CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 3 WHY CONDUCT RESEARCH AT CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK? 4 Since 1916 Crater Lake National Park has been managed ... to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for their use in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES 5 APPLICATION PROCEDURES 12 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 12 Preserving a national park is difficult. The complex interactions of natural ecosystems and our social systems are often in conflict. Our management decisions must not only serve the needs of a constantly changing society, but must also recognize the dynamics of natural ecosystems. Without a fundamental understanding of our natural resources and social systems and their interactions, managers run the risk of making improper decisions, which may threaten long-term preservation of a park. We intend to investigate the resources in our charge through comprehensive inventory and monitoring and to study their interrelationships to learn about natural variation and ecosystem function. Armed with scientific data, we can make informed management decisions and prevent many conflicts before they arise. National Park Service, 1999