NPS
PROJECT SUMMARY
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Cooperative Agreement Modification
FUNDING AGENCY: National Park Service
MODIFICATION NO.: [CESU info only]
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO.: H1200-04-0002
FUNDING AMOUNT: $4,008 (FY06)
INVESTIGATORS Contact Information:
Rod Parnell (PI), (928) 523-3329, Roderic.Parnell@nau.edu
Matthew Johnson, Biologist, (928) 556-7466 x236, matthew.johnson@nau.edu
PROJECT TITLE: Monitoring Mexican Spotted Owl Occupancy at Mesa Verde National Park in 2006
EFFECTIVE DATES: May 1, 2005 to January 15, 2007
PROJECT ABSTRACT:
Mesa Verde National Park recently established a Protected Activity Center (PAC) of over 5,000 acres for its Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) population. In
2006, the park will be conducting special interpretive hikes and horseback rides for the public in commemoration of the park’s centennial year. However,
some of these activities would occur within the PAC during the breeding season. Therefore, along with various mitigations agreed to in a Biological
Assessment of the recreational activities, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is requiring that the park monitor the MSO population in order to determine
the current use of the canyons in the PAC by MSO for nesting and roosting so that these sites can be better protected from human disturbances in
2006. Because of the late date, the park needs to quickly hire an investigator experienced with MSO to conduct a survey the PAC according to the 2003
MSO surveying protocols for the purpose of finding nests sites, if any, and roost sites.
Objectives
Starting as soon as possible, Mesa Verde National Park needs to have an experienced MSO biologist conduct as many complete surveys of its MSO
PAC area in the spring and summer period of 2006 as is needed to locate active territories. Once the owls are found, attempts to find and map nest
sites and roost sites would proceed. The current Mexican Spotted Owl Survey Protocol was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003.
Many of the procedures and definitions in this protocol would be used in this project to achieve the objectives. Important observations would be mapped
with GPS/GIS.
Deliverables:
Investigators will provide a progress report no later than August 15, 2006 detailing the results of Mexican spotted owl surveys, including information on
nest and roost sites. Because this is a brief one-year monitoring project, a formal Annual Accomplishment Report is not needed. The Final Completion
Report is the only formal report required. The progress report will be delivered to: Mesa Verde National Park Service, PO Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO
81330.
The final completion report will be delivered to the park under the requirements of the cooperative agreement as deliverables listed below by January
15, 2007. Mesa Verde NP staff will review draft reports. Any comments by NPS staff will be incorporated into the final reports. The investigators also will
complete the on-line Investigator's Annual Report.
1.
2.
The park and CPCESU would each receive at least two hard copies and the digital files (CD-ROM) of versions of the final report. The final report
will be delivered to: Mesa Verde National Park Service, PO Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO 81330, and NPS/CPCESU, Northern Arizona University, Box
5765, Attn. Regional Coordinator, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5765.
ARCGIS shape file (point locations) showing all MSO records.
Agency Representative:
Ron Hiebert, NPS
Research Coordinator
CPCESU
Northern Arizona University
P.O. Box 5765
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5765
Tel: (928) 523-0877
Fax: (928) 520-8223
Ron.Hiebert@nau.edu
Agency Administration
Representative
Lynell Wright
Budget Analyst
Intermountain Regional Office
P.O. Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225-0287
Tel: (303) 969-2654
Lynell_Wright@nps.gov
Investigator:
Dr. Roderic Parnell
Box 5765
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5614
(928) 523-3329
roderic.parnell@nau.edu
List of Key Words:
Mexican spotted owl, Monitoring, Protected Activity Center, Nesting sites, Roosting sites
Partner Admin. Contact:
Wilma G. Ennenga, NAU
Grants & Contracts Director
Box 4130
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4130
(928) 523-8319
Winnie.Ennenga@nau.edu
Agency Manager/Technical Representative from National Park - Include contact information @ Specific Park:
George L. San Miguel, Natural Resource Manager, Mesa Verde National Park, PO Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO 81330
(970)529-5069, FAX (970)529-5071, george_san_miguel@nps.gov
Annual Report Received: Yes
Final Report Received:
Publications on File:
This Modification is subject to all the provisions included in the Cooperative Agreement, dated 6/18/04.
Attach any supporting material as necessary.