DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS - 2022 Skipper Surveys

Background
The primary objective of this project is presence/absence surveys for the ESA-listed Dakota Skipper, with a secondary objective of surveying other butterflies, skippers, and skipperlings, especially U.S. Forest Service Region 1 (USFS R1) Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) sensitive lepidopterans and Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies, and those lepidopteran species that are spatially and temporarily related to Dakota Skipper.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for conducting fieldwork for 12 days in specific areas prioritized in Table 1. The work plan and final report with GIS deliverables are also required. The work plan should include survey methods, data dictionary for collecting GIS data, estimated field work schedules, and general area maps.

The final report should contain a summary of the survey findings, field notes, images of habitat during surveys, and site-specific information. The GIS deliverable should include coordinate system, projection and datum with all GIS data.

Period of Performance
The task is expected to begin approximately mid-June and be completed around July 19th.

Place of Performance
The project is located on the McKenzie Ranger District and Medora Ranger District in McKenzie and Billings Counties, North Dakota on the Little Missouri National Grassland and in Ransom and Richland Counties on the Sheyenne National Grassland.