Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

This cooperative agreement funds a two‑year research project to investigate how climate variables and land‑management practices influence the spread and ecological impact of two invasive plant species—King Ranch bluestem and eastern red cedar—in Oklahoma. The work will synthesize long‑term experimental data, integrate regional distribution datasets, model future invasion scenarios, and deliver an interactive online dashboard for stakeholders. Deliverables include scientific reports, data products, and outreach tools aligned with multiple Executive Orders on wildfire prevention, water security, and natural‑resource stewardship. • Focus on invasive species dynamics under drought, temperature, precipitation, fire, and hay‑harvest regimes. • Leverage existing long‑term field experiments and GIS data to predict future invasion hotspots. • Produce actionable science, data, and tools (including a public dashboard) for resource managers. • Align with federal priorities: energy, critical minerals, water security, infrastructure resilience, and hazard preparedness. • One award; total funding $370,000 over a two‑year period; reporting, data‑management, and dissemination requirements detailed.