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Wildlife Conservation Grants

 

Wildlife Conservation Grants: Funding Priorities
Mammals

Bats and White Nose Syndrome
For all native bat species, with emphasis on those potentially affected by White Nose Syndrome (little brown bat Myotis lucifugus, tri-colored bat Perimyotis subflavus, big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus, Indiana bat Myotis sodalis, cave bat Myotis velifer, southeastern bat Myotis austroriparius, and potentially other cave-hibernating colony bats like Tadarida brasiliensis) and employing the state-of-the-practice USFWS decontamination protocols for cave surveys of any kind:
  • Update or conduct new surveys/monitoring in key portions of the state in natural habitats (e.g. observations in roosts, colonies; not bridges or mist-netting over roadside bar ditches), coordinating with Bat Conservation International to target appropriate areas.
  • Collate and/or collect bat-occupied cave/karst hibernacula environmental (temperature, humidity, other microclimate) baseline and trend data related to where bats roost in the site.
  • Sample known occupied hibernacula caves to test for Geomyces destructans working with a certified laboratory for that analysis.
Kit/Swift Fox
This species was once reported to be common in the Trans-Pecos, however sightings are increasingly rare Field surveys and assessments of current threats are currently needed to determine this species conservation status in Texas.
  • With findings, provide an assessment and description of the distribution and population status.
  • Collect site and population information using TXNDD forms.
  • Submit report on status and threat updates, TXNDD forms, and GIS data/shapefiles.
  • Provide conservation recommendations and a proposal for monitoring to assess trend in the future, if warranted by findings.
Texas Kangaroo Rat
The Texas kangaroo rat is a state-threatened species that is geographically limited to a few counties in North Texas and only occurs in specific habitats (heavily grazed, short grass habitats with clay soils and scattered mesquite). Field surveys and assessments of current threats are currently needed to determine this species conservation status in Texas.
  • Develop population modeling proposal to identify potential occupied habitat.
  • Study effects of habitat modification (CRP, Agriculture conversion, etc) on local populations
  • Study effects of small scale habitat alterations (heavy spot grazing, brush control) to determine if population increases and/or range expansion can be made.
  • Research minimum viable population size and minimum areas (acreage) for viable populations.
  • Continue previous mark/recapture research to develop trend data on known populations.
  • Collect site and population information using TXNDD forms.
  • Submit report on status and threat updates, TXNDD forms, and GIS data/shapefiles.