Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Cultural Resources Wildfire Risk Predictive Model Implementation at the Crater Lake and Oregon Caves National Parks

Project ID: P24AC00919

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Southern Oregon University

Fiscal Year: 2024

Initial Funding: $254,668

Total Funding: $254,668

National Park: Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve

Principal Investigator: Rose, Chelsea

Agreement Technical Representative: Germano, Vida

Abstract:

Project Objectives – Investigators from Southern Oregon University (SOU) and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following three objectives:

  1. Model Improvement: Assist YOSE staff in updating and testing the YOSE predictive models to provide a robust platform that other NPS units can plug standard data into to meet the survey predictive model goals of the project.
  2. Targeted Surveys: Complete targeted survey of cultural resources (archaeology, cultural landscapes, ethnographic resources, and historic structure) within ORCA and CRLA based on area defined by the predictive models. YOSE validation survey for predictive model will survey an estimated 5% of unsurveyed high fire risk area in YOSE. One of the goals of that validation will be to provide a recommendation for a local model validation survey protocol. This project will allocate a portion of survey coverage to a stratified random sample within high fire risk areas at ORCA and CRLA.
  3. Stabilization: Identify stabilization needs for archaeological sites and ethnographic resources identified in the targeted survey areas at ORCA and CRLA. NPS will incorporate these stabilization needs into the treatment planning standard operating procedure for the project.