U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Summer 2008 FishFish && WildlifeWildlife NewsNews
On the Border / 8 Island Paradise / 16 Mysterious Threat / 20 Sanctuary for Houston Toad / 22 what’s inside
Departments Director’s Corner / 1 Fish Tales / 38 News / 2 Our People / 39 Conservation in Action / 26 Transitions / 39 Honors / 41 Field Journal / 28 In Memoriam / 44 Around the Service / 29
Features S E R V I C E S P O T L I G H T On the Border / 8
Protecting natural resources COURTESY PHOTO on the front lines of immigration. By Jose Viramontes and Nancy Brown
Island Paradise / 16 Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge provides a living classroom for local school children. By Pamela Gibson
Mysterious Threat / 20 What is killing bats in the Northeast? By Diana Weaver
Sanctuary for the Houston Toad / 22 Texas rancher and minister Bob Long and the Service’s Safe Harbor Program are helping the endangered amphibian. By Ben Ikenson
On the cover: A black-footed Majestic Migration / 24 albatross chick on Laysan Island in the Northwestern Sandhill crane migration is a natural Hawaiian Islands, which spectacle that brings bird lovers from supports one of the largest albatross populations in across the globe to central Nebraska. the world. By Ashley Spratt MARC ROMANO, USFWS from the director
Single Gains On a beautiful spring morning last April I had the large landscapes and rural lifestyles intact — was pleasure of helping unveil the Ira N. Gabrielson recognized at this high level. The honor vindicated our historical marker in Oakton, Virginia. This philosophy of working with private, state and federal event was special not only because it recognized land stewards to move the needle forward for fish and Dr. Gabrielson — the first Director of the Fish wildlife conservation, and it says volumes about what and Wildlife Service, who was aptly called the public and others expect of federal government. “Mr Conservation” for his contributions to the profession —but also because it reminded me of the I began to think about all of you out there making Service’s long tradition of overcoming adversity. single gains every day with no regard for recognition or praise. Dr. Gabrielson was both resourceful and visionary. I thought of people like Patrick Leonard, who is In the midst of the creating ecosystem approaches to threatened and Depression and the waning endangered species instead of one species at a time; of years of drought and Dust Scott Schliebe, who has worked diligently for decades Bowl, he oversaw a huge to understand the polar bear and provide critical expansion of the Refuge information that helped influence our decision to list System — from 63 refuges the species; of Gail Carmody, who is working tirelessly when he took over as to understand the impacts of water management in Director to 210 by the time Georgia, Alabama and Florida so intelligent Service he retired — a nearly positions can be established based on good science; of fourfold increase. In 1939, Mike Bryant, standing his ground with good science Dr. Gabrielson helped that countered the Navy’s proposal to establish an create the Patuxent Outlying Landing Field next to Pocosin Lakes Research Refuge — National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, an action the only wildlife refuge that would have been unacceptable for the migratory dedicated to research; he birds we hold so dear; of Caroline Peterschmidt and oversaw production of the her staff at Makah National Fish Hatchery, who are first Refuge Manual in helping to restore salmon; of Phil Thorpe, who spends 1942, which established months away from his family up in Canada so we have Director Hall and uniform policies and practices on refuges; and in the best information possible upon which to establish Carla Ferris, great 1943 Dr. Gabrielson wrote Wildlife Refuges, the migratory waterfowl hunting bag limits each year; of granddaughter definitive book on the Refuge System. In the book, John Rogner, who day in and day out is making a huge of Dr. Ira N. he wrote, “The conservation battle cannot be a short, difference in Chicago and is largely responsible for Gabrielson, unveil sharp engagement, but must be grim, tenacious the tremendous working relationship we have there. Gabrielson’s warfare —the sort that makes single gains and then historical marker consolidates these gains until renewed strength and a I could literally go on and on with specific examples in Oakton, Virginia. good opportunity make another advance possible.” of all of you who are truly making a significant difference, but suffice it to say I am aware of your Despite today’s threats — climate change, invasive good work and I am humbled by it. Each and every species, land conversion and a host of other one of you makes me honored to occupy the seat I challenges — the Service continues to make “single am privileged to have. gains” that advance our conservation mission. Throughout the history of the Service, our employees I was recently reminded of this at a breakfast have always stood for integrity and professionalism. honoring federal employee finalists for the Service to That is still true today. Like Ira Gabrielson and others America Medals program. One of the finalists was our before and after him, we will no doubt endure trying own Greg Neudecker, Partners for Fish and Wildlife times. But I come to work each day with the comfort biologist at Benton Lake, Montana. I was proud for of knowing that you — the men and women of the Greg and the Service that his work on the Blackfoot U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — are up to the Challenge — a program where private landowners and challenge. Thank you for everything you do every public agencies find common ground in keeping day for the Service, our natural resources and the American people.
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 1 news
Natural Prescription Supporting Science in a Changing Arctic for Health The Circumpolar Biodiversity diverse coalition is “to harmonize The U.S. Department of the Monitoring Workshop, a and enhance monitoring across Interior and the National RONALD LAUBENSTEIN wide-ranging partnership of the Arctic to improve detection, Institutes of Health’s We Can! international experts and others understanding, and reporting, program — a national science- with a stake in the changing and to strengthen efforts to based education program arctic, recently met to lay the conserve biodiversity.” developed to help children foundation for informed research ranging from 8–13 years old into, and management of, natural In working toward this objective, maintain a healthy weight — are resources in this changing the meeting achieved short-term partnering to encourage children portion of the globe. goals and, perhaps more and families to get outside and importantly, established a play at a nearby national park or The event, held in March at groundwork to effectively guide national wildlife refuge. the World Wildlife Fund’s future shared conservation and Washington, DC headquarters, monitoring efforts across the Increasing physical activity is a A family pauses during a hike was organized by a steering circumpolar Arctic. Looking primary goal of We Can! (Ways to in Alaska. committee chaired by Dr. Janet forward, the products of this Enhance Children’s Activity and Hohn of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife workshop will provide an Nutrition). We Can! is a program “We’re very pleased to partner Service and included members international climate-change of the National Institutes of with NIH and help make the representing the Circumpolar early-warning system, and inform Health (NIH), a component of the nation’s fisheries and wildlife Biodiversity Monitoring Program policy and decision-making at U.S. Department Health and refuges and national parks a (CBMP), the International Union the global, national, regional, Human Services. The program welcome and exciting resource for the Conversation of Nature’s and local levels. provides tips and resources for youth, parents and caregivers USA Multilateral Office, and the for parents, caregivers, and to promote a love of nature and Service. In attendance were As defined by the Conservation of community organizations to help the great outdoors,” said representatives from a variety of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working children and their families make Secretary of Interior Dirk government agencies (from the Group (CAFF), the circumpolar better food choices, increase Kempthorne. “With more than 181 U.S. and other Arctic nations), Arctic covers some 14.8 million physical activity and reduce the million acres of public land in the academia, and international square kilometers of land and 13 amount of time they devote to National Wildlife Refuge System non-governmental organizations million of ocean. While this huge sedentary activities such as video and National Park System, and foundations. The goal of the region has relatively few species games. The program is now we can provide numerous underway in more than 800 opportunities for families. We The Arctic’s contributions to world biodiversity — particularly community sites in all 50 states need to get children and their in the form of the wealth of migratory bird and marine mammal and 10 countries. families out of cyberspace and species, such as walrus, that depend upon the area’s brief but into open spaces. To put down productive summers—are substantial. The government partners are their BlackBerries and go pick joining 40 other national partners blackberries. To stop channel in support of We Can! National surfing and go wind surfing. To wildlife refuges and national shut off the Web casts and cast parks also provide ideal settings a line for a trout.” for family activities such as a walk in the woods, bike riding, For a list of activities that fishing, canoeing or a wildlife families can do together, watching trip. Emerging research visit
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in comparison to the richly services and functions that will RBFF diverse tropics, its contributions effectively reflect the challenges to world biodiversity — faced by the Arctic as a whole. particularly in the form of the Emphasizing the value of these wealth of migratory bird and contributions, Dr. Hohn of the marine mammal species that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service depend upon the area’s brief but noted that “the results of this productive summers — are gathering will make significant substantial. In fact, the Arctic contributions to CAFF’s 2010 supports more than half of the summary report to the Arctic planet’s shorebird species, Council Ministers, which will be more than three-quarters of the based on the CBMP indicators.” world’s geese, millions of reindeer and caribou that are With these accomplishments Reeling In Lapsed Anglers essential to northern human as a basis, the Circumpolar communities, and more than a Biodiversity Monitoring In an effort to recruit anglers “Anglers across the country will quarter of the world’s commercial Program hopes to develop a nationwide, the Recreational be reminded to buy their fishing marine fish harvest. comprehensive strategy for Boating & Fishing Foundation license and take their friends monitoring Arctic resources; to (RBFF) recently developed and and family out on the water,” Mike Gill, Chair of the establish five ecosystem expert launched a direct mail marketing said RBFF President and Circumpolar Biodiversity teams (focusing on, respectively, program to help state agencies Chief Executive Officer Frank Monitoring Program, marine resources, coastal communicate with their lapsed Peterson. “We know that state characterized the workshop’s resources, fresh water resources, anglers and get people back out conservation projects are funded accomplishments: “With the help terrestrial vegetation, and on the water. in part by fishing license sales and of some of our existing partners,” terrestrial fauna ) which will tax monies generated from he said, “we were able to conduct ongoing biodiversity The nationwide recruitment and equipment sales and motor boat leverage new strategic monitoring and collaborate on retention program, which all fuel. Consumers are playing a partnerships in several key areas circumpolar solutions; and to states can use to help increase critical role in supporting local of the program. The program is ultimately develop an online fishing license sales, kicked conservation efforts and very well positioned to deliver on database to integrate, synthesize, off in March 2008 with 30 protecting their waterways when the key products and activities and report key trends in Arctic state agencies. The program they go boating and fishing.” planned over the next five years. biodiversity. Special attention is designed to increase We are confident that our vision will also be paid to community- participation in boating and Participating states include: of expanded and enhanced based observations, in order fishing and generate awareness Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arctic biodiversity monitoring to augment scientific-based about the connection between Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, and improved conservation monitoring with valuable fishing license sales and aquatic Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and adaptation decisions for traditional ecological knowledge. conservation efforts. Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, the Arctic will be achieved.” Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New
USFWS The CBMP is the primary tool Just as the many of the natural Postcards, self-mailers and Hampshire, New Jersey, New which CAFF will use to respond riches of the circumpolar world letters featuring creative York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, to the recent Arctic Climate are not restricted by international elements from the national Take Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Impact Assessment’s call for boundaries, so will the challenges Me Fishing™ campaign will reach Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, additional long-term monitoring that this region faces require millions of anglers nationwide Virginia and Wisconsin. of Arctic biodiversity. cooperation among a diverse this year. RBFF is placing local assortment of nations and other radio and online advertisements More information about the RBFF Among other things, workshop stakeholders. The Circumpolar to correspond with individual program, including links to press participants helped advance Biodiversity Monitoring state campaigns. Each state announcements, quotes from a five-year implementation Workshop provides a platform also received a public relations participating states, and the Direct plan, along with specific upon which those future toolkit to help communicate Mail Marketing kit is available strategies to deal with shared successes can be built. about the program and promote online at
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 3 news
Partners Promote Pollinators Reducing the Threat of Wildfire Pollinators are critically important and education. In celebration of to both the ecosystem and the Pollinator Week, June 22–28, the U.S. economy. More than 75 Service, other federal agencies, percent of flowering plants rely and NAPPC provided a variety of on pollinators, and honeybees are conservation and educational responsible for an estimated tools and materials to promote $15 billion worth of pollinator pollinator awareness. “services” to U.S. agriculture. The Service provided outreach materials, including Web site USFWS links to a series of podcasts (a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program) developed by the Service and other federal agencies on a variety of pollinator topics. The Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne (right) inspects lands podcasts included such topics as at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in how to help pollinators and native California on June 11 that received hazardous fuels treatments bee inventories in the National to help protect communities from the threat of wildland fire. Capital area. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said, calling the The Pollinator Partnership Web Kempthorne announced in June milestone a significant site
Brian McManus, Chief of the Learning From Each Other Branch of Fire Management in
DOI Boise, Idaho, said the Fish and While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Minneapolis, Minnesota from “This is a wonderful idea,” Wildlife Service annually treats Service has long collected a October 9–12. The Almanac, says Service Director H. Dale about 300,000 acres on and wide variety of physical and expected to be published Hall. “It is about sharing around National Wildlife Refuge historic artifacts through its annually, might increase its important experiences with System lands. Heritage Program, personal publication frequency if the others. It’s a chance to learn stories — details about Service amount of material submitted from one another.” “About one-half of the acres employees’ work experiences, warrants it. It will be produced treated are near homes and successes and even at the National Conservation Send stories and photos by communities adjacent to disappointments — have never Training Center and distributed August 1 to Retirees’ Almanac refuges,” McManus said. “These been compiled. free to Service retirees. editor, Spence Conley, at treatments are designed to
More information on Interior and National Interagency Fire Center preparedness can be found at
DOI Communications. Additional reporting by Karen Miranda- Gleason, National Fire Outreach Coordinator, Boise, Idaho Orange-fin Anemonefish and Bubble-tip Anemone at Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Remote Pacific Refuge Complex.
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 5 news
Junior Duck Stamp Contest Heads West Second place honors went to Tempest on a Tabletop Lydia Han, age 15, of San Jose, California with her watercolor In May, a team of partners painting of a pair of ruddy ducks. representing the state of Alaska In the audience when the results and federal agencies including were announced, the surprised the Service and USGS conducted JIM HEDRICK / USFWS and thrilled young artist proudly an avian influenza “tabletop” held up her winning design for all exercise. The event provided an to see. Rebekah Nastav, age 17, opportunity for these partners to of Amoret, Missouri, won third work through their responses to a place for her acrylic painting of hypothetical breakout of avian a hooded merganser and plans influenza among wild birds and to enter the Federal Duck poultry in Alaska. By conducting Stamp Contest as soon as she such an exercise, the becomes 18. participating agencies hoped to identify and fix any problems in After the contest, Joe Hautman, their respective response plans. 2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest In the unlikely event that an winning artist and lead judge for actual widespread outbreak of this contest, worked with the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian First place winning Junior Duck Stamp art (left), while second nearly 70 school children in influenza (or “bird flu”) actually place winner, Lydia Han, proudly shows her painting of attendance on the fundamentals does occur in Alaska at some ruddy ducks. of waterfowl painting. point in the future, the lessons Afterwards, the San Diego Zoo learned in the tabletop exercise What do you get when you Species Act, Nene have not environmental education staff should prove to be of great value. combine nearly 70 school appeared on any Federal Duck took the students on a special zoo children not only from California Stamp since that time and are nature walk. but as far away as Arizona, not eligible until the species is amazing art and a panel of five delisted; Nene have also never On June 27 the Service held its distinguished judges with a graced a Junior Duck Stamp First Day of Sale event for both beautiful, fun and exotic location? the 2008-09 Junior Duck Stamp The 2008 Federal Junior Duck The San Diego Zoo is an and the 75th anniversary Federal Stamp Contest, of course. important conservation partner of Duck Stamp at Bass Pro Shops the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Outdoor World near Baltimore, On April 17, the Service held its as well as the State of Hawaii’s Maryland and 40 Bass Pro 16th annual Junior Duck Stamp Endangered Bird Conservation Shops nationwide. Proceeds contest at the world famous San Program (HEBCP). HEBCP works from Junior Duck Stamp Diego Zoo in California. More in partnership with private sales are used to support than 100 students, teachers, landowners, the Service, the San environmental education efforts members of the public and Diego Zoo and other entities to and awards for contest winners. Service staff watched as the develop and implement recovery For more information on the winning art was chosen from efforts for Hawaii’s most Junior Duck Stamp Program, visit 52 entries representing 50 states, vulnerable bird species, including
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The proposed scenario required Creek provided a suitably Patuxent Welcomes Wounded Soldiers an interagency response to a challenging muddy and brushy series of avian influenza-related locale, and unseasonable spring bird die-off events at different heat emphasized the discomfort locations in Alaska, beginning and fatiguing nature of working in ED GRIMES with migratory birds and protective gear. later domestic poultry. The Alaska State Department of The levels of teamwork and Environmental Conservation took cooperation shown during the the lead on organizing the entire event were impressive, and exercise, but representatives of though some shortcomings in the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service, response protocols were the USGS Alaska Science Center, discovered, that was the aim of the USGS National Wildlife Health this tabletop exercise. Additional Center, and Alaska Department of such meetings are planned to Fish and Game were all part of continue to refine procedures Veterans and their families enjoy time together outdoors at the the planning team. and to make sure that all of those Patuxent Research Refuge. responsible for responding to a The final segment of the exercise potential outbreak of highly Patuxent Research Refuge in assistance of the Walter Reed staff enabled those who would be pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza Maryland occasionally serves as and hosted by the refuge.” called upon to respond to a wild- in Alaska are confident and ready more than the nation’s only bird mortality event to practice to do so. national wildlife refuge Many of the soldiers who protocols, the use of personal established to support wildlife participated in the event said they protective gear in a field setting, Bruce Woods, External Affairs, research. On June 12, the refuge planned to return to the refuge and actual sample collection. The Anchorage, Alaska hosted an outdoor field trip for with their families. Others said the banks of Anchorage’s Campbell soldiers receiving medical day outdoors provided a welcome treatment at Walter Reed Army break from the rehabilitation and Participants in the Medical Center in Washington, stressful adjustments of returning interagency exercise go DC and Fort George C. Meade from the war. through their response to in Maryland. COURTESEY USGS a staged wild-bird mortality Refuge staff and organizers event near the banks of Arranged and supported by suggested possibly hosting another Anchorage’s Campbell Creek. staff from the Service’s event in the fall and said they Headquarters Division of Visitor hoped the idea would catch on at Services and Communications other refuges across the country. and Branch of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and the Patuxent “We want to encourage Research Refuge, the event connections in other regions so allowed soldiers and their more military personnel can learn families to spend a special day at about the Fish and Wildlife Service the refuge — including a tram and participate in our outdoor tour, a tour of the visitor center, programs,” said Carolyn McGuire, and fishing at the accessible Diversity Manager for the Branch Cash Lake fishing pier. of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Approximately 35 wounded veterans attended. For more information about contacting medical centers in “Military personnel undergoing other regions or hosting similar lengthy treatment programs events, contact McGuire at deserve something special like 703/358 2567;
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 7 A pedestrian fence constructed onservice Buenos Aires spotlight NWR.
On the BorderProtecting natural resources on the front lines of immigration.
By Jose Viramontes and Nancy Brown
Photos courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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During the past decade the debate over immigration reform has been at the forefront of American dialogue. At all levels of government, elected officials have been grappling with policies for dealing with thousands of foreign citizens who enter the United States illegally each year. According to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, an estimated 5 million to 15 million people are currently living in the United States illegally.
owhere have the impacts of this through deterrence” which sought to Ndifficult issue been felt more than close the routes frequently used by on our southern border. Along the immigrants and drug smugglers and to international border with Mexico the shift immigration traffic to areas that states of California, Arizona, New were much more difficult to cross. Further, Mexico, and Texas have seen thousands the policy attempted to raise the risk of of individuals attempting to cross into the apprehension to a level so high as to United States illegally and thousands of deter immigrants from attempting to federal agents attempting to stop them. enter the United States illegally.
From the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of In many respects this approach worked. Mexico, nearly half of the southern Apprehensions along the traditional border — a distance of 820 miles — immigration routes, primarily more is federally or tribally owned. Land populated areas, initially spiked and then encompassing the remaining 1,080 miles over time decreased. According to CBP, is either privately or state owned. since 1996, the highest number of apprehensions in Southwest sectors was Among these federal lands, the Fish and in 2000 (1,643,679) and the lowest was in Wildlife Service manages six national 2003 (905,065). However, an unintended wildlife refuges and cares for more than consequence was a dramatic increase in 30 species listed under the Endangered the number of immigrants crossing far Species Act. In total, the Service is more treacherous and environmentally responsible for managing natural sensitive lands — such as national wildlife resources along 158 miles of border in refuges. These areas became prime Arizona, Texas and California. These habitat for smugglers, undocumented An endangered 1.1 million acres of federal wildlife refuges immigrants, and eventually a substantial masked bobwhite along the border provide important presence of federal border enforcement quail on Buenos habitat for endangered species, migratory agents. Each leaves more than a footprint Aires NWR. birds, and other wildlife. In fact, many when traversing these sensitive lands. rare and endangered wildlife can only be found in these parts of the United States. Trails, Trash and Trucks The Sonoran pronghorn, masked bobwhite The shifting of thousands of illegal cross quail, ocelot and many other species have border migrants from populated centers their last hopes vested in these lands. to wild lands has had a tremendous Overall, 32 species listed as threatened or impact to federal trust resources. Lands endangered under the ESA reside within previously void of human impact have 25 miles of the international border. now been transformed into pedestrian highways. New trails and roads, frequently Substantial illegal off road traffic and referred to as ghost roads, are being resulting border enforcement actions carved from south to north across the have left their mark on sensitive natural desert on a regular basis. These paths resources that the Service has worked are dotted with human waste, abandoned for decades to restore and protect. vehicles, and areas of accumulated trash in lay-up sites where immigrants wait In 1994, the Immigration and for the cover of darkness or for human Naturalization Service, now Customs and smugglers—known as “coyotes”—who Border Protection (CBP), designed and will pick them up and transport them implemented a broad national strategy to along the next leg of their journey. >> regain control of our nation’s borders. The strategy called for “prevention
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 9 service spotlight
Border, continued from page 9. Also, more than 100 abandoned vehicles A ‘Catch-22 Situation’ are towed from the refuge each year — Of course, there has not just been an In June of 2006, Mitch Ellis, then far less than is actually left behind. Ellis increase in immigrant traffic across federal manager of Buenos Aires National further reported that more than 1,300 lands. Border enforcement agents with Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona miles of illegal trails had been created CBP have also shifted to the new desert was asked to testify before the House on the refuge. In 2005 alone more than immigration corridors. Patrol activities on Appropriations Committee on the impacts 235,000 illegal immigrants were ATVs, horseback, and in transport vehicles of illegal immigration on federal lands. estimated to have crossed the refuge. as well as apprehension of immigrants For the second time in as many years, now frequently occur on environmentally Congress hosted a hearing focusing It is not just the environmental impacts sensitive federal lands. Through close on these impacts. giving federal land managers concern. coordination with federal agents, Service Violent crime and illegal drug activity staff has been able to recommend that Research has concluded that each person have also risen. Thousands of pounds of agents utilize established roads and who attempts to cross the border leaves marijuana have been seized on federal avoid establishing new trails and roads 5 to 8 pounds of trash. During the years, lands along the border (47,000 pounds on whenever possible. the trash has accumulated and now tons Buenos Aires Refuge in 2005 alone). In of trash litter the desert. In his testimony, October 2006, Buenos Aires was forced When the need to increase coordination Ellis reported to the committee that to close 3,500-acres to public access between the Service and CBP first arose by conservative estimates more than due to an increase in violence along the there was a clear disconnect between the 500 tons of trash are left behind by illegal border. Anyone — including refuge two agencies. A report issued by the border crossers. biologists — are now required to have a Government Accountability Office in June law enforcement officer accompany them 2004 commented that there appeared a when conducting field work in the area. lack of understanding of agencies’ missions among federal land management The human toll is a matter of even greater and border enforcement agencies. Further, concern. Dozens of immigrants have died the report outlined recommendations while attempting to cross the treacherous for increased information sharing and desert, most succumbing to exhaustion coordination to ensure agencies focus and dehydration, while others have been on areas of greatest concern. killed during altercations with human smugglers. Two federal agents have been Coordination and dual agency efforts killed in the line of duty while patrolling over the years expanded, and some border lands. In 2002, Kris Eggle, a efforts proved to be successful in National Park Service Ranger at Organ allowing both agencies to meet their Pipe Cactus National Monument in individual — sometimes contradictory Arizona was killed while pursuing — missions. A few examples of these members of a drug cartel hit squad successful efforts include: who fled into the United States after committing a string of murders in Mexico. n coordinating the installation of miles And in January of this year, Luis Aguilar, of vehicle barriers that allow passage a senior U.S. Border Patrol agent, was of wildlife from one side of the border An immigrant “lay-up” site on Buenos killed near the Imperial Sand Dunes to the other; Aires NWR. Here immigrants wait Recreation Area in California when he for the cover of darkness or for human was intentionally struck by the driver n completion of a non-Jeopardy Biological smugglers — known as “coyotes” — who of a vehicle he was attempting to stop. Opinion for Customs and Border will pick them up and transport them Protection’s proposed pedestrian barrier along the next leg of their journey. The annual impact from damage to activities in Arizona; sensitive public lands and species from the cumulative effects of illegal immigration, n creating the Information Planning and drug smuggling and border enforcement Consultation System in an attempt to actions has become a growing concern for streamline and enhance the endangered Service officials and more of a draw on species consultation process; already limited resources. n permitting the use of refuge land by the Service for CBP staging areas, helipads, and horse corrals that are closer to the border in order to decrease the distance agents must travel to apprehend illegal immigrants;
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Vehicle barrier on Buenos Aires NWR. n conducting environmental awareness Unfortunately, not all proposed activities training for CBP agents; allowed one agency or the other to proceed in a matter that was consistent n creating a National Borderland with its purpose. Coordinator position in the Department of the Interior to serve as a principle “It’s a Catch-22 situation,” noted Roger point of contact for the Department of DiRosa the retired manager of Cabeza Homeland Security. Prieta Refuge in southern Arizona. “Though allowing increasingly damaging In addition, in an attempt to address the activities to occur may ultimately save concern for human life, the Service issued some wilderness resources, it is equally a permit to the nonprofit group Humane possible that they may not. It is a highly Borders to place and maintain water unique and problematic situation, stations along known immigration routes requiring difficult and unique solutions.” on Buenos Aires Refuge, marked wildlife watering tanks on Cabeza Prieta Refuge Nowhere was this conflict as prevalent with tall blue flags, and worked with CBP as with the construction of a 700-mile to install solar powered emergency rescue ‘double-layer, impermeable’ pedestrian beacons that provide direct contact with barrier prescribed by Congress in CBP in the event that someone’s life is in late 2006. >> imminent danger. One of three water stations on Bueno Aires NWR permitted and maintained by Humane Borders.
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 11 service spotlight
Border, continued from page 11. of the river. Along this final stretch of the Rio Grande, CBP has proposed The Fence 23 fence segments in three Counties On October 26, 2006, the Secure Fence (Camero, Hidalgo, Starr) that range in Act was signed into law. The Act directed length from one to 13 miles. the Department of Homeland Security to construct “at least 2-layers of reinforced Also found along the final stretch of the fencing and additional physical barriers” Rio Grande is the Lower Rio Grande over a distance of 700 miles along the Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGV), international border with Mexico. The law a wildlife corridor comprised of 115 tracts, mandated that construction be completed most of which are situated along river’s by December 2008. Border segments edge. The 90,000 acre Refuge includes identified for fence construction fall along approximately 70 river miles and is the entire southern border and vary in situated in an area where 95 percent of length. A number of those segments off-refuge habitat has been cleared. mandated fall on national wildlife refuge lands or lands that provide habitat for The southernmost tip of Texas constitutes sensitive species. one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America with four In general, fences are not good for wildlife. converging climates (temperate, coastal, And then there is the tremendous impact desert and subtropic), 11 distinct habitat to natural resources caused by the types, two migratory flyways (Central and constant flow of immigrant traffic and Mississippi), a documented 1,200 species necessary border enforcement actions. Sonoran pronghorn of plants, 513 species of birds and 300 But the pedestrian fence actually may species of butterflies. It is for the sole provide more benefits to trust resources Regional Director Benjamin N. Tuggle. purpose of protecting this biodiversity that than negative impacts. “There are still concerns, such as those in the LRGV was established in 1979. Texas and with the pronghorn population In Arizona, a substantial portion of fence at Cabeza Prieta, but we will continue to Beginning May 2007, refuge and Service construction fell within what is known as try and work those out in a way that is staff were been working with CBP on the the Roosevelt Easement, a Presidential least detrimental to the resource.” border fence issue within the lower Rio Proclamation from 1907 that reserves a Grande Valley sector. The originally 60-foot strip along the international Some of the more substantial remaining agreed-upon fence design placed the boundary with Mexico. The easement concerns for the Service are potential border fence along the north side of the was established in order for the United impacts to the endangered Sonoran levee system within Cameron and Hidalgo States to maintain the area “free from pronghorn in Arizona and the ocelot in County, included wildlife passages and obstruction as a protection against the South Texas. The Sonoran pronghorn allowed access to landowners. smuggling of goods between the United population at Cabeza Prieta Refuge States and Mexico.” However, the comprises only 70 animals and is the In January 2008, however, after proclamation only applied to lands in only population remaining in the United completion of a Draft Environmental public ownership at the time. This meant States. In a letter to CBP, the Service Impact Statement, Hidalgo County that for most fence construction in expressed concerns that the proposed proposed a second fence design, one that Arizona, CBP was not required to consult project associated with CBP’s Secure would integrate a major flood-control with the Service. For the small area of Border Initiative in Arizona “may component. The County’s proposal land managed by the Service that did not significantly impair the likelihood replaced the wildlife friendly fence with a fall within the easement the Service and for both the recovery and survival of the 16- to 18-foot-high concrete wall. The wall CBP agreed to execute a land exchange. Sonoran pronghorn population at would be placed on the south side of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.” levee, which will effectively eliminate In other areas the Service has been able wildlife passage, access points and to work with CBP in the design of fence The Service and DHS have been working require more habitat be taken out for segments to incorporate wildlife passage to address concerns with impacts of construction. In addition, Hidalgo elements, and for other segments CBP construction to the endangered ocelot in County’s design will force down-stream has committed to mitigation measures southern Texas. However, those efforts areas to incorporate similar measures for the fences’ impacts on listed species. may have recently hit a wall. because of the resulting increased flows. CBP accepted the County’s proposals “During the past several years we have Everything is Bigger in Texas and efforts are underway to complete been able to work with CBP towards In southern Texas, 70 miles of proposed construction of 22 miles of concrete wall mutually beneficial solutions. The Secure border fence will follow an existing levee within Hidalgo County. Fence Act had the potential to threaten system just north of the Rio Grande. that success, but it hasn’t,” said Southwest Where the levee ends, the remainder of the fence will follow along the edge
12 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 service spotlight
In Cameron and Starr Counties, the original border fence design will remain. Regardless, Service biologists estimate that 60 to 75 percent of LRGV will be directly or indirectly impacted by the proposed fence designs. There are significant concerns for safety, logistical and maintenance issues for Refuge staff and fire fighters. Serious and likely irreparable damage will include: restricting the movement of species that rely on connectivity with Mexico for genetic exchange; blocking access to the Rio Grande, which is often the only source of water for wildlife; and bisecting Refuge lands resulting in the creation of ‘islands’ of habitat and compromising the viability of the wildlife corridor.
In addition, LRGV serves as an anchor for important habitat to the north and south. The Refuge extends to the southern portion of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and ultimately the great Texas ranch country to the north. Directly to the south, the Refuge is working with Jody Mays (left), a wildlife biologist for Laguna Atascosa NWR, tags an ocelot. Mexican counterparts to connect to ecologically valuable areas such as the Laguna Madre of Tamaulipas, and the a national identification card for all legal and October 2007 to complete border Sierra de los Picachos in Nuevo Leon, U.S. citizens. The Act also, however, fence segments crossing the San Pedro Mexico. The border fence would create a included the following 57 words: River National Conservation Area in physical barrier between these projects, Southeast Arizona. possibly compromising genetic exchange Notwithstanding any other provision of species. of law, the Secretary of Homeland The most extensive and most recent Security shall have the authority to waivers, issued April 1, 2008 are the only One species of particular concern is the waive all legal requirements such two that have direct implications for lands ocelot, a small cat whose range once Secretary, in such Secretary’s sole managed by the Service. However, among extended from South Texas into Arkansas discretion, determines necessary to the over 30 total, some of the laws waived and Louisiana. Today, its population has ensure expeditious construction of were the Endangered Species Act, been reduced to 80 to 100 cats, all of which the barriers and roads under this National Environmental Policy Act, reside in South Texas. Service biologists section. Any such decision by the National Wildlife System Administration question the genetic viability of the ocelot Secretary shall be effective upon being Act, Wilderness Act, Clean Water Act, and and its ability to survive in a diminishing, published in the Federal Register. the Clean Air Act. The two waivers cover fragmented habitat. The border fence fence construction for over 470 miles in could further genetically isolate the This section, according to proponents, was California, Arizona, New Mexico and species by limiting its ability to migrate intended to address a 14-mile section of Texas and another for the 22-mile levy into Mexico. fence being constructed near San Diego, segment in Hidalgo County, Texas. California. The Service had issued a The Waiver non-jeopardy biological opinion for the In making the announcement for the April In March 2005, the U.S. Congress was segment on January 9, 2003. However, waiver, the Department of Homeland in the midst of crafting a supplemental construction had been delayed because Security committed to providing numerous authorization bill that provided funds of concerns from state and local entities. mitigation measures for impacts to DOI for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as The language in the Real ID Act was not managed lands including a $50 million well as funding for tsunami relief efforts. specific to the San Diego segment and fund for land acquisition and other Ultimately, when the funding bill passed the authority granted by the waiver has measures to off-set impacts from fence it also contained an amendment known been used by DHS now on five separate construction. Despite invocation of the as the Real ID Act. The Real ID Act is occasions; September 2006 in San Diego, waiver, the Service and CBP continue widely known for its provisions regarding California; January 2007 near the Barry to identify measures that will result in M. Goldwater Range in Southern Arizona; the most beneficial outcome for both agencies. >>
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 13 service spotlight
Border, continued One thing is certain, the Service will be “In an ideal world and under differing facing these challenges for a long time. circumstances, the need would not exist Looking Ahead There seems to be no indication of a to construct border fences and related Will the fence work? Will it help curtail substantial decrease in the number of infrastructure to enhance our Nation’s the impacts from illegal immigration immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. security or reduce the influx of drug or will the solution prove to be just as illegally. Nor is there a decrease in the trafficking,” Schultz testified. “In reality, environmentally detrimental as the necessary border enforcement measures however, Congress has directed DHS to problem? being deployed. By the end of this year construct border security infrastructure.” DHS will have 18,319 agents—an increase Secretary Michael Chertoff of the of roughly 12,000 agents since 1996. “A project of this scope cannot be Department of Homeland Security accomplished without affecting both recently told the New York Times, “I don’t As of May 2, 2008 DHS had constructed environmental and cultural resources,” believe the fence is a cure all. Nor do I 178 miles of pedestrian fence and Schulz continued. “The challenges for believe it is a waste. Yes, you can get over 144.2 miles of vehicle barrier along the DOI and DHS are complex. On the it; yes, you can get under it. But it is a southern border. negative side, we have some adverse useful tool that makes it more difficult environmental impacts. On the positive for people to cross. It is one of a number The issue was best explained by Rick side, border infrastructure, including of tools we have, and you’ve got to use all Schultz, DOI National Borderland pedestrian and vehicle fences, is expected the tools.” Coordinator, in his testimony before the to increase our visitor and employee House Natural Resources Committee safety, reduce drug trafficking, reduce on April 28 of this year:
Borderline. A timeline of actions associated with border security measures.
2001 2002 2003–2004 2005 2006
April 2001 May 2002 2003–2004 2005 June 2006 The Service permits U.S. Border Patrol Three solar powered A study is published Mitch Ellis, the manager of Buenos placement of non- places a temporary emergency rescue indicating that 5–8 Aires Refuge, is called to testify before permanent water camp on Cabeza beacons are placed pounds of trash are Congress on the impacts of immigration stations on Buenos Prieta NWR. Due to on Cabeza Prieta deposited by each and border enforcement activities on Aires National Wildlife the demonstrated NWR. individual immigrant federal trust resources. Refuge. success of the camp, attempting to cross the June 2004 June 2006 Border Patrol makes Arizona desert. May 2001 Manager of Cabeza Wildlife friendly vehicle barriers are the camp permanent 14 immigrants die of Prieta Refuge is March 2005 installed on Buenos Aires Refuge. in 2003. dehydration trying called to testify Congress passes the The Service and DHS begin installation to cross the Arizona August 2002 before Congress Real ID Act as a rider of Emergency Rescue Beacons on desert at Cabeza Kris Eggle, a Park on the impacts of to the funding Bill Buenos Aires Refuge for people in Prieta Refuge. Ranger at Organ immigration and for the wars in Iraq desperate need of medical attention. Pipe Cactus National border enforcement and Afghanistan and Monument is shot activities on federal tsunami relief. The Act September 2006 and killed in the trust resources. granted DHS authority DHS issues first waiver authorized by line of duty while to waive any laws Real ID Act to complete construction of 2004 pursuing members necessary to ensure 14 miles of fence in San Diego California. Organ Pipe Cactus of a drug cartel hit expeditious construction National Monument October 2006 squad who fled into of barriers and roads starts construction Buenos Aires Refuge closes 3,500 acres the United States associated with border of a vehicle to public access due to an increase after committing a security. barrier along the in violence along the border. Refuge string of murders in International Border. December 2005 biologists are required to have a law Mexico. Construction is A record number of enforcement officer accompany them to completed in 2006. immigrants (241) die conduct field work in the area. crossing the Arizona The Secure Fence Act — directing desert in 2005. That DHS to construct at least two layers same year DHS arrests of reinforced fencing and additional 101,965 on the seven physical barriers along 700 miles along border refuges. the international border with Mexico by December 2008 — is signed into law. 14 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 service spotlight
the deposition of human trash, and in Overlook at some cases lessen adverse environmental Roma Bluffs effects to wildlife habitats and related World Birding ecological communities.” Center in South Texas. A planned Obviously, the concerns associated with combination border national immigration policy and necessary barrier/flood border enforcement extend well beyond control levy will be the scope of the Fish and Wildlife Service. located just beneath Only time will tell where the protection of this overlook. our Nation’s wild plants, animals, and lands fit in.
Jose Viramontes is a Public Affairs Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nancy Brown is a Public Outreach Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico
2007 2008
March 2007 January 2008 Vehicle barrier construction Luis Aguilar, a senior U.S. begins on Cabeza Prieta NWR. Border Patrol agent, killed in the @ line of duty at the BLM Imperial October 2007 Sand Dunes Recreation Area Service outlines an agreement in California. with DHS to allow fence construction to continue on March 2008 Buenos Aires Refuge in exchange Service notifies DHS that it is for land to be added to the unlikely that the proposed refuge. Exchange was outlined barrier in Hidalgo County, Texas in part to prevent DHS issuing will be found compatible with another waiver. the purposes of the Lower Rio Grande Refuge and will therefore not be allowed. April 2008 @ DHS issues two waivers authorized by Real ID Act. One waiver covers more than 470 miles in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The other covers the 22-mile segment in Hidalgo County, Texas. Service notifies DHS that proposed activities on Cabeza Prieta Refuge may result in the extinction of the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. May 2008 DHS requests to place another camp along El Camino del Diablo road through Cabeza Prieta NWR. Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 15 island paradise Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge provides a living classroom for local school children.
Story and photos by Pamela Gibson
On a hot, sunny morning in May 2008, a few dozen 7th graders from a University Koebele regularly takes school groups to of Hawai‘i charter school loaded into two yellow school buses and headed to the Kalaeloa for the purposes of education Kalaeloa Unit of the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. Their first stopping point and outplanting. In doing so, he not only reconnects children with nature but was on the former Barbers Point Naval Base outside a Subway sandwich shop that also helps conserve rare plant populations opened early for the occasion. in the coastal environment of the ‘Ewa Plain of O‘ahu. One of the advantages of he young people gathered around a “So when you’re out there, I’m going to having kids experience nature directly, Tfire hydrant in the parking lot, dabbed ask you to walk on dirt as much as rather than in, say, a garden or museum on sun screen, and listened as refuge possible. If you can’t, walk on areas that setting, is that it’s a wild and not a volunteer Dr. Bruce Koebele —their are grassy because the grasses out there human-controlled endeavor. guide, a native plant specialist, and former are non-native.” biology instructor —gave them a safety Beside the ocean at Kalaeloa, the kids talk steeped in history and Hawaiian lore. The children listened carefully, eager for gathered around Koebele and listened “Be careful to step only on dirt or grass their upcoming adventure. But not so as he pointed out such plants as the when you’re on the refuge,” Koebele eager that they wanted to brave the single, ‘Ewa Hinahina (Achyranthes splendens told the kids, “because if you step on an rather primitive composting toilet Koebele var. rotundata) that used to be found endangered plant you could kill it forever.” told them about. In fact, that piece of throughout the ‘Ewa (west) plain. information sent all but a few of these “Hinahina means silvery or gray,” Koebele “Imagine a Nene- - (native Hawaiian goose) urban kids running to the restaurant said. “Look at it, little white hairs protect the size of a turkey that can’t fly, weighing restrooms before taking off for Kalaeloa it from sunlight and keep the leaves from maybe 20 or 30 pounds. That’s what used (“long point” in Hawaiian.) being damaged.” The plant is listed as to live out where we’re going and, in fact, endangered because most of its habitat all around the island. Compare that to “We’re going to a wild place, not to a has been destroyed by humans, first when you guys who weigh 80 or 90 pounds, or museum or a garden, or someplace where they planted sugar cane, then when they to me at 160. So if I step on a plant, signs tell you what this or that plant is,” made houses and shopping malls. I essentially kill it. That plant doesn’t have Koebele said. “You have to watch your “Kalaeloa is one of the very few places any defenses.” step. There might be a centipede or a where this plant can actually be seen,” scorpion underneath the rock you turn Koebele said. over when you’re digging a hole for our outplanting today.” In 1997, when Barbers Point was a naval air base and Koebele was an instructor at Leeward Community College, >>
16 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 Above: The Kalaeloa field trip provided the seventh graders’ with a stewardship and service learning project that would anchor their classroom experiences with the field. Right: Island ilima papa.
“The children encounter wild things here, and I just think it’s incredibly important for kids to experience that.”
Refuge guide and volunteer Dr. Bruce Koebele Island, continued from page 16. Well, they start making a mess and destroying things, yeah?” Navy spokesman Dan Moriarty asked for the help of Koebele and several faculty “Yeah,” the kids echoed. members, and the help of their students. “An aggressive weed called Pluchea is “Ever since then, we’ve been working with growing all around the ‘Ewa Hinahina.” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” This Moriarty said, “We’re afraid it’s going to partnership greatly improved Koebele’s cover it up and that’ll be the end of it.” situation because he was then able to Koebele and some sixty other volunteers bring his own vehicles and plants and from the college and the Navy pitched in water. “So we could plant natives and not and got rid of the Pluchea. They also found just kill invasives. That’s what we’ll be another plant, Naio, which looks somewhat doing today, helping with that.” like Pluchea but is native. A Special Place “Afterward, I thought that working with The ‘Ewa Hinahina is endemic to the native plants would be a good experience Hawaiian Islands and only found in four for my students,” Koebele said. “How places. “It’s very rare,” Koebele said. “But many get to see endangered species, let this is a very special place, not just because alone help them survive? Once you get rid of this plant. The rocks are white and of the Pluchea, the native plants come made of coral. What we’re standing on is back by themselves. It’s exciting!” an ancient coral reef.”
In 1999, the Navy closed down the naval “Oh,” said a boy. The children looked base. “It was a scary time for us,” Koebele around at the white rocks. said, who worried about what would happen when this place beside the ocean The entire ‘Ewa plains used to be Refuge volunteer Dr. Bruce Koebele opened up. “We were so afraid people underwater before the water receded. “If (left) seasons his lecture with history would start coming out here with their you look at these rocks, you can see the and Hawaiian lore. motorcycles and SUVs, their 4-wheel ancient coral and shells inside of them,” drives, and tear it all up. Remember what Koebele said. “The plant community that I said about native plants?” we’re looking at has adapted to that reef.”
“They might die forever if you step on “Cool,” said a girl. them,” a boy said. “What we’re doing today here is “Yes! And just imagine what happens restoration work. We’re trying to when you run over them with an SUV.” restore this place to the way it was say, 10,000 years ago, back when those big Another thing conservationists worry geese…what’s their name…were about are people’s campfires and running around.” cigarettes and the brush fires caused by them. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife “Ne-ne- !” yelled the children, in unison. Service took over the area because of the endangered ‘Ewa Hinahina but they “Yes. Very good.” Koebele stressed that still faced the problem of what to do about restoration of native species rather than all the visitors. The refuge manager at gardening was the goal. “The work, the that time, Donna Stovall, met with the planting you do today, that’s all the Department of Transportation (DOT), attention your plant will get. No one will who was tasked with putting up the come out and water the plant, or pick bugs “First we talk about how high are we present fence around the airfield so that off, or spray them. No one will fertilize above sea level. We talk about four people could not drive on the runway. them. So you have to do everything you different levels, coastal, lowlands, Stovall convinced the DOT to extend the can do today because soon you’ll walk montaine, up in the mountains, alpine, fence past the airfield all the way along away. We don’t want to interfere with so high in the mountains that you might the coast to the canal on the other side. evolution. We don’t want to make them actually freeze in the nighttime. into wimps that can’t survive on their own. Can you classify this community?” “The fence didn’t prevent people from Here they’ve got to.” coming out here and hiking along the “Coastal,” the seventh graders said shoreline,” Koebele said. “What it Botanists talk about three different in unison. prevented was them coming out in factors when they speak of communities: vehicles, and that’s where the real height above the ocean, amount of rainfall, “Yes. We’re right next to the ocean; we’re destruction happens, when they come and the dominant plants in the community. barely above sea level. Next we talk about with their 6 and 12 and 24 packs of beer.” “This community is a very unique one. rainfall. Botanists put it into three We’re going to classify it right now.” categories, dry, mesic (medium) and wet. The children giggled. What do you think this is?” The kids’ ears perked up. “Dry,” the children called out.
18 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 “Coastal, dry shrub land!” to put at least two nodes under ground, Island akulikuli. but the more the better, to give the plant “That’s right. You tell any botanist, hey, more chances to grow roots. I visited a coastal dry shrub land and helped out with the ‘Ewa Hinahina, he’ll After studying a handout on how to know exactly what you’re talking about. outplant their native Hawaiian plant You could even be more specific and call cutting, the kids donned gloves, squatted this a Naio shrubland, because the down, and dug in with gusto. They scooped dominant native plant is the Naio. Now out soil and put it to the side, added we’re going to plant some native herbs gallons of water, and kneaded the dirt and so that we can restore this…what?” water mass like bread dough.
“Dry coastal shrub land!” The next step was naming their herb of the children yelled. choice and sticking it into a container of rooting hormone, counting to seven, then Natural Connections pulling it out and placing it in the finger After a short_ dissertation on the hole they’d made in the dirt dough. native herb ‘Akulikuli, Koebele held In order to prevent moisture from up a shrub. “It’s named ‘Ilima Papa. evaporating away, the children covered Everyone say that.” each plant with a large cup and a plate and held it down with rocks. “‘Ilima papa!” the kids said in chorus. “We’ll leave it for about three weeks,” Each island has an island flower and ‘Ilima Koebele said. “Then lift it off and see if is the Hawaiian name for O‘ahu’s. ‘Ilima the plants are dry.” come in many different__ varieties. One of them is ‘Ilima Ku, Ku being the name of One boy uncovered a scorpion when the God of War. “Just as warriors stand_ at digging a hole with two other boys. attention, so does the upright ‘Ilima Ku,” “If it stings me, will I die?” he asked. Koebele said. “Not unless you’re extremely allergic to it, The ‘Ilima Lei is the best flower to use for and even then it’s unlikely,” said Miki leis. Ancient Hawaiians usually went to the Tomita, the boy’s teacher. “Otherwise it’s mountains to collect flowers for leis, but about as bad as a bee sting.” ‘Ilima Lei was one of the few native plants they actually planted outside of their Tomita explained that the Kalaeloa field houses so they’d have them available. trip was a service learning component to a unit they were covering on both land and “Hawaiians use the flower as a medicine water plant growth. “Students were asked for babies too,” Koebele said. “According to compare the structure and function to Hawaiian folklore, when women were of water and land plants,” Tomita said. pregnant and used the flowers they had an “Then we talked about native and invasive easy birth.” species, places where we can help to restore native species, and why that might Koebele pointed to the Pa‘u ‘O Hi‘iaka be important.” vine. According to legend, long ago the volcano goddess Pele went surfing and The Kalaeloa field trip was a way to end took her baby sister Hi‘iaka with her. She these seventh graders’ school year with left Hi‘iaka asleep on the beach while she a stewardship and service learning “Yeah, we get maybe a foot of rain a went to surf. Enjoying the surf, she forgot project that would anchor their classroom year out here. Now we have coastal, dry.” about her baby sister lying there in the hot experiences with the field. “Because, The last category has to do with the sun. Seeing this, the gods took pity on the for most of them, that’s a really predominant types of plants. “Look poor child. On remembering her little important component that’s missing in around and you’ll see there are different sister, Pele quickly returned to the beach the classroom,” Tomita said. types of forms. Herbs are little tiny plants to find that the gods had covered her in that don’t have any woody parts, like the vines of this plant to protect her from “The children encounter wild things, and tomatoes.” There are also grass lands, the burning rays. That’s why the plant is I just think it’s incredibly important for shrub lands, and forests. “So what are called Pa‘u ‘O Hi‘iaka (the skirt of Hi‘iaka.) kids to experience that,” Koebele said. most of the plants around me, the dominant thing you see around?” Because the coralline ground is so hard, Connecting kids with nature. That’s what Koebele pre-dug holes to make it easier it’s all about. “Shrubs!” The kids were having fun for the kids to outplant. “Plants have three with this. parts, roots, stems, leaves,” he explained. “But we’re planting plants with only two of Pamela Gibson is an Administrative “Yeah, we have the Naio shrub, a native them. Got leaves, got stems. You see? The Support Assistant at Oahu NWR and shrub, and the alien shrub, the Pluchea. roots are missing. Roots will grow from a freelance writer. So let’s put them all three together, what the nodes.” The children were instructed do we have?”
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 19 Little brown bats with white-nose syndrome.
Mysterious Threat What is killing bats in the Northeast?
By Diana Weaver
20 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 Tens of thousands of bats have died in the Northeast during the past two winters, Oettingen at a hibernaculum in Chester, and the reason remains a mystery despite the efforts of dozens of state, federal Mass., explaining the WNS challenge. and non-government scientists who are desperately searching for the cause Within days, the video was on YouTube, where it has been viewed more than 3,300 and hoping for a solution. times, bringing substantial attention to the problem. Reporters from Canada and
n January 2007, biologists with the New York is the winter home to some Europe have covered the story, and news INew York Department of Environmental 52,000 Indiana bats, 10 percent of the stories and blog postings have surfaced Conservation found bats with a white entire population. Half of those bats across the country and beyond. fungus on their noses in a cave near hibernate in a cluster of three caves and Albany. Alarmingly, bats were flying mines, each of which now has WNS. Public interest has been high, with calls
outside the hibernaculum during the Little brown bats, the most common and e-mails reporting bats flying during day despite the winter cold and lack of hibernating bats in New York, have the day or found dead and dying, often in insects to eat. Shortly thereafter, bats sustained the largest number of deaths. locations where biologists did not realize AL HICKS / NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AL HICKS / NEW YORK DEPARTMENT in three more caves were found in poor Other affected species include Eastern hibernacula existed. Reports continue physical condition, many with the white pipistrelle, northern long-eared bats and of dead, dying or abnormally acting bats fungus. They were uncharacteristically the uncommon small-footed myotis. that have reached their summer habitat hibernating in cold areas near cave in Massachusetts, Vermont and entrances. And they were dying. They New Hampshire. were dying by the hundreds. “What we’ve seen so Cavers, important partners in the search By the end of spring, thousands of bats for WNS answers, are reporting caves were dead. In one cave, half of the far is unprecedented. with affected bats and leading biologists survivors had the white fungus. In a cave to sites to learn if WNS is present. As part typically harboring 700 endangered Most bat researchers of an attempt to determine how WNS Indiana bats, Al Hicks, New York State spreads, cavers have volunteered data on endangered species biologist, found no would agree that this their cave visits. Indiana bats for the first time since they were discovered there the 1930s. Hicks is is the gravest threat WNS work continues to be a cooperative, certain the bats are dead from what he field-based effort. The biggest problems dubbed white-nose syndrome (WNS). to bats they have facing both federal and state agencies seem to be lack of resources — people, This winter, hibernating bats in New York ever seen.” time and money for field work, supplies, again showed signs of the fungus and Al Hicks, New York State endangered equipment and laboratory tests. abnormal behavior; many were emaciated species biologist and dehydrated, and it was clear The most frustrating aspect of this something was seriously wrong. situation is the lack of a clear answer to Because large numbers of bats congregate the question, “What is causing the bat “What we’ve seen so far is in caves and mines to hibernate for the deaths?” Biologists do not know if the unprecedented,” Hicks said. “Most winter and may migrate up to hundreds of fungus causes the deaths or if it is merely bat researchers would agree that this miles to their summer habitat, biologists symptomatic of the problem. To add
GREG THOMPSON / USFWS is the gravest threat to bats they have are concerned that the problem could confusion, not all affected bats have visible ever seen.” spread much farther than the four states fungus. Parallels have been drawn to bee with confirmed WNS. But they do not colony collapse. A host of scientists is WNS showed up in southwestern Vermont know if affected bats are transmitting searching for answers. More than a dozen and even more hibernacula in New York. WNS to other bats. laboratories across the country are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists examining the fungus, bat carcasses, and their state counterparts launched Two Service endangered species and tissue and blood samples. an all-out effort to identify hibernacula biologists, Robyn Niver at the New York with WNS, and to engage laboratories Field Office in Cortland, New York, and What can we do to save the bats from and researchers in the quest for an answer Susi von Oettingen at the New England WNS? That question will have to wait to this problem. Field Office in Concord, New Hampshire, until we have more information. are working closely with state biologists Biologists found WNS in western on WNS. Von Oettingen has made At a June meeting in Albany, New York, Massachusetts. State biologists — numerous trips to examine caves and nearly 100 scientists, researchers and sometimes accompanied by federal mines and conduct spring emergence wildlife managers gathered to exchange biologists — surveyed caves and mines surveys, occasionally taking news media to information about WNS and discuss from New Hampshire to Virginia, view dramatic evidence of the mysterious hypotheses, data needs and possible Kentucky and Indiana. In late spring, affliction. Niver drafted decontamination future actions in the search to find what biologists confirmed WNS in northwestern protocols for cavers and biologists visiting is killing our bats. Connecticut, bringing the total to potentially affected caves and mines. She 26 affected hibernacula in four states. also coordinates regular conference calls For more information, visit the Northeast Another three sites in Pennsylvania are between state and federal biologists to Region’s WNS Web site
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 21 Sanctuary for the Houston Toad Through the Service’s Safe Harbor Program, Texas rancher and minister Bob Long is helping to conserve the endangered amphibian.
By Ben Ikenson
Bob Long may not be ready to trade in his extended bed diesel pickup for a down here to Bastrop saying the toad was Japanese hybrid, but the 64-year-old Texas rancher and minister can rightfully add here and that we had to do something “environmentalist” to his curriculum vitae. about it, we were concerned. It kind of became this contentious federal-landowner debate that was not very friendly, at first.” t’s part of my personality and my faith The Houston toad was discovered in the “Ito take care of the land,” says Long. late 1940s, though for eons the secretive After a committee was formed and “Adam and Eve were put in the Garden of little critter has been laying low in people started meeting one another face Eden to enjoy and steward the land, plants wetlands and woods, making its presence to face, Long says, “tensions eased. The and animals. God provided for them.” known less by appearance than by a feds realized they’d have to really work high-pitched trill mating call. The toad’s with landowners. Texas has more than Long is a non-denominational Christian coloration and rough skin provide 95 percent privately-owned land, as minister; he serves as president of World excellent camouflage from natural opposed to, say, Arizona, which has a lot Ministry Fellowship, which accredits and predators such as turtles, snakes, owls, more federal land. So there’s a whole licenses ministers; and he runs a modest large spiders, and even frogs. Its different mentality here, and the Fish and cattle-and-calf operation on 500 acres in evolutionary discretion, however, has Wildlife Service has to have different Bastrop, Texas. His property here been no match for burgeoning mentalities for different locations. Texans happens to contain some of the best known development. Paved road replaced like their guns and their land, and if you habitat for the endangered Houston toad. wetlands; pastures replaced woodlands. threaten to take their land, they’re quick The Houston toad was listed as an to show you their guns.” In 2002, Long became the first private endangered species in 1970. landowner in Texas to take part in the Helping to ease the tension was the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Safe Harbor “Although the status of the Houston toad Environmental Defense Fund, which plays Program. The program features legal has undergone significant declines over a crucial role in crafting and administering assurances that land management the past 60 years, we believe we can Safe Harbor agreements. “Initially, restrictions will not be imposed on private prevent its extinction,” says Fish and we served as a kind of liaison between landowners should those landowners Wildlife Service recovery biologist Paige landowners and the feds,” says senior partake in conservation measures Navjar. “We are working toward its scientist for the Environmental Defense designed to help an endangered species. recovery through effective planning and Fund David Wolfe. “We’d been doing Safe In this case, the program, in essence, active landowner participation.” Harbor work with landowners elsewhere creates a safe harbor for both Bob Long in Texas, for the black-capped vireo and and the elusive toad. Bob Long remembers first hearing about golden warbler, with great success. So, the government’s recovery efforts for the we met Bob at a meeting and he learned Houston toad in the late 1990s. “Initially, about our incentive-based tools and when the Fish and Wildlife Service came became interested in knowing how they could help landowners in ‘toad’ country.”
22 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 Keeping an open mind, Long saw potential Closer to home, Long has been the In addition, in March 2008 the Service in the program for both his land and for springboard that launched a good deal of began a Houston Toad Recovery Initiative the toad, and decided to take the first step. interest from other local landowners. “In to involve multiple state and federal PAIGE A. NAJVAR A. NAJVAR PAIGE Per the agreement, for about five months going through the process with Bob, we agencies, academic researchers, non- out of the year for the past six years now, now have quite a lot of interest from governmental organizations, landowners, Long has been keeping his cattle fenced landowners,” says Wolfe. “Two other and other stakeholders in recovery efforts. away from the wetlands that are so vital to landowners have signed up for their own The initiative is designed to increase the toad. The toads and their toadlings, Safe Harbor agreements. And there may information sharing, promote landowner says Long, typically come out from be enough interest for us to create a involvement, and allow for discussions of burrowing in December and remain above ‘programmatic’ Safe Harbor agreement.” collaborative opportunities for the ground until late spring. Houston toad. By creating a broadscale plan, the Results followed. Wolfe remembers that, Environmental Defense Fund would help The Environmental Defense Fund has “Just three months after a fence was put consolidate the individual plans into a been working with others, like the Pines in, the largest chorus of toads on record single agreement and increase its role and Prairies Land Trust, as Wolfe puts it, was heard from that pond.” in administering on-the-ground efforts, “to leverage our efforts as much as we relieving much needed resources for can.” Latest efforts to match the growing Long has also cut down the size of his herd the Fish and Wildlife Service. landowner interest includes trying to get and continues to rotate grazing patterns. the Natural Resources Conservation With a lot of help from the Environmental While Long has been essential in Service involved in creating incentive Defense Fund, he has overseen a series protecting an important and growing toad programs with the toad in mind. of prescribed burns and he has been active population on his land, work has continued in brush removal projects. He has also away from his property. In recent years, For Navjar, the job and the hand-in-hand agreed to plant only native grasses should Texas State University has conducted spirit she sees through it, keep her the need to replant overgrazed pastures research that has produced valuable optimistic. “The best thing about working arise. Most recently, Long helped build a information on habitat use, distribution on this species is the relationships I have ditch to carry overflow from a creek and density of adult toads and juveniles, with our partners,” she says. “From the directly to the toad’s favorite wetland, larval survivorship rates, the effects of researchers to the landowners, there are making good use of the water that often predation, and population genetics. so many dedicated people working hard to rises above the creek banks. recover this species that just being around “This information will be instrumental them and being a witness to their hard Of course, Mother Nature certainly plays to the Service as we begin developing work keeps me motivated. I am optimistic a role too, and, unfortunately, drought an updated recovery strategy for this about the toad’s recovery. It will be a conditions for the past few years have species,” says Navjar. The updated challenge and will probably take a long inhibited breeding success. recovery strategy will likely include some time to get there, but if I didn’t believe new specific land stewardship practices, we could achieve it, there wouldn’t be a But, for his part, Long is taking all of the captive breeding and reintroduction of reason for all of our partners to be work in stride, hardly griping about the the Houston toad to what remains of its working this hard.” concessions he’s made. To him, they are historic range. but minor ecological investments in the As all of the parties involved in the land — and in his grandchildren’s future. One promising component of the Houston toad saga have learned, change “I love the land. My children love the land. revised strategy is what Navjar calls requires hard work, and it takes time. My grandchildren love the land,” he says. “headstarting,” which borrows from And Bob Long especially knows it starts “Improving the habitat for the toad methods used in sea turtle recovery at home. improves habitat for duck and deer. efforts. “Headstarting involves the It improves the land. The toad doesn’t collecting of eggs as they are hatched. hurt the land and it doesn’t hurt me.” Keeping them in a controlled environment Ben Ikenson is a freelance writer in will keep them safe from predators, Albuquerque, New Mexico As important as the work on his property, disease and other possible dangers. Long serves as a powerful symbol for the Thus, these toads are given a bit of a potential of private landowners to affect ‘head start’ in life.” successful conservation, a symbol not lost on the Environmental Defense Fund. “Bob was willing to serve as a kind of model for “Improving the habitat for the program,” says Wolfe.
the toad improves habitat for The minister’s public speaking skills didn’t hurt either. The Environmental Defense duck and deer. It improves
Fund sent Long to the North Carolina, COURTESY OF THE LONG FAMILY to share his experiences with a national the land. The toad doesn’t audience at a 10-year anniversary ceremony in honor of the first Safe Harbor hurt the land and it doesn’t agreement that has benefited the red- Texas rancher Bob Long cockaded woodpecker there. Also, the hurt me.” group sent Long to Washington, DC, in 2004 to speak on the merits of the incentive-based conservation program.
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 23 Majestic Journey Sandhill crane migration is a natural
spectacle that brings bird lovers from MENKE DAVE across the globe to central Nebraska.
By Ashley Spratt FLICKR / RICK LECHE LECHE RICK / FLICKR
They approach with the intimidating force of military aircraft. As the sun retreats Sandhills are omnivores, meaning they below the western horizon, the symphony of clattering voices grows louder. This night, eat practically anything they can find. they have kept their audience waiting, dancing above the cornfields in aerial displays Eighty percent of their diet during their stay on the Platte is made up of corn, of transforming patterns and shapes before settling in the river below. primarily because it is readily available in the surrounding croplands. But they arl Wolfe, a volunteer at the Audubon who works at Kearney’s Visitor Center, need more than just high fructose CSociety’s Rowe Sanctuary leads a “But they’re a kill, I love ‘em to death.” carbohydrates to survive the journey silent crowd of bird watchers back to During last year’s crane season, Kearney north. During high water periods in the the main building after another dusk welcomed visitors from across the country spring the wet meadows surrounding the viewing of sandhill cranes in one of the and world. river are extremely rich in invertebrates, RICHARD FLICKR / STAN straw bale blinds along the Platte River providing food sources high in protein. in central Nebraska. “I’ve heard it time and time again, people Crayfish and snails also provide the cranes spend more money on birding, than on with additional nutrients like calcium and More than 10,000 avid birders, professional sports,” says Roger Jasnoch, phosphorus. conservationists, tourists, and nature Director of Kearney Visitors Bureau. enthusiasts from around the world visit “They’re not very good fishermen, but the small town of Kearney, Nebraska to Bird Watchers Digest Editor Bill they try,” says Kent Scaggs, habitat witness what locals are proud to call one Thompson recalls how his first sighting of manager of Rowe Sanctuary. of the Seven Wonders of the World. But a snowy owl as a young child sealed his according to Wolfe, “The cranes are our fate as a life-long birder. West of the 100th Meridian, water is most important visitors.” precious and the battle for ownership of “I went to grab my parent’s bird book to water rights is ongoing. This invisible line For three to six weeks in early spring, see what it was, and discovered all these divides central Nebraska, and the the Platte River hosts more than 500,000 other birds I didn’t even know existed,” narrowing of the Platte River over time sandhill cranes on their annual journey Thompson says. His fascination and provides evidence of sparse water north. They fly up to 500 miles per day appreciation for birding grew. resources in the west. from the southwest United States and Mexico to refuel before charging on to “I’d skip school Fridays to go out bird Historically, the Platte River in central their breeding grounds in Canada, watching with my mother,” he says. Nebraska was surrounded by tall grass Alaska, and Siberia. The Platte River Now Thompson makes his livelihood prairie that was trampled by buffalo and and its surrounding croplands provide a scouring for birds in every part of the burned by natural fires, which helped to safe-haven for the birds to rest, gain world. After a trip to South Africa to see create wet meadow areas adjacent to the energy, and perform their mating ritual the lilac-breasted roller among other river — ideal habitat for a range of dances, all in front of an audience exotic species, he and his wife voyaged to migratory and native species. The wet of thousands. Rowe Sanctuary to see the more than meadows were controlled by the high 60,000 sandhill cranes along the Platte flows of the river during the spring season. “They’re not the prettiest things God ever this March. But over time the river channel narrowed made, that’s for sure,” says Leta Johnson due to damming of the river, and woody
24 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 Nebraska. At one time these birds ranged throughout mid-western North America, but declined due to hunting and detrimental habitat loss. By 1941, the number of whooping cranes had declined to only 15 birds, but the wild population that migrates through Nebraska slowly increased to 266 birds in 2007.
Tacha is the coordinator for the Cooperative Whooping Crane Tracking Project, which collects information on sightings of migrating whooping cranes from a network of federal and state agencies throughout the central flyway. Whooper Watch, a system of volunteers, also helps document sightings of whooping cranes in Nebraska. The Platte River Recovery Implementation Program will begin conducting aerial surveys of the Whooping cranes along the Platte River in mid-March.
The waterfowl spring migration and Platte River recovery efforts are among the Service’s top wildlife resource priorities in central Nebraska. Another major challenge for the agency is reducing migratory bird mortality caused by collision with power lines.
“Reducing bird mortality from powerline collisions is a big challenge,” Tacha says. According to the Service, transmission line collisions account for up to 170 million bird deaths each year. In the summer of 2007 reflective, glow-in-the-dark devices called “fireflies” were installed along transmission lines near and crossing the For three to six weeks in early spring, the Platte River hosts more than 500,000 Platte River in central Nebraska to alert sandhill cranes on their annual journey north. cranes and other birds flying near the lines. According to Tacha, the fireflies will likely reduce avian collisions. If the vegetation developed along the banks the natural hydrograph and support the fireflies prove successful in reducing bird and sandbars. Today, during wet climatic Platte River ecosystem. The program also mortality, additional fireflies will likely be periods, the wet meadows are maintained includes clearing vegetation from many installed in the central flyway. by sub-irrigation of shallow ground water. of the river’s islands and sandbars, and returning sand accumulated in the islands The sandhill crane migration is a spectacle “If you control water, you control a lot to the active channel to offset ongoing of nature that brings together the local of issues,” says Service biologist Rick erosion and narrowing of the river. community of Kearney and attracts bird Hansen. Growing up in Illinois, Hansen lovers from across the globe. During the never thought water was something “It’s like cleaning out a blockage in your months of March and April, the sights and to fight over. But in the west, where artery,” Wolfe says. sounds of the Platte River make it one of water flows from rivers like the Colorado the most awe-inspiring landscapes on are decreasing and where arid conditions The program also monitors the use of earth. The cranes themselves provide make irrigation a necessity, it is a the Platte River by endangered species, more than half a million reasons to vital commodity. like the sandhill crane’s close relative, preserve this unique part of central the whooping crane. Nebraska. Each evening for a few weeks In 2007, the Platte River Recovery this spring, the cranes will perform on Implementation Program employed an Standing nearly 5 feet tall with a wingspan their Platte River stage; each flock’s agreement to manage limited water of 7.5 feet, whooping cranes are the tallest flight-pattern mimicking the braided resources between the states of Colorado, birds in North America. But despite their waterways of the river below, as their Wyoming and Nebraska; the Department large size, they are rarely sighted. audience watches in admiration. of the Interior; water users; and conservation groups. The program aims to “Currently, there are just over 500 manage land and water resources by whoopers in existence, and about a fourth Ashley Spratt works for External Affairs retiming river flows during certain times of those are in captivity,” says Martha in Fort Snelling, Minnesota of the year to help restore a semblance of Tacha, a Service biologist in Grand Island,
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 25 conservation in action
Copperbelly Conservation A threatened snake species’ future may depend on our ability to view recovery through a strategic lens.
By Craig A. Czarnecki
I read Don Hultman’s piece on Strategic In the past, we took broad and untargeted Habitat Conservation (SHC) in the actions for the copperbelly by simply Winter issue of Fish & Wildlife News, addressing opportunities. Multiple offices and was struck by his description of how and their biologists spoke the same conservation actions fall into one of four language but often not in a coordinated quadrants of choice: the right things in way. And how did years of on-the–ground the right places, the right things in the work benefit the copperbelly? I don’t think wrong places, the wrong things in the we really knew. right places, and the wrong things in the wrong places. So, what of a snake species? If the ideas behind SHC hold true, could we focus our Don then took up SHC’s potential to efforts in terms of explicit and measurable help clarify our conservation choices and biological outcomes and take a science– ended with: “SHC is really common sense, driven, adaptive approach? Or, more but it is systematic common sense, simply stated, could we improve our and an attempt to make common sense copperbelly work and end with the the common conservation practice.” “right things in the right places?” Reflecting on Don’s “four quadrants of n A decision support matrix for the choice,” I realized he had provided an A workshop sponsored by the Midwest Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, intuitive measuring stick for evaluating Region and NCTC provided a good pause informed by modeling efforts, but also conservation actions. How would we stack point and resulted in critical first steps incorporating practical parameters. up here in the Great Lakes? Recent efforts to answering those questions. Here, we with the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia brought copperbelly to the table as a To tackle challenges associated with the erythrogaster neglecta) provided a good real-world conservation challenge. copperbelly, the biologists identified case study. assumptions, asked questions, and worked Specifically, the team developed three out initial tools to better clarify what we Here’s a threatened species living in an models/tools: needed to do and how. Once the work area where Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio ensued, SHC seemed less like a flash-in- meet. Growing 3 to 5 feet in length and n A stochastic demographic population the-pan initiative and more like common- appearing with a dark back and a bright model to test population objectives (i.e., sense conservation. Perhaps that’s a orange-red belly, this non-venomous snake will 1,000 individuals provide a probability measure of our progress with the SHC inhabits a patchwork of warm, shallow of extinction less than 10 percent for framework —the more we undertake water habitats and upland ridges and 100 years?) outcome-based conservation, the less we woods. With a decreasing number of need to identify the practice as somehow occurrences in the tri-state area, the n A spatially explicit habitat model to different from what we do every day. copperbelly faces numerous threats and help predict occurrence and prioritize an increasingly fragmented landscape. restoration activities to attain population objectives; and
26 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 conservation in action OMAR ATTUM OMAR ATTUM Once the work ensued, SHC seemed less like a flash-in-the-pan initiative and more like common- sense conservation.
In any case, we’re off to the races. The Many in our field have taken H.L. workshop products are rough and living Mencken’s quote of “There is always This is the first in an ongoing series and biologists are considering where to an easy solution to every human of stories and essays highlighting say “yes” to projects and where we might problem — neat, plausible, and wrong,” Service landscape conservation efforts. say “no.” And we have more to offer our to heart as we tackle challenges, from Submissions can be e-mailed to partners, perhaps, as we join with state small to great. SHC does not provide the
Yet, SHC appeals to our natural inclinations —we want our daily work to make a difference. And the iterative thinking now employed with our copperbelly work has us pushing up our sleeves.
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 27 field journal
Coming Home Learning new things in old pools.
By Craig Springer
Blue lines on a topographical map look hundred times before with friends and like they were pulled from the pages of a family, but mostly by myself. I’d seen it in medical book. The blue-ink blood of small every season, walking through tall corn or creeks feed bigger ones, growing fatter deep snow, almost always in pursuit of fish as they glide toward the map margins. or fowl, with a rod or shotgun, a seine or It’s the vascular system they depict, the binoculars. I played out in my mind some waters moving toward the heart. This events that have never left me. dentritic pattern mirrors the veins on the sycamores that lean over Indian Creek on Opposite this gravel bar, a half-dozen and a bear pit earthwork. I fancied the Ohio-Indiana state line. sycamores that must have germinated on finding the old Indian trail that the great the same day stand side by side with their Tecumseh may have traversed when he The last time I fished the headwaters of mass of roots dipping into the creek. Their tried to pull together a confederacy. I Indian Creek, I remember it for the heat buttresses look ghoulish; the dark voids visioned a surveying crew cutting a section heavy on my shoulders and the incessant between the thick roots look like twisted line in the frontier wilderness in 1798 shrill of cicadas. It was 1988, and we’d mouths agape, and tree trunks sprout out mere feet from the front stoop of the gone without rain for a long spell. The of their heads. In the channel between us farmhouse where we stayed. I’d give good trees looked worn for the want of water. was the largest of deadfalls. An ancient coin to read what the surveyors wrote to They looked like I felt then following the sycamore had lodged there, and a deep see how they knew the place. untimely death of my brother, and I was hole scoured around and beneath it. In the set to seek psychological distance dark space behind my eyelids I watch the The essence of any place can’t be entirely elsewhere. Despite the years and miles, heavy bronze flash and the swirl on the known. Always there will be something my homing instincts always pull me smooth water; I feel in my forearm the tug new to discover about anywhere, and toward this place. Two decades slipped and lunge of a smallmouth bass pulled out discovery only comes with nearness. downstream since I last waded these of its lair. You might feel an immediate affinity waters. I returned for a brief time with my with a place, but you really only come young boy in May a year ago. That deadfall is now a ghost, nowhere to to know a place when you see its pull be found. The deep scour-pool is filled with through the seasons. This is an enigma Creek water unfettered is nature in its a flat-flowing strait of pebbles populated to me. Understanding is a requisite of most beautiful form. The vagaries of flow with minnows and a raft of redhorse seen love, yet understanding can never be are infinite. The sinuous movements, the only for their tilt as they peruse the entirely achieved. shapes—fluid like good handwriting. bottom, leaving a trail of smoke wafting Moving water has that habit. Indian Creek where their fleshy lips turned up stones. In those precious few days with Carson burbles, battering over limestone slabs at Indian Creek, I shucked the husk of flecked with fossils where crawdads hide Overhead, a belted kingfisher bounds and ordinary existence and could think and by day, and greenside darters tarry swoops passing over my son and me. It feel. Those hours slipped away as I pressed by flow. The water pours out into skirts the waters with wing beats pushing immersed myself in the narrative of my the throat of a greenish-purple pool; there, air, coming through this riparian cathedral natal land, and I fell more in love with my the flow is still and silent with places bounded on either side with towering boy. I reached back to my boyhood and secreted under impenetrable shadows cast trees. The kingfisher lifts itself upward learned new things in old pools. Two by boxelders. at the last to light on a snag where it decades afford a rare angle of vision where hunts for stoneroller minnows. He gives mediations marry the meanderings of a Carson and I tarry here, his interest a scolding chatter coming to the perch, little blue line. A powerful past owns drawn to the sand on a gravel bar, and as if my son and I don’t belong. providence, and those cursive blue-ink mine deeper, pensive and introspective, lines draw me toward the heart. with rare platinum clarity at once My boy and I spent a few days there, a pondering the past and the future stone’s throw from the Indiana state line. removed from the place where I felt most We fished, hunted fossils and caught Craig Springer is a fisheries biologist in alive. I had been in this reach of stream a crawdads, and scouted out Indian mounds Albuquerque, New Mexico
28 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 around the service
This year, a special, year-long pacific celebration will occur as Lower Klamath Refuge, created in 1908 Springtime Celebration as the nation’s first wildlife DAVE MENKE / USFWS DAVE Powdery snow piles up around refuge specifically for protection clusters of cattails. Hoarfrost of waterfowl, celebrates its clings to tall thin reeds. A centennial birthday. At the turn shroud of dense fog obscures of the last century, the refuge, surrounding hillsides. Open located along the border of waters continue to shrink as ice Oregon and California, was creeps ever forward from marshy recognized as a vitally important edges, limiting the freedom of area of wetlands and marshes dabbling waterfowl. Morning that provided necessary habitat breaks on the refuge, and the for thousands of migratory crisp February air fills with a waterfowl following the Pacific blend of calls from thousands of Flyway. In the midst of an era of snow, white-fronted and Canada draining lakes and marshes for geese. As the sun strengthens, conversion into farmland, and fog begins to lift. An early concerned over the loss of morning ritual known locally as wetlands, on August 8, 1908, Tundra swans in flight. the “fly-out” is underway. From President Theodore Roosevelt nearby night roosts of old-growth established Lower Klamath pine and fir forests, groups of as the first refuge set aside a refuge overlook are available Past employees, friends and bald eagles soar overhead, as as a “preserve and breeding at the refuge visitor center, supporters of the Klamath they make their journey toward ground” for waterfowl and other located fifteen miles southeast Basin Refuges and the general the feeding grounds of Lower native birds. of Lower Klamath Refuge. public are invited to an old- Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. fashioned picnic and ice cream Thousands of waterfowl Now, 100 years later, Lower The public is invited to visit social. Those attending will concentrated on limited open Klamath Refuge is 46,900 acres of and discover the wide array of receive a stamped envelope waters within areas of frozen shallow freshwater marshes, diversity the refuge has to offer. commemorating the centennial. wetlands provide ample dining open water, grassy uplands and Each month throughout 2008 will Former employees and volunteers opportunities for the more than croplands that receives an annual offer different activities of interest can contact outdoor recreation 500 eagles that gather in the visitation of 20,000 people. A to birders and refuge enthusiasts planner Dave Menke at Klamath Basin each winter. marked ten mile auto tour route in celebration of the Lower 530/667 2231 or by e-mail at allows visitors year round access Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 29 around the service
A total of 227 completed surveys n acquire and manage new An issue of concern for staff pacific were collected from staff in areas, stop managing some was the need for strong Service Honolulu, Hawaii; Lacey, existing habitats. leadership and support for Taking Our Temperature Washington; Boise, Idaho; innovation. Management needs How do Service employees view Spokane, Washington; and The survey shows that as Service to address conflicting concepts the threat of climate change and Portland, Oregon. Most employees become better and direction, and to change the agency’s response so far? respondents felt that climate informed on climate change, priorities and performance A series of climate change change threatened ecosystems expectations for leadership, reporting mechanisms to better workshops held in February 2008 and that the Service needed to innovation and effective action reflect conservation/resource across the Pacific Region gave change its goals, methods, or increase. A continuing investment value under the new paradigm us an opportunity to find out. both to deal with its challenges. in staff education is likely to of climate change. Participants in the workshops The amount of information people catalyze action at all levels to included staff from nearly all had about climate change meet those expectations and Staff also recognized the Service programs, ranging from strongly affected their attitudes. find effective responses to need to collaborate with partners project leaders to administrative Many felt a pressing need for climate change. (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey, assistants. innovative leadership and more Association of Zoos and staff education. Despite the dire A primary topic of concern for Aquariums, The Nature forecasts, we found a strong staff was outreach with Conservancy, universities and desire to find effective actions compelling messages. Ted Koch others) to maximize the use of and implement them now. Our of Boise suggested that tapping existing resources and ongoing interaction with the public was into well known species could studies. Our responses to climate widely considered crucial in serve as a climate change change will need to be adaptive our success. As Jeri Wood indicator to help personalize the in nature, and the Service needs from Boise, Idaho said, message. He proposed that the to support monitoring, data “We can message all bull trout could be our ‘polar bear’ evaluation and forecasting. This we want to the public, of the Pacific Northwest. There kind of information is fundamental but if we don’t walk was strong acknowledgment that to adaptive management. the talk, it’s rather we need to educate ourselves pointless.” and the public on the issue Both the survey and workshop of climate change. Effective discussions pointed to a clear From highest to messages were felt to be about need for investment in staff lowest priority, “how it affects me” rather education and for innovation at people felt the than more abstract changes. all levels of the Service. We need Service should: Employees believe we need to to find and support constructive have consistent messages within solutions to the challenges — n increase the the agency, among programs, ecological and organizational — resilience of existing and with our partner agencies as posed by climate change. We’ll natural communities we articulate what our resource all need to be prepared and by habitat restoration, management priorities will be. brave enough to make difficult fire management, control decisions as we learn to of invasive species, etc.; Another priority topic centered manage our trust resources in n educate the public on the on regulations and policy. It was a changing world. importance of conservation; apparent to many that climate change violates a fundamental A copy of the survey form, n monitor ecosystems, get better data, model future changes; assumption of the Endangered and individual office results, NASA Species Act, that restoring can be viewed at the Pacific n establish or maintain corridors historical habitat allows us to Region’s Intranet Web site at so populations can move across recover species. The realization
30 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 around the service
protect habitat for an endangered refuge, where they participated in Refuge Event Hits southwest salamander in Austin, Texas. The hands-on research and habitat the Bulls-eye forum also encouraged students management projects such as In March, more than 120 area Green Teens to continue to pursue their wildlife surveys at dusk, mock students participated in the As part of the Service’s interest in natural resource wildfire exercises and trapping Third Annual Okmulgee County commitment to connecting conservation. for three species of kangaroo Archery Day at Oklahoma’s Deep people with nature, the rats. The Region plans to host the Fork National Wildlife Refuge. Southwest Region invited 30 “A lot of these projects show event annually. The event’s activities included middle and high school students that changes can be made by bowfishing, 3-D target shooting, from Texas, New Mexico, anyone, especially young people. “Seeing you here today I have and an archery competition. The Oklahoma, and Arizona to We aren’t just self-centered, great hope for the future of archery competition showcased participate in a forum titled text-messaging teens, but also conservation. You may not go into skills gained during the students’ “Young People Can Do Green the minds of the future, and we the Service as an employee, but physical education classes, Things.” The forum was held in are ready to start facing the whatever you decide for a career, which are part of the Oklahoma April at Sevilleta National Wildlife challenges in the world. It matters you still have the health of the Department of Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. what every young and teenage earth in mind,” Southwest Conservation’s Archery in the soul does in environmental Regional Director Benjamin N. Schools program (OAIS). Participants were selected matters, because we are the Tuggle told the students. “You will based upon their completion of future, taking the biggest step still use your influence to change To date, 2.3 million kids in 3,800 projects focusing on research or toward life changing experiences the way people think about schools have participated in on-the-ground benefits for the for us and others” noted Morgan our fellow inhabitants on this the National Archery in the environment. As part of the Holzhausen, a middle school planet. As long as there are Schools Program. The program’s forum, the students presented student from Las Cruces, New conservationists like you out curriculum allows students to their projects to their peers. Mexico. “No one can stop us, so there, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife learn the history of archery, its Projects included the creation of grownups can help by pointing us Service will continue to recognize physical, emotional and social a schoolyard habitat, a study of in the right direction.” and celebrate those efforts.” benefits, and the techniques, the effects of forest clearing on safety strategies, and skills two species of boreal squirrels, In addition to showcasing their Dennis Prichard, Acting Refuge necessary to enjoy the sport as and a cooperative effort to work, students explored the Manager, Sevilleta NWR, a lifetime activity. The program New Mexico boasts many benefits for schools and students, including Southwest Regional Director Dr. Benjamin Tuggle (center, front row) poses with youth increased attendance, greater forum participants. participation for at risk kids, greater participation by kids who
USFWS cannot or don’t wish to compete in other sports, and an increase in grade point averages.
The refuge created Archery Day in 2004 in an effort to help promote the national program, and more important, to demonstrate that archery can help link kids to the outdoors. Oklahoma currently has 117 elementary, middle and high schools engaged in the program, as well as four colleges and universities. >>
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 31 around the service
appropriate alternatives to accepted seven large hobby fish USFWS midwest abandoning their aquatic pets in from owners who no longer the wild. One such option now wanted them. On December 4, Partnership Prevents offered in western Wisconsin the La Crosse NFWCO took Release of Pet Fish is a government and business possession of these native South Reports of large, exotic fish caught partnership established in 2006 American species, including four by recreational and commercial by the La Crosse National Fish 10- to 11-inch black-fin sharks anglers and fishery resource and Wildlife Conservation Office. and three 11- to 12-inch oscars. managers in public waters have Several area pet retailers who The fish were humanely become all too common across do not offer these frequently euthanized with Finquel, a U.S. the country in recent years. problematic ornamental fish for Food and Drug Administration- sale have nonetheless agreed to approved anesthetic for The cause for most of these accept and quarantine large, cold-blooded vertebrates, unexpected and environmentally unwanted pet fish from owners and preserved later that day. troubling landings are aquarium who can no longer care for them. A young participant takes owners and water gardeners After preparation by a aim during Third Annual who can no longer care for Because there is virtually no taxidermist, some of these Okmulgee County Archery ornamental fish that grew to an market for these businesses to specimens will become part of an Day at Oklahoma’s Deep Fork unmanageable size and who re-sell such large fish, the La informative display used during National Wildlife Refuge. release the fish into nearby Crosse NFWCO accepts custody La Crosse NFWCO outreach surface waters as a quick solution. of the fish and humanely activities to increase public Bulls-eye, continued from page 31. Pet owners should know that the euthanizes them at no cost. This awareness of potentially release of these fish — and the partnership program helped to problematic pet fish and “The Deep Fork Archery day disease pathogens that may infect prevent the potential release of alternatives to releasing these gives students involved in the them — could adversely affect 10 large, unwanted pet fish into animals in the wild. Oklahoma archery program an native fish and have serious western Wisconsin surface opportunity to experience 3-D consequences for sport and waters in 2007. Mark Steingraeber, La Crosse archery and bowfishing,” said commercial fisheries. National Fish and Wildlife Colin Berg, education section The partnership is already paying Conservation Office, supervisor for the Oklahoma Faced with this dilemma, fish off. Last fall, the Marineland Pet La Crosse, Wisconsin Department of Wildlife hobbyists need to have Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin conservation. “While the OAIS program focuses on international style target archery, this day Four blackfin sharks were among the unwanted pets turned in to a La Crosse, Wisconsin-area pet store and euthanized by the La Crosse NFWCO. combines that experience with field archery opportunities. Students who have just been USFWS shooting at targets indoors start to make the relation between target archery, bow hunting or bow fishing.”
More than 75 volunteers provided assistance for the event and staff from the Service’s Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico also participated in the activities. “This is what it is all about,” said Terry Sanders, Regional Visitor Services Chief. “Getting kids into the outdoors and having fun.”
By Lori Jones, Park Ranger, Southwest Region
32 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 around the service
For this deployment, the team southeast included Refuge Law Enforcement Officers Steve Preparing Before the Storm Rees of Savannah NWR, Thomas TOM MACKENZIE The scene was an all too common Payne of Piedmont NWR, and one in the Southeast. A massive Jim Shelton of Okefenokee Category 4 hurricane plows into NWR. Using lessons learned the Gulf Coast, making a direct hit from Hurricane Rita, with on Saint Marks National Wildlife additional reporting and Refuge on Florida’s panhandle. documentation support provided by the author, Tom MacKenzie, After being slammed by such from External Affairs. devastating hurricanes like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, the Besides the quick response of the names become a blur of SORT and their Emergency destruction. Response Vehicle, a second ERV, another 36-foot communications/ The Special Operations Response Team (SORT) Emergency Luckily, this one was just a equipment trailer, was dispatched Response Vehicle in action. drill. It was called Exercise from Okefenokee NWR. This Hurricane Arthur. will form the initial hub for the The scenario of Exercise They determined the need for Incident Command Team as Hurricane Arthur reflected initially deploying a 50-person “Our goal was to refine our they conduct the longer term damaged infrastructure, namely team to manage the response emergency response plan, operation of getting damaged flooded underpasses, knocked and to conduct recovery rehearse our Incident facilities back into action. If out utilities from downed trees, operations, such as tree clearing Commanders, and check out Hurricane Katrina is any example, and destruction from flying and removal, road clearing and all the communications systems this can make a remarkable debris. Refuges, Fish Hatcheries other vital functions to get our in a realistic setting,” said difference, both to the and Ecological Services Offices Fish and Wildlife resources back Brian Hardison, safety manager damaged refuges and the local in a 300-square-mile area might into operation. Additional support for the Southeast Region. “We communities. be affected, some seriously. to nearby communities also might probably could have just fired up be possible, depending on the the communications gear from The Incident Management Team For exercise purposes, four agreements made with their pre-positioned sites at Emergency Response Vehicle is Incident Commanders from the communities near Fish and Okefenokee NWR, but this way, configured to support setting Southeast Region met at the Wildlife Service facilities. we really see how they really up a fully functioning Incident Southeast Regional Office in work in the field.” Management Team with more Atlanta to plan for the Housh also said it was good communications lines. It has monumental tasks of assembling refresher training and was helpful And work they did. already seen action with the multiple teams to tackle a to raise awareness of Hurricane “Big Turnaround Fire” at (simulated) disaster of this Response Plans — plans that It took less than a half an hour Okefenokee NWR last summer. magnitude. call for accurate Geographic to get the Special Operations Information Systems (GIS) Response Team (SORT) The Southeast Disaster Plan “Our basic mission is to get our mapping to allow first responders Emergency Response Vehicle calls for recovery work to be Fish and Wildlife Service facilities to find Fish and Wildlife facilities (ERV), a 36-foot trailer handled by one of several stabilized and protected from and residents quickly, using equipped with satellite-based qualified Incident Management further damage,” said Mike Global Positioning System communications. The SORT’s Teams that the National Fire Housh, lead incident commander (GPS) technology. job is to get into a disaster area Interagency Fire Center to for the exercise, normally the quickly, usually within 24 hours respond to wildfires and District Fire Management Officer “One benefit of our approach is of impact. It is composed of other emergencies. Based for Okefenokee NWR. “We also having a small response cell — experienced refuge law on a standardized Incident clear the infrastructure — roads basically a mosquito team — enforcement officers from Command System (ICS), this and bridges — to allow people to to get in there quickly and around the Southeast Region flexible, responsive system get to the facilities.” assess the situation,” said Housh trained in a wide variety of skills can expand and contract in “You don’t want to go in there including disaster response size and capabilities within with a huge team right off the bat. and communications. any emergency. It is just too difficult to support logistically. >>
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 33 around the service
Storm, continued from page 33. previous years. The benefits of Better Burns northeast the program became evident in On wildlife refuges throughout “One of our successes was 2006–2007, however, as the the country, the U.S. Fish and getting into Katrina as quickly as Tribal Grant Reaps Harvest harvest increased to 1,700 Wildlife Service practices we did,” he said. “We went in The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay bushels. This past year, the planned or “prescribed” burning, with a small force. FEMA might Head (Aquinnah) Natural harvest exceeded 3,000 bushels. a critical tool used to care for show up with a supply train 20 Resources Department in Each bushel conservatively natural areas enjoyed by millions miles long. Our small compact Massachusetts has boosted equates to roughly seven pounds of Americans. With many small group could be easily supported, commercial scallop harvests on of shucked scallops, which sell refuges and relatively small so we could get in there fast and the Aquinnah side of Menemsha for approximately $12 a pound. staffs, finding the minimum see what we need and then build Pond as a result of funding from number of qualified personnel from there.” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Not only is this project an to safely and effectively carry Tribal Wildlife Grants program economic benefit to the Tribe, it out annual burn projects can Housh added that one of the also has the potential to improve be a challenge. In Virginia, benefits of this type of drill is to As part of the Bay Scallop the bay scallop population for an innovative interagency get outside of the typical fire Restoration and Enhancement Cape Cod,” said D.J. Monette, partnership is addressing response. Plan, the commercial scallop the Service’s Northeast Regional this problem. harvest has boomed in the past Tribal Liaison. “Although bay “Fire people talk with each other three years, providing a large scallops are not a Service trust Periodic burns reduce the all the time, so we pretty well benefit to local fishermen, species, they are a species accumulation of brush and other know what we need to do to improving the ecology of the pond of tribal significance used vegetation that would quickly fight a fire or do a prescribed complex and restoring a cultural historically traditionally as food become hazardous fuel for burn treatments,” he said. practice which had been a way by the Tribe.” dangerous wildfires that threaten “But with a hurricane, you of life for the Tribe. communities and natural areas. need some unique skills, like Bret Stearns, Director, Fire also helps regenerate construction, finance, water During the harvest season Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head vegetation that helps landscapes treatment, and electrical (October to April) of 2005–2006, (Aquinnah) Natural Resources and wildlife flourish. technicians. This exercise the commercial harvest was 600 Department helps us plan ahead to gather bushels, consistent with recent A partnership between the the skilled people we would ServiceVirginia-West Virginia need to respond effectively.” Lee Sheppard of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) zone fire management program Natural Resources Department holds a hatchery-reared purple based at the Great Dismal Swamp “We are all glad this wasn’t a bay scallop found during a scuba-dive survey in 2006. National Wildlife Refuge, The real hurricane,” added Hardison. Nature Conservancy (TNC), “But at least we know we are and the Virginia Department of better prepared to deal with it Conservation and Recreation’s if it happens again.” Natural Heritage Division (DCR) has created a cost effective and Tom MacKenzie, Media Services, ARIANNA FELDBERG / WTGHA safe way to expand the state’s Atlanta, Georgia prescribed burning treatments while assisting each other.
All three agencies use prescribed burning, so the agreement enables them to share personnel and costs to apply fire where it is needed, regardless of land ownership. The host burn agency covers the cost for its personnel and the cooperators do the same for their crew.
34 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 around the service REBECCA WILSON / VNHP
mountain-prairie
Of People and Wildlife Flying into the Nebraska Sand Working for Public Affairs in the Hills from crowded northern Fire staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Service’s Headquarters Region Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Virginia is like entering another Heritage Division (DCR) work in partnership to complete gives me an excellent overview of world. Recent rains unveiled a prescribed burns. Back row left to right. Bert Wyatt (FWS), conservation issues as well as a beautiful, empty, rolling green Adam Wilson (DCR), Tim Craig (FWS), Jason Leasor (FWS), thorough understanding of the expanse of grass — there were a Darren Loomis (DCR). Service’s programs. But few human beings, but not many. occasionally I am overwhelmed Gene met us at the airport and by the fast pace of life in the gave us a brief history lesson of Sam Lindblom, Fire Manager for out in a way that is safer for the Washington, DC area and need a the people, geology and biology TNC’s Virginia Program, said, crew on the ground. fresh perspective. Not long ago I of Nebraska. The next three days “Collaboration helps us meet our found one out West. were jam-packed. Mornings were goals including improved habitat The Service Virginia-West spent talking about the dynamics for rare, threatened, and Virginia zone program averages For a couple of years, my interest of partnerships — appreciating endangered species.” Among over 30 burn days a year. In 2007, has been in habitat partnerships. and seeing the strength of those species is the state’s only zone personnel conducted burns I’ve been volunteering on differing viewpoints, sustaining Red-cockaded Woodpecker on five refuges, and conducted agricultural and land enthusiasm, and the importance population, living in TNC’s Piney or assisted with burns on three conservation issues, learning as I of really listening to partner Grove Preserve. state natural area preserves, went along and frequently flying needs. The afternoons were one state park, one state wildlife by the seat of my pants. A couple spent in the field. Rick Myers, DCR’s Natural Areas management area, one TNC of summers ago I decided it was Stewardship Manager added, preserve, and one national park. time for some real education — The Nebraska Sand Hills are just “Our organizational goals are Combined, more than 3,500 acres and that means getting out in the that — hills of sand. A variety of so similar that almost all the were treated. field. I signed up for a partnership beautiful grasses, flowers, shrubs burning we do on non-state training course in the Nebraska and a few trees flourish in the lands helps to achieve the So far in 2008, partnership burn Sand Hills with Gene Mack, one hills and these rolling dunes go mission of our agency, which is projects have taken place on of the Service’s most experienced on for as far as you can see. >> to conserve Virginia’s biological three refuges, two national parks, partnership coordinators. diversity. This partnership has one national forest, four TNC effectively tripled our agency’s preserves, five state natural The Nebraska Sand Hills are home to a variety of grasses, resources without significantly areas, one state park, and two flowers, and shrubs. increasing total costs. We are private properties. More than getting more accomplished than 6,500 acres have been treated ever before, and more than I in an assortment of habitats thought possible.” including marshes, grasslands, NAN ROLLISON pine and hardwood forest In the 2007 and 2008 spring burn understory. seasons, the partner agencies formed an interagency prescribed The zone fire program and the fire crew to help meet the partnerships have helped the expanding workload. FWS hired Service expand its prescribed two seasonal fire staff, and fire activities to nine refuges in TNC and/or DCR also hired two Virginia and West Virginia since seasonal fire staff members to be 2002. Seven of the nine refuges used as a shared resource among applied prescribed fire for the all the partners. FWS provided first time because of the efforts of quarters, personal gear, access the individual refuges and zone to equipment and transportation, fire personnel. and day-to-day supervision. With more resources available, Tim Craig, FWS Fire Management prescribed burns can be carried Officer, Virginia/West Virginia
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 35 around the service
People, continued from page 35. Maintaining and improving “It’s so important for the Service Deer in the Spotlight these grasslands has led some to pick the right person to Visitors to Quivira National It’s a fragile ecosystem, shaped producers to change their grazing manage a partnership effort with Wildlife Refuge in south-central by the winds. The tops of the management approach. They ranchers, and to give that person Kansas this spring are likely to dunes tend to become bare with move their herds into a smaller the time necessary to meet spot deer sporting numbered ear the wind or “blowouts” as fenced pasture area, let them landowners, find out what their tags and radio collars among the Nebraskans say to describe an graze intensively on fresh grass concerns are, and to work thousands of sandhill cranes, eroding spot. When it rains, the for a few days, and then move on those solutions that help ducks, and other migratory birds rain percolates through the dunes them off into the next pasture. conserve wildlife, but that also that frequent the refuge’s and comes out at the bottom That pasture is then left allow landowners to continue to marshes, grasslands and other in “seeps,” replenishing the undisturbed for a long period work their land,” says rancher habitats. The refuge is the site of wetlands and providing water for of time, usually the rest of the A.B. Cox. the state’s first large-scale study wildlife and ranchers. Foraging summer. Known as “holistic of white-tailed deer. cattle do their part to renew resource management,” it’s a Without question, land native grasses by breaking up technique some ranchers are conversion, invasive species, The study, a collaboration among older thatch with their hooves finding beneficial. and climate issues will make the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and allowing seeds to germinate. conservation in the 21st century the Kansas Cooperative Fish and “It makes for a bit more expense that much more difficult and Wildlife Research Unit, Kansas A key part of my education and labor up front, but it pays complex. Those same State University’s Division of involved meeting some of the on the back end in terms of challenges — along with a lack Biology, the Kansas Department participating landowners in the maintaining the quality of the of youth recruitment and the of Wildlife and Parks, the Army Nebraska Sand Hills Taskforce. grass and the cattle,” says pressure to sell — are affecting Corps of Engineers and the U.S. The Taskforce, a group of rancher Chris Higgins. the ability of our country’s Geological Survey, aims to build a ranchers, biologists, range agricultural producers to stay better understanding of the deer specialists, and local community Time and time again we were on the land. population on the refuge. The officials, was created in given insights into the ranchers’ study will look at how the animals 1991 to ensure the long-term lives — a chance to walk in The Service can do its part by use and impact habitats, their sustainability of the area’s their boots, or at least hear continuing to support creative population and social dynamics, agricultural and ecological about it. People who earn their partnerships that help sustain and their movements. resources. Each afternoon one income from their land frequently our country’s unique family- or two families would host our view the government with a owned agricultural operations Captured deer will be sedated to training class on their ranch and wary eye. Right or wrong, and our native wildlife and allow biologists to take give us a tour of their operation. the public frequently lumps plant populations. Based on As I gazed across hundreds of all agencies — feds, states, what I observed, our work in the acres of well-managed cow and locals — together when Sand Hills provides an excellent USFWS pasture, I also saw hundreds of something negative happens. case study. acres of wildlife habitat. Mule Government employees may not deer, pronghorn, waterfowl, be seen as individuals but merely For more information on bobwhite, meadowlarks, and representatives of an impersonal the Nebraska Sand Hills other grassland birds were bureaucracy — until that partnerships, visit just some of the species we employee becomes personally
36 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 around the service
measurements and collect DNA samples, as well as fit the deer alaska with ear tags and radio Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. ‘Figuring Out Stuff The hazardous fuels reduction crew near Huslia, Alaska. The collars beam continuous on Our Own’ signals to track the animal’s “It was hard. It was real sweaty. young adults applied to work on movements. By knowing the It was my first job. I liked it the project and all were hired exact locations of deer, biologists because it got me in shape and to work under supervision of california/ can quantify how often a deer is kept me busy. We had to figure three adults. The Tribal Council found on a specific type of habitat out stuff on our own.” These are assumed all administrative duties, nevada and then determine the animal’s the words of Sissy Attla of Huslia, including payroll, budgeting, and Mosaic Mascot preferred habitat — an important Alaska, a member of a teen crew hiring the crew and supervisors. Refuge maintenance worker Juan component for management. who spent the summer of 2006 Rather than burning the slash, Flores is using his artistic talents Overall population numbers will working to reduce hazardous smaller pieces were run through to help connect children to nature be gathered during nighttime fuels near her small village on a mulcher and bagged. The at San Francisco Bay National surveys from vehicles equipped the Koyukuk River. village offered the resulting wood Wildlife Refuge Complex. with powerful spotlights. chips to anyone wanting to put Huslia is a member of the them down for dust control or Flores created a tile mosaic that The Quivira Refuge deer study Koyukuk Athabascan village of general landscaping. The larger depicts the salt marsh harvest serves as just one example of 293 people located on the pieces were cut into 4- to 6-foot mouse, a federally-listed how national wildlife refuges Koyukuk River within the Koyukuk chunks and stacked for the elders endangered species and a provide not only important National Wildlife Refuge in in the village to use as building much-loved refuge mascot, in a habitat, but also operate as living interior Alaska. Bordered by the material or firewood. bed of native pickleweed. The laboratories. river on one side, the village is mosaic sits outside the Refuge otherwise surrounded by thick During the project’s two-year Environmental Education Center Barb Perkins, External Affairs, boreal forest. Both refuge staff span, fuels reduction has in Alviso, California, which Denver, Colorado and community members were occurred on 45 acres surrounding overlooks salt marsh habitat concerned that a wildland fire Huslia. The village’s efforts at the top of the refuge’s New could easily threaten the village provide an excellent example Chicago Marsh boardwalk. Quivira National Wildlife and its residents. An important for other rural villages that would Refuge is the site of the state’s component of the 2000 National like to protect their residents “It adds a touch of class to this first large-scale study of Fire Plan was to create defensible and homes against wildland fire. place and has been a big hit white-tailed deer. space around homes and Equally important, village teens, with the children, teachers, communities, and as a result, as well as adults, feel pride and parents,” said Genie Moore, the fuels reduction project in their work to make their Environmental Education was created. village safer. Center Director.
During the program’s inaugural “The enlargement of the fire Karla Tanner, San Francisco Bay summer in 2005, five different zone was important, but just as National Wildlife Refuge Complex sites totaling 25 acres were important was the cooperation treated. “Treated” means the between the village and the
crew thinned, limbed-up, and/or Fish and Wildlife Service, USFWS completely removed the black which assisted us in teaching spruce from project sites in less responsibility to our young than four weeks. In an attempt to adults,” said Ed Krause, former slow bank erosion, they hauled Huslia Tribal Administrator. the resulting biomass to the riverbank. The crew piled the Andrea Stebleton, Biological remaining slash, which was Technician, Anchorage, Alaska burned that November.
The 2005 season proved to be such a success that the Service Right: Juan Flores poses next provided additional funding for to his work of art. the summer of 2006. Eighteen
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 37 fish tales
Few now recall that, in its day, the Service was one Food for Thought of the most enterprising chefs in the Government — the Julia Child of the Federal bureaucracy. Operating They claim it’s the mission. out of test kitchens at the University of Maryland, agency home economists cranked out a variety of That our admirable goal of conserving the fish, recipes for cooking everything from burbot and marsh wildlife, and plants of the globe (“for the continuing rabbit to green turtle soup and wine-fried muskrat. benefit of the American people”) accounts for the Their results were repackaged into cookbooks and almost-maniacal devotion to duty that motivates promotional campaigns and demonstrations that most Fish and Wildlife Service employees. started after Pearl Harbor and lasted into the 1960s.
But, as most of us know, it’s really about the food. “It may seem alien to a Government agency with such virile responsibilities as the management of fur Well before training center smorgasbords, decades seal herds and the destruction of predatory animals, before regional office clambakes and central office but the Fish and Wildlife Service works up recipes holiday spreads, food played a central role in the life for the housewife,” a 1948 agency feature trumpeted. of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its kitchen-counseling activities are part of a plan to make America more fish conscious.” It has something to do with being an agency populated by hunters and anglers who shoot, spear, trap, fish, Perhaps our most enduring contribution to American net, seine, or otherwise “reduce to possession” the cuisine, however, was made years before, by an fowl of the air and the fins of the sea. We simply obscure trapper of wolves and collector of ticks who recognize the importance of conservation of animals roamed the backwoods of the American West on and plants to people…and that part of the value in studies for the Biological Survey, predecessor to their preservation consists of, well, eating them. today’s Fish and Wildlife Service.
Long before deliberations over climate change and In 1910, collecting specimens in New Mexico and strategic habitat planning, the Service was engaged Arizona, the junior naturalist “demonstrated that he in a much more perplexing question: “What are we would eat anything,” according to one Penn State going to have for dinner tonight?” For nearly two Historical Commission account half-a-century later. decades, the answer came from four ladies-in-white, “(He) made a soup by boiling the meticulously cooking in an obscure kitchen in suburban Maryland, prepared carcasses of mice, chipmunks, gophers, and whose public voice was the most famous writer in packrats in a cheesecloth bag....In Labrador, the piece American conservation. de resistance (sic) was lynx meat, which had been soaked for a month in sherry, pan stewed, and served, “With holiday parties now in full swing, this year’s in a brown gravy...” hostess will find something different for her holiday guests when she serves such intriguing hors d’oeuvres It was while in the frigid north that the man became and canapés as spiced shrimp, smoked salmon rolls intrigued by how duck and caribou meat retained its and crab salad in puff shells,” one 1947 holiday taste and texture when quick-frozen out-of-doors. Cabbages, he noticed, could be preserved in barrels of This is the sixth advisory recommended, dishing up recipes for tuna a la king and “angels on horseback” (bacon-and-oyster seawater, later to be chipped from the ice and enjoyed in a series of concoctions, skewered on festive toothpicks). in mid-winter. Those cabbages, according to the short features account, became “the foundation of a great industry.” about little- “Whatever your nationality, for pre-holiday religious known aspects fast days and those post-season “tired of turkey days”, For the novice biologist neither invented the freezing of the U.S. Fish there will be an abundance of various species of fish process, nor was the first person to freeze food and Wildlife and shellfish with which the homemaker may add commercially. “My contribution was to take Eskimo Service by variety and substantial value to the table,” added knowledge and the scientists’ theories and adapt them David Klinger another agency missive. to quantity production,” he confessed. “I do not of the National consider myself to be a remarkable person....But I am Conservation That most in this profusion of chirpy household intensely curious about the things which I see around Training homilies were penned by agency biologist Rachel me, and this curiosity, combined with a willingness to Center in Carson is a fact glossed over by most conservation assume risks, has been responsible for such success Shepherdstown, historians. (It wasn’t all prize-winning pesticide and satisfaction as I have achieved in life.” West Virginia. exposes and lyrical undersea rhapsodies that typified Carson’s literary career.) The Service employee’s name was Clarence Birdseye. His handiwork can still be found in any frozen food locker in any grocery store in America. 38 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 our people
in Fort Snelling. The Great Lakes/ Frazer was born and raised in we should never take for granted. Big Rivers Region includes Illinois, a small farming community in Take good care of this home, transitions Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, southeastern Iowa, where he knew because it represents an ongoing Headquarters Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. every fishing hole and hunting spot commitment to our employees within hiking distance from town. and a strategic asset for the Service Geoff Haskett will replace Melius He earned a bachelor’s degree in and conservation. Use it well,” Service Announces as Alaska regional director. Haskett fisheries and wildlife biology from Lemon advised his employees upon Management Changes currently serves in Washington, Iowa State University in 1977, and his retirement. The Service in July announced DC as the assistant director for the a master’s degree in forestry with several changes in assignment for National Wildlife Refuge System. a wildlife specialty from Purdue Lemon, 55, joined the Fish and members of its leadership team. All University in 1981. Frazer and his Wildlife Service in 1978 at of the positions involved are part of Gary Frazer wife and two children currently Leadville National Fish Hatchery the government’s Senior Executive has been reside in Herndon, Virginia. in Colorado, after three years of Service, and have been approved by named Peace Corps service in the Central the Interior Department’s Executive Assistant John R. African Republic as a fish culture Review Board. Director (AD) “Rick” extension agent. After training at for Fisheries Lemon, who, the National Fisheries Academy in “The Service and I owe a great deal and Habitat while driving Leetown, West Virginia, and two of gratitude to these leaders. They Conservation. a lonely years at Jones Hole, Lemon held have served well in their current He served highway in progressively more responsible positions and have stepped up for as interim AD at the agency rural Utah a positions in Federal Assistance in the long term good of the Service,” since assuming that position in generation the Denver and Portland regional said Service Director H. Dale Hall. November 2007. ago, offices, and in Minneapolis as first envisioned a place where Deputy Assistant Regional Director The new assignments are as Frazer started his career with the conservationists could learn from in Ecological Services. He holds a follows: Service in 1984 as a field biologist each other — a notion that took root bachelor’s degree in wildlife science Rowan Gould will become the in the Ecological Services field and blossomed decades later as from Oregon State University. He career deputy director of the office in Virginia. He transferred to the National Conservation Training was awarded an honorary doctorate Fish and Wildlife Service. Gould the Washington Office in 1989 as a Center (NCTC) in the hills of West from West Virginia’s Shepherd currently serves as the assistant staff person for wetland regulatory Virginia —retired May 2 after nearly University, where he served as director for Wildlife and Sport Fish issues. While in Washington, he 33 years of Federal service. commencement speaker in May. Restoration in Washington, DC. spent a year on detail to the Senate Environment Committee before “Those long drives between Jones Lemon concluded his NCTC Ken Stansell, currently serving as serving as acting Deputy Chief for Hole National Fish Hatchery and tenure with a talk to Peace Corps the Service’s career deputy director, the Division of Habitat Conservation. Vernal…I would daydream about managers, a final e-mail to his will step aside to become special He then worked as special assistant developing such training for the instructors and staff, and a solo assistant to the director, charged to the Assistant Secretary for Fish Fish and Wildlife Service and its walk across NCTC’s campus with providing policy guidance and and Wildlife and Parks for three partners,” Lemon recollects. “I bridge, “knowing that the following advice and heading the Service’s years. He left Washington in 1994 saw such passion in our people. I week, nothing will have changed, workforce planning efforts. to become field supervisor of the felt we needed to do more to serve as the people of NCTC welcome Ren Lohoefener, currently serving Ecological Services field office in them and to develop their potential. their guests and deliver the same as regional director for the Service’s Columbia, Missouri, but returned to I never imagined, however, the exceptional service they always Pacific Region in Portland, Oregon, Washington in 1998 as Deputy AD opportunity we would have years have.” He will live in Oregon with his for the Ecological Services program. will become the new director of later to develop a place like NCTC.” wife Jeryl. the California-Nevada Region in He served as AD for Endangered Sacramento, California. Lemon’s opportunity arrived in David Klinger, NCTC Species from 1999 to 2004, 1990 as the agency created a core Robyn Thorson, who has served where he was responsible for planning and training team whose After 46 since 2003 as regional director for carrying out policy development efforts culminated in 1994 with years in the the Great Lakes/Big Rivers Region, and management for all aspects groundbreaking for the $135 million government headquartered at Fort Snelling, of the Endangered Species Shepherdstown campus. He served and 35 years Minnesota, will replace Lohoefener program. From 2004 to 2007, he as NCTC’s first director since its with the as Pacific Region director in served as the Service’s liaison debut in 1997, guiding its growth and Service, Portland. The Pacific Region to the U.S. Geological Survey. its evolving capabilities through its Phil Million includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, In that position Gary worked to first decade. retired as Chief of Conservation Hawaii, and the U.S. Trust Territories broaden and strengthen effective Partnerships in External Affairs. in the Pacific Ocean. communications and partnerships “One of the best things about Million leaves a highly regarded between the two agencies to Tom Melius, currently serving as working for the Service is getting legacy as a professional support scientifically sound regional director for the Service’s to do work that has great purpose, communicator and partner to management and decisions by Alaska Region in Anchorage, will surrounded by passionate people. anglers, hunters and the sporting the Service. replace Thorson as regional director We have been given a gift —a gift community. >>
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 39 our people
Transitions, continued from page 39. conditions in the breeding areas Paul Tritaik National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, look like each year. has been at to Chief of Refuges in the Southeast He formerly served as Chief of Pelican Island Region, to Regional Director of Public Affairs and led the transition Million also served as an National the Service’s California-Nevada of the Service’s communications information officer with the Wildlife Region —now officially named program from “conservation Office of the Secretary in the Refuge in Region 8. education” to a professional news late 1970s and early 1980s under Sebastian, media relations operation which Secretaries Andrus and Watt. He Florida for Thompson’s passion for wildlife became the model for other Interior worked to get Secretary Watt to the past 16 was shaped soon after graduating bureaus. During that time, the support waterfowl and wetlands years and has worked to acquire from California’s Humboldt State agency’s responsibilities and the under the “Protect Our Wetlands buffer lands around Pelican Island; University in 1976. He can recall level of controversy surrounding and Duck Resources” (POWDR) restore citrus groves back to wildlife long days spent outside as a wildlife its activities (particularly with program, which developed some habitat; develop relationships with biologist, trudging through swamps, regard to Endangered Species) grew of the industry and hunter support Paul Kroegel’s grandchildren and surveying nesting bald and golden considerably. Million advocated which was later so important to the local community; halt erosion eagles and countless ducks and for the importance of professional the North American Waterfowl from taking away Pelican Island; sandhill cranes. He’s witnessed a communications and laid much of Management Plan. Million received open the refuge to the public (thus handful of rare migration spectacles the groundwork for the structure a Departmental Meritorious Service creating the refuge’s first public involving half a million birds flying of regional external affairs offices Award in 1992. facilities); build strong partnerships; overhead, an experience he which we have today. administer the refuge system’s describes as “almost spiritual.” Anne Tracy announced her centennial celebration at Pelican Behind the scenes, Million was retirement from External Affairs Island Refuge; and manage a Within each recollection is evidence instrumental in encouraging the in July. Tracy served for 30 years world renowned sea turtle that illustrates the key to his involvement and support of the as the chief administrative officer partnership at the Archie Carr success has been a deep affection industries taxed under the Wildlife for External Affairs; but her range National Wildlife Refuge. for wildlife and people. and Sport fish Restoration programs of skills and knowledge also made (sporting arms, fishing tackle her an invaluable asset to the The 10th anniversary of the Paul “The memories of my best days and boating) in some of Service’s Director’s Office, as well as to the Kroegel Statue at Pelican Island, and greatest accomplishments as a and Interior’s high-visibility administrative staff of the entire and the 60th year of Paul Kroegel’s federal employee have never really conservation initiatives. Million Directorate. As every Assistant passing, were celebrated on been about me at all,” Thompson, helped get industry solidly behind Director for External Affairs since March 8 as the two Paul’s “stood 54, explains. “They’ve resulted from the North American Waterfowl the early 1990s quickly learned, together” —capturing a special being in the right place, at the right Management Plan endeavors and, Tracy was not only diligent and moment in refuge system history. time with the right people. Being a more recently, the National Fish hard-working in her approach to all part of an organization that shares a Habitat Initiative. topics administrative, she was In May, Tritiak left to become Refuge collective passion for caring for this also a great “team player” and Manager at J.N. “Ding” Darling nation’s fish and wildlife resources Million’s excellent relations with a ready source of a smile and an National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, is what I’m most proud of.” the hunting community and his assist. While a scientific agency Florida. understanding of their interests such as the Service justly honors Thompson has provided leadership were of enormous value to the its premier biologists, it’s also Joanna Webb, Refuge Ranger, to the California, Nevada and Service. One of his achievements important to note the extraordinary Pelican Island & Archie Carr National Klamath Basin region since 2001, came when the Service determined works of the Anne Tracys who keep Wildlife Refuges when he came to Sacramento to restrict waterfowl hunting limits the agency functioning smoothly on what was promised to be a in response to declining waterfowl and efficiently. Calfornia-Nevada temporary six- month detail. He populations during the mid-1980s. supervised an office of a dozen or The nation was coming off several Southeast Steve so staff that was inundated with years of “standardized regulations” Thompson, resources issues that were often as which had hit about the time there In its 105 year history, Pelican California- complex as they were controversial. was a serious drought in the prairie Island — the first national wildlife Nevada pothole country. Many waterfowlers refuge —had only two refuge Regional “The volume and complexity simply did not believe the Service’s managers, both named Paul. The Director for of crises involving water and survey results and did not see first refuge manager, Paul Kroegel, since 2001, endangered species issues here was the need for reduced regulations. was hired by President Theodore retired from mind-boggling,” Thompson recalled. Million conceived of active outreach Roosevelt in 1903 and worked until the Fish and “I had members of congress, to the waterfowl hunting community 1926. For the next 67 years, the Wildlife Service on August 2, 2008, senators and other very important and industry, and initiated the refuge went virtually unstaffed. after 32 years of federal service. people on the telephone four to five “Status of Waterfowl” video, In 1993, a decade before the times a day looking for solutions which is still produced. This video centennial, another Paul was hired His catalogue of memories spans to their problems regarding water, helped gain hunter support for as the refuge’s second manager to a career path that began as a endangered species, and other waterfowl regulations by showing prepare and manage the refuge for GS-5 wildlife biologist at Malheur conservation issues.” waterfowlers first-hand what the the 2003 centennial.
40 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 our people
In a part of the country as rich in wildlife treasures as it can be in wildlife controversy, Thompson honors has been a catalyst for bringing Headquarters together people with diverse and opposing perspectives on Cooperative Conservation wildlife conservation. He speaks Awards with pride about helping form the Secretary of the Interior Dirk California Rangeland Conservation The Matanuska-Susitna Salmon Habitat Conservation Kempthorne presented the Partnership accepts their award. Pictured (starting from left): Coalition, a group of 58 signatories Department of the Interior’s representing ranching, agriculture Ann Rappoport, Jennifer Harrison, Service Director H. Dale Cooperative Conservation Awards Hall, John DeLapp, Assistant Secretary Lyle Laverty, Chief and conservation groups who in April, marking “a fitting start to Gary Harrison, Kathy Wells, Rick Harrison, Secretary of the have found common ground on a week of Earth Day activities” in pressing wildlife habitat issues. the Nation’s Capital. On April 21, Interior Dirk Kempthorne, and Jeanne Hanson He’s also been a key facilitator 2008, 21 recipients were recognized in bringing industry, government at a ceremony at the Main Interior n More than 29 partners formed Colorado River Endangered Fish and tribal parties together to find Building in Washington, DC. The the Matanuska-Susitna Salmon Recovery Program said her group sustainable, long-term solutions awards recognized the work of more Habitat Conservation Partnership and the San Juan River Recovery to a myriad of conservation issues than 700 groups and individuals to address impacts of human use Implementation Program were in the Klamath River Basin. Most who achieved excellence in and development in the Matanuska- honored to receive the award, recently, Thompson earned a 2007 conservation through collaboration Susitna basin in Alaska on salmon adding that “collaboration is Presidential Rank award in the and partnerships. habitat. Service staff: John DeLapp the most viable way to recover category of Distinguished Senior and Ann G. Rappoport. endangered species while Professionals and Executives, the From prison inmates conducting continuing to meet human water highest ranking award for a federal mining restoration, to one man’s n The Northern Forest Woodcock needs.” Although non-monetary employee and the first time a effort to remove more than 2000 Initiative is represented by over in nature, some recipients have Service employee has received it. invasive trees across 1,000 acres 25 partners with a pledge to already planned to use the award of American Samoa, the recipients conserve and recover the American to bring in more dollars and partners Thompson has also served stints represented a broad spectrum of woodcock. Service staff: Marvin to the project. at Puget Sound (Washington), conservation work. Moriarty and Andrew Weik. Stillwater (Nevada) and Laguna As a national leader in cooperative Atacosa (Texas) national wildlife The Fish and Wildlife Service n The Penobscot River Restoration conservation, the Service also had refuges, where he was refuge nominated five of the finalists Trust is a collaboration of diverse a number of personnel honored manager. In 1994, he was chosen honored that day, and overall private, public, and nonprofit from projects that other bureaus as the first “Refuge Manager of more than 35 Service employees entities that, together, are improving nominated, including: Steve the Year” by the National Audubon received individual recognition access to nearly 1,000 miles of Spangle and the Sonoran Joint Society and the National Wildlife for their involvement in the river for sea-run fish. Service Venture (Southwestern Bald Eagle Refuge Association. awarded projects. “The Service’s staff: Stewart Fefer, Alex Hoar, Management Committee Arizona commitment to partnership is a Lori Nordstrom, Ben Rizzo, and Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, “Along the way, I’ve learned that cornerstone of our conservation Marvin Moriarty. Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee); doing the right things for wildlife Tim Bodurtha and Ben Conard efforts,” Director H. Dale Hall said n The Upper Colorado River often means doing the right things (Great Northern Environmental when asked about the Service’s Endangered Fish Recovery for people, Thompson said. “I’ve Stewardship Area, National Park presence at the awards. “I couldn’t Program was honored as a first- met people from all sides of some Service nominee); Sherry Barrett be more proud.” of-its-kind river basin management of the most pressing resource and Jason Douglas (Upper San collaboration. Service staff: conservation issues of our day. I’ve Pedro Partnership, U.S. Geological Director Hall joined Secretary Stephen Guertin, Robert Muth, gotten to know them, and gotten to Survey nominee); and John Earle, Kempthorne and Assistant Angela Kantola, Thomas Chart, know how fish and wildlife issues Stan Culling, Bill Seese, and Tina Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Thomas Czapla, Debra Felker, Mary affect their livelihoods and their Lynsky (Lower Colorado River Multi Parks Lyle Laverty, to congratulate Nelson, Ellen Szczesny, Kathleen families. I’ve developed friendships Species Conservation Program, the Service-nominated projects that Wall, George Smith, and Jana with many people who, years Bureau of Reclamation nominee). would return home as winners: Mohrman. This award was shared ago, would have been considered In additionall, Georgia Jeppesen with the San Juan River Basin adversaries of wildlife conservation. accepted an award for her late n The East Bay Wetland and Water Recovery Implementation Program. It’s the ‘Peoples’ Resource,’ and husband, Mark A. Benedict, who Quality Protection Project has Service staff: Brian Millsap, David conserving it for future generations was nominated by the Park Service protected almost 8,000 acres of Campbell, Sharon Whitmore, Joann was a great responsibility and a for his enduring contributions to diverse coastal habitats along Perea-Richmann, and Allan Pfister. great honor for me during my career the East Bay in Texas from severe the protection of the nation’s natural resources. in the Fish and Wildlife Service.” erosion and habitat degradation. For these winners, the award Service staff: Shaun Sanchez, reinforces the value of the Michael Gale, External Affairs, Scott Flaherty, External Affairs, Steve Baker, Kelly McDowell, partnership in local communities. Washington, DC Sacramento, California and Benjamin Tuggle. Angela Kantola from the Upper
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 41 our people
Dan Thorington, Joel Kemm system; Owens, Rappahannock Southwest The Friends of Sherburne Refuge and Greg Owens are individual River Valley National Wildlife is active on many fronts. The recipients of the 2008 U.S. Fish and Refuge for green purchasing; and John Bertrand, from Friends of Friends co-sponsor six special Wildlife Service Environmental Farallon National Wildlife Refuge the Bosque del Apache National events each year, including National Leadership Awards. Service for minimizing petroleum use in Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, Public Lands Day, as well as a Director H. Dale Hall cited them transportation. was selected as Volunteer of the wildlife film festival and a Christmas along with several Service Year for 2008. The award was bird count. The group also maintains facilities for their commitment to In addition to the individual and presented by the National Wildlife memberships in four local chambers the environment and outstanding facility awards in the various Refuge Association on April 6 of commerce and partnerships leadership. categories, Wolf Creek National Fish during the Friends for the Future with the Rapids Archer Club, Hatchery is the 2008 recipient of the Conference, co-sponsored by the National Camera Exchange, the Thorington, an employee of the “Hatchery of the Year” award and Association and the U.S. Fish and University of Minnesota Raptor Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Farallon National Wildlife Refuge is Wildlife Service. Center and others. Refuge, won for his recycling the 2008 recipient of the “Refuge of efforts; Kemm, who works at the Year” award for excellence in Bertrand, praised as a convincing The Sherburne Friends are St. Croix Wetland Management several award areas. and avid spokesman for refuges, extremely generous with their District, won for waste and founded Habitat! 14 years ago as a time, talent and funds. With grants pollution prevention; and Owens, Bennie professional-quality news magazine from the National Fish and Wildlife from the Rappahannock River Valley Williams for Bosque del Apache Refuge. Foundation, the Friends purchased National Wildlife Refuge, won for is among Habitat! is a paid insert in four 40 acres of wetland habitat that his sustainable design/green seven federal local newspapers as well as among were donated to Crane Meadows buildings efforts. managers another 50,000 readers statewide National Wildlife Refuge. In 2007, who received and state and national legislators. the group provided financial Facility/Office Environmental a “Legends support for an intern in the Student Leadership Awards went to the Award” Bertrand has recorded 11,651 Conservation Employment Program, Region’s Division of Contracting and from the volunteer hours at Bosque and has just launched a capital Facilities Management for green American Recreation Coalition. del Apache Refuge, and also campaign to raise $5 million for a purchasing; Kanagyak Field Station, The award recognizes outstanding contributed to the success of the new visitor center. Yukon Delta National Wildlife work to improve outdoor recreation Grand Opening of the Islands and Refuge for recycling and minimizing experiences and opportunities Ocean Visitor Center at Alaska Kevin petroleum use in transportation; for the American people. Williams Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Brennan, Rhode Island National Wildlife oversees the coordination of and served as a full-time resident manager of Refuge Headquarters and Kettle interjurisdictional fisheries and volunteer at Selawik National the Fergus Pond Visitor Center for waste and recreational fisheries management Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Falls Wetland pollution prevention; Tualatin River at the national level for the U.S. Management National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service. He Fish biologist District, is the Center and Administration Building has demonstrated extraordinary and freelance 2008 Refuge for sustainable design/green individual effort and great personal writer Craig Manager of buildings; and Farallon National sacrifice to expand participation of Springer the Year. The award was presented Wildlife Refuge for an environmental urban youth in recreational fishing received an by the National Wildlife Refuge management system. and to connect children — especially American Association on April 6 during the under-served and special-needs Fisheries Friends for the Future Conference, Honorable mentions were youth — to nature through the use of Society co-sponsored by the Association received by the Region’s Division innovative programs. Excellence in and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife of Contracting and Facilities Public Outreach Award. Springer Service. Management for recycling and an Fish & Wildlife News received a is editor of Eddies magazine, which environmental management system; National Association of Government highlights the Service’s fisheries Brennan was one of the first Rhode Island National Wildlife Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil conservation work. managers in the nation to Refuge Headquarters and Kettle Award of Excellence in March for aggressively promote the Wildlife Pond Visitor Center for recycling issues produced in 2007. Public Midwest Habitat Easement Program. More and an environmental management Affairs Specialist Ken Burton than 4,180 acres of productive, system; Kanagyak Field Station, posthumously received an NAGC The Friends of Sherburne National privately-owned wetland and Yukon Delta National Wildlife Blue Pencil Award of Excellence Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota grassland habitats in the Fergus Refuge for waste and pollution and Second Place Award for articles was named Friends Group of Falls Wetland Management District prevention; Thorington, Alaska written in 2007. the Year. The award was presented are now perpetually protected. Maritime National Wildlife Refuge by the National Wildlife Refuge Brennan also led the effort to create for an environmental management Association on April 6 during the and manage the Prairie Wetlands Friends for the Future Conference, Learning Center, a cooperative co-sponsored by the Association effort involving the City of Fergus and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Falls, the State of Minnesota and Service. the Friends of the Prairie Learning Center. The center hosts 50,000 42 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 our people
visitors a year, including 100 ÿfth- Southeast commercialization. He was also a scientiÿc graders who attend classes at cited for his commitment to voyage in the the center every day. Minnesota Ralph Costa received the supporting other investigators Bering Sea. o˛cials took note of the program’s Distinguished ServiceAward— and agencies in protecting The Coast excellence and funded a $2 million the highest honorary recognition wildlife resources. Guard Arctic expansion, which will double its granted for exceptional contribution Service Medal capacity by this fall. to the public service—for his Dowd headed up the Service is awarded to sustained career excellence and investigation of two of the most any member The Department of the Interior outstanding leadership involving devastating oil spills to a°ect of the Coast honored twoRefuge System red-cockaded woodpecker wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Guard who performs 21 days of employees with ValorAwards for conservation in the Southeastern nation’s history. In one case, the cumulative duty in the polar waters their dramatic nighttime rescue United States. Costa served as the company responsible for a spill of the Arctic Circle or above 60 of an angler trapped in the icy Service’s red-cockaded woodpecker that killed hundreds of protected degrees latitude in winter, and may Mississippi River in December recovery coordinator from 1991 birds and damaged 90 miles of also be awarded, on a case by case 2007. The employees were among until his retirement in 2007. His Massachusetts beaches paid a basis, to non-Coast Guard personnel 92 honored May 13 during the considerable vision, innovation $10 million ÿne. In the other, which who perform signiÿcant duties in 65th HonorsConvocation of the and leadership signiÿcantly involved a spill o° the coast of support ofCoast Guard missions Department. and positively in˝uenced the Rhode Island, the corporation within theArctic region. Labunski conservation and management of involved paid $7 million in federal surveyed marine birds and mammals Russell A. Engelke and Darryn J. the endangered woodpecker.Costa and state penalties.A signiÿcant aboard the Healy from March Witt, both from the Savanna District shaped the Service’s woodpecker portion of the ÿne money in both 12–May 6, 2008. of the Upper MississippiRiver management direction by fostering cases was used to support wetland National Wildlife and FishRef uge, coordination and collaboration conservation projects. California-Nevada were cited for braving icy currents among other Federal, State, to save the life of a ÿsherman stuck and private partners in Florida, Dowd was also recognized for his Clyde Morris, recently retired for 15 hours when his hovercraft Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. contributions to the protection of manager of DonEdwards San capsized o° the Illinois shore. Costa also successfully promoted endangered species that range from Francisco Bay National Wildlife Engelke and Witt launched their the use of Safe Harbor Agreements the Northeast beach tiger beetle Refuge, was namedRefuge airboat in the dark after several as an e°ective recovery tool to the piping plover. His e°orts Employee of theYear. The award rescue attempts failed to reach two throughout the woodpeckers’ range, to safeguard the plover included was presented by theNat ional stranded anglers. enabling private landowners to unite working to secure the cooperation Wildlife Refuge Association on April with the government to ensure the of coastal communities in reducing 6 during the Friends for the Future Engelke and Witt reached one survival of the imperiled species. the impact of beach use on plover Conference, co-sponsored by the victim— perched on top of the The woodpecker’s encouraging populations. Association and the U.S. Fish and overturned hovercraft—at 10:30 progress toward range-wide Wildlife Service. p.m. They attached a line from their recovery is testimony toCosta’s Dowd’s accomplishments also airboat to the overturned craft and ability as a conservationist and include investigations that exposed “ Clyde knows how to get things secured the victim, who was unable team-builder. unlawful commercialization of done,” said San Francisco Bay to move.A rescue swimmer ran wildlife resources. His casework Refuge ComplexProject Leader another line to shore.Engelke and Northeast secured the prosecution of Mendel Stewart. Stewart said Witt held onto the victim and the waterfowl guides conducting illegal Morris brings to his work a rare hovercraft which were pulled to Resident Agent-in-Charge hunts in the Boston area; broke up combination of natural science shore. The victim was airlifted to Christopher Dowd, who oversees a notorious poaching ring operating knowledge, e°ective leadership the hospital.Engelke and Witt then Service law enforcement operations in Connecticut, Vermont, andNew skills and common sense. returned to the icy river to search in New England, received the 2007 York, and snared a Massachusetts for the other man until deteriorating Guy Bradley Award for wildlife law resident using fraudulent licenses Morris’ openness to innovative conditions stopped the rescue enforcement. The award, presented to hunt big game inAlaska. His solutions, his entrepreneurial spirit mission. Unfortunately, the second each year by the National Fish and investigations of global wildlife and his courage in the face of the angler passed away. Wildlife Foundation, recognizes smuggling documented tra˛cking in “way it is usually done” saved individuals for outstanding lifetime contraband that ranged from black literally millions of dollars in the The Department of the Interior each contributions to wildlife law palm cockatoos to beluga caviar. restoration of Bair Island in San year recognizes acts of “courage, enforcement. Francisco Bay. He also reaches out valor, sel˝essness and exceptional Alaska to the public e°ectively, leading management” in men and women Dowd, who has worked for the public participation e°orts for the nominated by their agencies. During Service as a criminal investigator Elizabeth Labunski of the Migratory South Bay Salt Pond Project and the May 13 ceremonies, Secretary for more than three decades, Bird Management Division, was working with residents to explain of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said was honored for his success awarded the Arctic Service Medal a new hunting plan and reduce the the dedication and commitment of in safeguarding wildlife from on May 3, 2008 byCommanding threat of wildÿres to an adjacent all honorees “serve as a guiding such threats as environmental O˛cer Ted Lindstr m, of the U.S. housing development. light to us all.” contaminants, encroaching Coast Guard Cutter Healy during development and illegal
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 43 our people
William R. Refuge Officer to the Fishers’ aid, was capable in Vietnam from 1970–73. In 1985, Thomas, an Walter Duran, of reaching them. Christopher he completed his master’s degree in Administrative of the San was wrapped in a blanket, and wildlife biology at the University of Support Francisco the two were transferred to a fire California, Long Beach. Hays joined Assistant/ Bay National department boat. the Service that same year. After Wildlife Receptionist retiring from the Service in 2006, he at John Heinz Refuge The cause of the crash is under continued to support our mission National Complex, was investigation by the NTSB. by volunteering his time to monitor one of six Wildlife endangered California least terns people honored in February 2008 by Refuge at Tinicum, Pennsylvania, and western snowy plovers along the San Mateo County Sheriff for died May 18, 2008. southern California beaches. their roles in the rescue of a local father and son when their airplane in memoriam Thomas served in this position Long before Cooperative crashed in San Francisco Bay on at the refuge since fall 2002, Conservation became part of October 27, 2007. Billy Warren, when he transferred from the the Service’s vernacular, Hays a volunteer Veterans Administration. Prior embodied the concept of working in Sheriff Greg Munks presented for the to the VA, Warren served a full partnership with others to conserve commendation awards to Duran loggerhead career and retired from the U.S. species. His efforts to develop and Greg Grinton of the California sea turtle Navy. Thomas found his passion positive relationships with the Department of Fish and Game, as crew at serving as a refuge computer Orange County Water District, the well as flight instructors Maggie Cape Romain specialist and coordinating refuge counties of Orange and Riverside, Rogers and Brett Smith, and air National fishing programs (including annual the City of Corona, the Santa Ana traffic controllers David Greene and Wildlife pathways to fishing events). Warren Watershed Project Authority Wali Elahi. Refuge since 2003, died March 23, was a kind and gentle person with and other federal agencies led to 2008. In the past five years Warren a heart of gold, who found much riparian habitat improvements along The engine on the family’s accrued more than 1,100 volunteer pleasure in nature by watching deer the Santa Ana River that enabled Beechcraft Bonanza died shortly hours on the refuge. He assisted and wild turkey every morning at the least Bell’s vireos to increase their after pilot Rob Fisher and his son with the sea turtle nesting project, refuge bird feeders before starting nesting pairs from a low of about 19 Christopher, 10, had taken off from invasive species control, shorebird work. Because he coordinated the in 1986 to more than 800 by 2004. San Carlos Airport. According to surveys, and posted and maintained “Passport to Fishing” program for the National Transportation Safety seabird nesting areas. Early in 2008, the past five years, the program was Hays cherished his wife, Debbie, Board (NTSB), the aircraft was at he enthusiastically attended boat renamed in his honor. His family was and daughter, Rachel, and always about 1,000 feet when the engine operation training classes to help in attendance at this year’s event on beamed when he spoke about stopped. with refuge programs. Warren’s Sunday, June 1. Rachel’s prowess on the soccer dedication and enthusiasm were field. During those many soccer Fisher skillfully piloted the crucial to continuing the sea turtle The Thomas family has asked that games Hays prowled the sidelines, unpowered aircraft into the bay nesting surveys on Lighthouse any donations be made to: Friends sometimes quoting from the about a half mile from shore, keeping Island, as well as initiating a new of the Heinz Refuge (FOHR), 8601 rulebook when referees didn’t make the wings horizontal and preventing sea turtle program on Bull’s Island. Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA the right calls. the plane from stalling. Fisher and 19153. Cards may also be sent to the his son clung to the plane as it sank. Warren also volunteered more than family at 21 Green Lane, Bristol, PA Nancy Gilbert, field supervisor at He said it was his first crash in 20 4,500 hours at the South Carolina 19007. the Bend, Oregon, Fish and Wildlife years of flying. Aquarium in a 10 year period. His Office and former Carlsbad Office work at the Aquarium began in Loren Hays, colleague, describes Hays as a Rogers, who was piloting a 1998, when Warren presented turtle a wildlife “big-hearted man who had a passion helicopter in the area with Smith, talks and conducted outreach. He biologist with for birds, blues guitar, and family flew to the crash site and dropped worked at an off-site quarantine the U.S. Fish and friends.” life jackets to the Fishers. facility that housed animals while and Wildlife the Aquarium was being built. When Service for The wildlife of southern California Fisher and Christopher swam to that facility closed, Warren went to more than 20 was fortunate to have Hays in its shore, where they were plucked the Aquarium to assist with offshore years, died corner acting as advocate and from the mud flats by Duran and reef exhibits, care for the bird April 18, 2008, champion, and the Service is lucky Grinton, who were monitoring the collection, and help rehabilitate in Huntington Beach, California, to be able to say he was part of start of duck-hunting season in sick and injured sea turtles in the after suffering a heart attack. our family. He is deeply missed by the South Bay. Their 14-foot boat, Sea Turtle Rescue Program. all those who knew him and were unlike the rescue craft that came A native of Colorado, Hays earned fortunate enough to have worked a degree in wildlife biology from with him. Colorado State University in 1970. He then served with the U.S. Army
44 / Fish & Wildlife News Summer 2008 our people
Mark Butler, the Platte River Liaison Mattoon’s 40-year Federal career Crosses and other combat medals “Mrs. Hendrix had been offered far for the Mountain-Prairie Region, spanned the three of the nation’s for his service, including his part in more for the property by developers, died June 2, 2008. four major land management sinking a Japanese battleship. On but she and her late husband, (U.S. agencies. While he was a second- one occasion, Lt. Mattoon dislodged Navy) Captain Charles Hendrix, Butler’s work in Colorado, Wyoming, generation forester and started a live bomb from the undercarriage had always wanted the property and Nebraska to recover river- as a laborer in the woods of the of his squadron leader’s aircraft — kept intact,” says Rick Lemon, corridor habitat for federally listed Pacific Northwest, it was in public using the tip of his own plane while NCTC’s recently-retired first species was particularly valuable affairs that Mattoon made his in flight, permitting the other plane director. “NCTC may well have been because it required his technical greatest mark. to land safely on the Yorktown. somewhere else, but no property we expertise on the impacts of water looked at could hold a candle to this use in the basin, as well as his As a U.S. Forest Service manager Mattoon’s World War II exploits site for our Service home. If it were negotiating skills for alternative for 21 years, he expanded the reach and his love of flying perhaps not for Mrs. Hendrix, we would not water-management strategies in of the Smokey Bear forest fire were responsible for his forceful be here today.” a region where water resources prevention campaign; in the late admonitions to Fish and Wildlife are scarce. Butler spent countless 1960s, as chief of information for Service managers in Washington A frequent visitor to evening hours providing technical expertise the Bureau of Land Management, he whenever any reluctance to include lectures and open houses on the and guidance to the Service on created the Johnny Horizon public public information officers in agency NCTC campus in its early days, a variety of Platte River issues, service image to broaden greater decision making was shown. “Do Hendrix’s appearances became earning tremendous respect from understanding of the scope of you want us in on the takeoff,” increasingly rare, yet she kept a professional counterparts, private that Interior Department agency’s Mattoon would inquire, “or do you watchful eye on activities from and public, throughout the region. duties. Mattoon enlisted Hollywood want us in on the crash landing?” “Springwood,” her stone residence celebrities of the era—Lorne built in 1759 on the perimeter of the Butler started his career with the Greene, Burl Ives, and Arthur David Klinger, NCTC training center property. Presidents, federal government as a GS-5 Godfrey, among them — senators, governors, and acclaimed geologist with the Bureau of Land to aid the government’s public Jessie authors all came to NCTC, but it Management in Oklahoma City, service advertising campaigns. Hendrix, a was in its education of the agency’s Oklahoma, in 1978. He joined the diminutive everyday, rank-and-file employees U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a As public affairs director for the but strong- that Hendrix took greatest pride. hydrologist in 1987. His consistently Fish and Wildlife Service from 1973 willed West “I’m the luckiest person on earth RYAN HAGERTY / USFWS RYAN superior performance earned him until his retirement in 1983, Mattoon Virginia farm to have sold my farm to you,” she considerable recognition, numerous fashioned a bureau-wide public owner whose said in 2007, upon NCTC’s 10-year awards and valuable opportunities affairs structure in which regional vision for her anniversary. to take on leadership roles. information officers would become rural acreage integral advisors to their regional became the genesis of the world’s Hendrix was born in 1914 in Thanks to Butler’s long-term directorates. Many of the agency’s foremost center for conservation Vacaville, California. She worked involvement with the Platte River first corporate partnerships were training, died April 13 in her on Capitol Hill as senior Recovery Program, the habitat attempted in that era, including 250-year-old Shepherdstown administrative assistant to several conditions for least terns, piping public outreach campaigns with farmhouse, of causes related to old Congressmen and, for 32 years, plovers, whooping cranes and pallid Du Pont, Sears, American Airlines, age. She was 94. at local Shepherd University. sturgeon in the Platte River basin and General Wine and Spirits. Her husband, a famed World continue to improve. In that pre-computer, pre-digital Circumstances brought the U.S. War II submarine captain with world, Mattoon took the first steps Fish and Wildlife Service to her 12 war patrols to his credit, is He is survived by his wife, Betty, to modernize and professionalize doorstep in the early 1990s, memorialized at his alma mater, and his son, Dylan. the agency’s film and video as the agency was scouting the U.S. Naval Academy in and publications management alternative locations for its Annapolis, Maryland, with an John Albert Mattoon, who operations. He earned both the National Conservation Training oceanography laboratory named transformed the U.S. Fish and Interior Department’s meritorious Center. Hendrix, on winter vacation in his honor. He died in 1976. Wildlife Service’s public face from a and distinguished service awards. in Tucson, had read in a local Their daughter, Dr. Mary Hendrix traditional conservation information newspaper that plans to locate of Chicago, president and and education office into a modern, Born in Hartford, Connecticut in NCTC near Harpers Ferry, West scientific director of Northwestern multi-faceted communications 1921, Mattoon was a graduate of Virginia, had been abandoned. University’s Children’s Memorial operation — forming the foundation Pennsylvania State University and Seeking to preserve her 538-acre Research Center, and a sister, of of the agency’s External Affairs received his master’s degree from tract of pasture and woodland, Vacaville, survive. program of today — died June 18 in the Yale School of Forestry in 1950. within a month she had sold Falls Church, Virginia. He was 86. He was a decorated World War II her property to the Federal David Klinger, NCTC hero, serving on the USS Yorktown Government as the site for the as a dive bomber pilot at age 23, new training campus. earning two Distinguished Flying
Summer 2008 Fish & Wildlife News / 45 parting shots
Although Kennedy’s Emerald dragonflies are found in Canada and the continental United States, the species was documented for the first
ROBERT ARMSTRONG / USFWS time in Alaska this June by John Hudson and Robert Armstrong. They discovered the insect in interior Alaska during a dragonfly and damselfy collecting trip that was part of a Service Challenge Cost-Share Grant with Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.
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