Western Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation in South America | F17AS00259

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00259

The Western Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation in South America opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00259) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notice of intent to make a single-source discretionary grant award, meaning it is not an open competition and there is no full public announcement package for applicants to respond to. The Service’s stated intent is to provide funding to one organization, New Jersey Audubon Society, Inc. (NJAS), to carry out work in Suriname focused on reducing the illegal hunting of migratory shorebirds, which are a key conservation concern along the Western Atlantic Flyway.

The core purpose of the project is practical, on-the-ground enforcement and behavior change. The grant is intended to support the development and delivery of a hunter education program in Suriname and to strengthen law enforcement efforts aimed at curbing illegal shorebird hunting. In plain terms, the work is designed to reduce unlawful take of protected migratory birds by combining outreach and education for hunters with improved capacity to enforce applicable rules and deter violations.

This action is backed by several federal legal authorities that collectively support U.S. involvement in fish and wildlife conservation and migratory bird protection. The notice cites the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (as amended), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 as funding and program authorities. These authorities are commonly used to support conservation projects, including international efforts, when they align with U.S. migratory bird conservation responsibilities and broader wildlife management goals.

NJAS was identified as the intended recipient based on what the Service describes as unique qualifications tied to ongoing, continuing work in Suriname specifically aimed at stopping illegal shorebird hunting. The notice emphasizes that NJAS already has active partnerships and a track record in the country, including collaboration with the Suriname Forest Service (Nature Conservation Division), Friends of Suriname Nature Conservation, and other partners. The single-source nature of the award is justified on the basis that NJAS’s existing relationships and continuing efforts position it to advance the work efficiently and credibly, rather than starting over with a new organization.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a grant within the discretionary funding category and is associated with CFDA (now commonly referenced through assistance listings) number 15.664. The eligible applicant type listed is nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), although the notice makes clear that the Service intends to make only one award rather than accept competing applications. The anticipated award amount has a ceiling of $130,000, with one expected award. The opportunity record indicates a creation date of June 27, 2017 and an original closing date of July 3, 2017, which in practice functions more like a short administrative window associated with the posted notice rather than a typical application deadline for a competitive program.

Overall, this notice describes a targeted conservation investment along a major migratory route, using a single, pre-selected nonprofit partner to deliver hunter education and bolster enforcement in Suriname to reduce illegal harvest of migratory shorebirds.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Western Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation in South America" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.664.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 27, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 03, 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 $130,000.00 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.

Apply for F17AS00259

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