Karner Blue Butterfly Assisted Migration in Western Wisconsin | F16AS00195

Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00195

The Karner Blue Butterfly Assisted Migration in Western Wisconsin opportunity is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) cooperative agreement focused on stabilizing and expanding Karner blue butterfly (KBB) populations in western Wisconsin by directly addressing several linked threats. The project is built around the reality that KBB populations are under pressure from habitat loss, habitat succession where management is limited or absent, poor connectivity between suitable habitat patches, and ongoing changes tied to climate change. Rather than treating these issues separately, the proposed work bundles them into a single strategy that both strengthens existing occupied sites and helps establish additional population footholds within the butterfly's historic range.

A central element of the project is assisted migration through translocation of KBB eggs into restored habitat. The plan uses a modified version of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Egg Salvage Protocol (WDNR 2014), which typically involves moving vegetation that contains overwintering eggs so that eggs are transported with their natural substrate. By using this approach, the project aims to create a new subpopulation in an area where KBB historically occurred, while reducing risks that can come with handling insects directly. Alongside this, the project proposes habitat enhancement in a buffer zone surrounding the new subpopulation to improve habitat continuity and connectivity. That buffer work is intended to make it more likely the new subpopulation can persist over time by ensuring it is not isolated from other suitable areas and by supporting movement between habitat patches. In addition, the opportunity supports enhancement of already-occupied KBB habitat, especially on managed public lands, so that these source populations are healthy enough to provide egg-bearing vegetation for relocation efforts.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity (CFDA 15.657) offered by FWS as a cooperative agreement, meaning FWS will remain substantially involved in carrying out the work rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The notice specifies that FWS staff will actively participate in planning and operations. The collaboration is described as being led on the FWS side by the St. Croix Wetland Management District biologist, Christopher Trosen, who will oversee field direction and maintain authority to limit or adjust the scope of work because of his close operational involvement throughout the agreement. Data collection is described as a partnership between the University of Minnesota and FWS, while data analysis will be completed by the University of Minnesota. Project staff and trainees will be jointly selected by the principal investigators, reflecting the cooperative nature of the agreement and the hands-on role for the agency.

This award is structured as a single-source notice of intent to award to the University of Minnesota under justification 505DM 2.14B(4), and it is to be written under the Great Lakes Northern Forests Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The agency states that competition is not practicable because the project was developed in conjunction with University of Minnesota staff, and because that team brings specific expertise needed to complete the project, including ecological and analytical skills as well as experience in butterfly ecology and citizen science. As a result, there is no application process for other applicants. The funding opportunity lists an expected single award with an award ceiling of $150,000. The opportunity number is F16AS00195, with an original closing date of 2016-05-09 and a creation date of 2016-05-02, indicating it was posted as a formal notice supporting a planned, directed award rather than an open competition.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Karner Blue Butterfly Assisted Migration in Western Wisconsin" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.657.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-05-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-05-09. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for F16AS00195

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