Natural Resources and Endangered Species Research and Support at Fort Cavazos, Texas

A. Short Description of Funding Opportunity: ERDC seeks applications for: research support for management of natural resources and endangered species on Fort Cavazos, Texas

B. Background: Many of the land bases where US Army installations reside are ecologically significant - providing refuge for a large number of the nation's threatened and endangered plants and animals. The benefits of biodiversity to the public and the environment have long been recognized and the Army's role as land managers can influence the floral and faunal diversity both within the installation and on nearby lands. To fulfill long-term mission requirements, the military must achieve environmental objectives of sustainability of training lands and full compliance with conservation requirements under law. The Army is committed to maintaining its role as a national leader in the management of sensitive natural resources on Army lands while maintaining missions of national security and military readiness.

C. Program Description/Objective: Fort Cavazos currently supports the heaviest Army training activity as the only installation providing training facilities for the equivalent of two mechanized divisions as well as support units. Within this military context, Fort Cavazos is also home to large numbers of a federally endangered bird species (golden-cheeked warbler), a recently delisted species (black-capped vireo), numerous migratory bird species, and at-risk plant pollinators. Fort Cavazos must balance military training requirements with species conservation requirements imposed by the Sikes Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Work under this proposal will provide logistical and research support to 1) summarize and analyze previously collected data to determine distribution, abundance and population status of endangered and migratory bird species, 2) monitor demographic parameters for golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos, 3) survey and monitor migratory bird species, 4) survey and manage for invasive feral hogs and 5) support natural resources outreach activities at Fort Cavazos, Texas.

D. Public Benefit: The benefits of natural resources to public good have long been recognized. This work will aid in the maintenance of species richness on federal lands by assisting in natural resource management efforts and conservation of endangered and at-risk wildlife species at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The public will benefit from this work through enhanced wildlife biodiversity, both on the installation and on nearby public and private lands. Designation of a species as federally endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes that a species is a nationally important component of biodiversity in the United States and that federal agencies must support as necessary recovery conservation and recovery objectives for listed species. Further, conservation of at-risk pollinator species and, conversely, management of invasive species, has nationwide benefits in the form of improved regional ecosystem services.