Danica Hogan, Canadian Wildlife Service, 5019 52 St, PO Box 2310, Yellowknife, NT, X1A2P7, Danica.Hogan@ec.gc.ca, 867-669-4754. Number of personnel and/or visitors that will covered under the permit: 5-6 (to be determined but no more than 6)Project Objectives: Ahiak Migratory Bird Sanctury is one of the pilot sites for developing and implementing monitoring protocols as part of the Ecological and Conservation Monitoring Program (ECOMaP), a program aimed at monitoring the status and effectiveness of the Protected and Conserved Areas Network managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The goal of this project is to develop and implement monitoring protocols for priority species as identified by the Ahiak Area Co-Management Committee (ACMC), which includes species at risk, light geese, and other birds. Arctic PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring) is one of the few survey protocols that monitor shorebirds, and other non-colonially nesting birds, in the Arctic. The goal of PRISM surveys is to find out which bird species are there, if they are breeding or not, how many there are, and what habitats they are using. Adopting this protocol inside the MBS will enable us to compare population trends inside the MBS with those generated for the same region outside the MBS, which will provide valuable information about the value of the MBS to several groups of birds. Additionally, we intend to develop and implement sustainable long-term monitoring protocols to assess light goose use of the MBS using aerial survey techniques, such as colony perimeter mapping and transect-based aerial surveys. Light goose colony trends and use of the MBS is the primary concern of the Ahiak ACMC and information from these surveys will be used to help inform management decisions. In 2025-2026, we plan to focus on project development and fuel caching for a summer 2026 field season.In 2026-2027, we plan to focus on conducting on-the-ground PRISM surveys for shorebirds and landbirds, and aerial surveys for light geese.Project Location: Ahiak Migratory Bird SanctuaryWe plan to base the field work out of pre-existing camp and fuel cache sites: Karrak Lake (67 14.230N, 100 15.550W) or Perry River Cabin (67 42.400N, 102 11.117W), with fuel caches at these locations and other caches located within the MBS based on field logistics, likely at other pre-existing sites such as Ellice River Cabin (67 42.499N, 104 08.349W) or McNaughton Lake (67 21.690N, 98 4.110W). We will provide other fuel cache location information when available and prior to caching. Exact survey locations are still to be determined as the protocol is in development. All survey locations will be within MBS boundaries and we will provide the Ahiak ACMC with updates as the project develops.Proposed date and duration of visit to each protected area:-Fuel caching: 1-2 weeks in March/April 2026, pending weather-Field work: 2-3 weeks in June/July 2026, pending weatherMethod of Transportation:For fuel caching, drums will be delivered via Twin Otter aircraft. At the end of the project, drum clean up will also be done via Twin Otter aircraft. Projected number of hours is to be determined.During field work, personnel will transit to and from survey locations via helicopter (Bell 407 or similar). The light goose surveys will also use the same helicopter. Projected number of hours is to be determined.Summary of Activities and Rationale:The Arctic PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring) protocol for surveying shorebirds and other non-colonially nesting bird consists of rapid ground surveys at a random sample of plots that are accessed by helicopter. Surveys involve two observers walking systematically over a 12-hectare plot and recording all birds and nests they see. This allows us to determine bird density (how many there are), species diversity (how many different types of birds there are), which habitats they are using, and how a given nesting season may compare to previous years. Travel between survey plots will be done via helicopter, and otherwise the work is conducted on foot. Surveys typically take 1-2 hours to complete per plot, and plots are only visited once in a given season. Results from these surveyed plots will be used to calculate density estimates of shorebirds and other non-colonial birds within the MBS and allow us to compare population trends inside the MBS with survey data collected outside the MBS in the same region. This will provide valuable information about the value of the MBS to several groups of birds, and allow us to assess the health of the MBS as compared to areas outside the MBS. We also intend to develop and conduct surveys to assess light goose use of the MBS using aerial survey techniques. Goose survey methods are still being finalized, but the general techniques involve goose colony mapping via helicopter flown at a height so as to minimize disturbance to the geese, and transect-based aerial surveys flown at heights that minimize disturbance to the geese. The Ahiak ACMC identified light goose colony trends and use of the MBS as a priority and information from these surveys will be used to help inform management decisions.Future plans within the protected area:With fuel caching taking place in spring 2026, we plan to conduct the PRISM bird surveys and light goose surveys in the summer of 2026. If the protocol and surveys are successful, we plan to repeat surveys every 5-10 years, pending recommendations from the Ahiak ACMC and available resources. The final report will be circulated to the Ahiak ACMC, Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association, and the Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Association when complete.