The mission of Canyonlands Natural History Association is to assist the educational and scientific research efforts of the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the USDA Forest Service in southeastern Utah.
The Discovery Pool was established by CNHA on April 5, 2006 to provide our federal partners with financial support for eligible scientific studies conducted within their administrative boundaries. The funding for these grants comes in part from Memberships, retail outlet sales, and from private, tax-deductible donations.
Current Projects:
Discovery Pool Granting for 2008 Watch for these upcoming Newsletters on the Discovery Pool Grants
- National Park Service: $15,000 - Canyonlands Maze District, Bighorn Sheep, Collaring Project
- Bureau of Land Management: $7,000 - Utah State University, Aquatic Invertebrate Surveys in Canyonlands on the Desolation and Grey Canyons River (pre-dam vs. current condition)
- National Park Service: $10,000 - Biology Department Mesa State College, Assessment of Biological and physical Relationships of Springs, Seeps, and Hanging Garden Ecosystems Across a Gradient of Human Impacts
- National Park Service: $15,000 - Bud Turner private contractor, Multi Spectral Imaging Project of Canyonlands National Park Rock Art
- U.S. Forest Service: $2,400 - Mt. Peal Research Natural Area Alpine Vegetation Impact Assessment
- Bureau of Land Management: $15,000 - Comb Ridge Heritage Initiative Project, San Juan Corridor; Documenting a Threatened Cultural Landscape
- To make a donation to the Discovery Pool Program click here!
2007 Projects:
Goodman Point Archeological Project
Crow Canyon Archeological Center was awarded a grant for studying the Goodman Point unit of Hovenweep National Monument. This unit was the first prehistoric archeological site set aside for protection in the United States when it was withdrawn from homesteading in 1889. As a result, Goodman Point is one of the best preserved archeological areas anywhere in the world. Tree-ring dating is the most critical component of the project. These dates allow archaeologists to determine the exact years when buildings were constructed and remodeled. These dates also provide information about when the site was abandoned.
- Big Horn Sheep Collaring
The National Park Service is interested in maintaining a viable herd of Desert Bighorn sheep in areas of the park where sheep historically roamed. This includes the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. Data on population demographics and ecology will provide the scientific information needed for National Park and BLM managers to make informed decisions concerning management of this sensitive species.
Goals
The goals of the Discovery Pool grants are these:
- Encourage the scientific research that makes up the backbone of interpretive and educational programs, but not as a source of funding for either interpretation or educational programming.
- Provide matching funds that may assist federal partners in obtaining larger grants for work consistent with Goal 1.
- Provide funds directly to the federal partners so that all monies apply directly to the granting project and none are absorbed by a third party for administrative costs.
- Utilize funds generated from sources other than sales outlets situated at partner locations. Such sources may include, but are not limited to, web sales, warehouse wholesale, memberships, warehouse retail, and other sources as determined by the Board of Trustees.
- Promote an understanding of the intricate cultural and natural resource complexities found on federally administered lands.
To Apply for a Discovery Pool Grant
If you are a researcher interested in applying for a Discovery Pool Grant, please review the Discovery Pool Guidelines. The Guidelines describe application project qualifications, limitations, and the evaluation process.
If you have additional questions that are not addressed by the Guidelines, please contact us.
To Support Discovery Pool Grants
CNHA gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations towards our efforts to provide funding for scientific research. Please contact us for details.
