BLM UT Special Status Bird Surveys along the San Juan River, San Juan County, Utah

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Project Background Information: The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, academic institutions, tribal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations (300 partners). The Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CPCESU) is a cooperative network, transcending political and institutional boundaries, which creates innovative opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance in support of the management and stewardship by partner agencies of the Colorado Plateau's natural, cultural, and social resources The CPCESU has a unique collaborative relationship with research scientists, end users of research products, the public, and educators who are trained to bridge the gap between researchers, science users and educators. The BLM Utah desires to enter into new agreement with a CPCESU partner to provide students, interns, volunteers, or entry-level professionals for the following reasons; 1). Create an on-going scientific research and technical assistance for natural resource management on public lands. 2). Create an on-going effective and efficient partnership between the BLM and a CESU University. 3). Enable undergraduate and graduate students to interact with Federal agency personnel and to experience on-the-ground resource management. 4). Assist the BLM in efficient and cost effective public land management by investigating the breeding status, population status, distribution and habitat use of peregrine falcons, yellow-billed cuckoos and Southwester willow flycatchers along the San Juan River, Utah. Project Objective: This project would investigate breeding and population status, distribution and habitat use of peregrine falcons (sensitive), yellow-billed cuckoo (candidate threatened) and Southwestern willow flycatcher (endangered) along the San Juan River. Due to the drastic range reductions, population declines, the rarity of the species and the lack of information regarding factors contributing to these declines, this project will be beneficial in filling in these data gaps and providing information to protect and improve these species. Statement of Joint Objectives/Project Management Plan: This project would benefit the potential recipient by providing opportunities for students to obtain valuable field experience and has the possibility for future research projects. The data collected from this project by the potential recipient will provide valuable information regarding the population status, distribution status and habitat use by sensitive bird species, which will aid in future management and conservation measures for these species along the San Juan River. This information combined with future actions will enable the public to experience and learn about these species now and in the future.

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