The Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV) is a regional, public/private partnership for advancing the conservation of important bird habitats within the GCJV region through biological planning, implementation of habitat conservation actions, focused monitoring and evaluation of the planning and implementation processes, and communication. General oversight of the partnership is provided by the GCJV Management Board. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides basic administrative funding to the GCJV to cover costs associated with coordination; biological planning; monitoring and evaluation; communications and outreach; and the development and implementation of habitat conservation actions. The GCJV may in turn award federal assistance for annual or multi-year activities (i.e., projects) within those categories that advance the partnership¿s mission and objectives. Priority activities of the GCJV partnership include development of models linking target populations of priority birds to quantified habitat objectives, development of GIS models to spatially prioritize habitat conservation activities, implementation of habitat projects to fulfill habitat objectives and spatial priorities, development and testing of monitoring approaches for habitats and populations of priority birds, and targeted research to refine population-habitat models. The GCJV may award funds to applicants for activities that support the partnership¿s mission and objectives. Funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2013 will relate to biological planning and targeted research for GCJV priority birds. See the announcement included with this synopsis. CONTACT THE GCJV COORDINATOR TO DISCUSS CURRENT PROJECT PRIORITIES/NEEDS OF THE GCJV PARTNERSHIP: Barry Wilson Gulf Coast Joint Venture Coordinator (USFWS) c/o National Wetlands Research Center 700 Cajundome Blvd. Lafayette, LA 70506 Phone: 337/266-8815 Fax: 337/266-8800 Email: barry_wilson@fws.gov