The mariana crow is an endangered species currently only found on the island of rota, commonwealth of the northern mariana islands

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 awarded a $341,960.56 Project Grant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Lands and Natural Resources through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CFDA 15.615) program. The grant funding will support the Mariana Crow Conservation Research Program, which includes two components: (1) oversight and coordination of the research program by the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, and (2) continuation of population monitoring, nest searching and monitoring, radio-telemetry of released birds, and outreach activities conducted by the University of Washington on the island of Rota. This research aims to support the captive rear-and-release program for the endangered Mariana crow, which has an estimated population of 200 individuals across 56 breeding pairs. The grant period is from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025.

The last published count estimated the population at 178 individuals (kroner HA 2017). Recent, unpublished counts show that the population has increased to 56 breeding pairs and at least 200 individuals. Population monitoring is required to support the captive rear-and-release program. The mariana crow conservation research program will include two components: (1) a department of lands and natural resources-led effort to oversee the research program and act as a point of contact for the department on mariana crow issues, and (2) continuation of the university of washington research effort on rota, to undertake population monitoring, nest searching and monitoring, radio-telemetry of released birds, and outreach (this grant proposal).