Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00374

  • The Fish and Wildlife Service in the employment, labor and training environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Spring Restoration on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jul 20, 2015 and posted on Jul 20, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 26, 2015 RECIPIENT HAS BEEN SELECTED. SEE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $70,492.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $70,492.00 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.
  • RECIPIENT HAS BEEN SELECTED. SEE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD
Apply for F15AS00374

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Opportunity Summary:

The grant opportunity titled "Spring Restoration on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge" (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00374) was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary funding announcement focused on applied restoration research in sensitive spring-fed habitats. The central goal was to figure out which on-the-ground restoration prescriptions work best for bringing back healthy riparian and wet meadow systems on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. Rather than funding a single, one-size-fits-all restoration action, the project was framed as a comparative study: implement several different spring restoration techniques, then track and measure how the habitat responds over time so future work can rely on evidence instead of assumptions.

The work emphasized testing specific treatment approaches that address common legacy impacts to springs and their surrounding wetlands. Examples mentioned in the announcement include capping or removing springboxes (man-made structures that can alter spring flow or concentrate water in unnatural ways) and mechanical recontouring (reshaping disturbed channels or surfaces to restore more natural hydrology and wet meadow function). The project’s intent was to apply a range of these treatments across sites and then monitor ecological outcomes, which would likely include changes in water distribution, soil moisture, vegetation recovery, and overall riparian/meadow condition. In practical terms, the opportunity supported a restoration-and-monitoring design where different treatments could be compared to determine which methods produce the strongest and most reliable recovery.

This funding was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Fish and Wildlife Service expected to be actively involved in the project rather than simply issuing a pass-through grant. The funding activity categories listed were Environment and Natural Resources, with an additional category tag of Employment, Labor and Training, which often reflects the field-based, labor-intensive nature of restoration and monitoring projects. The announcement anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding level of $70,492. The award ceiling was also $70,492, and the floor was listed as $100. No cost sharing or matching was required, lowering the barrier for participation from organizations that might not have non-federal funds available.

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the full text). However, the notice included an important practical detail: by the time the listing was posted and closed (Posted July 20, 2015; Closed July 26, 2015; Archived July 27, 2015), the recipient had already been selected, with references to an attached Notice of Intent to Award. That language indicates the competition was effectively resolved at posting or was issued to document a pre-identified partnership, which sometimes happens when an agency needs to formalize a specific cooperative research arrangement or continue an existing effort.

For anyone needing official documentation or more details, the listing referenced Grants.gov for the full announcement materials and provided a point of contact at the Fish and Wildlife Service: Connie Sauer (503-872-2826, ConnieSauer@fws.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Spring Restoration on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge".

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00374.

Which agency offered this funding?

This was a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary funding announcement.

What was the overall purpose of the project?

The central goal was to determine which on-the-ground spring restoration prescriptions work best for restoring healthy riparian and wet meadow systems on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, using measurable results over time rather than assumptions.

Was this funding meant to support one single restoration action?

No. The project was framed as a comparative study that would implement multiple restoration techniques and then track habitat responses to compare which approaches perform best.

What type of habitats did the project focus on?

The work focused on sensitive spring-fed habitats, specifically including riparian areas and wet meadow systems associated with springs on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.

What kind of work did the announcement emphasize?

It emphasized applied restoration research paired with monitoring, meaning restoration treatments would be implemented and then ecological outcomes would be measured over time.

What restoration techniques were mentioned as examples?

Examples included capping or removing springboxes (man-made structures that can alter spring flow or concentrate water unnaturally) and mechanical recontouring (reshaping disturbed channels or surfaces to restore more natural hydrology and wet meadow function).

What were the "legacy impacts" this project aimed to address?

The announcement described legacy impacts to springs and surrounding wetlands that can be addressed by treatments like springbox modification/removal and mechanical recontouring, which are intended to move site conditions toward more natural hydrology and wet meadow function.

What kinds of outcomes were expected to be monitored?

The listing indicated monitoring would likely include changes such as water distribution, soil moisture, vegetation recovery, and overall riparian/meadow condition, so that treatment effectiveness could be compared.

How was the project design intended to work?

The opportunity supported a restoration-and-monitoring approach where a range of treatments could be applied across sites and then evaluated to see which methods produce the strongest and most reliable habitat recovery.

What funding instrument was used (grant vs cooperative agreement)?

This funding was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Fish and Wildlife Service expected to be actively involved in the project rather than only providing funds.

What were the funding activity categories for this opportunity?

The categories listed were Environment and Natural Resources, with an additional tag of Employment, Labor and Training, which can reflect the field-based, labor-intensive nature of restoration and monitoring work.

How many awards were anticipated?

The announcement anticipated a single award.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding level was $70,492.

What was the award ceiling?

The award ceiling was $70,492.

What was the award floor?

The award floor was listed as $100.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement stated that no cost sharing or matching was required.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement text.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted July 20, 2015 and closed July 26, 2015. It was archived July 27, 2015.

Was an award recipient already selected?

Yes. The notice indicated that by the time the listing was posted and closed, the recipient had already been selected, with references to an attached Notice of Intent to Award. This suggests the competition was effectively resolved at posting or was used to document a pre-identified cooperative arrangement.

Where could someone find the official announcement materials?

The listing referenced Grants.gov for the full announcement materials and official documentation.

Who was the point of contact for this opportunity?

The point of contact listed was Connie Sauer at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What contact details were provided for the point of contact?

Phone: 503-872-2826. Email: ConnieSauer@fws.gov.

What does it mean that this was a "discretionary funding announcement"?

Based on the listing language, it means the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered this as a discretionary opportunity focused on a specific applied restoration research need, rather than an entitlement-style program.

Why would an opportunity be posted if the recipient was already selected?

The notice explained that the recipient had already been selected and referenced a Notice of Intent to Award. The listing also notes this can occur when an agency needs to formalize a specific cooperative research partnership or continue an existing effort.

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