Survey Rattlesnake Master Borer Moth, Ft. Leonard Wood | W912DQ 19 2 0002

Opportunity Information: Apply for W912DQ 19 2 0002

The grant opportunity titled "Survey Rattlesnake Master Borer Moth, Ft. Leonard Wood" (Funding Opportunity Number W912DQ 19 2 0002) is a discretionary natural resources funding solicitation issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The work is focused on Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and centers on surveying and documenting the status of the Rattlesnake Master Borer Moth, a species tied closely to the presence of its host plant, rattlesnake master.

The main purpose of the project is to conduct field surveys for the Rattlesnake Master Borer Moth across specific, pre-determined areas on and around the installation where rattlesnake master occurs. Because the moth is described as using rattlesnake master exclusively as its host plant, the survey approach is built around locating and evaluating stands of that plant and then determining where the moth occurs in association with it. The opportunity calls for applicants to assess these identified areas, collect information that supports a clearer picture of the moths presence, and use that information to guide conservation and management decisions on the base.

A major deliverable is mapping and documentation. The project is expected to generate mapped results and a draft report that summarizes findings from the surveys. In practical terms, this means the awardee would not only locate populations but also translate observations into usable spatial products that show where the host plants and moth occurrences are concentrated, how they are distributed, and how survey areas relate to one another across the installation. The mapping component is tied directly to identifying the moths range on Fort Leonard Wood, so the resulting products should help define the extent of occupancy and potential habitat areas.

Beyond confirming presence, the project also emphasizes quantifying conditions. The awardee is expected to calculate species density in the project areas, suggesting a need for standardized survey methods that allow estimates or indices of abundance rather than simple presence/absence. Density estimates are often used to compare sites, prioritize management, and track change over time, so the intent appears to be building a baseline that can support future monitoring and conservation planning.

The opportunity also asks the awardee to document how rattlesnake master is currently being managed on the installation, including any known pests and the use of burn practices. This reflects the reality that host plant health and management actions (such as prescribed fire regimes) can directly affect habitat quality for specialized insects. By capturing information on pest pressures and fire management, the project is meant to connect species observations with on-the-ground practices that may be supporting or limiting the host plant and, by extension, the moth.

Another component is a review of existing conservation goals on the base related to both the borer moth and the rattlesnake master plant. This indicates the installation likely has stated objectives, plans, or targets for these resources, and the survey results are expected to be interpreted in light of those goals. In other words, the project is not just biological inventory work; it is framed as applied conservation support that feeds into installation planning and stewardship priorities.

Finally, the grant requires identifying competing species in the surveyed areas, including both native and invasive species, and discussing potential conservation practices. This suggests the project should evaluate ecological pressures that might reduce rattlesnake master abundance or alter habitat conditions, such as aggressive invasive plants or other vegetation that crowds out the host plant. The expected output goes beyond listing species; it implies a management-oriented discussion of what practices could help sustain or improve habitat for rattlesnake master and the moth, potentially including actions like invasive species control, adjustments to burn timing or frequency, or other habitat maintenance strategies consistent with the bases conservation framework.

Funding is capped at an award ceiling of $50,000, and the original application closing date was April 8, 2019, with the opportunity created on March 8, 2019. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Overall, the opportunity supports a focused, installation-specific survey and reporting effort designed to map and quantify the moth and its host plant, assess management context, and produce information that can directly inform conservation and habitat management at Fort Leonard Wood.

• The Kansas City District in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Survey Rattlesnake Master Borer Moth, Ft. Leonard Wood" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.114.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-03-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for W912DQ 19 2 0002

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