SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING PROJECT AT MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA

The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a cooperative agreement to enhance conservation efforts at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC). The initiative focuses on maintaining the integrity and resilience of desert ecosystems essential for Marine Corps training operations. The funding, totaling approximately $292,628, aims to support a project over three years centered on ecological assessment and habitat monitoring. The objectives include quantifying sensitive species distributions, assessing habitat connectivity, and developing monitoring protocols for biodiversity and ecosystem health. The proposal requires applicants to employ advanced technologies like LiDAR for mapping and provide a robust scientific approach with clear deliverables throughout the project lifecycle. Eligibility is limited to certain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit partners, and applications are due by August 4, 2025. The funding opportunity underscores the government's commitment to ecological conservation while supporting military readiness, with a detailed evaluation criteria framework for applicant proposals to ensure quality outcomes.

The federal Cooperative Agreement seeks to enhance species distribution modeling at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in Twentynine Palms, California, over a three-year period starting April 2025. The project aims to identify and prioritize ecologically important and at-risk habitats while developing monitoring guidance and strategies to improve ecosystem resilience, particularly in response to extreme weather. Key objectives include quantifying the distribution of sensitive species and their habitats, enhancing habitat connectivity, and providing monitoring protocols and thresholds to evaluate conditions effectively. The work will involve geomorphological analysis, monitoring plan development, baseline data collection, and GIS mapping, utilizing high-precision LiDAR and orthophotography data. The project emphasizes collaboration with designated representatives to ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations. Regular meetings and progress reports will maintain effective communication between the U.S. Government and the Cooperator. The overall goal is to support both natural resource conservation and military training operations, ensuring the sustainability of the training environment at MCAGCC amid ongoing ecological challenges.