Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner - Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on lead exposure of Piute ground squirrels in southwestern Idaho. The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) includes a military training ground, the Orchard Combat Training Area (OCTC), and substantial recreational shooting. These activities result in distribution of lead throughout the NCA and OCTC. However, there is little information on how wildlife within these areas are exposed to lead. The USGS has data on lead exposure of Piute ground squirrels trapped within the NCA and OCTC. Ground squirrels were trapped in areas with low levels of recreational shooting, in areas with high levels of recreational shooting, and in areas used heavily for military training. USGS is offering a funding opportunity to CESU partners for assistance with analysis and publication of these data. The CESU partner must have experience using statistics for censored datasets, experience with lead exposure of wildlife, and experience publishing data on this issue.