Section 4 Overview of Your Organization / Community / Individual Project
4.1 For organizations, please provide the following information:
Along the coast of Malibu in southern California, west coast of the United States of America.
The habitat covered are seasonal coastal lagoons, which are home to a variety of endangered species, but most specially in this case the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi ).
4.3 Are there any key institutions the project is affiliated with, such as NGO and community partners, government agencies or corporate involvement?
Yes No
If yes, describe below.
Organization
CALeDNA
Description Of Affiliation
CALeDNA is a program run by the University of California Conservation Genomics Consortium, supported by the Office of the UC President through the Catalyst Grant Program. The CALeDNA has offered training in laboratory practices and bioinformatic analysis, and will also help process data from sediment and soil samples from targeted sites (NOT water samples), as part of their objective in establishing a baseline of California's biodiversity.
Contact Name
Email Address
Section 5 Project description
Please note that any information provided on this application may be made available to the media if the application is successful.
5.1 Please provide: *
Eucyclogobius newberryi
Tidewater goby
Fish
5.2 Whilst your project may cover a vast area, please specify first the continent and then the country where your work is focused most: 
Continent:  North America
Country:  United States of America
5.3 Please elaborate on this location and mention any additional countries or geographic areas (including oceans) where you aim to support the target species:
200 word limit
Lagoons in California are the numerically dominant form of coastal wetland and have been drastically reduced by coastal road, railroad, and structure development as well as channelization for flood control. Beyond physical degradation, the introduction of non-native fishes for sport, bait, and insect control purposes, has further impacted the native fauna in these systems. Lastly, these systems are impacted by ongoing climate change and  will likely further suffer through drought and changes in the hydrological cycle.
Our work will focus on three lagoons distributed along the Malibu coast: Big Sycamore Canyon, Zuma Canyon and Topanga Canyon. These sites were chosen based on already available data on presence of tidewater gobies and other species, and represent a spectrum of physical features and anthropogenic impacts. Work done on these
5.4 Please outline the conservation status of the target species and the importance of the associated habitat: 
200 word limit
The tidewater goby is federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and a Critical Habitat is designated for the species  (https://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/fish/Goby/goby.html). This species is dependent on lower salinity, non-tidal closed lagoonal habitats for reproduction. Recent efforts in restoration of California wetlands have met with varying degrees of success, and a major issue is understanding the dynamics and unique qualities of each habitat type. Coastal lagoon systems are dynamically controlled by seasonal closure and breaching, which generate a succession of different habitats in space and time and provide a suite of ecological services. This habitat is an important nursery area for juveniles of both aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and breaching plays a necessary role in population dispersal and reproduction, which has direct effects on the biology of fishes, such as the endangered tidewater goby. Unfortunately,  many restoration projects have effectively converted historic lagoonal habitat to tidal wetland, bringing dire consequences to organisms that depend on this delicate balance. 
5.5 What is the conservation status of the primary target species, using the IUCN guidelines:
5.6 Please outline in 20 words or less how this project will contribute to the conservation of your target species:
20 word limit
5.7 Please list the overall objectives of the project: *
200 word limit
5.8 Please outline briefly how this project relates to other work done previously with this species in this area (e.g. Species Action Plan, previous survey or monitoring work).  Please also include any scientific references: *
400 word limit
5.10 Approximately when will the activities that the grant would support take place?
Intended Start Date: (dd/mm/yyyy) Intended End Date: (dd/mm/yyyy)
5.11 What is the next step after the completion of this project for the conservation of the species? *
100 word limit
5.12 Why is this project important to your personal development as a conservation biologist and the work / objectives of your organization? *
100 word limit
6.1 Please also attach the following support material, to be used by the Fund for publicity:
A short biography / curriculum vitae of the project applicant and a list of his / her relevant scientific and popular publications *
Section 8 Permits
8.1 Will this project require authorization, permits or licences, to complete the activity? *
Yes No
If yes, describe below. *
Section 9 Budget
9.1 Please provide a cost estimate for the specific activities that the grant would support:
Activity Description Budget Estimate (US $) Time It Will Take To Complete (Months / Weeks)
Budget Total US: $
9.2 Please detail how you would spend the money you are requesting from the Species Fund: 
200 word limit
9.3 Please specify if there is anything else you wish to highlight regarding this budget (e.g. This funding would be combined with funding from other organizations): 
200 word limit