Mitigate Endangered Bird Habitat prior to Tamarisk defoliation by the Northern Tamarisk Beetle | P17AS00401

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00401

The Mitigate Endangered Bird Habitat prior to Tamarisk defoliation by the Northern Tamarisk Beetle grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00401) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement intended to protect and improve habitat for the federally endangered southwestern willow flycatcher along the Colorado River Corridor within Grand Canyon National Park. The core problem the project addresses is that tamarisk, a non-native riparian shrub/tree, has become heavily established in many river corridor areas and, over time, has been used by southwestern willow flycatchers as nesting and breeding habitat. Since 2009, however, the northern tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata), introduced as a biological control agent, has been successfully defoliating tamarisk in the park. While tamarisk reduction aligns with invasive plant management goals, rapid or widespread defoliation can unintentionally degrade nesting habitat for a species that is already endangered and highly sensitive to habitat changes.

The project is designed as a proactive mitigation effort that tries to stay ahead of beetle-driven habitat loss by restoring riparian vegetation structure in a way that supports the flycatcher while continuing to move the ecosystem away from dependence on tamarisk. The approach centers on carefully timed, selective tamarisk removal during the non-breeding season to reduce the risk of direct impacts to nesting birds, combined with installing native plant species that can replace the habitat functions tamarisk has been providing. In practical terms, this means planning and implementing site-specific restoration actions that maintain or recreate the dense, multi-layered riparian cover and microhabitat conditions the flycatcher needs, but using native vegetation more consistent with long-term park management and ecological goals.

Work funded under this opportunity focuses on two prioritized locations in the river corridor. At Cardenas Camp (River Mile 71.7L), the project includes assessment, restoration design, and on-the-ground vegetative and habitat restoration activities. At Grand Canyon Youth Camp (GCY) (River Mile 274L), the emphasis is on assessment and design components to prepare for restoration work, indicating that planning, site evaluation, and development of restoration prescriptions are key deliverables there. The project explicitly aligns with established policy and planning documents, including the 2002 USFWS Recovery Plan for the southwestern willow flycatcher, the 2006 Colorado River Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement, and the 2009 Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment, signaling that proposed actions must support endangered species recovery objectives while fitting within the park's broader invasive species and river corridor management framework.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial federal involvement or collaboration during project implementation. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The award ceiling is $76,561, with one expected award. The opportunity was created on June 20, 2017, with an original application closing date of June 30, 2017, indicating a short application window and a relatively targeted, site-specific project scope focused on immediate habitat protection and restoration planning in response to an active, ongoing tamarisk defoliation threat.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mitigate Endangered Bird Habitat prior to Tamarisk defoliation by the Northern Tamarisk Beetle" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 20, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $76,561.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

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