Implement conservation actions addressing issues affecting raptor and other landbird populations.activities include conducting species surveys banding select species for mark recapture tagging…

The State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) received a $257,244 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611), effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. This award supports comprehensive raptor and landbird conservation actions in Delaware, including species surveys, bird banding and mark-recapture studies, American Kestrel tracking to assess habitat use and survival, morphometric data collection, and population trend analysis. DNREC will develop long-term databases documenting distribution, migration, and breeding activity of species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) and will control for non-native invasive avian species as part of these monitoring efforts.

The grant funds the creation of wildlife habitat management plans, technical assistance to public agencies and conservation organizations, and participation in regional and national research coordination activities. Expected outcomes include evaluated population trends and coordinated conservation actions implemented through partnerships with local, regional, and nationwide research entities. The intended beneficiaries are Delaware residents, wildlife managers, conservationists, and other stakeholders engaged in avian research and conservation initiatives. As a state wildlife agency administering this Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act grant, DNREC will maintain separate cost records and required documentation throughout the performance period in accordance with applicable federal grant regulations.

Implement conservation actions addressing issues affecting raptor and other landbird populations.activities include conducting species surveys banding select species for mark recapture tagging american kestrels to track habitat use movement and survival collecting morphometric data on avian species captured analyzing data for species presence absence and population trends controlling for non native invasive avian species developing management plans for species of greatest conservation need sgcn participating in technical committees attending workshops conferences meetings and events and providing technical assistance to the public other agencies and organizations.expected outcomes include long term databases on the distribution migration and breeding activity of sgcn evaluation of trends within populations development of conservation actions including wildlife habitat management plans and coordination with local regional and nationwide research and conservationintended beneficiaries are delawares residents wildlife managers conservationists and other stakeholders interested in avian research and conservation.