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Mission Support

The following provides information concerning resources and mechanisms available to support USAID Missions with respect to biodiversity and environmental projects. The following provides a condensed overview for quick reference regarding technical, financial, and organizational services to be of assistance to Missions when considering environmental programs.

Information from the USAID Intranet. The primary resource of information is the USAID Intranet, where one can easily access descriptions of USAID contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, inter-agency agreements, and blanket purchase agreements that are directly or indirectly related to biodiversity and biodiversity activities. The vehicles are divided by sector as follows:

At present, the information on the various vehicles can be accessed through the USAID Intranet on the EGAT Home Page. At that point, one can select the specific information required, as presented in "EGAT User's Guide - Contract & Grant Mechanisms."

The Biodiversity and Tropical Forestry Support Indefinite Quantity Contract (BIOFOR IQC) has expired; however, the vehicles listed in the EGAT User's Guide can be creatively utilized to meet the biodiversity needs of a Mission.

A recent and valuable resource is the "EGAT Biodiversity Conservation: A Guide for USAID Staff and Partners". Updated in September 2005, this EGAT publication was prepared to provide USAID Staff and partners with basic information about designing, managing, and implementing biodiversity conservation programs or activities. The Guide was prepared as a starting point to shape and guide programs or activities that should ultimately be implemented based on local environmental and socioeconomic conditions and the capacity of implementing partners, and should be managed adaptively in the field. The Guide provides useful information about USAID's approach to biodiversity for partners and colleagues. The guide can be downloaded from the EGAT Home Page as well as from the above link.

Of the various USG support mechanisms available to USAID Missions are a series of Interagency Agreements (IAAs) which can be helpful as a source of information and guidance for Mission staff. These include:

• USAID/US Forest Service Partnership to Promote Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation in Developing Countries: G/ENV and the IP staff can tap the skills of the entire USFS, as well as personnel from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (formally SCS) to meet the technical needs of Missions. The range of resource personnel includes land management professionals from silviculturists to economists, wildlife biologists, and wildland recreation specialists. Examples of the types of assistance available through the IAA include analyzing policy, implementing technical programs and conducting training in the field, and research. Technical experts can provide assistance in emergency preparedness in responding to such disasters as forest fires, hurricanes, and landslides; habitat and stream restoration; and forest pest control. In addition, technical assistance can be provided in: sustainable forest management, integrated forest monitoring, fire management, watershed management, habitat and protected area management and invasive species.
• Agricultural & Environmental Geospatial Information Systems (AEGIS): This initiative provides a mechanism for USAID clients to access the science and technology capacity of the USGS-EROS Data Center (U.S. Geological Survey--International Programs) to support capacity building, technology transfer, and sustainable development in the areas of spatial data infrastructure (SDI), RS/GIS, geospatial data clearinghouses, database creation and access, internet mapping and webportal design, metadata, and related science analysis in all sectors and regions. The service provider (USGS-EDC) will support and implement activities worldwide including: design of research activities; synthesis of research findings; development of databases and indicators; improving and designing geographic information systems (GIS); building of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI); technical support, program design and implementation; training and human capacity development in support of all sectoral activities that require information technology/science applications in the geospatial analysis and related ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) arenas. Sectors of primary interest: environment, agriculture, natural resources, health, economic growth, poverty reduction, trade and e-commerce (location-based services), tracking and monitoring, earth observation, land/water management, carbon sequestration, and hazard mitigation.
• U.S. Department of the Interior, International Technical Assistance Program: Agreement provides broad access to personnel across the Department, which includes the following bureaus: National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Minerals Management Service, Office of Surface Mining, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The agreement accesses the Department's extensive staff expertise in such areas as protected area management, cultural resources management, environmental education and community outreach, endangered species conservation, recreation management, fire management, invasive species control, minerals management, reclamation of abandoned mine lands, ecotourism, wildlife law enforcement, resource interpretation, park infrastructure, and concessionaire management. Staff typically engage in longer-term (3 years +) initiatives to build partnerships but are also available for short-term punctual assignments.

In addition to these IAAs, EGAT's Office of Natural Resource Management has four teams which are available to provide technical assistance to Missions worldwide. These teams are:

• Biodiversity Team: The Biodiversity Team promotes in situ conservation of globally significant biodiversity through improved management of biologically rich landscapes and seascapes - whether protected areas, community lands, or logging concessions. Through the Global Conservation Program, a partnership with six U.S.-based conservation organizations, the Biodiversity Team supports strategic conservation and development programs, including community-based natural resources management, protected areas management, enterprise development, and policy development.
• Forestry Team: The Forestry Team promotes sustainable forest management through improved forestry practices; responsible trade in forest products; expanded community-based forest management; policy and regulatory reform; reduction in illegal logging; and improved knowledge of forest ecosystems and management of forest resources. Team activities support agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and the integration of assessment and monitoring systems for improving forest health. An agreement with the U.S. Forest Service augments the Team's technical expertise in support of Mission activities in forest management, watershed management, fire management, and environmental policy.
• Land Resources Management Team: Through improved policies and programs, the Land Team promotes sustainable productive use, restoration and preservation of land resources at the nexus with poverty reduction, environmental and human health, natural hazard mitigation, conflict resolution, and democratic governance. Missions can draw on the Team's multi-disciplinary expertise to help them design and evaluate programs leading to improved governance and the sustainable use of natural resources. The Team includes experts in sustainable agriculture, soil science, integrated pest management, property rights, community-based natural resources management, natural resources based enterprise development, geospatial information technology, communications and knowledge management. Agreements and mechanisms managed by the Team provide access to research programs and services in the Team's areas of expertise.
• Water Team: The Water Team promotes improved policies, management and optimal use of freshwater and coastal resources at the basin, aquifer and watershed scales, including the integration of land and water use, groundwater and surface water, and coastal and marine resources. The Team includes experts from throughout the Agency, as well as USAID field units, and other federal agencies. The wealth of expertise provides a significant resource for support of field operations in all aspects of integrated water resources management, including water supply and sanitation, wastewater management and pollution control, watershed management, integrated coastal management, irrigation, fisheries and aquaculture, hydropower, and disaster preparedness activities. The Team plays a lead role in interagency dialogue and support of USG initiatives, and manages agreements providing technical, analytical, and managerial assistance to the Missions and Bureaus.

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