Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership

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Utilizing BLM’s Aquatic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Framework to Understand the Condition and Trend of Aquatic Resources

Understanding the condition and trend of aquatic resources is key component of the Bureau of Land Management’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program.  Matt Varner delivered this presentation on the Bureau’s aquatic resource focused AIM framework and how its being implemented across areas of Alaska to the Partnership’s Science & Data Committee on April 28, 2022. In it he provides examples of how the data are being used to assess impacts from land use, evaluate the effectiveness of restoration, and track how habitats are changing over time. While the AIM program is specific to the Bureau of Land Management the study design and methods are compatible with efforts being used by the Alaska DEC and have been adopted by several units of the National Park Service in Alaska.

Matt Varner is the Aquatic Resources Program Leader and a Fisheries Biologist with the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. Over the last 20 years, Matt has worked on a variety of fish habitat conservation issues with much of the last 14 years in Alaska being focused on regional stream habitat assessments and the development of innovative approaches for improving stream reclamation. Matt earned a BS is Fisheries and Wildlife Management from West Virginia University. He joined the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership Steering Committee in March of 2022 and lives in Wasilla with his wife, Danielle, and kids, Morgan, Mason, and Maverick.

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Western Native Trout Initiative Small Grants Program RFP

The Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) and partners are proud to announce the 2022 Small Grants Program Request for Proposals. WNTI is an initiative of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and a recognized National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) that seeks to cooperatively restore and recover 21 western native trout and char species and sub-species across their historic range by funding efforts that raise awareness for the importance of native trout and focus limited financial and human resources toward the highest-impact, locally-led, on-the-ground projects. The WNTI overlaps with the area served by the MatSu Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, WNTI’s focus is on trout and char species.

The focus of WNTI’s Small Grants Program is on projects with a strong element or primary focus on community outreach, education and/or volunteer engagement; or design/planning/monitoring work. Outreach is our top priority for this program and outreach projects will be ranked the highest, all other things being equal. WNTI’s Small Grants program funding is not intended to pay for a small portion of a large habitat restoration or construction project. Habitat restoration-related activities that are requesting support should primarily involve outreach, education, or volunteer engagement, a community outreach event or work day, or project design/planning/monitoring tasks.

Thank you to RepYourWater, Upslope Brewing Co., Basin+Bend, Wilderness Lite Float Tubes, Western Native Trout Challenge anglers’ registrations and donations, and individual donors for contributing funds in support of the Small Grants Program this year. Approximately $25,000 in funding is available for projects in the 12 western states that are WNTI’s focus.

Individual projects can be funded at a maximum of $5,000.

Applications are due by 5 pm Mountain time on May 27, 2022.  Project funds are awarded on a reimbursable basis and must be expended by December 30, 2023. 

READ THE FULL RFP

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Increasing Recreational Fisheries Engagement through the Fish Habitat Partnerships (FY22) Call for Proposals

The NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation and the Recreational Fisheries Initiative are seeking to identify and support projects within coastal Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs), including Mat-Su Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, that protect or restore habitat AND engage recreational fishing partners.
The goals of this funding opportunity are to enhance collaboration with recreational, subsistence, cultural, and non-commercial fishing communities, and to protect and restore habitat. Healthy habitat leads to more fishing opportunities and increased climate resilience, and there are numerous opportunities to advance habitat conservation by working together. The National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and individual FHPs provide strategic opportunities to advance priority habitat conservation projects while also engaging recreational, subsistence, cultural, and non-commercial anglers. NFHP aims to protect, restore and enhance the nation’s fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people.

Funding Available: Approximately $150,000 is available nationally, and will be used to support several FHP projects (up to ~$75,000 per project).
Projects must:

  1. Be located in and coordinated with a Fish Habitat Partnership (like MSBSHP).
  2. Actively engage recreational fishing partners in habitat protection or restoration. This may include, but is not limited to:
    ● Direct participation of recreational anglers in FHP habitat projects, including research, monitoring, and on-the-ground restoration
    ● Education and outreach with, by, or for anglers on habitat conservation topics
    ● Holding an event centered on habitat and recreational fishing opportunity that engages the recreational fishing community and partners
  3. Focus on habitat restoration, protection, or research for saltwater or diadromous species.
  4. Be achievable within the provided timeline and budget and provide project updates to NOAA when requested.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  1. Demonstrate coordination between an FHP and recreational fishing partners
  2. Have the potential to develop longer-term relationships with recreational fishing community/partners
  3. Actively engage groups underrepresented in the recreational fishing community
  4. Result in improved fish habitat availability, quality, or understanding, particularly for species with high recreational or socioeconomic significance

Time Frame: Projects may take place over the course of more than one year, but funds must be obligated by 09/30/22. Funds do not need to be spent by 9/30/22.
Interested in applying for funding? Contact Jessica Speed, Partnership Coordinator, at Jessica.Speed@TU.org  to see if your project would be a good fit.

Deadline: Proposals should be in to MSBSHP as soon as possible in order to submit our recommendations to NOAA by February 11, 2022.

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Local Government Steering Committee Seat Open

The Steering Committee is the guiding body for the Partnership which brings together  66 organizations who share a vision of thriving salmon, healthy habitats, and vibrant communities in the Mat-Su. The Steering Committee ensures that the Partnership follows guidelines set forth by the National Fish Habitat Partnership and achieves goals set out in the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership Strategic Action Plan.

One Steering Committee seat is reserved for a representative of a local government entity. The Partnership is currently accepting applications for this local government seat. To learn more about the operations of the Partnership see Mat-Su Salmon Partnership Structure and Operations Framework.

If you are interested, please send a letter explaining why you want to join the Steering Committee and what you can do to help the Partnership achieve its goals.  Send the letter to Jessica Speed (jessica.speed@tu.org) by February 21, 2022.

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2021 Mat-Su Salmon Symposium

Registration is open for the 14th annual Mat-Su Salmon Science & Conservation Symposium, which will be virtual, on November 17.

The Symposium is a forum to share information on Mat-Su Basin watersheds, salmon, and salmon habitat; promoting an exchange of ideas about salmon science and conservation. Register and learn more here, and click following link for 2021 Symposium Flyer.

Hope to see you there!

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