Notice of Intent: Bats, people and properties: conservation and conflict | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This Notice of Intent describes a cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The project focus is bat conservation and reducing bat-human conflicts in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE), especially in and around seasonally occupied historic buildings used for park housing and work areas.

What problem is Grand Teton National Park trying to solve?

GRTE is dealing with a two-sided challenge: (1) protecting vulnerable bat populations (including little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus) and (2) responding to increasing bat-human contact and conflicts in park housing and work areas. These conflicts create operational and health concerns and may increase the chance of humans inadvertently contributing to the spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS).

Why are historic buildings specifically mentioned?

The park contains many historic structures that are seasonally occupied by several hundred employees. Those same buildings may also be used by an unknown number of bats for roosting. This overlap increases the likelihood of bat-human contact and conflicts, making historic properties a key focus for understanding bat use and designing practical management actions.

Why not just remove bats or exclude them from buildings?

The opportunity states that simply removing bats or broadly excluding them from these structures is not considered a workable solution. With WNS expanding and bat populations already under conservation pressure, broad removal could harm sensitive species and undermine conservation goals.

What is white-nose syndrome (WNS) and why does it matter here?

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is described as a devastating bat disease that is moving westward. The park is concerned about both the potential impacts to bats and the possibility that human activity could inadvertently contribute to spread. Planning is influenced by the expectation that WNS could reach northwestern Wyoming within roughly the next decade, so GRTE wants to prepare before the disease arrives.

What information does the park currently lack?

GRTE currently lacks solid baseline information on which bat species reside in or migrate through the park. It also lacks habitat-use data needed to design management actions that protect bats while reducing unwanted interactions with people. The park also needs to know which species are present in buildings, when they are present, and what habitats and roosting locations they rely on across seasons.

What work does the project propose to do?

The proposed work centers on acoustic (acoustical) surveys to collect baseline data on bats and bat habitat use within GRTE. The intent is to document bat activity patterns across locations and time periods and to better understand how bats use the park seasonally or annually, including how they interact with historic structures.

What are acoustic surveys and why are they being used?

Acoustic monitoring is described as a common approach for bat inventories because bats can be detected and identified (often to species or species group) through their echolocation calls. This allows researchers to document activity patterns across space and time without needing to capture animals.

What are the expected practical outcomes for park management?

The intended management outcome is to apply the survey results to reduce bat-human contact and conflicts at selected historic properties, while still accommodating the ecological needs of the bat community that relies on these buildings.

Where will the project take place?

The work is focused on Grand Teton National Park (GRTE), including park habitats broadly and historic structures in particular where bat-human conflicts are occurring.

What type of award is this?

This opportunity is described as discretionary funding through a cooperative agreement. That indicates a partnership-style award where the federal agency expects to be involved during project performance rather than issuing a grant with minimal federal participation.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The Department of the Interior, National Park Service is offering this cooperative agreement opportunity.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is P16AS00143.

What is the CFDA number and activity category listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists activity category Natural Resources under CFDA 15.945.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, plus other eligible entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility text.

How many awards are anticipated?

The program anticipates making one award.

What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $89,721.

When was the opportunity posted and when does it close?

The posting date and creation date are May 4, 2016. The application closing date is May 13, 2016.

Why is baseline bat information important for reducing bat-human conflicts?

The opportunity emphasizes that GRTE cannot effectively manage conflicts without knowing which bat species are present, when they are present, and what habitats and roosting locations they rely on across seasons. Baseline and habitat-use information is needed to design management actions that reduce unwanted interactions without harming conservation priorities.

What bat species is specifically highlighted as a conservation concern?

The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is specifically mentioned as a vulnerable species of concern within the park's broader bat conservation challenge.