Notice of Intent to Award

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THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD AND THERE IS NO "FULL ANNOUNCEMENT" ASSOCIATED WITH THIS NOTICE. Description: With support provided through a Cooperative Agreement, the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) and the Chesapeake NWR Complex/Blackwater NWR would work together to create a vision for habitat restoration, land acquisition, and climate change adaptation efforts at Blackwater for both internal and external audiences, including a plan for implementation and funding. The components of collaborative work over the coming year would include: 1. Create a vision for Blackwater and the watershed. NWRA would work with the Project Leader and staff to help develop and articulate a vision for the Refuge, help prioritize actions and create strategies for moving forward with management, restoration, acquisition, and education efforts, and work to help communicate that vision among both internal (USFWS) and external (partners, communities) audiences. 2. Engage and Coordinate Partners. NWRA would help convene a group of close partners and stakeholders to engage them as part of the strategy for advancing the Blackwater vision. This would include a spectrum of engagement, from simply finding the common ground for coordination among partners and articulating respective roles, to proactive cooperative planning for future efforts. Partners include other federal divisions and agencies, as well as state agencies, NGOs, Friends, and community organizations. 3. Share Models. NWRA would help share lessons learned and strategies employed at Blackwater with other coastal refuges and throughout the System. This work is likely to center on climate change and wildlife adaptation, but would not necessarily be limited to such topics.

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