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Kirkpatrick announces $2.1M grant for NAU

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Northern Arizona University will receive a $2.1 million award from the National Science Foundation for research on climate change and invasive species, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.

The award, which takes effect this month and totals $2,153,820, will fund a collaborative biodiversity project that aims to “transform how we think of foundation species and how they respond to major disturbances, along with the other plants, animals and insects they harbor.”

The project is expected to help land managers involved in conservation planning, provide teaching materials for educators and graduate students and expand outreach to the public on these topics.

The NSF says the project will look at “how temperature affects the diversity of life on earth. At the same time as the climate is rapidly changing though, there is also rapid expansion of highly invasive, exotic species that additionally threaten biodiversity by displacing native species. The combined effects present an enormous challenge to land managers, as they may threaten established ecosystems and undermine the services they provide to humans.”

Kirkpatrick noted, “Science and research play an important role in our local economy here in northern Arizona. I’m thrilled that NAU and our community will benefit from these new resources.”

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