Aquatic resource monitoring in Sonoran Desert Network parks

The National Park Service intends to award a single source justified cooperative agreement to the Tucson Audubon Society for aquatic resource monitoring in Sonoran Desert Network parks. The project aims to support a 9-month long research internship focused on aquatic resources monitoring, which will help with science-based resource management. The recipient will recruit, hire, and provide administrative oversight for the intern, and the intern will conduct water quality sampling, macroinvertebrate sampling, and habitat characterization. The project will also support educational and career development opportunities for youth in parks. Some key aspects of the project include: • The project will be completed under a previously competed cooperative agreement. • The National Park Service will provide periodic review of materials and data collected, as well as assistance with logistics and safety training. • The project will support the connection between parks and the public via citizen science monitoring and education programs. • The project will also support the dissemination of natural resource information to the scientific community and the public.