The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiative "Management of Exotics for Recovery of Endangered Species" (MERES) identified the Middle Rio Grande watershed as the project area for federal physical year 2006 project funding totaling $900,000. MERES is a funding initiative for management of exotics to improve habitat for endangered species. The process used for project announcement, selection, and funding for the MERES initiative was the same as that used for funding of MRGBI/BIG projects. FY06 MERES projects funded include:   Title Location Organization Status Description HABITAT RESTORATION Pueblo of Sandia Management of Exotics for Endangered Species Recovery, New Mexico Sandia Reservation--38.5 acres, 0.5 river miles SWCA Environmental Consultants New Clearing and revegetation of 29 acres of bosque and in-channel modifications to an adjacent 10 acre island/bar. Species benefit: Rio Grande silvery minnow and southwestern willow flycatcher. Middle Rio Grande Conservation Easement/ Restoration Initiative -- Private Property Bosquecito, New Mexico, Socorro County--425 acres in the active floodplain Save Our Bosque Task Force New Complete conservation protection, complete exotics removal, and re-establish native plants on 425 acres of floodplain. Species benefit: southwestern willow flycatcher and Pecos sunflower. Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Native Habitat Restoration Sevilleta NWR, floodplain along west side of the Rio Grande USFWS/Sevilleta NWR New Revegetation and enhancement of treated wetlands on 230 acre floodplain. Species benefit: southwestern willow flycatcher and Rio Grande silvery minnow. Santo Domingo Grazing Management and Bosque Restoration Project Santo Domingo Reservation Santo Domingo Tribe New Construct fences to restrict grazing and vehicle traffic, and re-establish native vegetation in bosque on 33 acres adjacent to natural wetland. Species benefit: southwestern willow flycatcher. Return to the top of the page