Get Funding for Bird Conservation Projects

Proposals are solicited for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS’s) Upper Midwest (Region 3) Migratory Bird Conservation Program. In 2009, this program will provide small grants for the conservation of migratory birds that are not federally listed as Endangered or Threatened. The geographic area for which proposals are solicited includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, and other areas that birds breeding in these states use during migration and as wintering grounds.

This grant program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance at: http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.PROGRAM_TEXT_RPT.SHOW?p_arg_names=prog_nbr&p_arg_values=15.647. In 2009, the program will focus on the following: 1. Bird population monitoring: We seek proposals that advance regional scale bird monitoring (changes in abundance, distribution and/or demographics, and statistical design issues), evaluation of management activities in the context of strategic bird conservation, bird population data management and data analysis, and the development of web-based tools for applying monitoring information to conservation activities. Priority will be given to proposals that address: 1) high priority monitoring needs identified in regional or state conservation plans (such as Joint Venture Plans, State Wildlife Action Plans, and regional plans associated with the North American Landbird Conservation Plan, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and U.S.

Shorebird Conservation Plan); 2) under-represented species (such as nocturnal birds, shorebirds, secretive marshbirds, and Great Lakes pelagic birds); and 3) focal species (see below). Projects that demonstrate the collaborative and coordinated support and involvement of key partners within the region will be given greater consideration. Please note that this grant program is not meant to support long-term operational bird monitoring efforts but, rather, to address coordination of monitoring efforts and development and evaluation of new survey and monitoring techniques (both field and analytical). 2.

Focal species conservation: Over the last few years, the USFWS has worked with partners to develop conservation plans and undertake other planning efforts (such as collaborative workshops) for a small number of high-priority landbirds, waterbirds, and shorebirds (hereafter focal species). In 2009, we seek proposals that advance conservation priorities expressed in planning efforts for the following focal species: Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers, Henslow’s Sparrow, and American Woodcock. Proposals will be given greater consideration if they include a monitoring component to guide informed conservation planning and decision-making or to evaluate population or demographic success of conservation projects. If you are interested in submitting proposals to study or monitor any of these species, please contact Steve Lewis, USFWS Division of Migratory Birds (612-713-5473; steve_j_lewis@fws.gov), to discuss potential projects.

He will direct you to conservation plans and other resources that identify these species’ greatest needs, and you can then decide if you want to develop an appropriate proposal. Please note that funds for 2009 projects may not be available until late summer. Each proposal should include the following information: 1) Proposal title and contact information for the submitter; 2) Justification, including relevance to the USFWS priorities outlined above; 3) Objectives and anticipated outcomes; 4) Methodology, study design, and evaluation; 5) Time frame; 6) Budget breakdown, including minimal and optimal levels of funding required; 7) List of cooperators and their contributions. Please limit proposals to no more than 10 pages and be aware that they are often circulated to others for review.

Send proposals as Microsoft Word or pdf files by email to: steve_j_lewis@fws.gov, by April 17, 2009. If the proposal has materials that cannot easily be emailed, they may be sent by regular or express ground mail to: Steve Lewis, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Birds, Federal Bldg., 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056.

Applicants are also required to submit a completed SF-424 form, Application for Federal Assistance, along with their proposal. This form, with instructions, can be found at: http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aapproved_standard_forms.jsp#7.