[PCA] FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species 2023

[Lindquist, Anna E]

Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species 2023
https://www.challenge.gov/?challenge=tr-genius-prize-competition-on-management-of-invasive-species-2023

Deadline: 6/27/2023

Description:

Invasive species are non-native species that cause harm to native ecosystems, human health, or the economy. They affect all habitats, terrestrial and aquatic. Well-known examples include zebra mussels, feral swine, lionfish, the fungus which causes white-nose syndrome, invasive carp, aquatic and terrestrial weeds, and pythons. One characteristic of invasive species is that they reproduce and spread rapidly, often out-competing native species. This often makes them challenging to control. Preventing new invasions is the most effective strategy. However, managers often need more tools to restrict invasive species' inadvertent movement through commerce.

For example, the introduction and subsequent rapid spread of medusahead grass have caused serious management concerns because of its swift migration, vigorous competitive nature, and low forage value. In 2020, annual grasses dominated approximately one-fifth (>19 million acres) of Great Basin rangelands. This rapid expansion was associated with a broadening topographic niche, with widespread movement into higher elevations and north-facing aspects consistent with the predicted effects of a warming climate. (The elevational ascent and spread of exotic annual grass dominance in the Great Basin, USA - Smith - 2022 - Diversity and Distributions - Wiley Online Library<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.13440>) This continues to be a dominant challenge in the western U.S., as indicated by the current Western Weed Action Plan, which states: "One of the most pervasive challenges/opportunities to the long-term viability of this landscape (western United States) is the spread of invasive annual grasses and regulated noxious weeds, and their role in altering natural ecosystem dynamics, including increasing wildfire frequency, intensity, and size, particularly in the Great Basin region and critical sage-grouse habitat." (https://westernweed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/WesternWeedActionPlan.pdf)
Keeping invasive grasses out of un-infested habitats is a central tactic of the 2022 Sagebrush Conservation Design and similar strategies. However, managers often need more tools to prevent and control the spread of invasive grasses.

The movement of plants and other horticultural products also serves as a significant pathway for spreading new invasive animal species (including insects) into and within the United States. Coqui frogs and spotted lanternflies are two examples of ecologically and economically harmful species recently found in nursery products transported between current infestations and uninvaded areas. Although existing regulatory and education programs reduce some risk, these ongoing interceptions illustrate that new solutions are needed to improve the prevention of unintentional animal species moving into new habitats and regions through the horticultural trade.

To win: the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species, participants must submit their solution that addresses the issue through one of these high-priority focal areas:

a) Invasive Grasses: A solution that provides land managers with new methods, tools, and strategies to help prevent and reduce the spread of invasive grasses and conserve our native ecosystems. Although solutions may be species-specific, we prefer they address multiple species.

b) Horticulture Pathway: A solution that reduces or prevents inadvertent movement of invasive animal species (including insects) by targeting transmission pathways associated with plant nursery trade and other commercial horticulture activities.



Amount of the Prize: The total prize purse from the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize Competition for Management of Invasive Species is up to $100,000 for winning technology innovation(s). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may recognize additional participants with non-monetary, honorable mention awards.

Award Approving Official: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director will be the award Approving Official for prizes offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Statutory Authority to Conduct the Prize Competition: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the Management of Invasive Species was established to encourage technological innovation with the potential to advance the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with respect to the managing of invasive species and to award one or more prizes annually for a technological advancement that manages invasive species. (P.L. 116-9; as amended, 15 U.S.C. 3719, as amended).



Anna Lindquist

she/her/hers

Botanical Communications Manager

Bureau of Land Management - contractor

Currently working from home - contact me for my cell #


I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.


National Seed Strategy<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>

Plant Conservation Alliance<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy/pca>

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