Opportunity Information: Apply for G17AS00036
This funding opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G17AS00036), was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK). It was structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement focused on science and technology research and development (CFDA 15.808). The opportunity was published on February 6, 2017, with an original closing date of February 21, 2017. The award ceiling was $12,000, and USGS anticipated making one award.
The core purpose of the project was to test whether high-resolution WorldView-3 (WV3) commercial satellite imagery could feasibly support wildlife population monitoring, with a specific emphasis on waterfowl and related large birds: ducks, geese, swans, and cranes. The grant centers on a long-standing management need across North America: regularly tracking population status and trends for migratory birds so that agencies can make informed decisions about conservation actions, habitat priorities, and harvest management. Monitoring is conducted through partnerships that include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service, and a network of U.S. states and Canadian provinces, coordinated in part through flyway-level governance groups such as the Central Flyway Committee (and comparable flyway collaborations elsewhere on the continent).
A major operational focus highlighted in the announcement is the set of aerial surveys conducted during migration staging periods in the southern Canadian provinces and northern U.S. states. These staging surveys matter because migration timing and movement patterns can be relatively predictable, and because staging areas can concentrate large portions of a population in ways that make counting more efficient and informative. At the same time, conventional visual aerial survey methods carry practical downsides: they expose biologists and crew to aviation-related risk, they can be expensive to conduct repeatedly over large areas, and they can be limited by observer fatigue, variable viewing conditions, and other factors that affect count precision and accuracy.
The project therefore aimed to determine whether WV3 satellite data can be used as a meaningful supplement to these traditional surveys. If WV3 imagery proved viable for detecting birds or supporting improved counts in key staging habitats, the expected benefits would include reducing risk to personnel by decreasing reliance on low-altitude visual flights, lowering some survey costs, and potentially improving both accuracy (how close estimates are to true values) and precision (how consistent estimates are across repeated efforts). Importantly, the opportunity makes clear that remote sensing is not expected to fully replace aerial surveys; instead, it is positioned as a complementary tool that could strengthen the overall monitoring program by filling gaps, providing cross-checks, or improving coverage in certain locations and time windows.
Beyond the immediate question of bird detection and survey support, the grant also explicitly encouraged exploration of modern data-handling approaches, particularly the use of cloud computing to streamline parts of the workflow. That includes partially automating satellite data acquisition, processing, analytical steps, and long-term archiving. In practical terms, this component points toward building a more scalable and repeatable pipeline for handling large volumes of imagery and derived products, which is often a limiting factor when trying to operationalize remote-sensing methods for routine wildlife monitoring rather than one-off research demonstrations.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full posting, and the project was designed to be completed under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, specifically the Rocky Mountain CESU. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a small, targeted feasibility study: a single, modest award intended to test whether a specific high-resolution satellite platform, paired with modern computing workflows, can practically enhance interagency waterfowl and crane monitoring efforts in North America.Apply for G17AS00036
- The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 06, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G17AS00036.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
This opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Which USGS center was associated with the opportunity?
The opportunity was associated with the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).
What type of award mechanism was used?
It was structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What program area or activity did it fall under?
The announcement described it as focused on science and technology research and development, and it referenced CFDA 15.808.
When was the opportunity published?
The opportunity was published on February 6, 2017.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was February 21, 2017.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $12,000.
How many awards did USGS anticipate making?
USGS anticipated making one award.
What was the main purpose of the project?
The core purpose was to test whether high-resolution WorldView-3 (WV3) commercial satellite imagery could feasibly support wildlife population monitoring, with a specific emphasis on monitoring certain bird groups.
Which satellite imagery platform was being evaluated?
The project specifically focused on WorldView-3 (WV3) high-resolution commercial satellite imagery.
Which wildlife species or groups were emphasized?
The emphasis was on waterfowl and related large birds, specifically ducks, geese, swans, and cranes.
What broader management need does this project address?
The project relates to the long-standing need in North America to regularly track population status and trends for migratory birds so agencies can make informed choices about conservation actions, habitat priorities, and harvest management.
What existing monitoring approach is this project trying to supplement?
It is aimed at supplementing conventional visual aerial survey methods, particularly those conducted during migration staging periods.
Where do the highlighted staging surveys take place?
The announcement highlighted aerial staging surveys conducted in southern Canadian provinces and northern U.S. states.
Why are migration staging surveys operationally important?
They matter because migration timing and movement patterns can be relatively predictable, and staging areas can concentrate large portions of a population, potentially making counting more efficient and informative.
What problems or limitations with traditional aerial surveys were noted?
The announcement noted that conventional aerial surveys can involve aviation-related risk to staff, can be expensive to repeat over large areas, and can be limited by observer fatigue and variable viewing conditions, which can affect both the precision and accuracy of counts.
Is the intent for satellite imagery to replace aerial surveys?
No. The opportunity makes clear that remote sensing was not expected to fully replace aerial surveys. It was positioned as a complementary tool to strengthen monitoring by filling gaps, providing cross-checks, or improving coverage in certain places and time windows.
What potential benefits were expected if WV3 imagery proved viable?
If WV3 imagery worked well for detecting birds or supporting improved counts, the expected benefits included reducing risk to personnel by decreasing reliance on low-altitude visual flights, lowering some survey costs, and potentially improving both accuracy (closeness to true values) and precision (consistency across repeated efforts).
What does the opportunity say about accuracy and precision?
It explicitly distinguishes them: accuracy refers to how close estimates are to true values, while precision refers to how consistent estimates are across repeated efforts.
Did the opportunity encourage any specific computing or data workflow approaches?
Yes. It encouraged exploring modern data-handling approaches, particularly cloud computing, to streamline parts of the workflow.
What workflow elements were mentioned as candidates for cloud computing?
The announcement mentioned partially automating satellite data acquisition, processing, analytical steps, and long-term archiving.
Why was cloud computing or automation highlighted?
The stated intent was to move toward a more scalable and repeatable pipeline for handling large imagery volumes and derived products, which can be a limiting factor when transitioning from one-off studies to more routine monitoring applications.
Which organizations or partnerships were referenced in the monitoring context?
The opportunity referenced monitoring partnerships that include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Canadian Wildlife Service, and a network of U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Were any coordinating bodies mentioned?
Yes. The announcement referenced flyway-level governance groups such as the Central Flyway Committee, along with comparable flyway collaborations elsewhere in North America.
What was listed for eligibility?
Eligibility was listed broadly as "Others", with additional clarification referenced in the full posting.
How was the CESU framework involved?
The project was designed to be completed under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, specifically the Rocky Mountain CESU.
How should this opportunity be characterized overall?
Overall, it reads as a small, targeted feasibility study: a single modest award intended to test whether a specific high-resolution satellite platform (WV3), paired with modern computing workflows, could practically enhance interagency waterfowl and crane monitoring efforts in North America.
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