The purpose of the atlantic flyway cooperative research and survey grant proposalis to improve the status of waterfowl and other migratory waterbirds in the atlantic flyway

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, awarded Vermont Department Fish & Wildlife $143,562 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This formula grant supports the Atlantic Flyway Cooperative Research and Survey initiative, which aims to improve the status of waterfowl and other migratory waterbirds across the Atlantic Flyway. The project delivers comprehensive population monitoring and research services through multiple survey methodologies, including aerial, boat, and ground-based assessments on breeding grounds, as well as bird banding and tagging programs to track survival, movement, and habitat use patterns. Advanced research techniques such as telemetry and color-marker studies are employed to address knowledge gaps and inform adaptive management decisions.

The research generates critical population abundance, distribution, and trend data that directly supports updated conservation plans, adaptive harvest management strategies, and regulated hunting seasons across the Atlantic Flyway region. Vermont Department Fish & Wildlife has engaged the Wildlife Management Institute, Incorporated as the primary sub-recipient to implement project activities and coordinate with additional partner entities. The initiative benefits waterfowl hunters and the general public who engage in bird-related recreational activities, while providing actionable wildlife management information to the Atlantic Flyway Council and its member state and federal agencies responsible for migratory bird resource management.

The atlantic flyway council contains representatives from all the government agencies that have management responsibility for migratory bird resources in the flyway. The council determines actions required for sound migratory game bird management, including collecting information about populations in order to support regulated harvest. Data collection typically involves visiting the breeding grounds to conduct surveys (aerial, boat, ground) that are used to extrapolate population estimates to specific land areas. Birds are also captured, and marked with numbered tags (typically leg bands) to help understand survival, movement, and habitat use at multiple scales. Specific research project goals utilizing specialty techniques (telemetry, color markers, etc) are often incorporated to close knowledge gaps and inform future decisions. The expected outcomes include providing invaluable information on migratory bird population abundance, distribution, and trends. The data are used to update a wide variety of conservation plans, adaptive harvest management strategies, and hunting regulations.beneficiaries include waterfowl hunters and members of the public who enjoy seeing or hunting waterfowl and other waterbirds.subrecipients under this grant include the wildlife management institute, who will engage additional entities as needed to carry out the implementation of this grant.