Status of Active CWT and DFO Projects
Conserve Wildlife Tag Grants
Project Number: CWT 0607-03
Project Name: ArcIMS Programmer to deliver Web-Based GIS Services via the Internet (Year 2)
Grant Amount: $52,000.00
Project Manager: Kathleen O'Keefe
Status: The grant was awarded to the FWC's Office of Data Portal to allow the office to provide a second year of support for on-line GIS services for FWC researchers, as well as the public. Grant funds paid for a programmer to perform this highly technical work. This has evolved into a web-based application called Environmental Analysis GIS (EAGIS).
The project was extended until November 15, 2008. A final report is due within 90 days of the closing date.
Project Number: CWT 0607-10
Project Name: Digital Conversion of Video Library
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Kent Whittington
Status: The FWC's Office of Community Relations received this grant to create a digital archive of video footage. The FWC maintains an extensive video library for use in creating professional promotional and educational video projects. The process of manually scrolling through hours of tape for the tight footage has proven to be costly and time-consuming.
Grant funds will allow the FWC to transfer over 115 hours of tape into a digital format. Digital video footage may them be searched and scrolled in a much more efficient manner. The overall result is to increase the FWC's capability to produce professional video products. This, in turn, results in increased exposure for the FWC and the Foundation.
Work on this project continues as staff time allows.
Project Number: CWT 0708-01
Project Name: Cooperative Conservation Blueprint for Florida
Grant Amount: $100,000.00
Project Manager: Christine Small
Status: The FWC's Wildlife Legacy Initiative staff is charged with developing and implementing a cooperative conservation blueprint that will provide a decision-making tool for land managers charged with conserving critical lands and waters in Florida. The FWC received this grant to fund facilitation and implementation of the blueprint.
Since the project was awarded, blueprint staff has been hard at work bringing together various stakeholders to work together and make the blueprint a reality.
The project was extended until December 31, 2008. The extra time was needed to allow the Florida Defenders of Wildlife sufficient time to complete the draft of the current incentives report.
Project Number: CWT 0708-02
Project Name: Hawks channel coral ecosystem mapping
Grant Amount: $50,000.00
Project Manager: Dave Palandro
Status: The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute received this grant to produce a GIS map of the shallow-water habitats of an approximately 850 square kilometer coral ecosystem in the lower Florida Keys. The project is incorporating GIS maps, satellite images and a number of different data sets. Results are being openly shared with NOAA and the USGS.
The project was extended until December 31, 2008. The project generated significant interest from the NOAA BioGeography working group. A draft dataset was sent to NOAA for inclusion in their future South Florida mapping effort. A final report is anticipated within 90 days of the completion date.
Project Number: CWT 0708-04
Project Name: Avian survey of sandhill habitat in Florida
Grant Amount: $57,842.00
Project Manager: James Rogers
Status: The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute received this grant to develop a survey protocol for monitoring birds native to sandhill habitats. The overall goal is to serve as a model for establishing performance measures and monitoring protocols for sandhill communities. Work on this project is moving along. The field work is completed. FWC staff is working with the University of Florida to conduct a statistical analysis of the data gathered. The project closes on December 31, 2008. The final report is expected this within 90 days of the closing date.
Project Number: CWT 0708-05
Project Name: Community bear restraint container program
Grant Amount: $61,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management program received this grant to develop and implement a program that would recruit and train community advocates who will act as stewards to minimize the negative impacts of human-wildlife encounters in targeted communities. The main components are the purchase of new or retrofitted trash containers at priority locations, distribution of new or improved information materials and an implementation of a monitoring process for the project.
The project is on schedule. Commercial refuse containers have been purchased and distributed in the community of Carrabelle. FWC bear staff have scheduled field days, in which residents may have their trash containers retrofitted. Staff is also working with homeowners associations to alter covenants to include wildlife resistant containers. The project will be extended.
Project Number: CWT 0708-06
Project Name: Restoration, monitoring and management of boat propeller scars in St. Andrew bay, Florida
Grant Amount: $18,072.00
Project Manager: Chris Gudeman
Status: The FWC is partnering with the Florida Park Service, DEP Aquatic Preserve staff and Bay County to restore boat propeller scars in sea grass beds. Restoration involves placing sediment tubes in propeller scars to raise the scar elevation and promote the growth of new sea grasses.
Restoration was completed in December of 2007. The remaining project time is devoted to monitoring project area to determine whether sea grass is growing in the restored scars.
Project Number: CWT 0708-07
Project Name: Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative partner's meetings
Grant Amount: $4,500.00
Project Manager: Kate Haley
Status: The FWC received this grant to support the Florida Wildlife Legacy Initiative's efforts to work with partners to implement its strategic priorities. Grant funds are used to cover meeting facilitation expenses (facility costs, printing, travel or meal expenses). The meetings are integral to enable FWC staff to work in partnership with Florida's wildlife and conservation community.
Thus far, eleven meetings have been conducted across the state. Meetings have centered around topics such as the species ranking system of the FWLI, general FWLI coordination, the Cooperative Conservation Blueprint (in cooperation with CWT 0708-01)springs, and habitat performance measures. FWLI staff continues to make great progress on engaging partners to work on Legacy Initiative projects. The project was extended to December 31, 2008. We anticipate a final report within 90 days of the closing date.
Project Number: CWT 0809-01
Project Name: One year continuation of two nongame wildlife grants
Grant Amount: $47,834.00
Project Manager: Stuart Cumberbatch
Status: This project was approved as part of the "block grant" given to support core non-game programs that were at risk due to funding restrictions as a result of the state's economic downturn. A shortfall in the Nongame trust fund necessitated cutting $47,843. The FWC uses part of this trust fund to offer a nongame wildlife grants program. The program makes multi-year grants for ongoing research projects. Some of these projects were in jeopardy.
This particular CWT grant project enabled the continued support of two nongame wildlife projects. One is a project to determine how to help Scrub Jays survive in suburban areas. The other is to determine causes for the decline of the Great White Heron in Florida.
Project Number: CWT 0809-02
Project Name: Bring back the red cockaded woodpecker through FWC's Safe Harbor Program
Grant Amount: $50,000.00
Project Manager: Robin Boughton
Status: This project was also approved as part of the "block grant." Florida's Safe Harbor is a voluntary program designed to involve private landowners in the recovery of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker. The grant funds support the employee responsible for Safe harbor. This employee produces informational materials, meets with landowners to recommend conservation actions and assists landowners in understanding the legal Safe Harbor agreement.
The FWC entered into the Safe Harbor program with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The USFWS provides assurances that landowners will face no additional regulatory restrictions on their property if they are able to increase woodpecker populations. A project coordinator was hired and participated in training. Contacts with key partners and landowners have been established. Site visits were held for potential enrollees.
Project Number: CWT 0809-03
Project Name: Nongame wildlife conservation throughout Florida
Grant Amount: $160,000.00
Project Manager: Terry Doonan
Status: This is the third project approved as part of the "block grant." This grant provides three regional OPS positions, plus a portion of related operating cost. These staff are key to implementing the FWC's species management plans at the local level. These staff manage nongame species with an emphasis on imperiled species management and conduct regional conservation projects.
The following goals have been addressed thus far:
1. Develop, coordinate & implement a regionally-based program of conservation and management projects
2. Focus on high priority species conservation needs and actions
3. Implement conservation activities consistent with the Wildlife Legacy Initiative.
Project Number: CWT 0809-04
Project Name: Assess internet traffic of regulated fish and wildlife
Grant Amount: $37,500.00
Project Manager: Scott Hardin
Status: This grant will allow the FWC to contract with North Carolina State University to subscribe to a custom internet search engine. Law enforcement staff will use this as a tool to help stem the flow of illegal captive wildlife sales and transportation via the internet.
Project Number: CWT 0809-05
Project Name: Community-based approach for human-bear coexistence
Grant Amount: $45,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management program received this grant to develop a pilot "Community-Based Management Program" that will engage local citizens, businesses and government in developing community-level advocacy for bears in areas of Franklin County, Florida.
Project Number: CWT 0809-06
Project Name: Microsatellite analysis of genetic variation in panhandle gopher tortoise
Grant Amount: $12,700.00
Project Manager: Joan Berish
Status: This grant-funded research will fill an important data gap in the FWC's gopher tortoise management plan. Genetic studies are important to in light of the need to re-stock some populations of tortoises. It is imperative to ensure that any restocking efforts are accomplished in a responsible, scientifically sound manner.
The FWC has sufficient genetic data from tortoise populations in peninsular Florida. However, it has very little date on tortoise populations in the Florida panhandle. This project aims to fill that critical data gap. As of October, 29 blood samples had been collected. This is between 30-60% of the target of 50-100 samples.
Project Number: CWT 0809-07
Project Name: Northwest coastal bear festival
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Judy Gillan
Status: This grant was given to the FWC's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation to work in cooperation with FWC's Community Relations office to develop a coastal bear festival to be held in northwest Florida. The grant has been cancelled, as the FWC was not able to participate in the festival as originally anticipated.
Discover Florida's Oceans Tag Grants
Project Number: DFO 0607-04
Project Name: A pilot tagging study to determine movement, stock affinity and possible recruitment of common snook (centropomus undecimalis) in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys
Grant Amount: $7,500.00
Project Manager: Ron Taylor/Alexis Trotter
Status: The goal of this project is to determine whether or not adult snook move between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. This is accomplished by enlisting expert anglers and professional fishing guides to capture, tag and release snook.
Over 600 snook have been tagged thus far. The project will continue in the coming year. By recording when and where a snook was tagged and recaptured, researchers can determine whether snook migrate between the gulf and Atlantic, and if so, at what rate. This information will aid FWC leaders in making decisions as how best to manage the Atlantic and Gulf stocks. This project is on schedule.
Project Number: DFO 0708-03
Project Name: Boating and angling guide to the nature coast
Grant Amount: $10,200.00
Project Manager: Kathleen O'Kiefe
Status: The FWC, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, has produced twenty three Boating and Angling Guides over the past several years. The Foundation has assisted with funding a number of these guides. The guides provide maps, fishing regulations, locations of ramps and marinas, as well as conservation information. The guides are targeted to recreational boaters in a specific region.
This particular guide covers the "Nature Coast" area of Florida's gulf coast. This includes Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties. This guide is in the final stages of preparation. It is almost ready to be sent to the printer. The project completion date was extended until December 31, 2008. A final report is anticipated within 90 days of the completion date.
Project Number: DFO 0708-04
Project Name: Science in the Sea
Grant Amount: $10,000.00
Project Manager: Dr. Ellen Prager
Status: This grant was awarded to Dr. Prager to assist in her research and writing of this book. The goal of the book is to use storytelling as a means to improve understanding of ocean issues, the importance of marine fieldwork and to inspire a new generation of marine researchers and stewards.
The book was recently published by the University of Chicago press. The final title is "Chasing Science at Sea: Racing Hurricanes, Stalking Sharks, and Living Undersea with Ocean Experts."
Project Number: DFO 0708-05
Project Name: Diagnostic necropsies of stranded right whales
Grant Amount: $6,000.00
Project Manager: Tom Pitchford
Status: This is the first of two projects to benefit from generous donations by the Flowers Family Foundation. The FWC used funds from NOAA to purchase a trailer to use in response to right whale mortality events. The Foundation used a combination of tag funds as well as a donation from the Flowers Family Foundation to equip the trailer for on-site whale necropsies. Funds will also be used for costs related to traveling to mortality events.
The project was recently extended. Fortunately (for the whales) there were very few mortality events last season. Funds will be used to respond to whale mortalities in the coming season (January-March, 2009).
Project Number: DFO 0809-01
Project Name: Support for marine hatcheries initiative
Grant Amount: $30,000.00
Project Manager: Luiz Barbieri
Status: This project was given to the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to support fund raising, marketing and promotional efforts associated with the FWC Saltwater Hatchery and Habitat Initiative. The initiative represents a large-scale collaborative effort to develop a statewide network of interdisciplinary facilities centered around sport fish hatchery production and coastal habitat restoration. Marine science education, community outreach and recreation are expected benefits as well.
This project "hit the ground running." Project managers received approval to commence activities immediately upon award. Staff has worked with a number of partners to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative. While the grant funds are nearly spent out, the work of this initiative will continue.
Project Number: DFO 0809-02
Project Name: Boating and angling guide to St. Johns and Flagler counties
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Chris Anderson
Status: The FWC, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, has produced twenty three Boating and Angling Guides over the past several years. The Foundation has assisted with funding a number of these guides. The guides provide maps, fishing regulations, locations of ramps and marinas, as well as conservation information. The guides are targeted to recreational boaters in a specific region.
This particular guide covers St. Johns and Flagler counties. Work on this guide commenced in July. A final product is anticipated by June 30, 2009.
Project Number: DFO 0809-03
Project Name: Evaluation of reef fish within Dry Tortugas
Grant Amount: $8,500.00
Project Manager: Mike Feeley
Status: This grant was awarded to the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to monitor the movement and spawning patterns of adult snapper and grouper in the Dry Tortugas. These fish tend to congregate in large groups when spawning. This makes them vulnerable to overfishing, which resulted in a decline in these species.
Project work commenced in July, 2008. This includes deployment of acoustic receivers to capture movement of fishes. Tagging of individual fish has also begun.
Project Number: DFO 0809-04
Project Name: Bringing the FWC mission to the Florida Keys classroom
Grant Amount: $7,500.00
Project Manager: Dave Eaken
Status: The FWC's South Florida Research Lab received this grant in order to implement a marine education program in Monroe County schools. Currently, no such program exists.
The goal of the education program is two-fold:
1. to educate students on how their community depends upon the marine ecosystem
2. to promote the mission of the FWC (managing fish and wildlife resources for their long term well-being and for the benefit of people)
The project is in its planning stage. Meetings have been held with Marathon High School science teachers to build a curriculum. Classroom presentations will follow.
Project Number: DFO 0809-05
Project Name: Photo identification of north Atlantic right whales in northeast Florida
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Tom Pitchford
Status: This is another project funded via a generous donation from the Flowers Family Foundation. The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute requested this grant in order to purchase a camera and related equipment to be used in photo identification of North American right whales. This specialized equipment will allow FWC scientists to get details from individual specimens at high resolution over a long distance. This permits an accurate identification of whales.
FWC scientists will perform the initial photo identification. Then, photos will be submitted to the New England Aquarium, which is home to the North American Right Whale Catalog. The New England Aquarium will confirm the identification and include the specimen in the catalog.
