U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is Offering a Grant for Black Oystercatcher Surveys in California

Overview:
Funding for this agreement will assist with implementation of some of the goals and objectives of the Black Oystercatcher Conservation Plan. The objective in spring and summer 2011 is to detect as many Black Oystercatchers as possible along the coast of California in Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties. Monitoring nesting success of a select number of oystercatchers is a secondary objective. The project will benefit the public by ultimately determining the health of the Black Oystercatcher population in California, a trust species, species of conservation concern, and focal species for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Single Source Justification Criteria:
MRB Research, Inc. Director, Ron LeValley has experience monitoring Black Oystercatchers and other shorebirds on California’s north coast for over 30 years. MRB Research is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability, and technical expertise. LeValley’s unique knowledge of current Black Oystercatcher distribution in the area and locations of historic occurrence in northern California will make for efficient and cost-effective implementation of the field work associated with this agreement. MRB Research, Inc. is locally positioned to provide needed coverage of suitable oystercatcher sites on the north coast to help with the overall statewide survey effort in 2011.

Recipient or Type(s) of Eligible Recipients Recipient: MRB Research, Inc., P.O. Box 324, Little River, CA 95456

Award Amount $20,000

FWS Point of Contact:
Marie Strassburger
Regional Migratory Bird Chief
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-414-6727
Email: marie_strassburger@fws.gov