Houston Urban Refuge Partnership Program Support

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Southwest Region Division of Visitor Services intends to award funds to Houston Wilderness (HW) to further the work of the Houston Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (Urban Partnership) in Houston, Texas, by developing and maintaining partnerships, collaborative projects, joint participation in events, and other such activities that support the Urban Partnership. Since the Service lacks a National Wildlife Refuge that is physically located in Houston and Houston is a priority urban area for Service engagement, this agreement allows for close cooperation between HW and the Service in order to jointly increase the connection of Houston¿s urban residents to conservation and the relevance of the Service. The Service will coordinate with HW in order to closely coordinate activities, review and document the Services¿ participation, and supervise Student Conservation Association Interns located in the Houston area that are working on the Urban Partnership. The Service will, with the input of HW, direct the efforts of the Urban Partnership, and be responsible for day to day operations of the efforts. HW will coordinate and host collaborative events both on and offsite that will further the efforts of the Urban Partnership. HW will actively seek and engage new partners, evaluate the relevance, and make recommendations concerning potential partners the initiative should engage. HW will prepare and submit grants and other funding opportunities and provide financial reporting and oversight for grants that may be received that support the Urban Partnership. Finally, HW agrees to provide workspace for Service staff, as well as limited administrative support. Typical collaborative activities may include, but are not limited to: 1) meetings with potential partners to further the goals of the Houston Urban Initiative; 2) outreach into various communities within the Houston metropolitan area; and 3) training and technical assistance to community organizations and or local governmental agencies. Expected outcomes would include, but are not limited to: 1) new or enhanced partnerships that increase the capacity to conduct activities related to the Partnership; 2) increased awareness and engagement from local communities where outreach activities have occurred; and 3) increased or enhanced habitat restoration and or environmental education activities.