Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the California CESU program. It supports a specific project called Phenology Literacy Understanding through Science and Stewardship (PLUSS).

2) What is the PLUSS project trying to do?

PLUSS uses phenology (the timing of recurring life-cycle events in plants and animals) as a practical, locally observable way to teach climate change concepts and involve students and community members in climate-related research. The project aims to strengthen climate literacy, build biological and physical science skills, and broaden participation in science, with an emphasis on engaging underrepresented and at-risk students in urban and rural settings.

3) What does "phenology" mean in the context of this project?

Phenology refers to the timing of recurring life-cycle events such as flowering, leaf-out, fruiting, breeding, or migration. Because these events often track climate conditions closely, changes in timing can provide neighborhood-level evidence of climate change impacts that participants can observe in schoolyards and local habitats.

4) Which federal agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the California CESU program.

5) What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary award made as a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement indicates an expectation of substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal partner compared to a standard grant.

6) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

7) What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing is 15.808, titled U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.

8) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding for this opportunity is $49,500.

9) How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

10) Is cost sharing or a match required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are participating partners in the California CESU Program, because the award is issued under the CESU partnership framework.

12) What is USA NPN and how does it relate to PLUSS?

USA NPN (the USA National Phenology Network) is a national partnership focused on collecting and sharing phenology observations to understand how ecosystems respond to environmental variability and to support tools for adaptation to ongoing and future climate change. PLUSS is designed to build collaboration among USA NPN partners and connect Southern California education and restoration sites to national-scale participatory monitoring efforts.

13) What data collection or monitoring platforms are tied to the project?

The project ties education and outreach activities to established citizen science style monitoring platforms such as Nature's Notebook and potentially Project BudBurst. This allows participants to contribute standardized phenology data that can be used beyond the local program.

14) What are the main site-based objectives of the work plan?

The work plan includes: (1) maintaining native plant phenology gardens and continuing phenology-focused curricula at two Santa Barbara schools (Franklin School and Cesar Chavez School) while linking activities to a national monitoring program like Nature's Notebook; (2) establishing a native plant phenology garden or trail at the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) and implementing curricula there based on Nature's Notebook; and (3) partnering with the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office (VFWO) to catalyze at least one additional phenology monitoring project in the Santa Barbara, Port Hueneme, or Ventura area, tied to Nature's Notebook and paired with education programming.

15) Which schools are specifically included in the project?

The project specifically includes Franklin School and Cesar Chavez School in Santa Barbara.

16) What is planned at the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER)?

The project will use lessons learned from existing gardens or trails to establish a native plant phenology garden or trail at CCBER and implement curricula there based on Nature's Notebook.

17) What is the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office (VFWO) role in the project?

The project will partner with VFWO to catalyze at least one additional phenology monitoring project (a formal or informal garden or trail) in the Santa Barbara, Port Hueneme, or Ventura area, tied to Nature's Notebook and paired with education programming.

18) What deliverables or products are required?

The opportunity calls for several products intended to make the approach easier to replicate, including: a report documenting how the gardens were established and how the curricula were implemented at the two schools, at CCBER, and at the additional VFWO-collaboration site; clear instructions on how to create a phenology monitoring garden (with examples and links to existing projects, programs, and curricula developed through the work); and development of at least one phenology curriculum module for undergraduate students that can be used in formal or informal settings and is built around Nature's Notebook participation or analysis of phenology data from a national monitoring program.

19) What should the required report cover?

The report is expected to document garden establishment and curriculum implementation at the two schools, at CCBER, and at the additional VFWO-collaboration site. It should include design and implementation steps, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling the model to other California locations and potentially through national efforts such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Schoolyard Habitat Program.

20) Does the project include development of new curriculum materials?

Yes. The project includes development of at least one phenology curriculum module intended for undergraduate students. The module should be usable in formal or informal educational settings and be built around participation in Nature's Notebook or analysis of phenology data from a national monitoring program.

21) What geographic area does the project focus on?

The project focuses on Southern California, with specific sites in Santa Barbara (including two schools and CCBER) and at least one additional project in the Santa Barbara, Port Hueneme, or Ventura area through collaboration with VFWO.

22) Why is phenology considered a useful way to teach climate change in this project?

Because phenological changes tend to track climate conditions closely, shifts in the timing of events like flowering or migration can serve as visible, local evidence of climate change impacts that students and community members can observe directly in their local environments.

23) What is the timeline shown in the announcement?

The announcement was posted on June 22, 2010, had a closing date of July 1, 2010, and was archived on July 31, 2010.

24) Who is the listed contact for access issues?

The listed contact for access issues is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.