Inquiring Systems Inc

EAGER: ANALYZING THE LONG-TERM SOIL BIOGEOCHEMISTRY IMPACTS OF PLANTATION AGRICULTURE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ANTHROPOCENE THROUGH COMMUNITY-ENGAGED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION -TROPICAL FORESTS STORE 37% OF GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL CARBON (C) AND CONTAIN UP TO TWO-THIRDS OF THE WORLD?S BIODIVERSITY, BUT THESE IMPORTANT EARTH SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ARE INCREASINGLY THREATENED BY DEFORESTATION AND AGRICULTURAL LAND-USE CHANGE. THE REGENERATION OF SECONDARY FORESTS ON ABANDONED AGRICULTURAL LAND PROVIDES A PROMISING AVENUE TOWARDS PRESERVING THESE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS; HOWEVER, SECONDARY TROPICAL FORESTS EXHIBIT HIGH SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN THEIR RECOVERY OF SOIL C STOCKS, PLANT BIOMASS, AND PLANT COMMUNITY COMPOSITION THAT CANNOT BE FULLY EXPLAINED BY COMMON ENVIRONMENTAL COVARIATES (E.G., CLIMATE DRIVERS, TOPOGRAPHY, FOREST AGE). MODERN LAND-USE LEGACY EFFECTS ACCOUNT FOR AN ADDITIONAL PORTION OF THIS VARIATION; HOWEVER, MOST STUDIES TO-DATE HAVE FOCUSED ON LAND-USE IMPACTS OF THE LAST 50-100 YEARS, IGNORING A CRITICAL PERIOD OF LAND-USE CHANGE AND INTENSIVE ECOSYSTEM DISTURBANCE WITHIN THE TROPICS: COLONIAL PLANTATION AGRICULTURE FACILITATED BY THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE. THIS RESEARCH AIMS TO CHARACTERIZE THE ECOLOGICAL LEGACY EFFECTS OF COLONIAL PLANTATION AGRICULTURE ON TROPICAL SOILS OF ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, A SMALL CARIBBEAN ISLAND THAT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DEFORESTED IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES AND TRANSFORMED INTO A DANISH COLONIAL SUGARCANE COLONY. USING A STRATEGIC STUDY DESIGN INFORMED BY ECOLOGICAL GRADIENT ANALYSIS, AND ARCHIVAL DATA AND METHODS FROM HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, THE PI TEAM WILL EMPLOY A SAMPLING SCHEME ACROSS FORMER PLANTATION ESTATES THAT SPAN A GRADIENT OF DISTURBANCE INTENSITY VALUES, MEASURING TOTAL SOIL C STOCKS, METRICS OF SOIL C STABILITY, AND ISOTOPIC SIGNATURES OF SOIL AND PLANT LEAF WAXES. FROM THESE MEASUREMENTS, THE INTENSITY AND DURATION OF PLANTATION AGRICULTURE WILL BE EVALUATED TO SEE HOW IT INFLUENCED SOIL CARBON STORAGE AND STABILITY, WITH POTENTIAL FEEDBACKS TO FOREST SUCCESSIONAL TRAJECTORIES AND PLANT COMMUNITY COMPOSITION. TROPICAL FORESTS STORE OVER A THIRD OF THE EARTH?S LAND CARBON (C), PREVENTING THE RELEASE OF CLIMATE-WARMING CO2 INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. FOREST CLEARING FOR AGRICULTURE IS A MAJOR HUMAN LAND USE ACTIVITY THAT REDUCES THE STORAGE OF FOREST C AND CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL WARMING. FOREST REGENERATION ON ABANDONED AGRICULTURAL LANDS APPEARS TO HELP SEQUESTER C AND MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE; HOWEVER, FORESTS ARE NOT REGENERATING CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE TROPICS. AGRICULTURAL PLANTATIONS DOMINATED THE TROPICAL LANDSCAPES OF THE CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN TROPICS FROM THE 1700-1800S, AND HISTORICAL RECORDS SUGGEST THEY CAUSED WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO SOILS AND ECOSYSTEMS OF THIS REGION. THIS RESEARCH PROJECT AIMS TO EVALUATE HOW THIS HISTORICAL FORM OF LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMATION MAY HAVE AFFECTED PAST SOIL C STORAGE AND THE ABILITY OF THESE FOREST SOILS TO SERVE AS C SINKS IN THE PRESENT, AND INTO THE FUTURE. FURTHERMORE, THIS RESEARCH IS AMONG THE FIRST TO DETECT THE BIOPHYSICAL LEGACY EFFECTS AND PRESENT IMPLICATIONS OF AN HISTORICAL HUMAN LAND USE ACTIVITY THAT WAS UNDERPINNED BY THE LONG-TERM HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES OF THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE. MINIMIZING LOSSES OF SOIL C AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE FOREST SOILS ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO FURTHER C LOSS IS SIGNIFICANT FOR MITIGATING THE HEALTH AND SECURITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CURRENT AND FUTURE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. THIS PROJECT IS CO-SUPPORTED BY THE RISE/GOLDEN AND EAR/GLD PROGRAMS IN THE DIRECTORATE FOR GEOSCIENCES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** TO EFFICIENTLY ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY NEEDS DURING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, GOVERNMENT AND SECULAR AGENCIES MUST BE AWARE OF AVAILABLE COMMUNITY ASSETS AT A LOCAL (NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY) LEVEL. THESE ASSETS INCLUDE COMMERCIAL KITCHENS, AND FOOD STORAGE FACILITIES AT SITES OWNED BY FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT OUTREACH, TRAININGS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND A CONFERENCE FOCUSING ON RESEARCH AND EXTENSION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR HOW THE FAITH COMMUNITY CAN USE ITS ASSETS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SECULAR AGENCIES TO FACILITATE FOOD SECURITY DURING WEATHER DISASTERS. THE PROJECT WILL RESEARCH AND PUBLISH DETAILS OF AT LEAST 100 FACILITIES THAT FAITH COMMUNITIES WILL COMMIT TO MAKE SITES AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS FOOD ACCESS DURING EXTREME WEATHER DISASTERS IN 8 CALIFORNIA COUNTIES.TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND WORKSHOPS PROVIDED THROUGH THE PROJECT WILL FACILITATE: FOOD DISTRIBUTION, SECURING RESOURCES TO IMPROVE SITE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PREPARATION AND STORAGE; FARMWORKER WELFARE DURING A DISASTER (E.G. SMOKE INHALATION WHILE HARVESTING); DISASTER SNAP ENROLLMENT, AND ADDRESSING RELIGIOUS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS DURING DISASTER FOOD DISTRIBUTION. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL RESULT IN INCREASED ENSURING ACCESS TO FAITH-COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING: A. DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE SITES FOR FOOD; B. COMMERCIAL KITCHENS FOR MEAL PREPARATION AND STORAGE DURING FLOOD AND FIRE EMERGENCIES. THE TARGET AREA INCLUDES 8 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA COUNTIES, WITH A FOCUS ON THE NORTH SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. IN ADDITION TO ONGOING DROUGHT, THE AREA HAS EXPERIENCED FLOOD AND FIRE EVENTS REPEATEDLY FROM EARLY 2023 FLOODING TO THE 2017 FIRES THAT DESTROYED SOME 8,400 HOMES AND BUILDINGS. THE PROJECT WILL RESPOND TO RECENT FLOODING AND THE SUBSEQUENT WEATHER RELATED EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS BY CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNOR 1/31/24 AND 2/4/24. BEST PRACTICES PUBLICATIONS DEVELOPED THROUGH THE PROJECT WILL BE BASED IN PART ON LESSONS FROM A BROADER AREA IMPACTED BY WEATHER DISASTERS (E.G. BUTTE COUNTY, SAN DIEGO FEDERAL DECLARATION 2/19/24). THE PROJECT EXTENSION WORK, AND SPECIFICALLY THE CONFERENCE, WILL FOCUS ON THREE TARGET AUDIENCES THAT OFTEN DO NOT INTERACT: SECULAR FOOD SYSTEMS ADVOCATES; FAITH-COMMUNITY FOOC ACCESS PROGRAM LEADERS; AND FARMERS. THE CONFERENCE WILL INCLUDE TOURS OF DIVERSE MODELS OF FAITH GROUPS OFFERING COMMERCIAL KITCHENS FOR MEAL PREPARATION AND STORAGE AS PART OF DISASTER RESPONSE.

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REDUCE WASTE, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL USAGE, AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY ENGAGING EAST HAWAI#699;I SCHOOLS IN ADVANCING SOURCE REDUCTION PRACTICES. IT COMBINES A CULTURE-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL STAFF TO PROMOTE THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF REUSABLE FOODWARE SYSTEMS. THIS INITIATIVE HONORS AND ENHANCES HAWAIIAN TRADITIONS OF LAND STEWARDSHIP AND AGRICULTURE, ALIGNING WITH THE CURRENT MOVEMENT TOWARD NATIVE LAND USE PRACTICES. THE PROJECT SEEKS TO SHIFT PERSPECTIVES ON DISPOSABLE ITEMS, SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD INITIATIVES, AND BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE MODERN-DAY CONCEPTS OF SOURCE REDUCTION AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES THAT RESONATE WITH HAWAI#699;I COMMUNITIES. THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH FOCUSES ON FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AMONG STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY, LEADING TO IMPROVED SOURCE REDUCTION PRACTICES IN EAST HAWAI#699;I AND A LONG-TERM SHIFT IN BEHAVIOR AT BOTH THE INSTITUTIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEVELS. THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT PROVIDES PARTIAL FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,000.00. PRE-AWARD COSTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BACK TO 01/01/2025.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING WITH SCHOOLS AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, 5 WASTE AUDITS, 20 SCHOOL SITE VISITS TO EVALUATE CAFETERIA OPERATIONS AND DISPOSABLE FOODWARE USAGE, TOOLKIT PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION, DEVELOPMENT OF A REUSABLE FOODWARE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON HAWAIIAN LAND STEWARDSHIP VALUES, 20 SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES, AND 6 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS WITH LOCAL FARMERS. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:INQUIRING SYSTEMS, INC. (ISI) IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT AND ZERO WASTE HAWAI'I ISLAND IS A PROJECT/PROGRAM OF ISI. INQUIRING SYSTEMS INC (ISI) AND ZERO WASTE HAWAII ISLAND (ZWHI) WILL PROVIDE WASTE AUDIT SERVICES AND SOURCE REDUCTION ASSISTANCE TO 5 SCHOOLS IN EAST HAWAI#699;I, INCLUDING FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS FOR OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. ISI AND ZWHI WILL ASSESS CAFETERIA OPERATIONS AND FOODWARE PRACTICES THROUGH VISITS AND INTERVIEWS AT 20 REGIONAL SCHOOLS. ADDITIONALLY, ISI AND ZWHI WILL PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE SOURCE REDUCTION VIDEOS AND PAMPHLETS TAILORED FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE/CUSTODIAL STAFF ACROSS THE 55 SCHOOLS ISLAND-WIDE. A REUSABLE FOODWARE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WILL BE FORMULATED FOR AT LEAST 20 SCHOOLS, DETAILING COST-BENEFIT ANALYSES, LOGISTICS, AND AN OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR INTEGRATING WITH THE LARGER REUSABLE FOODWARE SYSTEM IN HILO, AND DOCUMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS. ISI AND ZWHI WILL ALSO HOST 20 SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES AND CONDUCT SIX AGRICULTURE WORKSHOPS IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL FARMS. AN 'ALOHA #699;#256;INA' EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM TOOLKIT WILL BE CREATED AND DISTRIBUTED COUNTYWIDE. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROJECT, ISI AND ZWHI WILL DOCUMENT THE NUMBER OF ASSISTANCE VISITS, THE TYPE AND NUMBER OF OUTREACH MATERIALS DEVELOPED AND DISTRIBUTED, AND THE IMPACT OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSEMBLIES AND WORKSHOPS. THE BENEFICIARIES ARE SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF, FAMILIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ISI AND ZWHI STAFF.