Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner With South Florida – Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for scientific studies on one or more Everglades topics that are of interest to Everglades restoration managers and that address Priority 1a of the Secretary of Interior: Create a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt – Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment. The specific study topics will be finalized once the graduate students are recruited for the study period but will adhere to the overall priority above. Topics that will be given priority include: 1) investigations on local precipitation dynamics, and the development of improved tools to help restoration managers understand future precipitation patterns and amounts, which is knowledge necessary to select and design the best Everglades restoration alternatives; 2) studies of harmful algae blooms to help natural resource managers develop and implement water management practices that minimize the chances of bloom conditions in Lake Okeechobee and coastal estuaries; and 3) one or two-day technical workshops that address specific and timely needs of Everglades restoration managers and scientists. For example, one past workshop topic was the development of an Everglades invasive species rapid screening tool, which now can be used quickly by managers to decide how to correctly respond to the discovery of new, non-native animals. This topic was a direct request from managers, and they now have the tool they needed. For all study topics, CES and USGS scientists will work together collaboratively to interact with restoration managers to determine their priority needs and will communicate results of these studies to them in a timely and effective manner. Objectives: - Conducting scientific studies by scientist and/or students on one or more specific Everglades land/water management priorities under the above overall priority, and as identified as relevant and important to restoration managers by the USGS project manager. - Coordinating a series of three technical meetings per year. - Collaborating with the USGS, South Florida Water Management District, regional scientists, and decision makers working on science to support Everglades restoration