OpportunityTitle: Science Applications-Texas A&amp;M GCCESU
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: The Texas A&amp;M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) is host of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GCCESU).  IRNR is a unit of Texas AgriLife Research and Extension. The Institute&apos;s purpose is to support natural resource needs through interdisciplinary research and technology transfer, policy and economic analyses, and stakeholder engagement.  Programs at IRNR integrate science, policy, and management through effective outreach and engagement with land managers and policy-makers.  IRNR coordinates and manages research and extension efforts addressing high-priority natural resource issues.    The GCCESU is part of the national CESU network covering 17 biogeographic regions.  The GCCESU serves seven states from Texas to Florida as a vehicle for increasing the availability of working collaborations and the quality of research projects within and beyond the region.  This network provides a platform for partners from universities, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) to collaborate in order to conduct research, provide education and outreach, and share technical assistance.  A primary focus of the GCCESU is translational research and projects of regional significance.  There are currently 41 partners within the GCCESU including 11 federal agencies, 27 universities, and 3 NGOs.    The Service and the GCCESU recognize the need for facilitation of multi-state and international conservation science centered on fish and wildlife populations and habitat conservation and management consistent with a landscape conservation approach. This agreement is designed to support the overall goal of the Gulf Coast Prairie LCC to facilitate conservation science within its geographic area and to enhance communication among partners in setting common goals and assessing common science needs.  Funded work may include science needs assessments, ecological planning, conservation design, monitoring, research, information management and communication.
Description: This agreement is being implemented in order to initiate cooperation with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GCCESU) as described in FWS agreement #813328J019. The Texas A&amp;M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR) is host of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (GCCESU). The objective is to engage the GCCESU, represented by IRNR (Recipient), to work together with the Service to furnish the necessary personnel, materials and services, and conduct tasks necessary to facilitate communication and conservation science through the Gulf Coast Prairie LCC and existing partnerships in the Southwest region. All actions carried out under this agreement will be mutually agreed upon by the GCP LCC Coordinator (representing the Steering Committee) and IRNR (representing the GCCESU) before implementation. Specific tasks will be determined as mutually agreed upon by both parties (GCCESU and the Service) and as described in future GCP LCC Steering Committee priorities, goals, and objectives. (If a mutually agreeable program of work is not identified, then this agreement will be subject to cancellation.) This project will benefit the public by defining high priority science needs and science projects to aid in the conservation of fish and wildlife and habitats. Conservation of trust wildlife species is one of the responsibilities the public has charged Federal, state and tribal governments and the goal is best achieved through science-based decision-making and cooperation with a wide variety of partners.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: help desk
GrantorContactText: Melanie  Dabovich &lt;br/&gt;SCI Executive Assistant &lt;br/&gt;Melanie_Dabovich@fws.gov &lt;br/&gt;505-248-6277