Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00327
Apply for F15AS00327
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Movements, Fate, and Survival of Translocated Western Burrowing Owls" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.655 Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 7, 2015 and posted on Jul 7, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 14, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $75,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Movements, Fate, and Survival of Translocated Western Burrowing Owls," is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) cooperative agreement focused on improving what is known about the outcomes of burrowing owl translocation efforts in the southwestern United States. The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is widely considered a species of special conservation concern across much of western North America because many local and regional populations have declined over time. The opportunity is grounded in the practical problem that, in parts of the Southwest, land conversion to uses like urban development and energy infrastructure is removing burrows and altering habitat conditions that the species depends on throughout the entire year. Because burrowing owls rely on burrows for nesting, roosting, and shelter, the loss of burrow systems can affect breeding success as well as survival for resident birds and for migratory or overwintering individuals that use southwestern habitats seasonally.
A major driver of this research need is the permitting and compliance process associated with clearing owl habitat prior to development. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), taking burrowing owls, their eggs, or nestlings is prohibited, so removal and relocation work must occur under an FWS permit. Outside of emergency situations, clearing is expected to occur outside the normal breeding season to avoid impacts to eggs and dependent young. The typical clearing protocol described in the announcement includes inspecting burrows with fiberscopes, capturing owls at burrow entrances using one-way door traps or noose carpets, and then excavating and collapsing burrows to ensure no owls remain underground. Captured birds are commonly held for about 30 days to reduce site fidelity to the soon-to-be-developed area, then moved to a new release site where artificial burrows are often installed. A "hack release" approach may be used: owls are placed in a pen at the release site for roughly another 30 days and then the pen is opened so the birds can leave and return while they familiarize themselves with the new burrows and surrounding habitat. In cases where suitable habitat is nearby, owls might instead be released close to the capture location or expected to move on their own after capture and release; this is referred to as passive relocation. The announcement also notes that, despite efforts to avoid the breeding season, eggs, nestlings, or fledglings are sometimes discovered during clearing and may be transferred to a rehabilitation facility for hatching and rearing to a post-fledging stage, followed by release at sites that typically include artificial burrows.
The central issue the grant is trying to address is that, despite these established relocation practices, the fate and survival rates of translocated burrowing owls in the Southwest are not well understood. That information gap matters directly to FWS decision-making because the agency needs credible evidence to determine when permits for translocation should be issued and what permit conditions are likely to improve outcomes. In practical terms, the research is meant to inform what release protocols work best, what kinds of monitoring should be required after release, and whether current practices are adequately protecting owls that are moved due to development activities.
The stated research objectives are straightforward and applied. First, the project should document the fates of translocated burrowing owls, meaning what happens to individuals after they are moved (for example, whether they remain near release areas, disperse widely, return to capture areas, or experience mortality). Second, it should estimate survival rates of translocated owls and, where possible, compare those survival estimates with what is already reported in the scientific literature. The announcement suggests that establishing a full control group might be beyond the scope, but that survival estimation could potentially be strengthened using capture-recapture approaches, particularly if banded birds can be resighted or recaptured over time. Third, the project should document post-release movements, emphasizing tracking methods such as VHF telemetry and visible marking using color bands and alphanumeric bands so individuals can be identified in the field.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.655 (Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation). It was structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating expected substantial involvement or collaboration with the agency during the project. The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $75,000 (award ceiling $75,000 and award floor $30,000), and it did not require cost sharing or matching. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of applicant entity types. The posting date was July 7, 2015, with a closing date of July 14, 2015, and it was archived shortly afterward (July 20, 2015), reflecting a short application window.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Movements, Fate, and Survival of Translocated Western Burrowing Owls."
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
What type of funding mechanism is this?
This funding is offered as a cooperative agreement, which indicates that substantial involvement or collaboration with FWS is expected during the project.
Is this a competitive/discretionary opportunity?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.
What program or CFDA number is associated with this grant?
The opportunity is under CFDA 15.655, titled "Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation."
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding amount is $75,000.
What are the award ceiling and floor?
The award ceiling is $75,000 and the award floor is $30,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated making a single award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated that cost sharing or matching was not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant entity types could apply.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting date was July 7, 2015, and the closing date was July 14, 2015.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. It was archived on July 20, 2015, and reflects a short application window in 2015.
What conservation problem is this project trying to address?
The project is intended to improve understanding of the outcomes of burrowing owl translocation efforts in the southwestern United States, particularly because habitat conversion (such as urban development and energy infrastructure) can remove burrows and alter habitat conditions that owls depend on year-round.
Why are western burrowing owls a focus of special conservation concern?
The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is widely considered a species of special conservation concern across much of western North America because many local and regional populations have declined over time.
Why do burrowing owls need burrows, and why does burrow loss matter?
Burrowing owls rely on burrows for nesting, roosting, and shelter. Losing burrow systems can affect breeding success and survival for resident birds as well as migratory or overwintering individuals that use southwestern habitats seasonally.
How does permitting relate to owl translocation in the Southwest?
The need for research is tied to the permitting and compliance process that occurs when owl habitat is cleared prior to development. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), taking burrowing owls, their eggs, or nestlings is prohibited, so removal and relocation work must occur under an FWS permit.
When is clearing expected to occur to reduce impacts on breeding?
Outside of emergency situations, clearing is expected to occur outside the normal breeding season to avoid impacts to eggs and dependent young.
What is the typical clearing and capture protocol described in the announcement?
The described protocol includes inspecting burrows with fiberscopes, capturing owls at burrow entrances using one-way door traps or noose carpets, and then excavating and collapsing burrows to ensure no owls remain underground.
How long are captured owls typically held before being moved?
Captured birds are commonly held for about 30 days to reduce site fidelity to the area that will be developed.
What happens at the release site after owls are moved?
Owls are moved to a new release site where artificial burrows are often installed. The announcement also describes a "hack release" approach involving a pen at the release site for roughly another 30 days before the pen is opened.
What is a "hack release" as described in this opportunity?
A hack release is described as placing owls in a pen at the release site for roughly 30 days, then opening the pen so the birds can leave and return while they familiarize themselves with the new burrows and surrounding habitat.
What is "passive relocation" in the context of this announcement?
Passive relocation refers to cases where suitable habitat is nearby and owls might be released close to the capture location or are expected to move on their own after capture and release.
What happens if eggs, nestlings, or fledglings are discovered during clearing?
The announcement notes that eggs, nestlings, or fledglings are sometimes discovered and may be transferred to a rehabilitation facility for hatching and rearing to a post-fledging stage, followed by release at sites that typically include artificial burrows.
What is the main information gap this grant is trying to fill?
The central issue is that, despite established relocation practices, the fate and survival rates of translocated burrowing owls in the Southwest are not well understood.
Why does FWS need this research for decision-making?
The information gap matters because FWS needs credible evidence to determine when permits for translocation should be issued and what permit conditions are likely to improve outcomes.
What decisions could the research help inform?
The research is intended to inform which release protocols work best, what kinds of monitoring should be required after release, and whether current practices are adequately protecting owls moved due to development activities.
What are the stated research objectives for the project?
The stated objectives are: (1) document the fates of translocated owls (what happens to individuals after they are moved), (2) estimate survival rates of translocated owls and compare them with what is reported in the scientific literature where possible, and (3) document post-release movements using tracking and marking methods.
What does "fates of translocated owls" mean in this announcement?
It refers to what happens to individuals after translocation, such as whether they remain near release areas, disperse widely, return to capture areas, or experience mortality.
Does the announcement require a control group for survival comparisons?
The announcement suggests that establishing a full control group might be beyond the scope, but it indicates survival estimation could potentially be strengthened using capture-recapture approaches.
What monitoring or study methods are emphasized?
The announcement emphasizes post-release tracking and identification methods such as VHF telemetry and visible marking using color bands and alphanumeric bands so individuals can be identified in the field.
How could survival estimation be strengthened according to the announcement?
Survival estimation could potentially be strengthened using capture-recapture approaches, particularly if banded birds can be resighted or recaptured over time.
What geographic focus is described for this research?
The research focus is on translocation efforts in the southwestern United States.
Which species/subspecies is the focus of this opportunity?
The focus is the western burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia hypugaea.
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