Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: great basin bird observatory will collect geographically concentrated data inside AVI KWA AME national monument boundary to…

Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: great basin bird observatory will collect geographically concentrated data inside AVI KWA AME national monument boundary to quantify the density, distribution, habitat use, and fecundity of leconte and bendires thrasher species, using the survey methodology developed and tested by the dtwg. These data will provide an indication of the role that disturbances of various types play in limiting thrasher occurrence and population growth. Data from an earlier 2017-2018 range wide survey will provide baseline information on distribution and density and provide context for evaluating the stewardship responsibility of the monument. Collectively, this information will be critical in identifying critical areas and in developing management priorities and strategies for the new monument and contributing effectively to the greater goal of desert thrasher conservation. Inclusion of partners from the fort mojave indian tribe will be a critical project of the project. Partnership activities will consist of workshops and citizen-science based data collection. The workshops will be structured to familiarize tribal members with desert thrasher research while also soliciting guidance and tribal ecological knowledge to improve project design and outcomes. Specifically, we wish to highlight the critical importance of the AVI KWA AME to the conservation of desert thrashers, and guide stewardship to benefit these species. For citizen-science based data collection, we will utilize a previously developed citizen-science data collection framework for desert thrashers to supplement on-site data collection, as described below. Additionally, these additional surveys can be carried out by volunteers trained in the survey techniques and identification of these species.