News

2012 BFCI Grant Opportunities

2012 BFCI Grant

Request for Proposals

 

 

The Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI) is pleased to announce the following Request for Proposals (RFP) for research, recovery, and education projects through the 2012 Butterfly Conservation Grant Program.

 

The Butterfly Conservation Initiative will provide TWO competitive $2,500 grants to help support programs related to the core mission of BFCI.  Funds may be used for scientific research, conservation or restoration activities, and education programs focused on butterflies.  Priority will be given to efforts targeting rare or imperiled species. 

 

Grants are limited to non-profit conservation organizations with approved IRS 501(c)3 status for projects in the 50 U.S. states.  BFCI is unable to make grants to individuals or for-profit corporations.

 

The proposal is limited to a total of 5 pages.  All proposals should provide the following:

 

1. A cover page with the following information:

·         Institution Name

·         Title of Project

·         Name of project director, job title, email address, phone

·         Physical mailing address

·         Other principal individuals involved (include name, title, institution, email, phone for each)

·         Brief summary of request (no more than 2 lines)

 

2. Proposal Narrative: 2-4 pages of explanatory text that addresses the following components:

·         Project Background including a statement of overall need

·         Project objectives

·         Scope of work

·         Timeline

·         Proposed Budget (including how funds will enhance existing program support)

·         Biographical Sketches

·         References

 

All proposals received by BFCI will be reviewed to determine that all of the submission requirements described in the RFP have been met.  The BFCI Steering Committee will evaluate and rate all proposals under consideration.  Decisions will be made by May 15, 2012.  All submitters will be notified of their final proposal status.

 

Proposals must be submitted electronically and need to be received by 5:00 pm (EST) on April 20, 2012.  Please email a PDF copy of your proposal to ssanchez@flmnh.ufl.edu with the SUBJECT heading: “BFCI Proposal Submission.”  An email confirmation of receipt will be sent when the proposal has been downloaded by the BFCI office.

Miami Blue Emergency Listed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) emergency provisions. Only one known population of the species now exists. The action immediately protects the butterfly for 240 days. At the same time, the Service is inviting public comment for 60 days on a proposed rule to permanently list the Miami blue as endangered.

Under the emergency provisions of the ESA, the Service is also listing the cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly as threatened throughout their natural ranges due to their similarity of appearance to the Miami blue.

 View the official listing via the Federal Register:

 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-10/pdf/2011-19812.pdf

Spring 2011 BFCI News
You can view our latest Spring 2011 BFCI News by going to the top of our "Newsletters" column on the far right of the page!
BFCI News 2010 in Review
Check out our BFCI News from 2010!
Our newsletter can be found at the top of our "Newsletters" column on the far right of the page!
BFCI's Newest Partner

BFCI has formalized an official memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 

The Forest Service is a natural resource agency dedicated to the sustained management of the nation’s natural resources and service to people.  It is the largest forestry research organization in the world and provides technical assistance to state and private forestry agencies.  They are responsible for managing some 193 million acres of habitat to maintain populations of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and other species of plants and animals on national forests and grasslands.

 “The Forest Service and BFCI have a history of partnership and collaboration through our joint partnership with the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC),” acknowledges Dr. Larry Stritch, USDA Forest Service National Botanist. The new Memorandum of Understanding provides an important framework for expanding collaborations related to the conservation and management of pollinators, especially rare butterflies and moths and their habitats.

Newsletters

BFCI Background

Please read these articles in AZA's member magazine, Communiqué for an overview of the BFCI's history and programs:

Create It and They Will Come (120KB pdf)
Connect December, 2007
BFCI member the Wilds tells the story of creating butterfly habitat and monitoring management impacts in southeast Ohio.
Passing Through Instars: Butterfly Conservation Grows Through Experience (124KB pdf)
Communiq September, 2005
BFCI members' butterfly conservation efforts are expanding to include more vulnerable species and more facilities.
Linking Up for Lepidoptera (788KB pdf)
Communiq December, 2002
Describes BFCI's efforts on behalf of the Karner blue butterfly.
Butterfly Conservation Initiative
Communiq June, 2003
This issue focuses upon the work of the BFCI and its members and partners.
Northwest Butterfly Conservation and Recovery Workshop (208KB pdf)
Communiq April, 2004
BFCI members in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia met to discuss progress and share information.