July 2007

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2007 SJV Awards Program Recipients Announced
The Sonoran Joint Venture 2007 Awards Program recipients were recently announced. Eight projects were approved for funding by the SJV Management Board and Technical Committee. The projects come from organizations in both the United States and Mexico and include things like habitat restoration and protection, monitoring, and training.

• Arizona Game and Fish Department: The 2008 Veracruz Model: An Innovative Approach of Training, Stewardship, and Capacity Building for Wetland Conservation in Mexico
• Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Monitoring of Masked Bobwhites in Known and Potential Habitat in Sonora, Mexico
• Bureau of Land Management: South Mittry and Pratt Riparian Restoration
• Monte Sonorense: Mangrove Restoration and Bird Monitoring at Estero La Cruz, Sonora
• Pronatura Noroeste: Monitoring Program for wetland Birds in Northwestern Mexico
• Pronatura Noroeste: Public Participation for the Restoration of the Colorado River Delta
• Pronatura Noroeste: Distribution, Abundance, and Reproductive Status of the Mexican Duck on the Sonoran and Sinaloan Coasts
• University of Arizona: A Training Workshop for Secretive marsh Birds on the Lower Colorado River

The deadline to submit a proposal for the next funding cycle is 1 April 2008. Visit the program website for more details or contact Carol Beardmore with questions.

Declaration of Bahía de Los Ángeles, Canales de Ballenas, and Salsipuedes Biosphere Reserve
On 5 June 2007 the government of Mexico published the official decree declaring the creation of the Bahía de Los Ángeles, Canales de Ballenas, and Salsipuedes Biosphere Reserve. The decree is the conclusion of a process initiated by SJV partner Pronatura Noroeste en 2001 and which includes the support of the community of Bahía de Los Ángeles, the municipal and state governments, and a large group of conservation organizations and academic institutions.

The Reserve, which includes 388,000 ha of priority marine habitat, includes beaches, estuaries, and fishing areas. The region supports species including the whale shark, fin whale, five species of threatened sea turtles, numerous fish species of commercial importance, sea lions, and enormous breeding bird colonies. It is also an area of remarkable natural beauty.

The conservation objectives of the Reserve include conserving the rich biological diversity of the region and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local communities. The Reserve will give special attention to small-scale fishing and tourism activities, working with authorities to ensure productivity, efficiency, and care of the environment.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Gustavo D. Danemann
Programa de Conservación Marina y Pesca Sustentable
Pronatura Noroeste

Calle Décima No 60 (esq. Ryerson)
Ensenada, Baja California
CP 22800 México
Tel. (646) 175-34-61
Fax (646) 175-71-60

Natural History Network
We are excited to announce the creation of a new publication, the Journal of Natural History Education-a peer-reviewed, on-line journal by and for practitioners of natural history education. The journal is the first endeavor of a newly incorporated organization, Natural History Network, whose mission is to promote "the value of natural history through discussion and dissemination of ideas and techniques on its successful practice to educators, scientists, artists, writers, the media, and the public at large."

Our hope is to provide an engaging, thoughtful, and thought-provoking forum to foster the practice of natural history at all levels-K-12 schools, community nature centers, academia, and everywhere in between. We have attempted to make it as easy as possible to contribute to the journal, while retaining all the rigor and high standards of peer review. The first article, "Natural History Renaissance," is available now through the journal's website, along with submission guidelines and editorial policies.

Rep. Grijalva Introduces Legislation to Protect and Conserve Public Lands Along Border
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva recently introduced legislation that will help secure and conserve public and tribal lands and natural resources along the international land borders of the United States. The Borderlands Conservation and Security Act of 2007 will help mitigate damage to Federal and tribal lands from illegal border activity and border enforcement efforts by increasing coordination and planning between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal land management agencies and tribes.
 
"Current policy has driven crossing activity to remote isolated areas along the border, which in Southern Arizona, represent significant public and tribal lands," said Rep. Grijalva.  "Many of these lands have suffered extensive environmental degradation as a result of unauthorized activity and border security efforts.  This bill is the first step in preserving our unique natural heritage while we protect our borders."
 
The Borderlands Conservation and Security Act will:  (1) Develop a Border Protection Strategy that supports border security efforts while also protecting federal lands; (2) Provide for flexibility rather than a one size fits all approach to border security by   allowing experts at DHS to decide whether fences, virtual fences, border barriers or other options are the best way to address border security; (3) Allow land managers, local officials, and local communities to have a say in border security decisions; (4) Ensure that laws intended to protect air, water, wildlife, culture, and health and safety are fully complied with; and, (5) Fund initiatives that will help mitigate damage to borderland habitat and wildlife.
 
"This multi-disciplinary approach is the correct path to address the growing crisis in a rapidly changing geopolitical reality," stated Grijalva. "The Borderlands Conservation and Security Act will strengthen border security and protect the environment by allowing all the agencies to work together cooperatively."
 
For more information contact:
Natalie Luna
Press Secretary
U.S. Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva
Arizona District 7
(520) 622-6788
(520) 904-0375 cell
http://www.house.gov/grijalva

SJV Partners Receive NAWCA Grants
SJV partners received a total of 8 NAWCA grants between the Standard, Mexican, and Small grants program. Together the projects received more than $2.3 million in NAWCA funding and provided over $4.3 million in matching dollars.

U.S. Standard Grants:

• Ducks Unlimited: Sonoran Wetlands Restoration (Arizona and California)

U.S. Small Grants:

• Cibola National Wildlife Refuge: Cibola NWR Wetlands (Arizona)
• San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy: San Dieguito Lepidium
  Latifolium Control (California)

Mexico Standard Grants:

• Arizona Game and Fish Department: The 2008 Veracruz Model: An Innovative Approach of Training, Stewardship, and Capacity Building for Wetland Conservation in Mexico (Northwest Mexico)
• Ducks Unlimited Mexico Implementation of the Conservation and Management Plan for Huizache-Caimanero Lagoon, Phase 2 (Sinaloa)
• Pronatura Noroeste: Conservation of Brant in San Ignacio Lagoon (Baja California Sur)
• Pronatura Noroeste: Implementation of Legal Conservation Mechanisms in Laguna San Ignacio, Phase 2 (Baja California Sur)
• Pronatural Noroeste: Conservation of Wintering Areas for Migratory Waterfowl and Shorebirds in Sonora and Sinaloa (Sinaloa, Sonora)

SEAZ Birding Trail Map a Finalist for Governor's Tourism Award
The Southeastern Arizona Birding Trail has been selected as a finalist in the Cooperative Marketing category for the Arizona Governor’s Tourism Awards. The winner for this category will be announced at the Governor’s Awards Luncheon, at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, on Thursday, July 12, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Conference details are available online. Learn more about the SEAZ Birding Trail Map by clicking here.

Upcoming grant deadlines
We have recently added information about a number of new funding opportunities for those doing work in the SJV region. Please take the time to browse through the complete list of funding opportunities.

• North American Wetlands Conservation Act Program
  Deadline: 27 July 2007 (U.S. Standard Grants); 30 November 2007 (U.S. Small Grants)
  Description: The North American Wetlands Conservation Act provides matching grants to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The program provides US, Mexican, and Canadian Standard Grants (between $50,000 and $1,000,000) and US Small Grants (up to $75,000). For more details on how to apply, visit the NAWCA section of the SJV website. And be sure to check out the Playa Lakes Joint Venture's Timeline for preparing a NAWCA Proposal. Important note: Anyone considering applying for a U.S. grant should coordinate their application with SJV Science Coordinator Carol Beardmore (602-242-0524 ext. 248). The SJV will need to be involved not only to provide guidance but also because we rank all applications that are submitted (Mexican applicants do not need to coordinate with the SJV, although we are happy to provide assistance).
• Kushlan Research Award in Ciconiiform Research and Conservation
  Deadline: 15 July 2007
  Description: The goal of the Kushlan Research Award in Ciconiiform Biology and Conservation is to encourage significant scientific advances in the biology, ecology, or conservation biology of wading birds (i.e. herons, storks, ibises, and their taxonomic allies). These grants are open globally to any student, professional, or amateur. Depending on the scientific merit of the competition, awards will be offered in most years - one or more awards from $1,000 to $7,000 will be made.
• National Forest Foundation Matching Grants Program
  Deadline: 27 July 2007
  Description: The National Forest Foundation (NFF) engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 192-million-acre National Forest System and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. The NFF believes that communities should play a significant role in determining the future of National Forests and Grasslands. The NFF is intersted in action-oriented projects that enhance the viability of natural resources while considering benefits to, and the involvement of, surrounding communities. The NFF will accept applications from non-governmental, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on or adjacent to National Forests and Grasslands throughout the United States. All grants awarded by the NFF require at least a 1:1 match of non-federal funds.Areas of programmatic emphasis include: Wildlife Habitat Improvement, Recreation, Community-Based Forestry, and Watershed Health and Restoration. Each is briefly described below. Weighted emphasis will be given to projects affecting Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Recreation.
• AZ Game and Fish Department Wildlife Conservation Fund
  Deadline: 15 August 2007
  Description: The Arizona Game and Fish Commission announces the availability of a new grant program, the Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) Grant Program, that supports projects that help conserve, enhance and restore Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and habitats for present and future generations. Eligible applicants include any agency of the state or any political subdivision, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of conservation of wildlife or wildlife habitat, or acquisition of real property that is wildlife habitat. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is providing $300,000 total for Fiscal Year 2008 (2007-08). Project proposals will only be accepted for the following types of projects: habitat improvement, including aquatic; shooting sports; access to wildlife-related recreation; hunter and angler recruitment and retention; Wildlife health and disease
  new watchable wildlife opportunties; information and education on nuisance wildlife; wildlife population research.
• Wilburforce Foundation
  Deadlines: 17 August 2007
  Description: Wilburforce Foundation is dedicated to protecting nature's richness and diversity through funding programs that help preserve our remaining wild places. We focus our funding on organizations that work to protect habitats that are critically important to sustaining abundant ecological communities in Western Canada and the Western United States.
• Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Grants to States and Territories
  Deadline: 24 August 2007
  Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories interested in obtaining federal grant assistance to acquire land or conduct planning for endangered species conservation efforts. For fiscal year 2008, the President's budget request for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund would provide approximately $80 million in grant funding for conservation planning activities and habitat acquisition for federally protected species. The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund is authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and provides grants to states and territories to support participation in a wide array of voluntary conservation projects for species on the Federal list of threatened and endangered species, as well as for species that are either candidates or have been proposed for listing.
• The Christensen Fund
  Deadline: 31 August 2007
  Description: The Christensen Fund makes grants to organizations that work towards maintaining the rich diversity of the world—biological and cultural—over the long run, including the persistence and adaptation of indigenous systems for managing landscapes that sustain cultural and biological value and diversity.

Upcoming meetings and workshops
See complete details about upcoming meetings and workshops.

American Ornithologists' Union: 8-11 August 2007, Laramie, Wyoming.

Wetlands 2007: Watershed-wide Strategies to Maximize Wetland Ecological and Social Services: 27-30 August 2007, Williamsburg, Virginia.

California Partners in Flight: 6-7 September 2007, near Sacramento, California.

Western Field Ornithologists Meeting: 27-30 September 2007, Henderson, Nevada.