NPS
PROJECT SUMMARY
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Cooperative Agreement Modification
FUNDING AGENCY: National Park Service
MODIFICATION NO.: TO-05-03
CESU COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO.:
H2380-04-0002
FUNDING AMOUNT: $433,676
INVESTIGATORS’ Contact Information: Dr. Judith Hannah, Department of Geosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
PROJECT TITLE: Continuation
of “Inventorying and Monitoring Natural Resources Status and Trends in the National Park
System – Geologic Resources Inventory” (cont. of Task Order 04-08)
EFFECTIVE DATES: 07/01/05 through 09/30/06
PROJECT ABSTRACT: The goal of this project is to design, develop, implement, and manage integrated resource databases to assist Parks, Offices,
Programs, and others (including non-NPS agencies and organizations) with the use of inventory and monitoring data to better manage park resources.
This project will help the NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program achieve five long-term goals which define the scope of CESU tasks.

Baseline Inventories - Inventories of basic biological and geo-physical natural resource components are currently underway in all natural
resources parks. To ensure these data are available to park managers, data management systems will be developed to manage the data sets
collected at the park level and provide regional and national summaries of selected inventory items. CESU cooperators play a central role in the
research, development, integration, implementation, and population of these diverse information systems.

Long-term Monitoring - Long-term monitoring programs will be implemented in an effort to learn how to monitor changes efficiently and effectively
in ecosystem health over various spatial and temporal scales.

Decision Support - Research and development (R&D) studies will create geographic information systems (GIS) and other tools to process I&M
field data into management information that can identify alternative courses of management actions, assess trade-offs, and predict outcomes.

Integration - Efforts will be initiated to integrate natural resource I&M with the activities of other decision-making units of the NPS, such as
Operations and Interpretation, with the goal of establishing natural resources preservation and protection as an integral part of park management.

Partnerships and Cooperation - The NPS is cooperating with other Federal and state agencies to share resources, achieve common goals, and
avoid duplication of effort and expense, including cost-sharing and technology exchange agreements with cooperators conducting I&M projects.
The broad scope of this continuing task agreement includes several distinct projects supported by the CSU Principal Investigator, research associates,
and student interns. Significant projects are listed below:

Digital Geologic Map production – The primary product of the Geologic Resource Evaluation, one of the 12 inventories identified in NPS 75, is a
digital geologic map. CSU Research associates and student assistants digitize paper maps, and then convert the digital data into the NPS data
model and Theme Manager. All accompanying map unit descriptions and references are converted into help files that link to the units depicted on
the maps. They perform quality control for the final product and post it on the NPS FTP site.

Geologic Map Metadata – CSU RAs provide all requisite FGDC metadata for each map.

Geologic Reports – CSU RAs prepare the geologic reports that accompany the maps. These reports contain geologic resource management
information, descriptions of features and processes, and a geologic bibliography. Determination of these components requires extensive research,
distillation, and compilation of published information in order to provide to park resource managers a concise, usable document. Upon completion,
reports are distributed to each park and posted on the GRD website.

Training – The lead CSU RA is responsible for training new CSU RAs and student assistants as well as digital mappers in temporary positions in
GRD and the PWRO. They also instruct at annual NRID schools on the use and applicability of geologic GIS information.

Professional Development – Digital mapping technology progresses quickly. CSU RAs maintain their GIS expertise through annual mapping
conferences and short courses. The report writing positions maintain their geologic expertise through participation of annual geologic conventions
or short courses.

Scoping Meeting Participation – As part of the geologic evaluation, CSU RAs may be asked to participate in scoping meetings at park locations.
They present GIS information and serve as recorders for geologic resource management discussions.
Agency Representative: Ron Hiebert, NPS Research Coordinator, CPCESU, Northern Arizona University, P.O. Box 5765,
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5765; Tel: (920)523-0877; Fax (928)520-8223; Ron.Hiebert@nau.edu
Agency Contracting Representative: Joell Schreiber, Contracting Officer, Administrative Program Center, P.O. Box 25287,
Denver, CO 80225; Tel: (303)969-2748; Fax (303)969-2795; Joell_Schreiber@nps.gov
Agency Administrative Representative: Debi Cox, Program Analyst, Water Resources Division, 1201 Oakridge Dr., Suite 250,
Fort Collins, CO 80525; Tel: (970)225-3510; Fax (970)225-9965; Debi_Cox@nps.gov
Investigator: Dr. Judith Hannah, Principal Investigator, Dept. of Geosciences,Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
jhannah@cnr.colostate.edu (970) 491-1329
Partner Administrative Contact: Ms. Carmen Morales, CSU Sponsored Programs, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Tel: (970) 491-6684
List of Key Words: NPS, natural resource management, inventory, monitoring, information system, database, GIS, metadata, research, development,
training, geospatial data, species, climate, bibliography, boundary, I&M Network, geology, geologic map
Key Official from National Park - Insert contact information @ specific Park or NPS Office:

Mr. Bruce Heise
 Ms. Carol McCoy
Annual Report Received:
Final Report Received:
Publications on File:
Bruce_Heise@nps.gov
Carol_McCoy@nps.gov
Tel: 303-969-2017
Tel: 303-969-2096
Geologic Resources Division
National Park Service, Lakewood, CO
This Modification is subject to all the provisions included in the Cooperative Agreement, dated 6/18/04.
Attach any supporting material as necessary.