**Description:**

Park Break is a cooperative project to promote park stewardship among
graduate students while providing technical assistance and research
review back to the parks themselves. The project focuses on the
professional development of the next generation of park managers and
professionals using global scientific themes that have immediate
research and management implications for parks and protected areas. Park
Break is designed as a series of executive field-based seminars that
take place around the time that most US Universities are on break and
because Park Break targets graduate students, they will be required to
produce a professional paper. These papers will be produced as part of a
technical review of the issue as it pertains to the individual parks and
the global theme as identified by Park Break. The themes chosen by Park
Break are designed to have applicability for other parks throughout the
system. Themes include global change and sustainability. Those papers
will be submitted to peer reviewed journals and to park management. By
bringing management issues into the context of the academic and
professional careers of PhD students, Park Break not only provides
technical assistance to parks, it also helps create the next generation
of park researchers and professionals.

**Objectives:** Park Break is a cooperative venture between two federal
agencies and two nonprofits working to increase the number of minority
graduate students. Park Break brings graduate students to a park to
provide technical assistance to that park and in turn learn about park
issues and concerns. There are three main objectives for Park Break

1.  Provide a research framework for parks based on global scientific
    themes that are of top importance for managing parks into the next
    century. These themes include global climate change, water
    availability, natural hazards, affects of urbanization, engaging the
    public in park issues, and conservation policy.

2.  Provide research expertise to individual park based on a theme where
    graduate students are expected to provide high quality and
    scientific review of the literature as it pertains to the park,
    dialogue with park staff and USGS scientists to understand the
    application of the science on the ground in the park, and provide
    the park management with a detailed summary including references and
    recommendations. These summaries will be submitted to peer reviewed
    journals to ensure the best scientific integrity.

3.  Create a framework for graduate students who will soon be entering
    the professional work force, to put their academic training in
    perspective with professional issues for protected area management.

4.  Encourage minority graduate students to participate in Park Break
    and expose them to potential careers in USGS or NPS as scientists.

**Project Outline**

Park Break will be conducted in three national parks in fiscal year
2009. The long term goal is to establish Park Break in parks and
protected areas as a tool to engage the next generation of scientists
and providing scientific review and assistance to parks from emerging
academicians. The project is organized as a cooperative agreement
between a series of partners and the general schedule is outlined below

1.  *Parks selected*. For the pilot year of Park Break, parks will be
    selected by a subcommittee of GWS board members, USGS, and NPS
    directors. Once three parks are identified, themes will be chosen by
    a group of scientists and park managers. Each park will have one
    identified global theme; however, the goal is to have themes that
    will have implications for many parks and protected areas.

2.  *Student competition posted*. GWS will develop and post the Park
    Break announcement on the GWS website. GWS will provide their
    minority student scholarship winners email list to encourage a
    strong number of minority applicants. Applicants will be accepted
    from academic institutions throughout the US and abroad. Applicants
    must be enrolled students in a graduate degree program in a field
    relevant to park management. Applicants will submit short essays,
    transcripts and theses titles to Colorado State University (CSU).

3.  *Applications reviewed*: CSU will be responsible for reviewing and
    ranking applications and handling all transcripts. A team of
    reviewers from parks and academics will rank all applications based
    on merit and research focus. Special consideration will be given to
    encourage minority graduate students.

4.  *Applicants notified*. CSU and GWS will notify successful applicants
    and CSU will handle all travel, insurance, and safety information
    for the students to get them to the park sites. Delaware Water Gap
    National Recreation Area will make arrangements for the majority of
    fellows assigned there.

5.  *Park Break Scientists*. The USGS, NPS, and CSU will work together
    to identify appropriate scientists to work with the applicants at
    the park. USGS scientists will be handled directly by USGS as well
    NPS scientists by NPS. All external scientists will be handled by
    CSU (including travel arrangements, lodging and per diem).

6.  *Park Break Products*. CSU will handle the publication and report
    requirements for the Park Break Fellows. Each fellow will be
    responsible for completing a scientific review of the literature
    before arriving at the park and at the completion of Park Break,
    they are expected to produce a peer reviewed publication that can be
    submitted to leading journals and will be submitted to park
    management. These publications and reports will be coordinated by
    Dr. Bowser and is a requirement for students getting graduate
    credit. GWS will publish the papers and reports in a special issue
    of the GWS Forum, a journal widely read by park professionals.
    Fellows will also be encouraged to present their findings at the
    2009 GWS conference and minority fellows will be eligible for a
    travel scholarship to that conference through GWS.

7.  *Park Break 2009*. The goal of Park Break is to reach many more
    parks and provide a venue for the next generation of park managers
    and scientists to become engaged in park issues during their
    academic careers. The long term vision is to continue Park Break for
    the next five years and develop a core of young academic
    professionals entering the federal research and management fields.
    Park Break aims to get PhD students to consider careers with NPS and
    USGS by introducing them to parks!

Project Layout

Park Break will take place in three parks during the month of March in
2009. Each park is assigned a global theme based on discussions with
park managers and scientists familiar with the park. A group of
scientists and specialists will be assembled to provide technical
expertise and to work with the Fellows as they develop their
recommendations. The below table is an outline of Park Break with
examples of the list of other partners who will be participating in the
technical review. These partners may change or new partners added as the
scientist rooster gets developed for each park; but the list gives an
overview of the highly cooperative nature of this project among many
partners.

2009 Park Break layout

  ----------------- -------------- ----------- --------------------------------
  *Park*            *Theme*        *Number of  *Partners*
                                   students*   

  Sand Dunes Natl.  Climate        8           NPS, Adam State College, GWS
  Park and Preserve Change,                    Colorado State Forest Service,
                    Sustainable                Colorado State University
                    Development                Agriculture Extension, U.S.
                                               Forest Service, Adams State
                                               College, and local ranchers,
                                               farmers and other community
                                               leaders

  Olympic, Mt.      Water &        8           USGS, NPS, U of Washington, CSU,
  Ranier Natl. and  Natural                    US FS, GWS
  Ft. Vancouver     Hazards                    
  Parks                                        

  Delaware Water    Conservation   8           NPS, DOI, USFS, GWS, Pocono
  Gap Natl.         Policy                     Environmental Education Center,
  Recreation Area                              The Wildness Society, Pike
                                               County Office of Community
                                               Planning, Delaware & Monroe
                                               County
  ----------------- -------------- ----------- --------------------------------

**Eligibility Information**

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU's are
partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education.
Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Colorado
Plateau or Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
Program.

**Award/Evaluation Information**

Funding available for this research is \$16,000. Proposal will be
evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1.  *Expertise*. Is (are) the investigator / evaluator / specialist(s)
    qualified and capable of performing the task(s). Does the University
    have faculty/staff with research experience in ecosystem change
    detection and monitoring, vegetation dynamics, and land management
    or similar data and activities? (30 points)

2.  *Methodology.* Are the the methodologies clearly described and
    technically sound? Are the deliverables well defined with
    appropriate timelines. (40 points)

3.  *Research capacity*. Does the University own or have access to
    computer and lab facilities that will complement and contribute to
    the accomplishment of the tasks? (20 points)

4.  *Costs*. Are the costs reasonable? (10 points)

**Application and Submission Information**

Apply electronically through grants.gov. Questions are to be directed to
Faith Graves: fgraves@usgs.gov

## Content and Form of Application: 

1.  University Name

2.  Principal Investigator (Faculty member who will oversee the
    cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number,
    and email address

3.  Technical contact (Staff member(s) who will administer the
    cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number,
    and email address

4.  List laboratories, field equipment, and facilities available for
    project work.

5.  Experience of staff to conduct the stated work objectives of the
    project.

Proposal Text - The text should be no longer than 15 pages, with 1-inch
margins and a font size no smaller than 12. Please include the
following:

b\. Proposal text should include the following

> a\. [Introduction and Statement of Problem]{.underline}. Give a brief
> introduction to the research problem. Provide a brief summary of
> findings or outcomes of any prior work that has been completed or is
> ongoing in this area
>
> b\. [Objectives]{.underline}. Clearly define goals of project. State
> how the proposal addresses USGS goals and its relevance and impact.
> Explain why the work is important.
>
> c\. [Methods]{.underline}. This section should include a fairly
> detailed discussion of the work plan and technical approach to both
> field and laboratory techniques**.**
>
> d\. [Planned Products and Dissemination of Research
> Results]{.underline} List product(s) (reports, analyses, digital data,
> etc.) that will be delivered at the end of the performance period. The
> USGS considers dissemination of research data and results to potential
> users of those results to be an integral and crucial aspect of
> projects funded by this program. Beyond the requirements for a final
> report, describe your plan for dissemination of project data and
> results that will result in the greatest possible benefit to customers
> as defined by your proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
> disseminate research results to the scientific community and
> appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional and
> Federal agencies; and the general public. The USGS encourages the
> Recipient to publish project reports in scientific and technical
> journals.
>
> e\. [References Cited]{.underline}. List all references to which you
> refer in text and references from your past work in the field that the
> research problem addresses. Be sure to identify references as journal
> articles, chapters in books, abstracts, maps, digital data, etc.
>
> Budget Sheets - This information will provide more details than what
> is required under the SF 424A form. Please include the following:
>
> a\. [Salaries and Wages]{.underline}. List names, positions, and rate
> of compensation. include their total time, rate of compensation, job
> titles, and roles.
>
> b\. [Fringe benefits/labor overhead]{.underline}. Indicate the
> rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures.
> Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the
> rate computations.
>
> c\. [Field Expenses]{.underline}. Briefly itemize the estimated travel
> costs (i.e., number of people, number of travel days, lodging and
> transportation costs, and other travel costs).
>
> d\. [Lab Analyses]{.underline}. Include geochemical analyses,
> radiocarbon age dating, etc. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical
> work (if applicable)
>
> e\. [Supplies]{.underline}. Enter the cost for all tangible property.
> Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies
> separately. Provide detail on any specific item, which represents a
> significant portion of the proposed amount.
>
> f\. [Equipment]{.underline}. Show the cost of all special-purpose
> equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project.
> \"Special-purpose equipment\" means scientific equipment having a
> useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of
> \$5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a
> full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available.
> General-purpose equipment must be purchased from the applicant\'s
> operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be
> vested solely with the Recipient. Under no circumstances shall
> property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient.
>
> g\. [Services or consultants]{.underline}. Identify the tasks or
> problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated
> sub-recipients by name (including consultants), the estimated amount
> of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour.
>
> h\. [Travel]{.underline}. State the purpose of the trip and itemize
> the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the
> destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the
> cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip.
> Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges
> for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should
> also be shown.
>
> i\. [Publication costs]{.underline}. Show the estimated cost of
> publishing the results of the research, including the final report.
> Include costs of drafting or graphics, reproduction, page or
> illustration charges, and a minimum number of reprints.
>
> j\. [Other direct costs]{.underline}. Itemize the different types of
> costs not included elsewhere; such as, shipping, computing,
> equipment-use charges, or other services.
>
> k\. [Total Direct Charges]{.underline}. Totals for items a - j.
>
> l\. [Indirect Charges (Overhead)]{.underline}. Indirect cost/general
> and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and
> proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles
> applicable to the Applicant\'s organization. If the Applicant has
> separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each
> charge should be shown.
>
> m\. [Amount proposed]{.underline}. Total items k and l.

**Award Administration Information**

Award recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations
of the grant/cooperative agreements and sub-award supported activities
to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements, and that
performance goals are being achieved. Recipient monitoring must cover
each program, function or activity.

## The following reports will be required from all award recipients:

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Report**                          **Due Dates**

  Performance Report                  On or before 90 working days after
                                      the expiration of the agreement

  Quarterly SF-272 Federal Cash       On or before 15 working days after
  Transactions Report                 the end of each three-month
                                      performance period

  SF-269 Financial Status Report      On or before 90 working days after
                                      the expiration of the agreement
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

## [Performance Report:]{.underline} Recipients of awards under this program are responsible for managing and monitoring the project, program, sub-award, function or activity supported by the award. Performance reports shall generally contain brief information on each of the following:

> \(1\) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and
> objectives established for the period.

\(2\) Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.

(3) Other pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis
    and explanation of unexpectedly high cost items.

> [Federal Cash Transactions Report:]{.underline} The award recipient
> shall submit the SF-272 Federal Cash Transactions Report in order for
> the USGS Contracting Officer and Project Officer to monitor cash
> advanced to the award recipient, and to obtain disbursement
> information about the grant/cooperative agreement. Copies of the
> SF-269 form can be obtained from the following web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.

## [Method of Payment:]{.underline}

> The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is using the Department of Health
> and Human Services (DHHS) Payment Management System (PMS), Division of
> Payment Management of the Financial Management Service, Program
> Support Center, to provide electronic invoicing and payment for
> assistance award recipients. The Recipient must either have an
> established account or will establish an account with PMS at the time
> of award of the agreement. With the award of each grant/cooperative
> agreement, a sub-account will be set up from which the Recipient can
> draw down funds. The DHHS will forward instructions for obtaining
> payments to the recipients. Inquiries regarding this payment system
> should be directed to:
>
> Division of Payment Management
>
> Department of Health and Human Services
>
> P.O. Box 6021
>
> Rockville, MD 20852

The Division of Payment Management web address is
[www.dpm.psc.gov](http://www.dpm.psc.gov/).

> [Financial Report (SF-269):]{.underline} Each award recipient shall
> use the SF-269 or SF-269A to report the status of funds at the end of
> the project (projects shall not exceed one year). Copies of the SF-269
> form can be obtained from the following web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.

> Financial information shall be reported on an accrual basis. However,
> if the recipient's accounting records are not normally kept on an
> accrual basis, the recipient shall not be required to convert its
> accounting system, but shall develop such accrual information through
> best estimates, based on an analysis of the documentation on hand.

## 

## *Agency Contact*

Faith D. Graves fgraves@usgs.gov