15.963: southwest border resource protection programsam.GOV link: click here for the SAM.GOV assistance listingthis program provides financial assistance to educational institutions, nonprofit…

15.963: southwest border resource protection programsam.GOV link: click here for the SAM.GOV assistance listingthis program provides financial assistance to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and local and state agencies to improve resource stewardship, achieve international cooperation, provide meaningful interpretation and conduct scientific research, which will lead to increased appreciation and understanding of our shared natural and cultural heritage along our international border with mexico. This project aims to address the declining avian biodiversity, focusing on the vulnerable desert purple martin (dpuma), a neotropical migrant nesting in saguaro and cardon cacti. A partnership involving tucson audubon society, saguaro national park, cicese, northern arizona university, and the purple martin conservation association will investigate four key areas: 1) tracking migration routes and overwintering locations in brazil using satellite tags 2) analyzing feather samples to assess mercury exposure and its impact on body condition and reproductive success 3) evaluating genetic divergence between dpuma and other purple martin subspecies and 4) mitigating habitat loss by addressing invasive species in saguaro forests. Educational outreach will promote stem diversity and community engagement while enhancing nesting habitats in the sonoran desert. Beneficiaries include profit organizations, public nonprofit institutions organizations, private nonprofit institutions organizations, non-federal government entities, industry and public decision makers, research scientists, engineers, and the general public.