Deadline: 4-Nov-21
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has launched its proposals for Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative 2022 to increase populations of three focal species – American oystercatcher (short-distance migrant), whimbrel (mid-distance migrant), and red knot (long-distance migrant) – by improving the function and condition of habitat at critical sites these migratory species depend on at various stages of their lifecycles.
Priorities
All proposals must address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Plan goals. Overall, NFWF is interested in advancing full lifecycle monitoring for focal species. In 2022, the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative seeks projects that will address at least one of the following priorities:
- Focal species: NFWF seeks proposals that advance American oystercatcher, red knot and whimbrel focal species goals. In 2022, they specifically seek site-based projects that continue population and reproductive success monitoring for American oystercatcher and population monitoring for red knot.
- Conserve habitat: NFWF seeks projects that lead to the designation of new WHSRN sites which support important populations of red knot, whimbrel, and American oystercatchers within priority geographies along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
- Restore habitat: NFWF seeks projects that restore shorebird habitat within the 10 business plan focal areas , particularly red knot foraging beach habitat, whimbrel roost sites, and American oystercatcher foraging, roosting, and breeding habitat. While it is unlikely that the resources are adequate for large-scale restoration projects at this time.
- Improve habitat management: NFWF seeks projects that improve habitat management at breeding, staging and/or wintering sites for American oystercatcher and red knot along the eastern seaboard. Activities should focus on efforts to implement and evaluate best management practices developed by the AFSI working group to reduce human disturbance and predation by working with local community groups or networks of local organizations.
- Monitoring and assessing progress: NFWF seeks to complete a population-wide assessment of the eastern breeding population of American oystercatcher using protocols consistent with previous range-wide aerial surveys. Lastly, NFWF seeks proposals to expand the monitoring infrastructure in key Atlantic flyway locations
- The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird program has approximately $625,000 to award in funding for grants this year.
- The majority of awards under this program will fall in the $75,000 to $250,000 range.However upper or lower limits to award size are not specified.
- A minimum of a 1:1 non-Federal match of cash and/or in-kind services is required and will be considered in application review. Projects may extend from one to three years.
Geographic Focus
This program focuses on priority shorebird sites along the U.S. Atlantic seaboard, the Florida gulf coast and panhandle, and priority wintering sites for the focal species, including portions of the Caribbean and South America.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, educational institutions, and international organizations.
- Ineligible applicants include U.S. federal government agencies, businesses, and unincorporated individuals.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3vGjOgg