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The goal of the Kushlan Research Award in Ciconiiform Biology and Conservation is to encourage significant scientific advances in the biology, ecology, or conservation biology of wading birds (i.e. herons, storks, ibises, and their taxonomic allies). The grants committee currently solicits proposals that focus on: Species relationships within the group The status, range, and population sizes of little-known species of Ciconiiformes

The Pamela and Alexander F. Skutch Research Award supports minimally invasive research into the life histories, especially social relations and reproduction, of little known birds of the continental Neotropics, including Trinidad and Tobago.

The purpose of this project is to protect and restore 59 acres of lowland wet forest in the Lower Limahuli Preserve (LLP) and to conduct rare plant restoration in the ungulate-free Upper Limahuli Preserve (ULP) on the island of Kauai to benefit native plants, birds, and forest invertebrate resources. In the LLP, the restoration effort will entail the installation of approximately 4,100 feet of strategic lineal fencing that will restrict feral pigs from accessing the forest and restoration project area. In the ULP, the restoration effort will involve the establishment and protection of reproducing populations of three PEP species that are declining and considered species at high risk of imminent extinction (HRIE) on approximately 100 acres. The project area is owned by the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) and they will be providing $13,600 in in-kind contributions for the project. NTBG, a 501(c) (3) institution, is the most appropriate organization to implement this agreement as they own the land and have been a key and leading organization for the collection of endemic Hawaiian propagules and growing endemic Hawaiian plants for the past 20 years. The USFWS will provide Recovery Program funds for this project. This project will benefit the public by maintaining trust resources and Kauai¿s native biodiversity.

To enhance the knowledge of bats, birds, and small mammals which reside in the wooded draws.

The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for surveys of nesting Inyo California towhees (Pipilo crissalis eremophilus), a Federally listed threatened species and for in-fill surveys of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS China Lake) as discussed in the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) dated September 2000. The Inyo towhee nests on the installation primarily in riparian areas (springs and riparian corridors) on the eastern side of the North Range. Some of these areas are designated as critical habitat for the towhee. Nesting surveys will be focused on selected sites within this area of the installation. The findings of this effort will provide information on nesting bird numbers that will aid in conservation of this species, support the INRMP update, and provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with valuable information to aid with a potential delisting of the species. In contrast to towhees, desert tortoises occupy much of the habitat on the installation. Since tortoise densities have not been established for much of this habitat, the focus of this effort would be to begin in-fill surveys of areas that have not been previously surveyed for tortoise and to populate a tortoise tracking database to incorporate annual in-fill surveys and future impromptu or project-specific surveys. These surveys shall follow presence/absence survey protocols established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. One goal is to improve habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. Using funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program anticipates funding wetland and associated upland habitat restoration and enhancement projects for conservation of native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Restoration projects will be completed on privately owned (nonfederal/nonstate) lands. Emphasis will be placed on, but not limited to, completing projects within the watersheds of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. In the Great Lakes, PFW biologists from eight states coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and other Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. 

The purpose of the BRAG program is to support the generation of new information that will assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about the effects of introducing into the environment genetically engineered organisms (GE), including plants, microorganisms (including fungi, bacteria, and viruses), arthropods, fish, birds, mammals and other animals excluding humans. Investigations of effects on both managed and natural environments are relevant. The BRAG program accomplishes its purpose by providing Federal regulatory agencies with scientific information relevant to regulatory issues. 

The U.S. Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. A 1:1 match is required. Research funding is ineligible.

Washington State University has been working with the BLM since 2009 to study habitat selection and movement patterns of translocated sage and sharp-tailed grouse in Lincoln County, Washington. Vegetation maps of the translocation area have been jointly developed by WSU and BLM to provide a detailed habitat layer from which to base habitat selection models. In 2013 a Master's thesis on habitat selection of translocated grouse was published by WSU (Stonehouse 2013). Currently WSU has begun analyzing grouse movement data and home range size in relation to a recent fire in the study area. This work is ongoing, but will eventually compare grouse movement after the fire to the pre-fire results shown in Stonehouse (2013). In 2015, project partners expect to translocate up to 40 more sage-grouse to the Lincoln County population, 20 of which will be fitted with radio collars. Also in 2015, we expect to deploy up to 12 radio collars on native sage-grouse in Douglas County, Washington. Previous studies have focused on nesting habitat and spring/summer movements, but little is known about how movement and behavior affects survival, and how re-introduced grouse compare to residents. Since the re-introduction effort is continuing using radio collared birds, there is opportunity to learn more about these specific questions. To study movement and behavior of sage-grouse in the Crab Creek and Moses Coulee Management Areas of eastern Washington. This work will be conducted in close coordination with project partners in a collaborative setting.

Whitworth University has been working with the BLM to monitor the long-term trend of translocated sage and sharp-tailed grouse habitat in Lincoln County, Washington beginning in 2014. An analysis of nested-frequency vegetation data has been completed by Whitworth University detailing how nesting habitat has changed in the study area over a 15-year period. In 2015, project partners expect to translocate up to 40 additional sage-grouse to the Lincoln County population, 20 of which will be fitted with radio collars. Previous studies have focused on nesting habitat and spring/summer movements, but little is known about how translocated grouse, in the study area, use mesic habitat, presumably important for brood-rearing. Vegetation maps of the translocation area have been jointly developed by WSU and BLM to provide a detailed habitat layer from which to base habitat selection models. Mesic habitat is identified on this map but not further described, classified or evaluated for importance to grouse. Since the re-introduction effort is continuing using radio collared birds, there is opportunity to learn more about these specific questions. The objective of this program is to study habitat use of sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse in the Crab Creek Management Area of eastern Washington. This work will be conducted in close coordination with project partners in a collaborative setting.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Lower Colorado Region, Yuma Area Office is requesting proposals to fund projects for activities in support of their Endangered Species and Environmental Restoration programs in federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015). The Yuma Area Office periodically makes funding available for conducting activities for Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species and their habitats under Section 7(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA). The objectives are to fund opportunities for collecting monitoring and research data of the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard (FTHL) (Phrynosoma mcalli) and to perform habitat restoration or enhancement for riparian bird species (Yuma Clapper Rail, Southwestern willow flycatcher) in accordance with the FWCA.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1. Authority This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Financial Assistance Funding Opportunity is being announced under the following legislative authority: WATERSHED RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENTS (WYDEN AMENDMENT), Public Law 104-208, Section 124, as amended Public Law 105-277, Section 136, which states: "Appropriations made for the BLM may be used by the Secretary of Interior for the purpose of entering into cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources on public or private land and the reduction of risk from natural disaster where public safety is threatened that benefit these resources on public lands within the watershed." 2. Description of Program and/or Project a. Background: The Yuma Field Office includes many acres along the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers. Extensive damming and conversion to upland has re-characterized the lands along the river that once were natural system, but are now dominated by invasive species. An increase in wildland fires in these areas also greatly affect the reduction in native vegetation and increase in invasive species. Rehabilitation efforts to improve sites offer migratory birds and other wildlife species native habitat for foraging and potential nesting. The Walker Fire in December of 2014 burned 1,110 acres of native marsh and riparian habitat. This area is home to the largest population of the Federally endangered Yuma clapper rail. The native riparian habitat also provides migratory habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher. The Walker ESR Plan outline

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing federal projects that address these problems. One goal is to improve habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. Using appropriations from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program anticipates funding wetland and associated upland habitat restoration and enhancement projects for conservation of native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Restoration projects will be completed on privately owned (non-federal/non-state) lands. Emphasis will be placed on, but not limited to, completing projects within the watersheds of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The PFW Program is not a traditional grants program; it is a direct federal assistance program. The PFW Program does not solicit projects through a request for proposals. Instead, projects are developed in collaboration and with substantial involvement from PFW field biologists. PFW biologists from eight Great Lakes states work directly with landowners to plan and implement projects based on priorities and geographic focus areas identified in a regional strategic plan. Substantial involvement on the part of the Service is anticipated for the successful completion of the activities to be funded. In particular, the Service will be responsible for the following: PFW biologists provide direct technical assistance to landowners to identify, design and implement voluntary habitat improvement projects, such as wetland restoration, or grassland establishment, on private lands. For more information, contact the local PFW Program office. For office contact information please visit: http://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html.

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. A 1:1 match is required. Research funding is ineligible.

Launched in 2005 as a partnership between Walmart Stores and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Acres for America, NFWF's premier land conservation program, was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. The program gives preferential consideration to proposals that demonstrate potential to achieve more than one of the program's priorities, which include conserving critical habitats for birds, fish, plants, and wildlife; connecting existing protected lands to unify wild places and protect critical migration routes; providing access to the outdoors for people; and ensuring the future of local economies that depend on forestry, ranching, and wildlife.

This project will pro-actively restore and improve Federally Endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus; SWFL) habitat at prioritized sites along the Colorado River Corridor in Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA). The biological control agent northern tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) began establishing in the park in 2009, and is successfully defoliating non-native tamarisk, altering what has become important habitat for the SWFL. While tamarisk management is in alignment with NPS policies and plans, the NPS must also protect endangered and sensitive species that have adapted to tamarisk-dominated riparian habitat. This project will focus on selective tamarisk removal during the non-breeding season in order to minimize impacts to avian species and installation of native species to fill its niche. This work is in accordance with the 2002 USFWS Recovery Plan, the 2006 Colorado River Management Plan EIS, and the 2009 Invasive Plant Management Plan EA. The project will focus on assessment, design and vegetative and habitat restoration at Cardenas Camp RM 71.7L, as well as assessment and design components for restoring Grand Canyon Youth Camp (GCY) RM 274L .

Mexico Standard Program's goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and diversity of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in North America. A 1:1 match is required. This program supports the DOI and FWS mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies in Norwich VT. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, intends to make a sole source award of a grant agreement to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (hereafter VCE). Funding for this project is provided under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-754, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 2901-2911. This announcement is for notification purposes only. The intent of this award is to support conservation and research activities for Bicknellâ¿¿s Thrush. This award is issues to provide financial assistance to 1) conduct a threat analysis of key wintering habitat blocks for Bicknellâ¿¿s Thrush in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and 2) complete a demographic population analysis through a comprehensive analysis of 25 years of capture recapture data collected at a long-term study site in Vermont, with the goal of better understanding the factors that limit population growth.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to improve populations of focal seabirds through actions that improve survival and reproduction. Seabirds represent a diverse group of birds whose life history cycles are intricately linked to marine and coastal resources. Seabirds forage at sea, often far from breeding colonies; disperse over vast distances; and are both colonial and solitary breeders. The overlap of seabirds and humans on oceanic islands and in the marine environment has driven many species to the brink of extinction. Consequently, a major challenge to effective seabird conservation is to mitigate human-induced threats at multiple temporal and spatial scales; in other words, to protect and restore locations utilized by seabirds throughout their entire life cycle (on both land and at sea). The Seabird Conservation Program is supported by the Pacific Seabird Program Business Plan. Available funding for the Seabird Conservation Program varies between years and depending on implementation needs of the business plan. This request for proposals will award approximately $4,000,000 in support of Pacific seabird conservation efforts in 2020.

Population trend data will be established for BLM sensitive species at the WY Field Office level and provide a baseline for project level monitoring.