Management techniques to enhance California prairie biodiversity

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified cooperative agreement to the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources Division for a project titled "Management techniques to enhance California prairie biodiversity". The project aims to test management approaches to restore native wildflower prairie, a threatened habitat that supports the federally threatened California tiger salamander and numerous other species of conservation concern. The project will involve a large-scale experiment to restore native prairie wildflowers and wildlife habitat using cattle grazing, mowing, and wildflower seeding. The project is expected to last for 5 years, from October 4, 2019, to September 30, 2024. • The project will be conducted in Pinnacles National Park (PINN) and will involve collaboration between the National Park Service and the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. • The project will involve a study to determine scientifically if cattle grazing and/or mowing are effective tools for restoring native prairies at a large scale at PINN and on adjacent lands. • The project will also involve the development of a grazing management plan for long-term management of the site, if recommended by the study. • The project will include student involvement, with students gaining "real-world", hands-on experience outside of the classroom of natural, cultural, and/or historical resource projects.