Natural Resources and Endangered Species Research and Support at Fort Hood, Texas | W81EWF 23 SOI 0008

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Natural Resources and Endangered Species Research and Support at Fort Hood, Texas."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81EWF 23 SOI 0008.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is led by the Department of the Army through the US Army Corps of Engineers.

4) What type of funding instrument is being used?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial coordination with the government partners during project planning and implementation.

5) Is this a discretionary or mandatory grant program?

It is described as a discretionary opportunity.

6) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.630.

7) What is the maximum funding level available?

The maximum funding level listed is $977,000.

8) Where will the work take place?

The work is focused on Fort Hood, Texas, one of the Army's most intensively used training installations.

9) What is the overall purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to support applied research, monitoring, and on-the-ground technical assistance to help Fort Hood manage sensitive natural resources, meet conservation obligations and sustainability goals, and maintain long-term training capacity using science-based monitoring and analysis.

10) Why is Fort Hood a priority location for this kind of work?

Fort Hood supports very high levels of mechanized training while also containing important habitat for federally protected and otherwise sensitive wildlife, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, the recently delisted black-capped vireo, many migratory birds, and at-risk pollinators.

11) Which species or species groups are specifically mentioned?

The opportunity specifically references the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, the recently delisted black-capped vireo, a wide range of migratory birds, and at-risk pollinators (with an emphasis on monarch butterflies for the pollinator work).

12) What are the main categories of work (tasks) included?

The work is organized around coordinated tasks that include: analysis of existing avian datasets from the 2023 breeding season; field surveys and demographic monitoring during the 2024 breeding season for focal songbirds; broader migratory bird monitoring in 2024; baseline pollinator (butterfly/monarch) assessment in 2024; feral hog survey and management evaluation spanning fall 2023 through spring 2024; and natural resources outreach activities for installation and community audiences.

13) What does the opportunity require for 2023 avian data?

A major component is to summarize and analyze existing avian datasets collected during the 2023 breeding season, including point count surveys, nest locations, nest monitoring records, and productivity measures.

14) What is the intended use of the 2023 avian analysis results?

The analyses are intended to quantify distribution, abundance, and population status for endangered and migratory bird species, estimate population sizes and trends, evaluate how Fort Hood management actions contribute to regional conservation goals, and feed directly into Fort Hood's annual endangered species status reporting.

15) What field work is planned for the 2024 breeding season for golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos?

The project emphasizes demographic monitoring from roughly March through July 2024. This includes documenting occurrence and density via established point count routes, and measuring reproductive success through intensive nest searching and repeated nest checks.

16) Does the work include bird banding?

Yes. The scope includes banding nestlings (particularly vireos) and capturing and banding adult golden-cheeked warblers using mist net techniques.

17) What permits or protocols govern banding and handling of birds?

The work is to be conducted under existing state and federal permits held by Fort Hood staff and consistent with protocols in Fort Hood's Endangered Species Management Component (ESMC).

18) What is the intent of the demographic monitoring for the focal songbirds?

The intent is to track temporal and spatial variation in key demographic parameters so Fort Hood can identify which management and habitat actions are most effective over time.

19) What migratory bird monitoring is included beyond the focal species?

The opportunity calls for broader monitoring of migratory birds during the March through August 2024 breeding season, including collecting demographic information on occurrence, density, and nest placement across selected monitoring sites.

20) Are comparisons between different habitat management conditions required?

Yes. The migratory bird component explicitly includes comparing areas with and without maneuver lane habitat modifications.

21) What kinds of outputs are expected from migratory bird monitoring?

The recipient is expected to analyze monitoring data to identify trends in abundance and reproductive effort and translate findings into actionable guidance for conservation and land management on an active training landscape.

22) What pollinator work is included?

Pollinator work is included as a baseline assessment focused on butterflies, particularly monarchs, during spring and summer 2024.

23) What methods are described for pollinator surveys?

The project involves transect surveys in grassland habitats, recording butterfly detections alongside milkweed stem counts to evaluate how host plant availability relates to monarch distribution and abundance.

24) What happens if monarch butterflies are encountered during surveys?

Any monarchs encountered are to be netted and tagged for the Monarch Watch Program, connecting Fort Hood monitoring to a broader tracking effort.

25) Who coordinates pollinator survey locations and methods?

Survey locations and methods are to be coordinated with Fort Hood Natural Resources staff and the Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL).

26) Is invasive species work included?

Yes. The opportunity includes a dedicated feral hog survey and management evaluation task.

27) Why are feral hogs a concern at Fort Hood?

Feral hogs can severely degrade habitat through rooting and trampling, and Fort Hood monitors and controls them to protect endangered species habitat and overall ecosystem condition.

28) What is the timeframe for the feral hog task?

The feral hog survey and management evaluation spans fall 2023 through spring 2024.

29) What approaches are mentioned for feral hog detection and control?

The task includes multiple approaches such as visual sign and animal surveys, aerial surveys, and trapping, followed by analysis to assess which methods are most effective for Fort Hood's management needs.

30) Who coordinates site selection and implementation for feral hog work?

Site selection and implementation are to be coordinated with Fort Hood Natural Resources and ERDC-CERL.

31) Are outreach and education activities part of the scope?

Yes. The opportunity includes support for natural resources outreach activities for both the installation and surrounding communities.

32) What are examples of outreach activities mentioned?

Examples include organizing or supporting events like Christmas Bird Counts and Breeding Bird Counts, engaging local schools about Fort Hood natural resource stewardship, developing educational materials for different age groups, and hosting guided nature walks.

33) Are outreach products and events pre-defined?

Specific outreach products and events are to be determined collaboratively, with examples provided as possible options.

34) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to non-federal partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).

35) Why is eligibility restricted to Great Rivers CESU non-federal partners?

The restriction reflects the Army's use of the CESU network to conduct collaborative research and provide technical support through established partnerships.

36) How collaborative is the study design expected to be?

Study design and selection of focal sites are expected to be developed jointly with Fort Hood, ERDC-CERL, and CESU partners.

37) Are the results intended to be useful beyond Fort Hood?

Yes. The government anticipates the findings will be useful both locally and across the broader ranges of the focal species.

38) What are the key reporting or management linkages described?

A specific linkage noted is that analyses and results will feed directly into Fort Hood's annual endangered species status reporting, and monitoring results are intended to guide management decisions and identify effective habitat and management actions.

39) What is the original posting timeline for this opportunity?

The creation date shown is 2023-04-11.

40) What was the original closing date listed?

The original closing date shown for the opportunity was 2023-06-12.