Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

 

Working with others to conserve, enhance, and better understand the ecology and habitats of migratory bird species.

Active 15.655 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 The program will continue to develop and implement conservation plans similar to prior fiscal years. The program continued to work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats, and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data that allows the establishment of migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provides hunting opportunities.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY18, the program issued 30 awards through its continued work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats, and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data that allows the establishment of migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provide hunting opportunities.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY19, the program issued 23 awards through its continued work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats, and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data used in the establishment of annual migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provide hunting opportunities for the American public.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY20, the program issued 25 awards through its continued work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats, and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data used in the establishment of annual migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provide hunting opportunities for the American public.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY21, the program issued 35 awards through its continued work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data used in the establishment of annual migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provide hunting opportunities for the American public.
Fiscal Year 2022 Program issued 15 awards through its continued work with partners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation. The program also supported monitoring activities that provide critical data used in the establishment of annual migratory bird hunting seasons that, in turn, provide hunting opportunities for the American public.
Fiscal Year 2023 The program will continue to conduct conservation and monitoring activities like prior years, including using vehicles like the Urban Bird Treaty to expand outreach efforts and activities to better reach under-served communities. The program will also award $100,000 to further our understanding of conditions that affect webless species of migratory birds.
Fiscal Year 2024 No current data is available. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act—Cooperation of agencies (16 U.S.C. §661) Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Individual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization; or Native American Organization. Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Individual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Projects and informal or formal proposals may be requested by the Regional or National Migratory Bird Program office directly from appropriate eligible applicants. These funding opportunities will be posted at www.grants.gov and will clearly outline the required forms or supplements (e.g. SF-424, full budget, etc.). Unsolicited project proposals from eligible applicants may also be submitted for consideration to Regional or National offices. Projects may also be mutually developed by the Regional or National office and appropriate eligible applicants. All projects contain mutually agreed upon deliverables and funding. Applicant must complete the Standard Form (SF)-424, and the appropriate Budget Assurances forms (SF-424A and SF 424B - Non-construction; or SF-424C and SF-424D - Construction). The Migratory Bird Program project officer reviews and approves conservation projects based on proposals meeting the objectives and in consultation with appropriate leadership. Once a proposal is accepted and mutually agreed upon deliverables and funding are approved, a formal agreement is written. Upon signing both parties, work can begin. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Decisions on funding a proposal are usually made no later than 180 days after receipt of the proposal. However, funding opportunities may present themselves at a later opportunity at which time projects may be reconsidered. Not applicable. An award may be modified at the discretion of the issuing Regional or National office. See the funding opportunity posted on Grants.gov. Grants and payments may be used for the conservation of any bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Special emphasis will be placed on bird species listed in USFWS conservation and management priorities documents (e.g. USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern 2008, Focal Species list). Implementing national, regional, flyway Bird Conservation Region, and state-level bird conservation plans (e.g., Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation (http://www.partnersinflight.org), U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/the-us-shorebird-conservation-plan.php) North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/waterbird-conservation-for-the-americas.php) are among the Service's highest priorities. Projects related to the priorities identified in these plans will receive the greatest funding consideration. Projects should address one or more of the following activities: a) Population surveys and monitoring to determine the health, status, trends, and distribution of bird species and groups of concern. Emphasis will be placed on landscape-level applications of standardized inventory and monitoring protocols (e.g., Breeding Bird Atlases, national marshbird call playblack surveys). Local-scale monitoring (e.g., local land management units) activities will generally not be a focus of this program; b) Applied research, including but not limited to, studies of habitat requirements, limiting factors, and population responses to habitat conservation activities; development of new monitoring techniques and programs for poorly-surveyed species; use of Geographic Information Systems, bird habitat modeling, and similar tools to identify bird habitat focus areas and further bird conservation planning efforts; and investigation of avian mortality events and monitoring of health and disease problems; c) Compilation of technical information, such as status reviews of bird species of concern, development of habitat management and restoration guidelines, disseminating updates and providing training about current and emerging diseases which impact migratory bird populations, and other outreach and education programs including programs structured towards youth and connecting people with nature. Habitat management projects are generally not covered under this program. Additionally, construction or real property acquisition projects may not be funded under this program. For further information, please contact the regional office. Approximately 15% of program funding may be discretionary depending on annual appropriations and program priorities. Performance Reports: Performance reports are required. Recipients must monitor and report on project performance in accordance with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.329. A final performance report is due within 120 calendar days of the award period of performance end date, unless the awarding program approves a due date extension. The FWS details all reporting requirements including frequency and due dates in Notices of Award. Not applicable. Recipients will maintain records in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Program-specific legislation/regulation may dictate additional records retention requirements. Program will detail all non-standard records retention requirements in the notice of award. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance funding is from the Service’s annual resource management appropriation and must be fully obligated by September 30 of its second year of availability. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. None/Not specified. Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Migratory Bird Program
US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:MB
Falls Church, VA 22041
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 US
MB_mail@fws.gov
Phone: (703) 358-1757 https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-birds 14-1611-0-1-302 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$700,000.00; FY 23 est $1,000,000.00; FY 24 est $999,996.00; FY 21$1,600,000.00; FY 20$1,600,000.00; FY 19$1,100,000.00; FY 18$800,000.00; FY 17$1,635,200.00; - Not applicable/available. Not applicable. Fiscal Year 2017 Program anticipates funding projects that support bird conservation projects similar to prior fiscal years. Projects supported include surveys and other monitoring and assessment activities to determine the status of numerous migratory bird populations and their habitat.
Fiscal Year 2018 “Refining Eagle Population and Collision Risk Models for Incidental Take Permitting and Management Planning.” The purpose of this award is to improve the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) process for evaluating the risk of incidental eagle take at wind energy projects through collaboration with a member university of the Pacific Northwest CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit). The Service has identified an immediate need to develop specific tools and protocols for low-risk wind facilities that allow for expedited permit evaluation while ensuring that levels of eagle take are accounted for in a way that is consistent with management objectives. The ability to articulate key uncertainties which influence the models, and to design monitoring programs that can resolve these uncertainties, is particularly important. The goals of this collaboration are to: develop a standardized post-construction monitoring protocol for low-risk wind projects that would enable the Service to determine whether unacceptable levels of eagle take may be occurring, modify current models to better represent low-risk projects, evaluate survey design and data requirements as appropriate, and assist Service staff with implementation of products into the larger eagle permitting framework. The initial effort will focus on revising the collision model and developing a monitoring standard for projects in low-risk areas.
Fiscal Year 2019 “Modeling Effects of Bald and Golden Eagle Take Permits.” The Service has committed in regulations to using a scientifically defensible process for predicting fatality rates, and take numbers, for each incidental take permit it issues through regulations promulgated under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act). Prediction of fatalities for wind energy projects is conducted using a collision risk model that employs Bayesian inference, and estimates of actual fatalities over time are used to formally update fatality predictions and other model components. The permitting process is conducted in a formal adaptive management framework, such that issuing permits and the associated monitoring provide feedback that is used to improve the analytical components of the process. The purpose of this award is to increase the capacity of the Service to process eagle take permits, particularly those for wind energy projects, through: (1) modeling the predicted effects of individual permits, (2) performing Bayesian updates to model predictions, and (3) contributions to technical improvements to the models and baseline data.
Fiscal Year 2020 "Quantifying decision-making by mid-continent white-fronted geese": This project will use state-of-the-art Global Positioning System-acceleration (GPS-ACC) tracking devices on mid-continent greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) to evaluate the effects of habitats, seasonal environmental conditions, and harvest on productivity and survival. Data collected from this project will improve understanding of greater white-fronted goose biology, demography, and migratory behavior and advance research and development of new wildlife tracking technologies. Results from this project will be used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), and state/provincial wildlife agencies to improve monitoring, harvest regulations, habitat planning, and other management and conservation efforts for greater white-fronted geese.
Fiscal Year 2021 Example: “Merging genomics, stable isotopes, and satellite-telemetry to delineate range-wide population structure of American woodcock.” This project will conduct an integrated assessment of woodcock population structure across the species’ range using genomic, isotopic, and GPS telemetry data, and our work with the Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative (EWMRC) grants a unique opportunity to do so. By collecting blood and feather samples from GPS-marked woodcock, we can link previously disparate pieces of information provided by genetic and isotopic markers with the physical movement of marked individuals during migration. This in turn will provide novel information on how the physical act of migration fosters genomic and/or isotopic similarities and explains the underlying spatial structuring of woodcock populations. We anticipate the results to help refine population models of woodcock and improve the singing-ground survey. Additionally, we believe the results of this work will have wider application to other Webless Migratory Gamebird Program populations.
Fiscal Year 2022 The Service awarded $35,000 to Colorado State University for a project to further understanding of albatross population dynamics as they relate to environmental and human factors, to inform species population status assessments. The project will develop a conceptual framework for an integrated population model for albatross data from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands; develop a computing tool to model population dynamics albatross; and produce preliminary analysis of population dynamics of black-footed albatrosses at Tern Island or Midway.
Fiscal Year 2023 The Service awarded the University of Texas at El Paso an award of $42,000, to study the Mexican duck. The goal is to provide information about Mexican duck population estimates, movement patterns, and to determine their relative contribution to the Pacific Flyway’s waterfowl population. Additionally, the awardee will investigate developing a tool that can electronically identify Mexican ducks from other mallard-like ducks, which would be of interest to wetland managers, waterfowl hunters, and bird watchers.
Fiscal Year 2024 Projects have not yet been selected. Funding is again expected for projects that contribute to improving the health of migratory bird species and their habitats, and increasing opportunities for and access to outdoor recreation.