Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Grants

The Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund Grants support seabird conservation efforts in developing countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. Established by the Pacific Seabird Group, this fund addresses funding gaps for essential conservation projects. Eligible applicants include citizens from these nations, focusing on activities that enhance seabird restoration and expertise. Preference is given to local initiatives, ensuring sustainable conservation practices and community involvement. The fund aims to empower local conservationists and address critical seabird conservation needs.

Craig S. Harrison is a former Chair of PSG and former Vice-Chair for Conservation for PSG from 1992 to 2013. He also is an expert on tropical seabirds, one of the founders of the American Bird Conservancy, and a lawyer who specializes in environmental law. Because of his longstanding contributions to seabird conservation, especially those on behalf of PSG, we are honored to be able to name the former Conservation Small-grants Program after him.
Background
There has been concern by members of Executive Council (EXCO) of the Pacific Seabird Group and PSG's Conservation Committee that some worthy seabird-conservation projects could be accomplished at minimal cost in some locations of the Pacific but are not being pursued because there is no vehicle for funding such projects. The need for support for seabird-conservation efforts is most acute in developing nations. To address this concern, the EXCO has established the Craig S. Harrison Conservation Fund (hereafter, Conservation Fund).
Objective
The objective of the Conservation Fund is to advance the conservation of seabirds by providing funds or supplies to individuals from developing countries as well as those from elsewhere working in those developing countries primarily in or bordering the Pacific Ocean
for conservation and restoration activities that benefit seabirds in the Pacific Ocean; and to help develop within-country seabird expertise in developing countries within or bordering the Pacific Ocean.

Eligibility

The work should be conducted within developing countries within or bordering the Pacific Ocean or should benefit Pacific seabirds (listed above).Funding will go to citizens of developing countries within or bordering the Pacific Ocean, unless no local citizens are able to do the work during the time of application. Consideration may be given to applicants from one of the ineligible countries, providing:The seabird work will occur within one of the eligible countries;The applicant can demonstrate that matching funds exist and that without the addition of the CSGP (plus matching funds), the project cannot be completed.Individuals in the eligible host country are involved in the project, so that they can learn techniques to aid in seabird conservation.Recipients of a CSGP grant are eligible to apply for funds to continue the work, but, to be considered for additional funds, the applicant must submit a short report along with the renewal application.Although we prefer that applicants not be government employees in those eligible countries (government employees generally have access to some funds) all applications will be reviewed on their merit; and government employees may be awarded CSGP grants.Examples of activities that may be funded include:The cost of supplies, transportation, or other field-work expenses for removal of invasive species from a nesting colony;The provision and distribution of materials to train local residents how to reduce the impacts of human activities on seabirds or their colonies/habitats;The provision and distribution of educational materials or equipment for teaching fishermen how to reduce seabird bycatch; andCosts for colony surveys of presently-unsurveyed areas to evaluate the status and conservation needs of seabirds.

Ineligibility

Citizens from USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan won't be eligible for the grants.Previous recipients of the CSGP grant who do not provide a report to the CSGP are ineligible for future grants.Examples of activities that will not be funded include:Travel to the PSG or other society meetings;Regular monitoring or censusing of colonies;Research that includes the purchase of satellite- or radio-telemetry tags;The study of breeding biology.