David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds

David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds

Funder: BirdsCaribbean
Website: birdscaribbean.org

Background

Established in 2016 in honor of David S. Lee (1943–2014), a naturalist and conservation biologist and early member of BirdsCaribbean (then the Society of Caribbean Ornithology). David was known for his studies of seabirds of the Gulf Stream and published hundreds of scientific papers. The fund was established through donations from Dave's wife, Mary Kay Clark, and his mother, June Bash.

Goal

The fund supports applied and innovative projects with direct conservation effects on Caribbean birds and/or their habitats. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will involve local conservation groups and communities in the Caribbean.

Eligibility

• Target audience: Scientists/naturalists working in the Caribbean in conservation organizations or academic programs
• Career stage: Students or early career ornithologists, conservationists, or wildlife professionals (i.e., not established faculty or senior staff of a conservation organization, less than 10 years post-graduation)
• Students: Must be enrolled in an accredited university program (advanced undergraduate level, or Masters or doctoral degrees) in ecology, biology, conservation, or related fields

Use of Funds

• Travel to field sites
• Living expenses in the field
• Equipment and supplies to conduct conservation projects (examples: traps, cameras, automated recording units, nest boxes, etc.)
• Cannot be used for: Salaries, wages, or overhead fees

Requirements

• Awardees must submit a report to BirdsCaribbean's Grant Committee one year from project start date
• Must submit a blog article about the work for the broader community
• Encouraged to present results at the biennial International Conference of BirdsCaribbean
• Encouraged to publish in the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology
• All presentations and publications must acknowledge both David S. Lee Fund for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds and BirdsCaribbean

Contact

info@birdscaribbean.org

Geographic Scope

Caribbean region

Recent Award Winners (2023-2024)

• Dr Ancilleno Davis - Establishing baselines in research, data and science for birds (BiRDS for birds) in The Bahamas (2024)
• Claudia Mantilla - Distribution shifts of the Oriente Warbler in Villa Clara province, Cuba (2024)
• Daniela Ventura - Understanding the importance of a small urban park for conserving migratory and resident bird species in Havana (2024)
• Justin Saunders - Raising awareness and education on the endangered Jamaican Blackbird in a National Park (2024)
• Michael Ocasio - Conservation ecology of the Puerto Rican Oriole (2024)
• Michelle Moyer - Investigating male and female vocalizations of an understudied endemic Caribbean songbird in Puerto Rico (2024)
• Qwahn Kent - Understanding the social and spatial organization of the Palmchat in the Dominican Republic (2024)
• Jonathan Nochebuena - Help the Bridled Tern return to Isla Contoy National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico (2024)