitoring information is collected, edited, analyzed, and shared across National Park Service network parks by connecting NPS Inventory and Monitoring (IM) bird datasets with the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN).

What is the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) in the context of this project?

In this project, AKN is described as a broader platform used to store and share bird observation and monitoring data. The work is focused on integrating NPS IM bird datasets with this platform to improve data accessibility and consistency.

What NPS datasets are being connected to AKN?

The notice specifically references existing NPS Inventory and Monitoring (IM) bird datasets, including IM Network bird monitoring data, as the datasets to be connected and supported through improved tools and bulk upload capability.

Who is expected to develop the tools and code for the project?

The notice states that Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and Point Blue are to develop practical tools for data entry, review, and management, along with analytical tools or code for estimating bird community dynamics and running trend analyses.

What kinds of tools will be developed?

The project includes (1) tools to make bird data easier to enter, review, and manage (with an emphasis on supporting citizen scientist contributions), (2) tools or code to estimate bird community dynamics and conduct trend analyses, and (3) capabilities to support bulk upload of existing IM Network bird monitoring datasets into AKN.

Why does the project emphasize data entry and editing tools for citizen scientists?

The notice highlights that citizen scientists contribute observations, and the project is meant to make data entry, review, and management more practical and user-friendly for those contributors, supporting higher-quality and more usable monitoring information.

What is meant by "bird community dynamics" and "trend analyses" in the project description?

Based on the notice, these refer to analytical approaches used to understand how bird populations and bird communities are changing over time. The project includes developing tools or code to estimate these dynamics and run trend analyses to support research and park management needs.

What is "bulk upload" and why is it important for this effort?

Bulk upload refers to enabling large volumes of existing IM Network bird monitoring data to be uploaded into AKN at once. The notice frames this as important because it reduces manual data handling and makes larger historical datasets usable within a consistent system.

How does this project benefit the public?

The intended public benefit is educational and management-oriented. The notice indicates that park visitors and the broader public would gain improved access to understandable information about bird communities across network parks, helping people see the complexity of avian ecosystems and the work involved in park management for recreation and conservation.

How does this project benefit NPS decision-making?

By improving the quality, accessibility, and analytical capability of bird datasets, the project is intended to support better decision-making by NPS staff, including understanding changes in bird populations and communities over time using improved analytical tools.

Does the notice suggest benefits beyond the National Park Service?

Yes. The notice states that the information produced and the improved shared capacity are meant to be useful to other land managers nationwide, including federal agencies, state programs, and private conservation organizations, so that monitoring data can inform broader conservation planning beyond park boundaries.

What type of funding instrument is described?

The opportunity is described as a cooperative agreement under a natural resources funding activity category.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number listed in the notice is NPS MWRO NOI P15AC01648.

How many awards were expected under this notice?

The notice states the expected number of awards was one.

What was the estimated funding amount and award ceiling?

The notice lists an estimated total funding amount of $75,000, and it also states that $75,000 served as the award ceiling.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible for this cooperative agreement?

Eligibility was limited to members of a Coordinated Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU), which the notice describes as a partner-based, collaborative research framework used by federal agencies to work with universities and other organizations.

When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The notice was posted on August 26, 2015. The original and current closing date was September 8, 2015, and the archive date was October 8, 2015.

Who can be contacted for access issues or questions about the announcement?

The notice lists Julie Hendricks, Lead Grants Management Specialist, as the contact for access issues or questions tied to the announcement. The phone number provided is 402-661-1662.