Wild Resource Conservation Program
2017 Grant Priorities
Grant Round: Thursday June 15, 2017 - Tuesday August 15, 2017 4:00 pm
WRCP is soliciting grant applications for priorities in the following categories – surveys, research, and conservation &
management. Detailed priorities within each of these categories are outlined below.
It is recommended that projects/grant applications address one of the priorities listed below. However, applications may
be accepted that address priorities outlined in the Pennsylvania State Wildlife Action Plan and/or are a plant species or
plant community of concern within the Commonwealth. The applicant should contact the WRCP Agency Coordinator to
discuss the project, how it may fit into flora or fauna priorities and potential for funding. Please review the WRCP Grant
Manual’s “Measurable Results & Selection Criteria” section for further information.
Surveys
Tidewater Mucket Surveys: The Tidewater Mucket (Leptodea ochracea) is Pennsylvania’s only tidewater freshwater
mussel. Study the Delaware River and tributary distribution, life history, and threats of this species to better
understand its occurrence and management needs.
Little Brown Bat Fall Migration: Little is known of female Little Brown Bats hibernation areas, since the vast majority
of the bats are no longer found in classic sites. There is evidence they are selecting new, colder sites or potentially
migrating long distances, but few sites are known. The best approach to finding these sites will be to follow bats
from known maternity colony to winter hibernacula using modern telemetry techniques. The outcome will be
protection and potential enhancement of these hibernacula.
Grassland Bird Survey and Management: A state-wide survey would be targeted to determine occupancy of
grassland bird sites historically supporting state-listed species (Upland Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Northern
Harrier, and others) reported during or since the 2nd Atlas of Breeding Birds in PA, to determine populations at each
site, and their use of habitat. The study would inform conservation and management for the few sites where these
rare species have persisted despite the lack of species-specific management at these locations. Potential for
management and protection for occupied sites would be recommended. The outcome would be site-specific
conservation actions for these and other high priority grassland-dependent species such as Henslow’s Sparrow,
Northern Harrier, and others.
Mudpuppy Distribution: The Mudpuppy, a purely aquatic salamander lives in a variety of streams, rivers, and
impoundments in the Commonwealth. There is a paucity of information on its current distribution, thus an
assessment of the Mudpuppy in its historic drainages is needed.
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Research
Genetic investigations of edge-of-range, hybrid, isolated or cultivated populations of rare plants, or special
populations. Little is known about the genetic flow of many species of plants. Genetic investigations can determine
which populations house genetic diversity, fitness or similarity. For species that have a history of being cultivated, it
can be difficult to distinguish between the native, natural populations and escapees. The outcome would be used to
inform the potential use of special populations.
o Ilex opaca, American holly
o Lupinus perennis, wild lupine
o Andropogon glomeratus, bushy bluestem
o Baptisia australis, blue wild indigo
o Erigenia bulbosa, harbinger-of-spring
o Chasmanthium latifolium, wild oat
o Iris spp.
o Taenidia montana, mountain pimpernel
o Cardmine maxima, large toothwort
Clarification of Range and Taxonomy of water shrews: This project will support trapping and genetic identification
of existing water shrew samples to better clarify range and classification. Need: one subspecies is state-listed and
tracked, but more recent genetic work on this genus at a national scope suggests this systematic work from years
ago, may not be accurate, and the gap separating the two-suggested subspecies is closing. Examine and classify the
species, looking for any variation between major drainages. The Outcome could be to update status of this species.
Aquatic Invasive Species Effects on Rare Mussels in the Ohio Basin: The study of the effects of aquatic invasive
species (AIS) on rare mussels in the Ohio Basin. For example, the AIS Round Gobie has invaded the upper Allegheny
watershed where several rare host fish of state listed mussels reside. The potential impacts of this invasive species
on the rare fish and mussels could be devastating on this highly speciose watershed.
Wood Thrush Management: Although Wood Thrush is a common breeding bird in the state, it is declining
precipitously. Pennsylvania has high responsibility for this species, which is representative of quality deciduous
forest in eastern North America and the Appalachian Mountains. Wood Thrush primarily breed in intermediate to
mature aged forest with well-developed mid-canopy and understory layers often lacking where there has been
inadequate regeneration, excessive deer browse, long-term acidic atmospheric deposition, and fragmentation. Two
research needs listed in SWAP, are “Utilize 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas and LIDAR to conduct analyses that improve our
understanding of the relationships between forest structure and breeding densities and “the long-term studies of
seasonal fecundity to identify source / sink populations throughout the state and investigate effects of forest age on
nest success, adult survival, and return rates.” These two research needs suggest that studies are needed to better
understand how forest structure, age, composition, and landscape context contribute to Wood Thrush breeding
populations (density) and nesting success. Post-nesting dispersal of young has been found in other forest species to
be revealing to the broader forest habitat needs, and the same may be true with Wood Thrush. A basic test of how
the recently published Guidelines for Managing Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager Habitat in the Northeast and MidAtlantic Region by Lambert and others does apply to Pennsylvania forests is essentially what needs done to inform
management of forests and woodlots for Wood Thrush and its cohorts.
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Conservation & Management
Rare Plant Recovery Plans: DCNR is continuing to develop recovery plans for the rarest plants in PA. This is step one
of a conservation strategy that will be used as a blueprint in the future. Researcher will develop recovery and
implementation plans for the following PA Endangered plant species. The outcome of the study would be specific
management practices to benefit these critically imperiled plants.
o Aconitum reclinatum, white monkshood
o Lycopodiella margueritae, Marguerite’s club-moss
o Paxistima canbyi, Canby’s mountain-lover
o Malaxis bayardii, Bayard’s malaxis
o Polemonium vanbruntiae, Jacob’s ladder
Response of Wildlife to Fire Management: Increased use of fire as a management tool on State Game Lands, State
Forest Lands and other conservation properties calls for an adaptive management framework to evaluate species’
response. There is a need to better understand effects of fire management on a range of species, including birds,
mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. This project should develop the monitoring framework, and test that framework
at three locations, focused on priority species from the new Wildlife Action Plan such as Allegheny Woodrats and
Timber Rattlesnake, then set the stage for data collection and evaluation to be ongoing. The outcome will be to
advise future applications of fire management to enhance benefits and reduce risks to Species of Greatest
Conservation Need.
Rare Plant Propagation: Many endangered or threatened plant recovery plans call for augmentation of populations
(i.e. creation of new populations or increased number of individuals in existing populations). Investigate methods,
efficacy, and cost of plant propagation for rare plant species, for example: Agalinus auriculata, Carex bicknellii,
Pyncnanthemum torreyi, and Trollius laxus, or other species following discussion with DCNR. Appropriate planting
and management methods should be determined such as location, timing, etc. and implementation of propagation
trials if feasible and appropriate. The outcome would be to enhance the populations of these rare plants.
Best Management Practices for Mature and Forest Interior Birds: Large forest blocks in Pennsylvania, primarily
publicly owned, support populations of “forest-dependent,” ‘forest interior, or “area-sensitive” species—many are
of conservation concern. While species-specific guidance exists for some of these, a broader strategy to optimize
forest management to sustain this species suite is needed. This project should include a strategic decision making –
type workshop to incorporate users’ needs into resulting products. The outcome will be specific management
practices to enhance the populations of the community of high-priority forest birds.
Yellow Lady’s Slipper ecological and social data: Yellow Lady’s slipper ecological and social information is needed
to understand the management needs for this rare, but collected species. Areas of investigation should include the
compilation of survey data and population distribution information as well as a determination of the species habitat
that is preferred or most common, and effective management techniques. In addition, collection of harvest needs
from a public perspective, such as how much and where yellow lady’s-slipper are being harvested, where it is being
sold, is it sold inter-state or mostly kept for personal consumption, etc. The outcome would be to advise future
management of this vulnerable plant in Pennsylvania.
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