Florida Marsh Survey

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OVERVIEWThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Division of Migratory Bird Management intends to award a cooperative agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWCC) to survey birds in salt and freshwater marshes throughout the state of Florida.The anticipated length of the project is a 21 month period. The FWS will consider continued funding in the second year for the project upon (a) the recipient showing progress satisfactory to the FWS toward program goals and the determination by the FWS that continuation of the program would be in the best interest of the Government or (b) the availability of funds. The total project period for this award will not exceed 21 months. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENTThe FFWCC will conduct bird surveys in salt and freshwater marshes throughout the state of Florida. Survey locations will be determined by FWS and will be based on the continental marsh bird survey design. FFWCC will survey chosen locations following standard methods used elsewhere in the U.S. in conjunction with the continental marsh bird monitoring program. At the end of the field season, FFWCC will enter field data into the national database housed at Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge. FFWCC has trained wildlife biologists throughout the state that will assist with this survey. FFWCC also has the necessary equipment (e.g., vehicles, boats) that may be used in this survey. FFWCC will use state personnel, volunteers, and existing equipment to assist with the monitoring program which will result in cost sharing.FWS INVOLVEMENTSubstantial involvement on the part of FWS is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, FWS staff will provide the survey design and count methodology for conducting surveys. FWS will also provide training as necessary and participate in data collection and analysis to model and estimate detection probability, occupancy, abundance, and density in the surveyed area and region.

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