Group items tagged

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for master's and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and all other science, engineering, social science, and resource management disciplines involving ocean and coastal areas, and particularly encourages women and members of minority groups to apply. Individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or citizens of U.S. territories, and are applying to or have been accepted to a graduate program at a U.S. accredited institution, may apply. Prospective scholars do not need to be enrolled in a graduate program at the time of application, but must be admitted to a graduate level program in order to be awarded this scholarship. Scholarship selections are based on academic excellence, letters of recommendations, research and career goals, and financial need. Applicants must have a cumulative 3.30 grade point average to be eligible to apply and maintain a minimum cumulative and term grade point average of 3.30 for every term and for the duration of their award. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships may provide, subject to appropriations, yearly support of up to $42,000 per student (a 12-month stipend of $30,000 in addition to an education allowance of up to $12,000) and up to $10,000 of support for a 4-6 week program collaboration at a NOAA facility. Based on available funding, completion of one (1) program collaboration may be required for every doctoral scholarship award, with a second recommended, but not required. For master's degree level scholars, completion of a program collaboration is strongly recommended but is not required. The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship funds cannot be used toward research costs.

This study will allow park managers to identify and focus protection on sustainable areas of the spruce-fir ecosystem, more accurately interpret existing air- and water-quality and ecosystem monitoring data, plan prescribed fires and responses to wildland fires, direct efforts against invasive species, and prepare for flood and landslide events and the impacts on park infrastructure and resources.

The Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALL) is currently undergoing a landscape restoration project, funded under the DOI Resilient Landscapes program, to restore natural fire regimes to the forest and grassland watersheds on the Preserve. Large-scale restoration efforts involve forest thinning to reduce fuel loads, and prescribed and managed fires to further eliminate fuels and allow for natural fire regimes to return to the landscape. Fires can have varying impacts on watershed function, particularly with respect to water quality and discharge amounts and timing. Post-fire flash floods can result if watersheds are burned severely. VALL has been subjected to two recent large-scale uncharacteristic wildfires (the 2011 Las Conchas fire, and the 2013 Thompson Ridge fire), which led to multiple post-fire flash floods and subsequent damage to fisheries and aquatic macro-invertebrate communities on severely-burned watersheds. While fish and invertebrate communities are currently recovering, ongoing restoration efforts using prescribed fires may continue to impact these biological resources. The goal of the proposed work will be to monitor and characterize response and rate of recovery of the aquatic systems subjected to wildfire and restoration activities throughout the VALL.

The AAC Cornerstone Conservation Grant, powered by REI, formally launched in 2011 with the goal of funding projects to improve, conserve, and protect local climbing resources across the country. Since that first year, we have awarded nearly $205,000 to local climbing organizations (LCOs), land managers and agencies, nonprofits, and individuals for projects as varied as building or improving trail networks to climbing areas; establishing new toilet facilities and signage at trailheads; and deploying a variety of community groups for clean-up and graffiti removal at local crags.

U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership (USASCP) Water-Smart Exchanges (WiSE) program will pair cities in the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), water districts, and utilities with counterparts in the United States to expand the adoption of new technologies and innovative approaches to modernize and improve the management of water resources in order to improve water quality and to strengthen water security, sustainability and resiliency.

Since 1996, the Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund (CSF) has provided important assistance to conservation biologists involved in an array of wildlife conservation projects both here and abroad. Riverbanks supports this mission in many ways including conserving biodiversity through careful utilization of available resources. The Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund was created to provide financial assistance for conservation-oriented projects/programs that promote preservation of the Earth's biodiversity. Riverbanks encourages the submission of projects that have the potential for broad-based conservation and/or management impact.

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), P.L. 114-322, was enacted in December of 2016 to address water resources infrastructure that is critical to the Nation's economic growth, health, and competitiveness. Section 4009(c) of Subtitle J of WIIN includes amendments to Reclamation's Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program (Title XVI), established by P.L. 102-575 in 1992. Prior to the enactment of WIIN, funding for water recycling project construction could only be provided for congressionally authorized Title XVI projects. The WIIN amendments will allow new water recycling projects to be eligible to receive Federal funding Water recycling is an essential tool in stretching the limited water supplies in the Western United States. Title XVI water recycling projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply. These projects provide growing communities with new sources of clean water while promoting water and energy efficiency and environmental stewardship and increase water management flexibility, making our water supply more resilient. Title XVI water recycling projects are an important part of the WaterSMART Program. For further information on the WaterSMART Program, see www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART.

Background: The National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020 outlines a coordinated approach to establish a national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana/Dakotas has partnered in the past with non-governmental organizations to help in the development of locally adapted plant materials. Objectives: Develop locally adapted native plant materials including seed and seedling resources for public land restoration or lands adjacent to public lands. Tasks under this project include but are not limited to: 1. Providing seed and seedlings 2. Cleaning of small wild collected lots of seed Public Benefit: The public will benefit because the project provides locally adapted seed and seedlings for habitat restoration, which in turn creates more habitat for hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities. These plant materials will be available to partners for use in restoration on public, private, and tribal lands.

The Amazon plays a major role in regulating regional and global climate. Some models suggest that if the Amazon experiences 20 percent to 25 percent deforestation, some forested areas would convert to tropical savanna, impacting global climatic stability. Deforestation is currently at 17 percent, making the Amazon's protection and management critical for both the people who call it home and for the rest of the planet. Long-term protection of the Amazon requires active participation and leadership from the communities that live within and near it. These communities are often deeply reliant on forest resources and also often have an intricate understanding of local ecological relationships that can influence the success of conservation efforts. Numerous studies have found that lower levels of deforestation are associated with Indigenous territories versus other protected areas. Sustainable forest conservation requires empowering and supporting these communities, enabling them to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation efforts while also improving their own lives and futures.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of up to $15 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. On-farm conservation research is defined as an investigation conducted to answer a specific applied conservation question using a statistically valid design while employing farm-scale equipment on farms, ranches, or private forest lands.

This is a twelve-month position, working with the NPS Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN) as a member of a team that conducts field-oriented natural resources monitoring. Principal duties are assisting with field data collection, data management and related laboratory testing for the Networkâ¿¿s water quality monitoring program. Other duties may include assisting with freshwater mussel and vegetation monitoring.

Develop and implement two Vermont Youth Conservation Community Corps crews. Crews will consist of six crew members and two crew leaders and will work for four weeks. The crews will address critical resource management projects while offering local young adults opportunities to explore concepts in conservation stewardship, leadership, and work skills.

LCC's are fundamental units of planning and science capacity to help implement strategic landscape-scale conservation. The CA LCC undertakes its work by supporting collaborative conservation planning efforts, meeting critical science needs for resource managers and developing training and webinars.

Duties are mainly assisting with field data collection and related data management for the Networksâ¿¿ vegetation and water quality monitoring programs. Other duties may include assisting with early detection of invasive plants, and with monitoring air quality, freshwater mussels and cave resources.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Region, is seeking proposals under the Marine Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN), for research and development projects that optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial), including fishery biology, resources assessment, socio-economic assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and processing. This program addresses NOAA's mission goal "Healthy Oceans."

Recipients will provide support to the Natural Resourceprograms at Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Joint Base Andrews InstallationSupport Section Air Force. The recipientwill provided evaluation, management and treatment of invasive species, forestedareas, and wildlife survey as outlined in the Integrated Natural ResourcesManagement Plan (INRMP). Severalinvasive plant species impact various military missions including training andforce protection, reduces biodiversity, and impacts long-term land sustainment.

The BLM is seeking a partnership with a State of Nevada department to collaborate with whose interest and expertise is to improve wildland vegetation conditions for the benefit of wildlife in Eastern Nevada. The recipient would combine their resources, contributed funds or in-kind contributions to advise, monitor and implement projects that benefit wildlife in Nevada.

Oregon is recognized both nationally and internationally for providing a wide range of quality recreational opportunities. These recreation opportunities and resources are frequently cited as a vital component of the high quality of life that the region is known for. Additionally, the state Economic and Community Development Department identifies tourism and outdoor recreation as vital components of the state economy on par with manufacturing, timber and agriculture. BLM-administered lands in Oregon/Washington have seen a 20 percent increase in outdoor recreation demand within the last five years. Increased demand for non-motorized and motorized trail based opportunities has resulted in impacts being experienced that require additional planning and development.

Expand wildlife hunting and viewing opportunities and increase access; work with State agencies to meet wildlife population objectives; work with rural communities to enhance economic opportunities related to wildlife; work to enhance habitat for upland game, waterfowl, big game and watchable wildlife; provide employment opportunities for youths and veterans; provide consistent data to streamline energy and grazing permitting, and land use planning; partner with conservation stewardship organizations to increase habitat quality.

The BLM Oregon/Washington (OR/WA) Wildlife Program helps ensure self-sustaining populations and a natural abundance and diversity of wildlife on public lands for the enjoyment and use of present and future generations. The Program is responsible for maintaining, restoring, and conserving species and their habitats in cooperation with the Federal and State wildlife agencies, and other partner organizations. BLM-administered public lands are home to thousands of mammal, reptile, avian, amphibian, and invertebrate species over some of our nation¿s most ecologically diverse and essential habitat. The BLM will work with partners and maintain close collaboration with States, Tribes, other Federal agencies, and other organizations in conserving and restoring wildlife habitats to support wildlife and wildlife uses under a shared conservation stewardship approach. The BLM uses the latest geospatial data technologies to share wildlife and wildlife data within BLM and with partners to work more efficiently.