Description
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service¿s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The International Affairs Program delivers on this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world. Latin America is the single most biologically diverse region of the world and of critical importance to wildlife conservation efforts in the Western Hemisphere and globally. Protecting wildlife and ecosystems in Latin America is critical for regional stability, security, and economic prosperity. The goal of the Latin America Regional program is to conserve priority species and habitats in the region. This Funding Opportunity aligns with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service¿s (USFWS) mission and contributes directly to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior¿s following priorities: 1. Create a conservation stewardship legacy, second only to Teddy Roosevelt: The Latin America Regional program is soliciting proposals to reduce threats to key wildlife populations in Latin America from wildlife trafficking, unsustainable resource use, and human-wildlife conflicts. Proposals should identify specific conservation actions that have a high likelihood of creating lasting benefits. Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action, and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action in the past. Proposals that do not identify how actions will reduce threats or that do not demonstrate a strong link between data collection and management action will be rejected. USFWS works closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, civil society organizations, and a range of other partners to ensure a results-based approach to wildlife conservation. Please note that government endorsement is required for all proposals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with relevant government authorities prior to preparing applications for USFWS funds. Project activities should take place in Latin America. If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear impact on biodiversity conservation in Latin America to be eligible. Geographic and programmatic priorities are described below, including what USFWS wants to achieve through its funding support (i.e., Desired Results). Proposals may address more than one geographic and programmatic priority. Please note: This fiscal year, priority consideration will be given to projects that address wildlife trafficking of species for which the illegal trade is emerging as a primary threat to their survival including (but not limited to): (a) large felids, (b) parrots, (c) primates, (d) frogs, (e) lizards, (f) sea cucumbers, and (g) totoaba. Due to other grant programs supported by the USFWS, the Latin America Regional Program WILL NOT FUND projects related to marine turtles (Marine Turtle Conservation Fund), neotropical migratory birds (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund), or the Caribbean (Caribbean Regional Program).