FWS-DIC-WWB-AFR2013

and institutional conservation capacity to undertake long-term conservation programs. It is anticipated that grant funding through the USFWS Multinational Species Conservation Funds will continue to provide support on a competitive basis to Congo Basin countries and corresponding landscapes not covered in the priorities outlined below, in future funding cycles.The FY 2013 call for applications will be limited to the following geographic and thematic areas:1. Gabon Description: The basins of the Congo and Ogooué rivers comprise the second largest expanse of tropical forest on earth. The creation of Gabon’s National Parks network and National Parks Agency (ANPN) demonstrates international leadership in biodiversity conservation and protected area management. Yet despite these tremendous achievements, the ability of Gabon to successfully protect its national biological treasures remains significantly challenged. USFWS will support activities by ANPN’s partner organizations to reduce threats to wildlife both in and around its protected area network. Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $1,000,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $100,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants. Mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones. Improved management of national parks and buffer zones. Sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.2. Sangha Trinational and Odzala National ParkDescription: The Sangha Trinational Landscape, a new World Heritage site, encompasses three contiguous national parks buffered by timber concessions. The landscape supports large populations of elephants, great apes, and many other endangered species. Odzala National Park and its surrounding timber concessions play an equally important role in conserving the biodiversity of this contiguous forest ecosystem. USFWS will continue to support activities in these areas aimed at developing conservation capacity, mitigating threats from poaching and extractive industries, enhancing law enforcement, monitoring wildlife populations and threats, and assisting in the development of sustainable revenue schemes through eco-tourism. Funding Mechanism: A single, five year cooperative agreement of up to $2,000,000 per annum developed in collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organizations currently active in the Sangha Trinational landscape, Odzala National Park, and their surrounding timber concessions. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply. Proposals have a higher likelihood of being selected if submitted by a consortium of conservation partners.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants and mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones, including the adoption of management plans and best practice guidelines by extractive industries that clearly define the activities they will undertake to maintain healthy wildlife populations; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; reduced bushmeat consumption in logging (or other extractive industry) camps; reduced use of infrastructure and transport in logging and mining concessions which facilitate illegal bushmeat trade; proper wildlife surveys to map the distribution and density of key wildlife populations in national parks and concessions, particularly Lobeke NP; clear understanding of (a) the impact of Ebola hemorrhagic fever on ape populations, (b) transmission of Ebola among wildlife, and (c) appropriate intervention strategy and critical control measures; and sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.3. Virunga National Park Description: Virunga National Park contains the highest biological diversity of any national park in Africa, with 2,000 plant species, 706 bird species, and 218 mammal species, including hippos and one-third of the world’s mountain-gorilla population. Despite recent setbacks in the security situation, Virunga National Park has made significant progress in the development of its ranger force, tourist facilities (in FY11, tourist revenues approached $1 million), and local livelihood projects. USFWS will provide operational support to enable park operations and support the further development of tourism opportunities necessary to develop a park constituency at local and national levels as well as securing a revenue source for park staff. Funding Mechanism: A single, five year cooperative agreement of up to $250,000 per annum developed in collaboration with the Congolese Wildlife Authority (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN) and the non-governmental organizations currently active in Virunga National Park.Desired Results: Mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; reduction in illegal wood harvest for charcoal production; strong local constituency that supports the park; and sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.4. Tsuapa-Lomani-Lualaba (TL2) Description: The Tsuapa-Lomani-Lualaba (TL2) conservation area in the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to a significant population of bonobos as well as forest elephant, congo peacock, okapi, and a recently discovered new primate species. In the TL2, the USFWS will continue to provide support to the creation of new protected areas, wildlife and threat monitoring, participatory management, and law enforcement. Funding Mechanism: A single, one year grant of up to $200,000. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; proper wildlife surveys to map the distribution and density of key wildlife populations in national parks and concessions; decreased profitability and incentive for commercial bushmeat hunters; and strong local constituency that supports protected areas and conservation activities. 5. Maringa-Lopori-WambaDescription: The Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape covers potentially over 20% of the estimated bonobo distribution range. Progress in previous years has led to the creation of an emerging network of protected areas. USFWS support to this landscape will focus on increasing coverage (and ensuring adequate management) to at least 12,000km2 or 15% of the landscape to safeguard enough habitat to assure the long-term viability of bonobo and other large mammals. Funding Mechanism: A single, one year grant of up to $200,000. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Decreased profitability and incentive for commercial bushmeat hunters and improved management of national parks and buffer zones. 6. Wildlife Law Enforcement Description: USFWS will support national efforts to assist governments of the Congo Basin countries to increase wildlife law enforcement capacity, produce effective deterrents to the killing of threatened or endangered wildlife, monitor the illegal wildlife trade and other activities, ensure the effective prosecutions of wildlife crimes and application of appropriate penalties, and raise public awareness of the increased enforcement of wildlife law.Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $500,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Increased awareness, political will and legal system capacity to enforce wildlife laws and assure effective prosecutions; greater awareness and political will among government agents and policy-makers to detect, apprehend and prosecute wildlife criminals and to dismantle smuggling networks; and greater capacity among range state governments in Central Africa to carry out law enforcement and other key functions to reduce illegal killing of elephants and to deter and detect ivory smuggling. 7. Capacity BuildingDescription: USFWS will support national and regional activities designed to strengthen the ability of African individuals and institutions to reduce threats to biodiversity. Capacity building approaches can include training, facilitating dialogue, program development, and provision of equipment and other resources. Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $200,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Government partners have the capacity to protect and manage natural resources in Central Africa; Central African universities and faculty have the capacity to deliver effective education and training programs on protected area management and species conservation; rural communities are active advocates for wildlife conservation; and strong political support among decision makers to positively influence wildlife policy and management.8. Species Conservation and Applied Biodiversity ResearchDescription: USFWS will support national and regional activities designed to conserve Central African species and biodiversity not eligible for funding through the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. Example activities include the collection of reliable scientific data for management, efforts to conserve freshwater fish stocks, and protection of highly threatened species. Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action, and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action in the past.Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $200,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Protected area managers and field personnel have the capacity, information and equipment to identify, monitor, and take action against key threats to Central African wildlife and no species endemic to Central Africa goes extinct.