Island Conservation seeks proposals from companies that can provide aerial support in the form of Uncrewed Aerial Systems or Helicopters to remove invasive rats from Savana Island

Proposals will be accepted until a selection is made.

Savana Island, U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the few islands within the Puerto Rico Geographic Bank that can serve as a refuge to introduce a native population of the Endangered Virgin Islands Tree Boa (VI boa). However, invasive rats are a major threat to the VI boa, predating juveniles and adults. By removing invasive rats from Savana Island, we will create a safe refuge for a new population of the VI boa, contribute to the delisting criteria for the species recovery, and build additional capacity within local partners for similar projects in the region. 

This is part of a joint project between the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Planning and Natural Resources from the U.S Virgin Islands (DPNR-DFW) Island Conservation, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS) to restore Savana Island as a safe refuge for the Endangered Virgin Islands Tree Boa and improve the resilience of an important Caribbean Island ecosystem. Removing invasive species is a non-invasive, nature-based solution that can holistically restore an entire ecosystem. 

Savana Island is a designated Wildlife Sanctuary managed by the DPNR-DFW, and it has no manmade structures. Due to its size and difficult terrain, removal of rats on Savana will require aerial bait distribution.

Seeking Aerial Bait Solutions

To this end, Island Conservation is seeking requests for proposals from companies that can provide drone or helicopter services. The Savana Island restoration project is an excellent opportunity for a company to participate in a positive environmental initiative and contribute to the continued development of aerial conservation methodologies in the United States. Island Conservation will provide experienced staff and institutional knowledge of eradication operations, including GIS, key equipment and aerial baiting expertise. 

For an Uncrewed Aerial Systems operation, Island Conservation seeks a company that can supply and pilot a heavy-lift UAS or UASs equipped with a dispersal system capable of evenly distributing bait pellets. Such a company will have the capacity to perform precision bait delivery. A company with expertise in wildlife monitoring, environmental surveillance, and/or agricultural spraying operations may be a good fit, if their demonstrated UAS platform meets our requirements as laid out in the full RFP. 

For a helicopter operation, Island Conservation seeks a company that can supply a pilot, helicopter, and some associated equipment needed to evenly distribute bait pellets. Such a company would be able to provide custom aerial solutions and helicopter logistics in the U.S. Virgin Islands or other island in the Puerto Rico Geographic Bank (e.g. Puerto Rico). It would hold the required certificates for external loads and have experience in aerial baiting, forestry fertilizing, and/or agricultural spraying operations. See all the required certificates to complete the operation in the full RFP. 

Island Conservation is the world’s only international non-profit conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring islands for nature and people worldwide. Island Conservation is committed to a holistic island-marine ecosystem restoration method that combines efforts to improve community livelihoods, manage invasive species, and reintroduce native species.