OpportunityTitle: Conduct AIS Public Education Along Lake Superior&apos;s North Shore, GLRI #88
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: This is a &quot;Noice of Intent&quot; of a single source task agreement award to University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program, Duluth, MN under the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).  The principle investigator (PI) has a unique capability that is important to the development and dissemination of aquatic invasive species (AIS) public education programming on Minnesota&#239;&#191;&#189;s North Shore.  The PI is currently the only aquatic invasives education specialist working full time in the North Shore area and has unique capabilities in terms of research, design, publication, and dissemination of scientifically-accurate AIS materials. The PI is also the area coordinator for the &#239;&#191;&#189;Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!&#239;&#191;&#189; public information campaign, which is currently the leading multi-agency effort in AIS education on Lake Superior. It is clearly in the best interests of the National Park Service (NPS) to partner with this uniquely qualified cooperator in order to capitalize on the vast existing body of information, experience, and publications which are available, rather than trying to restart a North Shore AIS education effort from scratch.  The PI possesses not only extremely specialized knowledge, but also has access to university communications, science education, and graphics staff who are skilled and experienced at converting specialized scientific knowledge into compelling public education messages.  The cooperator&#239;&#191;&#189;s commitment to the project entails substantial in-kind contribution of university staff time and office space, and cost-sharing on university vehicle usage, travel, and publications. Importantly, the PI is not seeking individual compensation for his role in the project: all programmed NPS funds will be used to support project-dedicated staff and cooperative efforts.
Description: This agreement seeks to synthesize available knowledge about AIS threats to the Lake Superior basin, and to publish and disseminate this knowledge through a variety of public education channels in order to aid in the control and prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS). In particular, the project is meant to support AIS management at Grand Portage National Monument (GRPO), which will also benefit adjacent national park areas such as Isle Royale National Park (ISRO) (approximately 1/3 of the users of ISRO pass through GRPO by boat, presenting an important opportunity for NPS to intercept AIS and to educate potential hosts). National park units around Lake Superior are working in concert to both control AIS, as well as to educate park visitors and the general public about ways they can help in this effort (including such simple things as washing boats and fishing gear before bringing them into park areas). This project is funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Help Desk
GrantorContactText: Tonya Bradley &lt;br/&gt;Contract Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 402-661-1656