We are on the hunt again…this time we are looking for a new contractor to assist with the Precious Frog Project. Due to staff and contractor changes over the past year, we now have opportunities for someone with the right experience to assist with some components of this project. To be eligible to work for the FVC as a contractor you must be self-employed, possess appropriate insurance, and provide all necessary tools to complete the work.

Currently, we are looking for someone with experience assessing habitat, primarily from a desktop perspective (GIS/orthophoto and other landscape data), to provide an analysis that will help guide population assessment and recovery work of the Oregon Spotted Frog. This document will be created in collaboration with the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Team (OSFRT); throughout the process there will be meetings to guide the work. Details are as follows:

Oregon Spotted Frog Habitat Evaluation of Semmihault and Elk Creeks, Chilliwack BC

Objectives:
  • Describe the landscape around new Oregon Spotted Frog (OSF) populations through mapping and summaries;
  • Assess habitat available to support OSF;
  • Identify and classify threats to the OSF population; and
  • Describe and evaluate feasible options to mitigate threats.
Process:
  • Complete desktop analysis using GIS and available online resources;
  • Create maps as appropriate;
  • Conduct literature search/review;
  • Interview local governments, community groups (streamkeepers, restoration groups, naturalists), biologists, etc.; and
  • Conduct field visits, as appropriate, to get lay of the land.
Report Topics:

Part 1: Habitat assessment and maps (at watershed scale – all named watersheds containing OSF Critical Habitat in Chilliwack)

  • Water feature types (percentages)
  • Soil profile
  • Water quality (if available)
  • Hydrodynamics (historic profile and identify/describe what influences current modified regime)
  • Vegetation (assessment and classification of riparian area, general context of instream vegetation)
  • Land use type (current and historic; classify to agricultural type, residential, industrial, etc.)
  • History of habitat disturbance, enhancement and restoration

Part 2: Assess habitat available to support OSF based on land use and biological context (at Critical Habitat scale)

  • Oviposition
  • Summer rearing/foraging habitat
  • Overwintering

Part 3: Identify and classify threats to the OSF population (watershed and Critical Habitat scale)

  • Use established threat matrix to identify, classify and describe threats to OSF

Part 4: Describe and evaluate feasible options to mitigate threats

  • Use habitat limitations and threats identified in parts 2 and 3 to propose feasible mitigation opportunities.
Timeline:
  • Successful contractor notified and participates in planning meeting week of November 27th, 2017
  • First draft due February 23rd, 2018Final draft due March 31st, 2018
Budget:
  • Total maximum budget is $9,760.00 plus applicable taxes

The Technical Advisor for this project is Kendra Morgan, Aquatic Environmental Biologist, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (South Coast) Kendra.Morgan@gov.bc.ca

The Contract Administrator is Joanne Neilson, Executive Director, Fraser Valley Conservancy, joanne@fraservalleyconservancy.ca

Interested contractors are invited to submit a concise proposal to Joanne outlining how you would address the above topics and requirements, plus your curriculum vitae, by midnight November 26th, 2017.