Because of a surge in popularity of the Sonoran Desert Toad as a source of the potent psychedelic, 5meoDMT, the THS established the Sonoran Desert Toad Fund. Its purpose is to award grants to proposals that benefit ongoing research and conservation of the Sonoran Desert Toad throughout its habitat.
A request for proposals will be issued each year. Proposals will be reviewed by a THS committee (Robert Villa, Maggie Fusari, Cecil Schwalbe). They will recommend approval to the THS Board for a final decision within two weeks from the deadline.
The deadline for application is 30 June 2021
The request for proposals can be viewed below, or downloaded here: https://tinyurl.com/THS-SDTF-1
We thank Cream Design and Print, and Hamilton Morris for generously producing and selling the merchandise that initiated the Fund.
To purchase said merchandise to benefit the Fund, click on the items below.
You can also donate directly to the fund by clicking on the Donate button above and selecting the Sonoran Desert Toad Fund field.
For More Information: Robert A. Villa, cascabel1985@gmail.com
Sonoran Desert Toad Fund
2021 Call for Proposals
Deadline: June 30, 2021
The Sonoran Desert Toad Fund (the Fund) was established by Tucson Herpetological Society (THS) to support research and other activities that contribute to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius, formerly Bufo alvarius) throughout its habitat in the Sonoran Desert region, including Arizona, Sonora, Baja California, California, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa. The Fund was inaugurated by Cream Design and Print(creamforever.com) and Hamilton Morris (thecreamshop.bigcartel.com) who produce merchandise and donate funds to support work directed to protect against the exploitation of the species for its psychedelic properties and other threats to its continued survival.
The Fund provides much needed financial support to local researchers. It can be used to cover the costs of projects and products for education, travel, permits, diagnostic tests, field equipment, and software. The Fund is open to conservation organizations, researchers, students, amateurs, and professionals regardless of affiliation.
Eligibility
Applicants need not be affiliated with an institution. Students are encouraged to apply. THS board, and Fund committee members, are not eligible.
Funding
Decisions to award will be made on the value of the project being proposed. No requests will be approved that involve collecting animals for personal collections or profit. Requests may not exceed $5,000. Requests can include costs of production of reports or other outputs, equipment, and personnel and travel costs.
The committee’s goal is to announce successful awardees within two weeks following the application deadline. A complimentary one-year THS membership will also be awarded to the principal investigator. All awards are subject to THS board approval. Awards may not necessarily be granted every year and are subject to availability of funds. Funding may be awarded out of cycle as needed.
Proposals
Submit proposals as a Microsoft Word document to the Fund committee chair, Robert Villa (cascabel1985@gmail.com). Please include “Sonoran Desert Toad Fund” in the subject line of all correspondence.
Format Requirements:
- Written in English
- A cover page including contact information, and affiliation when applicable (1 page)
- A brief bio of each primary participant (1 page)
- A description of the project, clearly stating the objectives, methods, time frame, and anticipated products when applicable (2 pages)
- Bibliography may be placed on not more than one additional page if necessary
- A detailed budget (1 page) including matching funds if applicable, and bank and administrative fees
- 12-point type, single-spaced (exclusive of cover page title and headings)
Inadequate proposals will be returned for revision before further consideration
Proposals meeting the following criteria have a better chance of success:
- Following requirements above
- Contributing to conservation of the Sonoran Desert Toad
- Contributing to education about the Sonoran Desert Toad
- Documenting diseases and other factors that have adverse effects on the Sonoran Desert Toad and other amphibians.
Deliverables
Recipients are required to submit a project report within a year of receiving the award, for publication in the THS journal Sonoran Herpetologist. This report will include a description of the project and may consist of just a few lines to several paragraphs, dependent on the scope of the work. A final report summarizing the project outcome or results, suitable for publication as a full-length article in the Sonoran Herpetologist should be submitted within six months following conclusion of the field work for which the award was made.
Equipment
All equipment purchased from the Fund may be requested as the property of the awardees or may be returned to the THS for use by future projects. Expendable items will remain property of the awardee. Equipment lost or damaged on a project will not necessarily be replaced.
Additional Requirements
The awarded researchers must adhere to the laws and regulations of their country. In the US these include federal and state Fair Labor, Civil Rights and ADA Regulations and comply with all federal and state laws regarding wildlife, animal welfare, and land access. Awardees are responsible for insuring acquisition of the proper permits and landowner consent for conducting such research (wherever that research may be conducted), proof of which may be requested by the committee. Research conducted in conjunction with a university must be approved by the university’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or equivalent. If not affiliated with an institution with an IACUC, researchers must be guided by the ASIH Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field and Laboratory Research*. Appropriate precautions must be taken around the potential spread of Chytridiomycosis and other potential diseases. Awards will be revoked immediately if compliance is not met. THS holds no responsibility for research deliverables that may be required by other participating parties on the project.
*https://asih.org/sites/default/files/documents/resources/guidelinesherpsresearch2004.pdf
For further information:
Robert A. Villa
Tucson Herpetological Society
PO Box 709
Tucson AZ
85702
