Opportunity Information: Apply for FWSR2 NWRS FY08 BIGHORN SHEEP SANWR
Apply for FWSR2 NWRS FY08 BIGHORN SHEEP SANWR
- The Migratory Birds in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NWRS SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP SAN ANDRES NWR" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 13, 2008 and posted on Aug 13, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $32,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $32,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "NWRS Special Project Support Desert Bighorn Sheep San Andres NWR" is a FY 2008 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 2 funding notice focused on improving management of desert bighorn sheep at San Andres National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. The refuge is managed largely for desert bighorn sheep, which are listed as state endangered in New Mexico and are a species of special concern across the Southwest United States and Mexico. Even after reintroduction efforts began in 2002, the bighorn population has shown slow recovery and has continued to experience low or even negative annual growth rates, despite ongoing management actions intended to help the species, such as predator control and prescribed burning.
A central issue driving this project is uncertainty and controversy around puma (mountain lion) predation and the effectiveness of lethal predator control. Since 2002, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has lethally removed 29 pumas from the refuge, a level of removal described as extremely large relative to what was believed to be the local puma population size (the notice highlights a case of 25 removals from an area thought to hold around 5 animals). The announcement stresses that the ecological consequences of this scale of removal are not well understood, but it likely disrupts puma population structure and social organization both on the refuge and nearby areas. It also notes an important management concern: many removed pumas were not confirmed to have killed bighorn sheep, and heavy removal of established adults could unintentionally increase predation risk if it leads to more transient or juvenile pumas moving into vacated territories. Those younger animals may have smaller or less stable territories and potentially higher conflict rates, which could translate into greater pressure on bighorn sheep.
The project is designed to replace assumptions and debate with measurable, defensible data. Its stated purpose is to document puma prey selection, puma kill rates, puma population status and social organization, and, critically, the specific conditions that make bighorn sheep vulnerable to puma predation on San Andres NWR. A major practical outcome is to identify habitat features associated with bighorn sheep kills by modeling kill sites, which could support alternative management strategies that reduce predation risk without relying solely on lethal puma removal. The notice emphasizes the use of real-time satellite GPS collars on pumas to locate kill sites more efficiently and in greater numbers, which would improve the precision of habitat vulnerability analyses and strengthen the overall inference about what drives predation events.
This opportunity is issued as a single-source cooperative agreement, with USFWS stating its intent to award $32,000 under Department of the Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14). The proposed recipient is the USGS New Mexico Wildlife and Fisheries Cooperative Research Unit at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The justification for single-source selection is that NMSU is uniquely positioned to coordinate the work due to its proximity to the project area, its ability to manage complex spatial and large datasets, and its existing security clearance needed to access areas associated with White Sands Missile Range (which is relevant to refuge access and logistics). The announcement also frames the project as a collaboration among San Andres NWR, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona, USGS, NMSU, and White Sands Missile Range, with the idea that shared methods and comparable data can strengthen management both locally and across different desert environments.
From the agency perspective, the project is intended to support better decision-making and reduce institutional risk. USFWS explicitly links the study to the need for credible evidence that can either justify continuing current puma control, demonstrate that current control is ineffective or unnecessary, or point toward habitat-based approaches that reduce bighorn vulnerability. The notice also highlights that having stronger scientific backing reduces USFWS vulnerability in potential litigation related to predator control, because management actions would be supported by clearer information on necessity, efficacy, and design. Another stated benefit is that the results can be compared with conditions at Kofa NWR, improving understanding of puma-bighorn relationships across contrasting landscapes and helping inform management elsewhere in the region.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, using a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, within the Environment and Natural Resources activity category. The total estimated funding is $32,000, and the award floor and ceiling are both $32,000, with an expectation of one award and no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The posting date is August 13, 2008, with an original and current closing date of August 31, 2008, and an archive date of September 30, 2008. Although the listing shows "Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted," the text makes clear this is a notice of intent to make a single-source award rather than an open competitive solicitation, and it states there is no full announcement associated with the notice. The listed contact for questions is Mara Weisenberger, Wildlife Biologist, reachable by phone at 575-382-5047 or by email at MaraWeisenberger@fws.gov.
FAQs: NWRS Special Project Support Desert Bighorn Sheep San Andres NWR (FY 2008)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "NWRS Special Project Support Desert Bighorn Sheep San Andres NWR."
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The funding notice is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 2.
What is the main focus of the project?
The project focuses on improving management of desert bighorn sheep at San Andres National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in New Mexico by producing measurable data about puma (mountain lion) predation and the conditions that make bighorn sheep vulnerable.
Where will the work take place?
The work is centered on San Andres National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. The notice also references coordination and comparison with Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (Arizona) and involvement of White Sands Missile Range for access and logistics.
Why is San Andres NWR managed so heavily for desert bighorn sheep?
The refuge is managed largely for desert bighorn sheep because the species is listed as state endangered in New Mexico and is a species of special concern across the Southwest United States and Mexico.
Why is this project needed if reintroduction began in 2002?
Even after reintroduction efforts began in 2002, the bighorn population at San Andres NWR has shown slow recovery and has continued to experience low or even negative annual growth rates, despite management actions such as predator control and prescribed burning.
What management controversy is driving the project?
A central issue is uncertainty and controversy about puma predation on bighorn sheep and the effectiveness of lethal predator control as a management tool.
How much lethal puma removal has occurred according to the notice?
Since 2002, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has lethally removed 29 pumas from the refuge. The notice describes this as extremely large relative to what was believed to be the local puma population size, citing an example of 25 removals from an area thought to hold around 5 animals.
What concerns does the notice raise about large-scale puma removal?
The notice states that the ecological consequences of this scale of removal are not well understood and likely disrupt puma population structure and social organization on and near the refuge. It also raises a management concern that many removed pumas were not confirmed to have killed bighorn sheep.
Why might removing established adult pumas increase risk to bighorn sheep?
The notice suggests that heavy removal of established adults could unintentionally increase predation risk if it causes more transient or juvenile pumas to move into vacated territories. Those younger animals may have smaller or less stable territories and potentially higher conflict rates, which could increase pressure on bighorn sheep.
What is the stated purpose of the study?
The purpose is to replace assumptions and debate with measurable, defensible data by documenting puma prey selection, puma kill rates, puma population status and social organization, and the specific conditions that make bighorn sheep vulnerable to puma predation on San Andres NWR.
What key outcomes is the project expected to deliver?
A major practical outcome is identifying habitat features associated with bighorn sheep kills by modeling kill sites. This could support alternative management strategies that reduce predation risk without relying solely on lethal puma removal.
What technology or methods are emphasized in the notice?
The notice emphasizes using real-time satellite GPS collars on pumas to locate kill sites more efficiently and in greater numbers, improving the precision of habitat vulnerability analyses and strengthening inference about what drives predation events.
How does this project help USFWS decision-making?
USFWS describes the project as supporting better decision-making by providing credible evidence that can (1) justify continuing current puma control, (2) demonstrate that current control is ineffective or unnecessary, or (3) point toward habitat-based approaches that reduce bighorn vulnerability.
Does the notice mention legal or litigation considerations?
Yes. The notice states that stronger scientific backing reduces USFWS vulnerability in potential litigation related to predator control because management actions would be supported by clearer information on necessity, efficacy, and design.
How will results be used beyond San Andres NWR?
The notice indicates results can be compared with conditions at Kofa NWR, improving understanding of puma-bighorn relationships across contrasting landscapes and informing management elsewhere in the region.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
Is this discretionary funding?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Environment and Natural Resources.
What is the total amount of funding available?
The total estimated funding is $32,000.
What are the award floor and award ceiling?
Both the award floor and the award ceiling are $32,000.
How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Is this an open competitive opportunity?
No. Although the listing shows "Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted," the notice text explains it is a notice of intent to make a single-source award rather than an open competitive solicitation.
What does "single-source cooperative agreement" mean in this notice?
In this notice, it means USFWS states its intent to make one award to a specific recipient rather than soliciting and competitively evaluating multiple applicants.
Who is the intended recipient of the single-source award?
The proposed recipient is the USGS New Mexico Wildlife and Fisheries Cooperative Research Unit at New Mexico State University (NMSU).
Why was NMSU identified as the single-source recipient?
The notice justifies the single-source selection by stating NMSU is uniquely positioned due to proximity to the project area, the ability to manage complex spatial and large datasets, and existing security clearance needed to access areas associated with White Sands Missile Range.
Which partners are described as part of the collaboration?
The notice frames the project as a collaboration among San Andres NWR, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, USGS, NMSU, and White Sands Missile Range, with shared methods and comparable data intended to strengthen management across desert environments.
Is there a full announcement associated with this notice?
No. The notice states there is no full announcement associated with the notice.
What are the key dates for the opportunity?
The posting date is August 13, 2008. The original and current closing date is August 31, 2008. The archive date is September 30, 2008.
Who can be contacted for questions?
The listed contact is Mara Weisenberger, Wildlife Biologist.
How can the listed contact be reached?
By phone at 575-382-5047 or by email at MaraWeisenberger@fws.gov.
What Department of the Interior guidance is cited for the single-source approach?
The notice states the award is intended under Department of the Interior guidance 505 DM 2.14.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Fracture Putty
Previous opportunity: Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Request for Proposals FY 2009
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FWSR2 NWRS FY08 BIGHORN SHEEP SANWR
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FWSR2 NWRS FY08 BIGHORN SHEEP SANWR) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NWRS Special Project Support Prescribed Fire and Bighorn Sheep Forage San Andres NWR Apply for FWSR2 NWRS FY08 FIRE FORAGE SANWR Funding Number: FWSR2 NWRS FY08 FIRE FORAGE SANWR Agency: Migratory Birds Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $31,920 |
| 9th World Wilderness Congress Support Apply for 93250 8 0120 Funding Number: 93250 8 0120 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Near Shoreline Fish Ecology Apply for 09WRPA0001 Funding Number: 09WRPA0001 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| 2009 Request for Initial Proposals for Yukon River Salmon Research and Managements Projects Apply for 701819R002 Funding Number: 701819R002 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| 2009 Monarch Butterfly Monitoring Workshop Apply for 93250 8 0130 Funding Number: 93250 8 0130 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| National Marsh Bird Monitoring Program Apply for 93250 8 0144 Funding Number: 93250 8 0144 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $27,000 |
| Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Program Abandoned Mine Lands Apply for DOI SM 252 10 Funding Number: DOI SM 252 10 Agency: Office of Surface Mining Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $117,000,000 |
| Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for CWG 10 Funding Number: CWG 10 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Village of Ruby Fuels Reduction Project Apply for 701819R144 Funding Number: 701819R144 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| BREACH III Evaluating and Predicting Restoration Thresholds in Evolving Freshwater Tidal Marshes, Task 8. Apply for JFSS0905 Funding Number: JFSS0905 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $203,000 |
| Funding Opportunity Title BREACH III Evaluating and Predicting Restoration Thresholds in Evolving Freshwater Tidal Marshes, Task 7. Apply for JFSS0906 Funding Number: JFSS0906 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $203,000 |
| Missouri River Recovery Apply for FWS R6 ES09ND001 Funding Number: FWS R6 ES09ND001 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $197,735 |
| Merced River Riparian Water Diversions Fish Screen Project Apply for NFPP0901 Funding Number: NFPP0901 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| North Granlees Diversion Dam Fish Passage Improvement Project Apply for NFPP0902 Funding Number: NFPP0902 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Phase I Lower Antelope Creek Geomorphology/Fish Passage Assessment Apply for NFPP 09 N01 Funding Number: NFPP 09 N01 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Cottonwood Creek Sediment Budget Apply for AFRP 09 N02 Funding Number: AFRP 09 N02 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| Wyoming Toad Recovery Program Apply for FWS R6 ES09WY Funding Number: FWS R6 ES09WY Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Missouri River Recovery Project Development Apply for FWS R6 ES09ND003 Funding Number: FWS R6 ES09ND003 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Sentinel Ecology and Pyric Herbivory Apply for FWS R6 RW092140 Funding Number: FWS R6 RW092140 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Physaria (Lesquerella) congesta, Dudley Bluffs bladderpod and Physaria obcordata, Dudley Bluffs twinpod Apply for FWS R6 GENETICDIVERSITY Funding Number: FWS R6 GENETICDIVERSITY Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $65,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FWSR2 NWRS FY08 BIGHORN SHEEP SANWR", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.