National Park Service: Insights into Ancient Bison Management Grant

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬This project will provide a direct visitor benefit through science-based interpretation of the historic, current, and future status of bison herds from biological, archaeological, and cultural perspectives. We will evaluate genetic diversity, ancestry, and relatedness of living and historically significant bison using DNA data derived from tissues obtained from bison currently existing in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and from bone fragments representing many generations of historic bison herds in North Dakota. A graduate student will complete DNA extraction, amplification, and quantitative analyses, and findings will be used to educate visitors through web-based pod casts, park interpretive programs, and classroom presentations. Work will begin in January 2016 and end in September 2018 and will involve youth workers for graduate research and through volunteer internships aimed at disseminating interpretive information.
The Recipient is a member of the Great Plains CESU who was awarded a Master Cooperative Agreement H6000110100 allowing the University of North Dakota (UND) to participate in specific tasks, and can provide the necessary activities involved in this particular task while providing an effective outcome for NPS and the objectives of this research/educational project.