December 2006

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SJV 2007 Awards Program Request for Proposals
The official Request For Proposals for the 2007 SJV Awards Program is now available online. The objective of the Sonoran Joint Venture Awards Program is to support the investigation and conservation of all birds and their habitats within SJV boundaries by providing funds through a competitive program. SJV Awards range from $1,000-$10,000, with an average of $5,000. Proposals can be submitted in English or Spanish. The deadline to submit a proposal is 1 April 2007.

CHANGES FOR THE 2007 FUNDING CYCLE
The Awards Program is not accepting proposals whose principle focus is Education or Outreach this funding cycle. However, habitat, monitoring, or research proposals that have an education or outreach component are welcome. Habitat, monitoring, and research projects that also incorporate elements of the SJV's other areas of interest (research, habitat, education, monitoring, outreach, community involvement, training, or avitourism) are encouraged.

In an effort to focus the Awards Program, the SJV Technical Committee has identified priorities by SJV ecological region (Pacific Lowlands priorities were not identified; contact Carol Beardmore for details) for Awards Seekers. Proposals that address these priority habitats and project types are encouraged.

Arid Borderlands
Priority Habitats: Riparian Wetlands, Desert Grasslands, Desert Scrub
Priority Goals: Habitat and monitoring

Mexican Highlands
Priority Habitats: Riparian, desert grasslands
Priority Goals: habitat restoration and management, monitoring, work with private landowners to protect habitat and bird populations

California Coasts and Mountains
Priority Habitats: coastal sage scrublands, grasslands
Priority Goals: work with private landowners to protect habitat and bird populations, monitoring

Please visit the grants section of the SJV website to download the application cover sheet, proposal requirements, and view frequently asked questions and other important information. All proposals must be emailed to both Robert Mesta and Carol Beardmore. The deadline to submit a proposal for the 2007 funding cycle is 1 April 2007. Contact Jennie Duberstein with questions about the website and Carol Beardmore with questions about the Awards Program.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on the 2 of February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since this time government agencies, non-government organizations, and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. These activities include seminars, nature walks, festivals, launches of new policies, announcement of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation.

This year's theme is "Fish for Tomorrow" and focuses on wetlands and fisheries. More information, including excellent education and outreach materials, are available on the Ramsar website.

Save the date!
Due to the success of last year's International Migratory Bird Day/Spring Festival event, the Sonoran Joint Venture and the Friends of the San Pedro are again collaborating to put together an IMBD Festival at the San Pedro House in Sierra Vista on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

Please contact Jennie Duberstein if you are interested in setting up an information table, leading a workshop or walk, or participating in another way. More details will be provided in early 2007.

Online courses in environmental education
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is offering two online environmental education courses for environmental educators and natural resource professionals. To learn more, visit the course web site or contact Angela Lemar for a registration form.

Course Title: Fundamentals of Environmental Education Online Course
Dates: 5 February - 20 April 2007
Application deadline: 5 January 2007
Description: The course is appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers. Participants may obtain three undergraduate or graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All students, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The course is also offered at a reduced cost for those who are not interested in obtaining college credit. The "Fundamentals of Environmental Education" online course was developed by the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) in collaboration with national EE experts. It provides educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate quality environmental education into their instruction. Participants discuss the history, definition, and goals of environmental education; develop an understanding of the professional roles and instructional methods of environmental educators; and interact with other educators from across the country. Past course participants have given the course excellent reviews.

Course Title: Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation
Dates: 19 February - 4 May 2007
Application deadline: 19 January 2007
Description: The course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs. Participants have the opportunity to develop and apply skills in designing evaluation tools such as surveys, observation forms, and interview and focus group guides. This course was developed as a cooperative effort between the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Conservation Training Center. Participants may obtain three undergraduate or graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All participants, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The course is also offered as a non-credit workshop for those who are not seeking college credit.

Partners sought for molt migration study
The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) is interested in recruiting bird banders in Sonora and Sinaloa during July-September 2007 for participation in a study on landbird "molt migration". Molt-migrants, as used here, are landbirds that breed in western North America, migrate to the monsoon region of Mexico and Arizona in July to molt, and later migrate to wintering grounds after molting. Currently, nothing is known of the stop-over ecology or habitat requirements of molt-migrants during this critical stage in their annual cycle. We propose to learn about the life history and habitat requirements of molt-migrants by operating mist-nets at banding stations.

Please contact Peter Pyle for more detailed information.