U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service November/December 2012 | Vol 9, No 6 RefugeUpdate National Wildlife Refuge System www.fws.gov/refuges

Sangre de Cristo Conservation Area was established in southern Colorado, thanks to a large easement donation in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains by conservationist Louis Bacon. It was one of three new Conserving the Future refuges established in September. (Trinchera Blanca Ranch) Teams Develop Training, Ambassadors Programs Three New Refuges in West onserving the Future Bring National Number to 560 implementation teams took C their evolving concepts to the he National Wildlife Refuge System had a growth spurt in September as Refuge System Leadership Team in Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the establishment of two late October as they eyed meeting new refuges in New Mexico and a new conservation area in Colorado. The deadlines in 2013, when strategies are T to be finalized and programs are to expansion brings the number of refuges to 560. begin taking root on wildlife refuges In late September, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge near Albuquerque and Rio and across the country. Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in northern New Mexico were established. The Leadership Team includes the chief and deputy chief of the National “Today we celebrate two new jewels in the National Wildlife Refuge System— Wildlife Refuge System as well as Valle de Oro, an urban oasis for people and wildlife just five miles from downtown Headquarters division chiefs and the Albuquerque, and Rio Mora, which will serve as an anchor for cooperative eight regional refuge chiefs. conservation efforts in the Rio Mora watershed,” Salazar said. The work of two implementation Valle de Oro Refuge was formally established through the acquisition of 390 acres teams is directly relevant to better of a former dairy and hay farm. The refuge’s name, which means Valley of Gold in serving visitors at refuges. Spanish, was selected after a social media campaign solicited suggestions. The Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to work with partners to restore native Recreation implementation team bosque forest at the refuge, establish recreation and environmental education is collecting examples of innovative continued on pg 19 continued on pg 8

FOCUS: Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative, pages 8-13 From the Director Hunters Help Make Conservation Possible RefugeUpdate

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service They supported many early laws to Ken Salazar Address editorial and our partners have been trying conserve species and set up programs, Secretary inquiries to: T for years to get more people such as the Federal Duck Stamp and Department of the Refuge Update hunting and fishing. And a new survey the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Interior USFWS-NWRS shows our work is paying off. Program, both of which provide money 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Dan Ashe for conservation. Room 634C The National Director Arlington, VA U.S. Fish and Wildlife 22203-1610 Survey of Fishing, Another example: A group of duck Service Hunting and hunters from Alabama persuaded the Phone: 703-358-1858 Fax: 703-358-2517 Jim Kurth Wildlife-Associated powers that be to establish Eufaula E-mail: Chief Recreation, National Wildlife Refuge in 1964. [email protected] National Wildlife conducted every five The habitat protected by our refuges Refuge System This newsletter is years, shows that published on recycled such as Eufaula not only conserves some Martha Nudel the number of paper using soy-based of our important wildlife species but also Editor in Chief hunters and anglers ink. offers some of the nation’s best hunting. Dan Ashe in 2011 is up 10 Bill O’Brian percent over 2006. And we remain committed to increasing Managing Editor hunting opportunities throughout the C This is great news, for conservation and National Wildlife Refuge System— for the national economy. wherever hunting is compatible with refuge purposes. I know that many non-hunters just shake their heads when the strongest We recently opened the conservationist they know turns out to International Wildlife Refuge in Inside be an avid hunter. But for me, and many Michigan to migratory bird hunting, hunter-conservationists like me, the two upland game hunting and big game QDMA-Refuge Cooperation go hand in hand. hunting, while expanding hunting The nonprofit Quality Deer activities at 16 national wildlife refuges Management Association and three Hunters have always been dedicated in 14 states. conservationists. refuges are collaborating to conserve continued on pg 18 wildlife on swaths of land. Page 4

Sea Turtle Success This year’s sea turtle nesting numbers Chief’s Corner have been encouraging at Florida’s Archie Carr Refuge and elsewhere in Being in the Arena the Southeast. Page 5

wo words keep coming up as year. It conserves forest, , “Marsh Migration” the nine Conserving the Future grassland/shrub/savanna habitat and the T implementation teams plan for area’s ranching and farming heritage Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge a new tomorrow: communications on a landscape scale. The success came and partners are adapting to sea- and partnerships. from a partnership among three federal level-rise-related “marsh migration.” agencies, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Page 6 We’re wildly Conservation Commission and at least successful and two nonprofit organizations. All of us FOCUS: Urban Wildlife Refuge notably lacking in worked for years in partnership with Initiative each. How’s that one another and with a community of Of the 24 Conserving the Future possible? How can private landowners. we improve? recommendations, No. 13 might be the When we ultimately protect the entire most ground-breaking. It introduced Consider the 150,000 acres, two-thirds of the acreage a novel concept: the urban wildlife Jim Kurth establishment of will be held in conservation easements refuge initiative. Pages 8-13 the Everglades purchased from willing sellers. Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in Florida this continued on pg 18

2 • Refuge Update Monitoring Marsh Elevation and Sea-Level Rise

By Nicole Rankin development and harbor dredging ligohaline marshes are threaten the marsh. biologically diverse ecosystems The refuge once O upstream from tidal salt marshes contained more and downstream from tidal freshwater than 6,000 acres marshes. Such marshes provide food of oligohaline and and habitat for numerous bird species. tidal freshwater Their tidal creeks provide forage habitat, marshes. In part nursery zones, spawning grounds because of past and migratory corridors for aquatic Savannah River invertebrate and fish species. dredging, the But oligohaline marshes—with their very refuge has less low salinity—face big challenges from than 3,000 acres of sea-level rise and its attendant saltwater marsh today. Those intrusion at Savannah National Wildlife marshes and their Refuge and other coastal refuges. The tidal creeks benefit king rail, least salinity in oligohaline marshes ranges Scientists Dave O’Loughlin and Jeremy Schmid of Atkins Global, an from 0.5 to 5 parts per thousand (ppt), bittern, American engineering consulting firm, install a rod surface elevation table (RSET) whereas full-strength seawater is 35 ppt. coot, ducks, herons, benchmark at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, SC. The Southeast white and brown Region Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Network is monitoring marsh As sea-level rise occurs, marshes are shrimp, blue crabs, elevation at 18 coastal refuges. (Nicole Rankin/USFWS) inundated, often resulting in significant Atlantic croaker, habitat conversion or loss. To learn bay anchovy, red more about the impact of sea-level rise, drum and Atlantic marsh surface. During the first year, the Southeast Region Inventory and menhaden, to name a few. measurements will be collected quarterly Monitoring (I&M) Network is monitoring by refuge biologists; biannually the elevation in oligohaline marsh, salt second and third years; and annually marsh and pocosin at 18 coastal thereafter. Each RSET benchmark is refuges in the South Atlantic Landscape The I&M network is also being surveyed so marsh surface Conservation Cooperative (LCC). monitoring elevation in elevation can be linked to local sea level. oligohaline marsh, salt The information will be entered into “This project will monitor rates of a regional database for storage and wetland elevation change and relative marsh and pocosin analysis, and will be made available to sea-level rise, and using this information, wetlands at 18 coastal biologists, planners and researchers. we can forecast the longevity of these habitats on refuges and actions we refuges in the South In addition to the 18 refuges and Atkins need to undertake to sustain natural Atlantic Landscape Global, the Southeast I&M Network resources,” says Southeast Region I&M Conservation Cooperative is partnering with the U.S. Geological Network coordinator Laurel Barnhill. Survey, The Nature Conservancy, the (LCC). National Park Service, the South Atlantic As a coastal ecologist with the Southeast LCC, the National Estuarine Research Region I&M Network, I have been Information from the marsh elevation Reserve System and the National working with refuges and scientists from Geodetic Survey to develop and share Atkins Global, an engineering consulting monitoring project “will be essential for us to determine how to proactively data about landscape-scale changes firm, to install rod surface elevation resulting from sea-level rise. table (RSET) benchmarks at coastal respond to habitat changes that are due refuges from North Carolina to Florida. to factors largely outside of our control,” “Working together is the only way we It’s tough work that involves standing says Savannah Refuge supervisory will be able to compile information to on a platform above marsh grasses and wildlife biologist Chuck Hayes. help answer questions at multiple scales,” driving stainless steel rods 40 to 100 feet Starting this fall, marsh surface elevation says Barnhill. “We are leveraging deep to reach a hard-soil subsurface. is being measured from each RSET multiple agency efforts in order to sustain our natural landscapes.” We started last spring at Savannah benchmark. Height measurements (in Refuge, which includes low-lying wetlands millimeters) are being taken by attaching Nicole Rankin is a coastal ecologist along the South Carolina-Georgia border. the RSET instrument to the permanent based at Cape Romain National Wildlife In addition to saltwater intrusion, benchmark and lowering pins to the Refuge, SC.

Refuge Update • 3 QDMA and Refuges Seek to Conserve Swaths of Habitat

By Heather Dewar he Quality Deer Management Association is thinking beyond its T namesake species. In an experiment involving landscape- scale wildlife habitat management, the nonprofit QDMA and three refuges are teaming with neighboring landowners to build a new conservation coalition. The refuges—Washita and Deep Fork in Oklahoma and Shiawassee in Michigan— are helping QDMA set up private-public cooperatives, which met for the first time this fall. The goal is for landowners, refuge staff members, state biologists The Quality Deer Management Association and three refuges are teaming with private landowners to and QDMA experts to share ideas and manage wildlife habitat on land near refuges for various species, not just deer. Here, deer and geese information to conserve wildlife on coexist at Washita National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. (Levi Feltman/USFWS) swaths of land near refuges. and “nobody is trying to tell them what educational process for inholders and QDMA focuses primarily on sustainable to do with their land.” should strengthen the relationship.” management of white-tailed deer, but QDMA biologist Kip Adams says Adams says biologists will encourage The QDMA cooperative approach was cooperative members will decide which landowners to follow science-based field-tested at Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee wildlife species to protect—perhaps management but won’t ask them to sign Refuge in Mississippi, where it had a waterfowl, songbirds or native species. any agreements. short but useful life, say Adams and Larry Williams, a former Noxubee “Deer are generalists,” says Adams, Reputation Is a Plus deputy refuge manager. who leads the initiative. “Ninety percent Similarly, the refuges are “very important of the time, if you create good deer partners, [but] the Fish and Wildlife Williams, who now heads the South habitat you’re creating good habitat for Service isn’t driving this,” he says. Florida Ecological Services Office, left other species.” QDMA conducts landowner outreach; the Noxubee Refuge by the time the meetings are on private property; and cooperative was launched in 2005 but At the first meeting near Washita most management suggestions will come kept track of its work. Initially, he says, National Wildlife Refuge, participants from QDMA or state biologists. the cooperative included all surrounding discussed managing land for quail and landowners. After a few years, though, deer, according to refuge manager Shiawassee Refuge biologist Michelle participants lost a sense of urgency, and Amber Zimmerman, who is eager to take VanderHaar, the Michigan refuge’s the cooperative waned. This time, part in the experiment. liaison to the cooperative, thinks QDMA’s Williams and Adams say, the refuges are reputation among deer hunters is a plus. signing on for the long haul. “First and foremost, we cooperate with others,” she says. “That’s right there in “QDMA will get their attention,” she said Williams hopes the cooperatives lead to a our mission statement. And everyone is before the local cooperative’s first powerful nationwide partnership with realizing that to have a big impact you meeting in October. “People in Michigan QDMA, similar to the Service’s have to reach beyond your borders and follow them closely.” relationship with Ducks Unlimited. manage on a landscape scale.” Darrin Unruh, Deep Fork Refuge Roughly 10 million acres of refuge land is Nine private landowners attended that manager, likes the cooperative’s potential in white-tailed deer habitat, and U.S. meeting. Their holdings and the refuge’s to strengthen community ties. Founded deer hunters far outnumber waterfowl 8,075 acres make a local conservation in 1993, Deep Fork is a waterfowl refuge hunters, Williams says, “so it’s an footprint of about 20,000 acres. with many inholders—private important species for America and an landowners within the refuge boundary. important species for refuges.” “People came in a bit leery,” Zimmerman says, but they warmed to the concept “For a refuge that has a checkerboard Heather Dewar is a writer-editor in when they saw that QDMA, not the ownership, it’s really important to the Refuge System Branch of federal government, is taking the lead— communicate with the neighbors,” Unruh Communications. says. The cooperative “will be an

4 • Refuge Update Sea Turtle Success at Archie Carr Refuge and Beyond

By Ben Ikenson ere Archie Carr alive today, he no doubt would be pleased. W The 2012 sea turtle nesting season at the refuge bearing his name was the best in 14 years, especially for loggerheads. “It was incredible,” says Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge manager Kristen Kneifl. “You could barely walk 10 steps without being on top of a nest.” When Carr, a conservationist and University of Florida researcher, died in 1987, it was difficult to say if sea turtles were recovering because of protections under the Endangered Species Act and the international attention he helped A loggerhead sea turtle returns to the Atlantic Ocean at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. This year, the Florida refuge had its best loggerhead nesting season since 1998. (Vince Lamb/Friends of bring to their plight. But two years Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge) later, nesting survey programs were established to monitor and assess sea Today, UCF students and other Sandy MacPherson, the Service’s turtle populations. researchers conduct surveys and assess national sea turtle coordinator. This year’s Archie Carr Refuge tally hatching success during nesting season from early March to late September. Kneifl points to daunting challenges of 18,797 loggerhead turtle nests, 3,288 associated with climate change. green nests and 50 leatherback nests They also help Archie Carr Refuge is the highest since 1998 and markedly collect data on predation, disorientation “Global warming is a definite threat to more than last year’s estimate of 18,000 caused by light and other disturbances, sea turtles,” she says. “The temperature for all three species. which are reported to proper agencies of the sand determines the sex of sea for resolution. turtles, which could cause an imbalance With 20 miles of undisturbed Atlantic in sex ratios. In 2012, the sea turtle coastline in central Florida, the refuge Cautious Optimism Because sea turtles in North America nesting season began one month early includes what is considered one of the due to warmer water temperatures. two most important loggerhead beaches primarily nest on beaches along the Atlantic Southeast and Gulf of Mexico Sea-level rise will certainly have an effect in the world. The other is on Masirah on the availability and quality of nesting Island in the Arabian Sea. coasts, similar efforts are ongoing at refuges and conservation areas across beach habitat.” Fortunately, Archie Carr Refuge enjoys the region, where the season’s nesting Still, monitoring remains crucial in excellent and long-standing support in numbers have been encouraging. Cape determining the efficacy of conservation conserving the beach’s nesting habitat. Romain Refuge in South Carolina, measures, such as those intended to Carr’s protégé, Llewellyn Ehrhart, and for example, recorded close to 1,600 decrease fishing industry turtle bycatch Ehrhart’s students at the University of loggerhead sea turtles nests this year, or increase the likelihood that hatchlings Central Florida were monitoring these the highest since 1978. Other refuges reach the water. beaches for seven years in the 1980s reporting increased nests include before the state of Florida and the U.S. Blackbeard Island and Wassaw (in Chuck Hunter, chief of the Service’s Fish and Wildlife Service established an Georgia), and Merritt Island, Egmont Southeast Region strategic resource index nesting beach survey program— Key and Hobe Sound (in Florida). management division for refuges, says, and before the refuge existed. While “Only through long-term monitoring will Carr articulated the threats to sea But biologists aren’t yet saying recovery we be able to tease these and other turtles, which included commercial is imminent for loggerheads or other factors apart and make adjustments as fishing practices, coastal development sea turtles. needed to conserve nesting populations and poaching, Ehrhart’s data revealed “We’re cautiously optimistic because on U.S. beaches and protect the entire the global importance of beaches in we’ve seen an upswing in the numbers. population at sea.” central Florida and helped lead to the But we really don’t know what this Ben Ikenson is a New Mexico-based refuge’s establishment. means in terms of the long-term freelance writer. situation for loggerheads,” says

Refuge Update • 5 Adapting to “Marsh Migration” at Blackwater Refuge

By Karen Leggett boundary actions taken and the lessons learned in the Southern Dorchester arsh at Blackwater National County Climate Adaptation Project Wildlife Refuge is widely known may be a model for other coastal zones M as a stopover for migratory confronting sea-level rise. birds. What may be lesser known is that the marsh itself is migrating. The project is in the second year of a grant cycle that provided $265,000 from Since 1938, the Maryland refuge has Maryland’s Town Creek Foundation. lost 5,000 acres of brackish marsh— Using the Sea Level Affecting Marshes and 3,000 upland acres have converted Model (SLAMM) and other factors, the to brackish marsh. A new strategy project identified where the “largest jaw- to address sea-level rise, called the dropping contiguous areas of high marsh Southern Dorchester County Climate habitat are likely to be over the next Adaptation Project, is working to century,” Whitbeck says. “We will control facilitate this “marsh migration.” what we can and work with the changes “If Blackwater is going to be successful we can’t control.” at meeting its established purposes” as Two examples illustrate the project’s a waterfowl sanctuary along the Atlantic approach. The first is biological, the Flyway, says refuge biologist Matt second outreach-related. Whitbeck, “we have to have wetlands, In partnership with The Conservation Fund and we have to understand how to help and Audubon Maryland/DC, the U.S. Fish Traditionally, refuge managers have marshes migrate across the landscape. and Wildlife Service is trying a new strategy to removed phragmites from established address sea-level rise at and near Blackwater We don’t claim to understand how this National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. The marsh. Now, before that invasive reed is going to work. It’s very much in saltmarsh sparrow is directly affected by sea-level can take hold, herbicides are used to the experimental stage—an adaptive rise. (Matthew Tillett) remove it from areas to which marsh is management process.” migrating. Then, students and Friends help plant native species there. “If we The goal of the project—a partnership It’s responsible stewardship to hang on to all the pieces.” can manage phragmites in transition, among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife we might be able to improve more acres Service, The Conservation Fund and And all the pieces are connected. The salt with the same amount of resources,” Audubon Maryland/DC—is to maintain marsh provides vital nursery grounds says Whitbeck. the ecological functions of the salt for commercial fisheries, generates marsh somewhere on the landscape. $27 million in annual revenue from Regarding outreach, Samantha Pitts, The refuge is part of the Northeast’s tourism/recreation, creates a buffer for Audubon Maryland/DC volunteer most extensive contiguous tidal marsh, communities against storm surges, and coordinator and naturalist, is using a Ramsar Wetlands of International filters sediment and nutrient pollution in social media, educational programs Importance and an Audubon Important the watershed. and field trips to build support for salt Bird Area for salt marsh bird species. marshes. The local Pickering Creek Audubon Maryland/DC director of bird Audubon Center’s Facebook page, for conservation Dave Curson has called the “We don’t claim to example, features educational posts refuge “Maryland’s Everglades.” about Atlantic Flyway salt marshes on understand how this is Marsh Mondays. The tiny saltmarsh sparrow, whose primary range is the northeastern going to work. It’s very “It’s important for communities to have United States and Canada, is directly much in the their own connection with where they affected by sea-level rise, as are black experimental stage.” live,” says Pitts, “Blackwater is the rails, clapper rails and seaside sparrows. epicenter for salt marshes on the East Coast. We are trying to reach people and “If we want these species to persist, we connect them with the resource.” have to adapt to these changes,” says The salt marsh birds are among the Whitbeck. “The saltmarsh sparrow keystone species in the Strategic Karen Leggett is a writer-editor is just one piece of the puzzle. As we Habitat Conservation Plan for the in the Refuge System Branch of evaluate how these systems migrate Chesapeake Marshlands Refuge Communications. across the landscape, we have to know Complex, which includes Blackwater how all the pieces will move as well. Refuge. The landscape-level, across-

6 • Refuge Update The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved acquisition of habitat at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, left, and Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina, right. (USFWS) Seven Refuges Acquire Wetland Habitat

even national wildlife refuges grew by about 10,640 complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the commission wetland acres all told when the Migratory Bird is protecting high densities of breeding lesser scaup and S Conservation Commission (MBCC) approved almost $11 breeding trumpeter swans. Of that expansion, about 6,600 million in land acquisitions at its final meeting of 2012. acres were acquired. The National Wildlife Refuge System purchases were The habitat purchases and leases were supported by the announced in September by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF), which includes proceeds from the sales of Migratory Bird Hunting and Of particular note is the commission’s action at Red Rock Conservation Stamps, aka Duck Stamps. Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, MT. By approving a boundary expansion of more than 12,000 acres in the largest wetland

Here are the refuge acquisitions: Montezuma Refuge, NY—625.39 Waccamaw Refuge, SC—1,542.83 fee acres for $2.38 million, to increase fee acres for $1.85 million, for habitat Red Rock Lakes Refuge, MT— the refuge’s capacity to support an consisting of alluvial bottomland Boundary addition of 12,352 acres, additional 9,000 migratory waterfowl in hardwoods and a network of oxbow including acquisition of 810 fee acres spring and more than 18,000 in fall. lakes, ephemeral creeks, and tidal lakes at $3.6 million and 5,834 lease acres at and sloughs. $11,085, to protect breeding habitat for Tualatin River Refuge, OR—23.59 21 species of waterfowl. fee acres for $82,500, to support large The commission also approved $18.4 populations of wintering waterfowl, million in federal funding to conserve San Bernard Refuge, TX—Boundary including tundra swans, mallards, more than 95,000 acres of wetlands and addition and price approval for 1,441 northern pintails, canvasbacks, ring- associated habitat in the United States fee acres for $2.59 million, to benefit necked ducks and lesser scaup. under the North American Wetlands wintering, migratory and resident Conservation Act (NAWCA). waterfowl. Tulare Basin Wildlife Management Area, CA—164 easement acres for Since 1929, the MBCC has met several Trinity River Refuge, TX—Boundary $309,000, for winter foraging and times a year to consider land purchases addition and price approval for 200 fee nesting habitat for waterfowl, including through the MBCF. Its next meeting is acres for $176,200, to protect biologically mallards, northern pintails, gadwall, scheduled for March 2013. More significant bottomland hardwood forest cinnamon teals and northern shovelers. information is at http://www.fws.gov/ for waterfowl as part of the East Texas refuges/realty/mbcc.html. Bottomland Hardwood Initiative.

Refuge Update • 7

Focus . . .Urban.Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Conserving the Future ast year, hundreds of U.S. Fish Recommendation 13: Create an urban and Wildlife Service employees refuge initiative that defines excellence Land partners forged the in our existing urban refuges, establishes Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges the framework for creating new urban and the Next Generation vision for the refuge partnerships and implements a National Wildlife Refuge System. This refuge presence in 10 demographically year, we are implementing that vision. and geographically varied cities across America by 2015. In 2012, Refuge Update has been presenting a series of Focus sections The section includes articles about where devoted to the implementation. This the urban wildlife refuge initiative Focus section, the final installment in stands, and how existing urban refuges that series, looks at some objectives of in Michigan, New England, California, the Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Louisiana and New York are connecting implementation team as they pertain to with their communities. recommendation 13 of the vision.

Conserving the Future Teams Develop Training — continued from page 1 ways that refuges and other conservation anywhere” methods of learning, even as of two-day training sessions are expected agencies across the country have millions are craving meaningful hands- to be piloted at selected refuges through attracted and engaged new recreation on experiences. So, the team is exploring early 2014. users. The case studies will determine how to blend traditional approaches how these opportunities were developed to environmental education with the Over the past year, Conserving the and implemented. They will be a great need to incorporate mobile platforms. Future implementation coordinator resource for Refuge System employees. Among the team’s ideas are a more Anna Harris has found that two themes comprehensive menu of “citizen science” run through the work of all nine At the same time, the team is developing programs and tools to engage visitors implementation teams: partnerships a pilot outdoor skills program, including and volunteers in conservation-related and communications. new staff training and guidance on work. The team is also seeking new ways creating, maintaining and staffing “We recognized in the Conserving to offer unstructured nature exploration the Future document that no single outdoor skills centers, where refuges can areas at refuges. show the finest ways they are working organization can elevate the status with states and other partners to teach of conservation in Americans’ minds new recreation skills to the uninitiated. and their daily lives,” said Harris. “As Two themes run strategies become realities, it’s become The Interpretation and Environmental through the work of all clear that we need not only cross- Education implementation team is team approaches to blend the work of refining a revitalized Ambassadors nine implementation volunteers, Refuge Friends and Refuge Program, both to help increase teams: partnerships and System staff; we also need to work awareness of the Refuge System and communications. with state fish and wildlife agencies, to develop ongoing training for staff, conservation partners and a host of volunteers and partners in how to others across the country to achieve communicate enthusiastically, clearly Working in partnership with the the ambitious goals of Conserving and effectively. Training will be Aldo Leopold Foundation, the team the Future.” comprehensive, ranging from customer plans to launch a new Land Ethic For more information about Conserving service and hospitality to interpretation Leaders program for community and and a train-the-trainer element. the Future implementation and to conservation officials to reflect on how follow the progress of the teams, go to The team also recognizes that Americans they and their communities can build http://AmericasWildlife.org/. today are embracing “anytime, relationships to land and water. A series

8 • Refuge Update

Focus . . .Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Conservation in the City

By Bill O’Brian conservation organizations and f the 24 Conserving the Future with colleagues recommendations, No. 13 might from other O be the most ground-breaking. It Service programs introduced a novel concept: the urban to discuss a wildlife refuge initiative. framework for Recommendation 13 has three parts. new partnerships. “Without First, it mandates defined standards exception, they of excellence for the dozens of existing are all keenly urban national wildlife refuges. aware of the need Second, it mandates establishment of a to reconnect framework for creating new urban refuge and restore partnerships. Third, it mandates a new conservation refuge presence in 10 demographically relevance with the and geographically varied cities by 2015. growing urban The Conserving the Future population,” says Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Worthington. implementation team—co-chaired by A new Refuge Interior Secretary Ken Salazar presses the flesh at newly established U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge near Albuquerque, NM. The urban System presence wildlife refuge initiative calls for a new Refuge System presence and new Region deputy regional refuge chief in 10 cities, also a partnerships in cities. (Tami Heilemann/DOI) Tom Worthington, Northeast Region work in progress, regional refuge chief Scott Kahan, will “foster a and Headquarters visitor services and more informed citizenry that actively “We know that the strategic growth of communications chief Marcia Pradines— supports and understands the value of the Refuge System will be guided—very is addressing those mandates. conservation,” says Kahan. correctly—by biological criteria, criteria that by and large would not put a very The standards of excellence are a work Training Scheduled high priority on lands or waters in urban in progress. Once approved by National A key component of the refuge urban settings,” says Worthington. “We also Wildlife Refuge System leadership, the presence effort, says Pradines, will be know there are rare and extraordinary standards will articulate best practices “nurturing staff culture to understand circumstances where a refuge in an related to community engagement; how to work in communities that are urban context can have societal and cultivating partnerships; financial diverse in generations, wildlife values and System-wide values that overshadow resources and leveraging funding; ethnicities. We know how to work with their strictly biological contributions ... sustainability and leading by example; people who already value conservation In those rare and exceptional situations, urban access to refuges; dispelling urban and love wildlife. How do we reach and the Service will look favorably at the fears and myths about wildlife; making impact the others without sounding possibility of establishing a refuge in an the Service an authentic member of the preachy and with effectiveness?” urban area.” community that promotes conservation beyond refuges; and more. The implementation team has scheduled That said, Worthington is quick to a training of staff from existing urban praise biological successes at existing “Just like conservation must happen at refuges, as well as partners, next fall urban refuges, particularly salt marsh a landscape level, so must engagement,” at the National Conservation Training recovery at Don Edwards San Francisco says Pradines. Center to discuss the urban wildlife Bay Refuge, trout spawning “in the “This isn’t about creating new refuges or refuge initiative. shadow of the Mall of America” at places, or developing a program on our One topic likely to emerge is exactly how Minnesota Valley Refuge, and the own. It’s about the Service partnering the urban concept fits into the Service overall ecological benefit of Silvio O. with the community.” mission. The initiative does not call for Conte Refuge in New England. The implementation team has met with the establishment of new urban refuges, “Urban refuges aren’t just for people,” more than a dozen of the nation’s leading but it does not dismiss the idea, either. he notes.

Refuge Update • 9

Focus . . .Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Title

From 1946 until 1990, this recently restored habitat in Michigan was an industrial site. From 1990 until 2002, it was a brownfield. Now it is becoming the gateway to Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. (Jerry Jourdan) An Extreme Makeover at Detroit River Refuge

By John Hartig habitat and the possible home of a Detroit habitat and control of other invasive River International Wildlife Refuge species on 50 acres of upland habitat. hat comes to mind when you visitor center. think of Detroit? Automobiles? The Refuge Gateway is adjacent to W Motown? Professional sports? The Refuge Gateway will serve as a hub the refuge’s 410-acre Humbug Marsh for environmental education and outdoor Unit. Humbug Marsh is Michigan’s only Each of those answers is accurate, but recreation. It also will be a model of Wetland of International Importance you may be surprised to learn that sustainability. Everything visitors see and designated under the Ramsar Convention. the Motor City is also becoming well do will teach them how to live sustainably. Humbug Marsh is ecologically vital to recognized for public-private partnerships the Detroit River corridor and the Great for conservation and outdoor recreation For 44 years, from 1946 to 1990, the 44- Lakes Basin Ecosystem. It represents through the efforts of Detroit River acre waterfront site housed an automotive the last mile of natural shoreline on the International Wildlife Refuge. brake and paint plant facility. After the U.S. mainland of the river. Humbug facility was closed, the site sat vacant Not only is Detroit River Refuge the lone Marsh supports remarkable biodiversity, as an industrial brownfield for 12 years including 51 fish species, 90 plant species, international wildlife refuge in North before Wayne County acquired the land America, it also is one of the few bona fide 154 bird species, seven reptile and in 2002 for development as the Refuge amphibian species, and 37 dragonfly and urban refuges in the National Wildlife Gateway. In 2004, a county-U.S. Fish Refuge System. damselfly species. The transformation and Wildlife Service master plan was of the Refuge Gateway expands the Nearly seven million people live within developed to guide cleanup, restoration ecological buffer for Humbug Marsh. a 45-minute drive of the refuge, which and construction work for public-use incorporates more than 5,700 acres along infrastructure, including a Leadership Nationally, Detroit River International 48 miles of the lower Detroit River and in Energy and Environmental Design Wildlife Refuge has been recognized by western Lake Erie. The refuge focuses (LEED) platinum-rated visitor center, a the White House Conference of on conserving, protecting and restoring school ship dock and public fishing pier, a Cooperative Conservation for its habitat for 29 waterfowl species, 23 kayak landing, an innovative storm water leadership in use of public-private raptor species, 31 shorebird species, more treatment system and greenway trails. All partnerships for conservation and than 100 fish species and more than 300 cleanup/restoration was completed this fall. outdoor recreation. Locally, the refuge is bird species. helping change the perception from that The transformation of the Refuge of a Rust Belt city to one where urban A sure sign of major conservation Gateway can best be described as an conservation efforts reconnect people to progress in this resolutely urban area extreme makeover. It includes daylighting nature, improve quality of life, showcase is that more than 100 public and private a creek, restoration of 16 acres of wetlands sustainable redevelopment and enhance partners have come together over the in a river that has lost 97 percent of its community pride. past eight years to clean up an industrial coastal wetland habitat, control of invasive brownfield and transform it into the phragmites along 2.5 miles of shoreline, John Hartig is Detroit River Refuge Gateway—high-quality wildlife restoration of 25 acres of upland buffer International Wildlife Refuge manager.

10 • Refuge Update

Focus . . .Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative At Conte Refuge, Partners Conserve the Watershed

By Bill O’Brian ndrew French fully appreciates the urban refuge concept of Abringing the place to the people if the people can’t or won’t come to the place. The place is Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. The people are the 2.4 million residents of the 396 communities in the watershed, which encompasses the refuge’s legislated project area. Refuge manager French, staff and partners have been bringing the refuge to the people for three years via the Watershed on Wheels Last spring, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar designated the Connecticut River and its watershed as (WoW) Express, a mobile visitor center. the first national blueway. The watershed comprises the entirety of Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge’s legislated project area. (Lamar Gore/USFWS) Now that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has designated the Connecticut River as organizations to increase outdoor to do a lot less advocating for our trust the first national blueway, French hopes recreation and the conservation estate resources—because others will do it for to bring more people to the refuge. that, French says, “is approaching two us,” says French. million acres.” In other words, more than Last spring’s national blueway Nonetheless, Conte Refuge remains designation was a milestone. 20 percent of the watershed’s 7.2 million acres are conserved. committed to bringing the refuge to “It’s pretty darn impressive when you the people. It is developing three new remember that 40-50 years ago the French, the Take Pride in America 2012 outreach endeavors to cultivate citizen Connecticut River was described as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal stewards. Conte Corners are refuge nation’s best landscaped sewer,” says land manager of the year, expects to use exhibits at museums, environmental French. He sees the blueway designation the national blueway status to engage centers and elsewhere. Adopt a Habitat as an endorsement of the Friends even more people and federal agencies in encourages schools to help manage of Conte Refuge and the watershed the watershed. watershed land similar to a refuge. The partnership concept. Biological Assessment Trailer (BAT) The refuge plans to work with partners Express serves as a mobile lab that Conte Refuge “is the only true in coming years to establish a water supports plant and animal inventorying watershed project in the National trail along the Connecticut River’s events at schools. Wildlife Refuge System. The Secretary 410-mile course from Canada to Long said, ‘It’s not only okay; I want to Island Sound. The objective, says Then there’s the WoW Express. see more of this,’ ” says French. “It’s French, is to have boat access every 10 miles and overnight accommodations “It takes the show on the road, my hope that other refuge managers promoting Service messages at schools, will seize the opportunity created by (public or private campsites/lodging) every five miles. The water trail would camps, fairs and community events. It Secretarial Order 3321, look up into allows us to introduce the Service, the their watersheds and figure out how to be educational, too. Information panels and QR codes en route would highlight System, the refuge, the watershed and network their refuge into a watershed our trust resources to rural, suburban partnership, making the Service and natural history, wildlife biology and points of interest. and urban audiences alike,” says French. the System more relevant to people and “The WoW Express allows us to make beneficial for our trust resources.” The goal is to give people a top-flight strategic first contacts, but we have to The Friends and more than 50 outdoor experience within the watershed. take the next step to nurture the conservation, recreation, economic and “If we can strike a balance between relationship to expand our relevancy to a education partners have networked sustaining high-quality habitat while diverse constituency. Beyond our mission to form an association of private/ accommodating the demand for quality and related successful outcomes, federal/state/local/non-governmental and compatible recreation, we’ll have relevancy is the big thing.”

Refuge Update • 11

Focus . . .Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Reaching Out to Traditionally Under-Served People

s the Conserving the Future urban wildlife refuge initiative Atakes shape, refuges have been taking steps large and small to connect traditionally under-served people with conservation and nature. Here are just three examples. San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, CA The refuge’s Sweetwater Marsh unit is in the city of Chula Vista, seven miles from downtown San Diego. The refuge is engaging Hispanics and other urban residents in cooperation with two nonprofit organizations. In conjunction with Celebra las Playeras (Celebrate Shorebirds), the refuge hired seasonal intern Jennifer Keliher-Venegas for three months this fall to promote the refuge at community centers, schools and libraries in Chula Vista, which is 58 percent Hispanic. Celebra Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, in the Long Island suburbs east of New York City, recently las Playeras is funded by the U.S. Fish persuaded Suffolk County Transit to put a bus stop at the refuge entrance. (USFWS) and Wildlife Service and Environment for the Americas, a nonprofit devoted Collaborative, which puts the refuge The transit authority agreed, and now to international bird conservation. The and other local organizations in touch the Route 7E bus stops at the refuge. program, which also placed interns at with the city’s public schools. The The refuge will be labeled on the Suffolk Don Edwards Refuge collaborative produces the Connect County Transit system map. and Oregon’s Bandon Marsh Refuge, 2 Educate (C2E) Notebook: A Public aims to foster a connection between Schools Guide to Community Resources, The new bus connection “provides nature and Latinos. in which the refuge is listed. visitors and refuge volunteers who do not use a vehicle the opportunity to San Diego Bay Refuge also works with When school groups visit, the refuge access the refuge,” says refuge manager the Living Coast Discovery Center to offers several environmental education Michelle Potter. “I think it could change help make that connection. The center, a programs, including a 2½-hour “Survival the face of our visitors to some extent … nonprofit aquarium/zoo that draws about Wetland Wildlife Style” session for Public transportation is an avenue that 70,000 visitors annually, leases land from second- and third-graders and a four- urban refuges can utilize in an effective the Service on the 316-acre Sweetwater hour “Habitat Is Where It’s At” program manner to increase awareness of the Marsh unit. A shuttle operates daily to for fourth- to sixth-graders. In addition, Refuge System.” take center visitors across a parcel of refuge staff is in regular contact with private property to the refuge trails. principals and science coordinators. And, This trend is not only among local residents, Potter says. “We recently had Bayou Sauvage when time and resources allow, refuge rangers visit city schools. a couple from Germany who came out National Wildlife Refuge, LA from New York City on the Long Island This 24,000-acre refuge is within the city Wertheim Rail Road and a Suffolk County Transit limits of New Orleans, whose population National Wildlife Refuge, NY bus specifically to visit the refuge.” is 60.2 percent African American. To As the Long Island refuge was opening reach out to the black population, for its new visitor center this year, it Compiled by David Wagner and the past three years the refuge has been contacted Suffolk County Transit about Bill O’Brian part of the C2E (Connect 2 Educate) putting a bus stop at the refuge entrance.

12 • Refuge Update

Focus . . .Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative Let It Rain

By Amanda Fortin “but back at the refuge there were no he first three months of 2012 preschool children were even wetter than normal and parents out T in metropolitan Portland. March exploring.” alone saw a record 7.89 inches of rain. It impacted everything from rivers to Strassburg saw a roads and didn’t do much to improve the need to “make going malaise that sets in for Oregonians that outside in winter time of year. At Tualatin River National fun and attractive Wildlife Refuge, however, the rain was to parents and their fun, fun, fun—thanks to the Puddle children,” and Puddle Stompers program. Stompers was born. “What is better than While many Portlanders remained stomping in puddles indoors, kids and their parents put on and learning at the rain gear and ventured out to the refuge. same time?” From January through March, refuge staff and volunteers led six sessions in Refuge manager which young nature enthusiasts (ages Erin Holmes echoes one to five) sang songs, read stories, Strassburg. “It is went on walks and, of course, stomped really about the joy in puddles. They did it all in the name of of being outside,” learning about the animals that thrive in Holmes says. The Oregon’s rainy climate. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge outside Portland uses western kids “don’t have to Oregon’s plentiful precipitation to good advantage in an education know the names of About to enter its fourth year, Puddle program for kids that is fun, fun, fun—as this Puddle Stomper makes the trees, bugs or Stompers registers individuals and clear. (USFWS) birds, but if they groups, such as day care centers, for know they can come its sessions. The program, which is That gear was supplied by the refuge and here to discover them, that is what promoted in Friends, volunteer and Challenge Cost Share, a Service grant- we want.” refuge newsletters and local Web sites, is matching program that provided start-up so popular there is often a waiting list. money for Puddle Stompers. Recurring Platt calls volunteers “the heart and soul costs—supplies and educational staff of Puddle Stompers … They plan the “The goal of Puddle Stompers is activities, choose the stories, lead the connecting young people with nature,” positions, such as Platt’s full-time job— are covered by Friends of Tualatin River walks and even write some of the songs says Gardiner Platt, environmental we sing.” education coordinator at Tualatin River Refuge grants. Refuge. “We have a weekly theme—like Because of the program’s growing ducks, frogs or water—and we get dirty popularity, Platt plans to increase its and have fun exploring them.” “What is better than capacity slightly when it runs again January through March 2013. The kids aren’t the only ones having fun. stomping in puddles and learning at the “Kids and parents tell me they look “We didn’t anticipate how important forward to it each week,” says Platt. this connection would be for parents,” same time?” “We offer the opportunity for discovery, says Platt. “They are having a good time and we want to continue to do this, rain alongside their little ones and seeing or shine.” winter weather and wildlife in new ways.” Nearly 500 kids and adults have splished and splashed with Puddles Stompers so Amanda Fortin is a Student Career Just ask Carissa Ainoa, mother of far, estimates visitor services manager Experience Program (SCEP) intern in 15-month-old Anuhea: “Not only did the Kim Strassburg, who came up with the Pacific Region office in Portland. group learn about tadpoles becoming the idea. “I went to the YMCA during frogs, the kids were actually dressed like winter and saw little kids and parents frogs in their matching rain gear, which inside participating in crafts,” she says, was really funny.” Refuge Update • 13 Around the Refuge System

Oregon-Nevada and Wildlife Service staff removed the disposable bottled water, which is both An aerial survey of Hart Mountain final four miles of old range fence from wasteful and hazardous to wildlife,” said and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuges Sheldon Refuge. To make the interior refuge manager Paul Tritaik. showed a record number of pronghorn of the refuge fence free, volunteers and “It takes the United States only 27 hours last summer. The refuges are co- staff have taken down more than 150 to use enough water bottles to encircle managed and just 15 miles apart—Hart miles of barbed-wire since 2009. Fencing the Earth’s equator if laid end-to-end,” Mountain in southeastern Oregon and interferes with pronghorn migratory said supervisory refuge ranger Toni Sheldon in northwestern Nevada. Each paths and water access, and it can harm Westland. She indicated that the refuge summer since the 1950s, refuge staff has sage-grouse, low-flying birds that become plans to promote the Kick the Bottle conducted surveys to monitor pronghorn entangled in the barbed wire. initiative beyond its boundaries. population. Results indicate pronghorn numbers have been increasing, Florida J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife In other news, Ding Darling Refuge particularly since the 1990s. Until Refuge and its Friends group made a was among six tourism spots worldwide recently the population within the refuges powerful statement in the global battle to receive a 2012 Phoenix Award from was estimated at 3,700. This summer, the against plastic debris this fall. On National the Society of American Travel Writers. record was shattered when more than Public Lands Day, the Gulf Coast refuge Since 1969, the prestigious award has 6,200 pronghorn were seen at the refuges. rolled out its “Kick the Bottle” campaign recognized destinations that have Both refuges were established in the and ended sales of bottled water at its contributed to a quality travel experience 1930s for the conservation of pronghorn Nature Store. Instead, the store now sells through conservation, preservation, and other wildlife native to the Great reusable, collapsible water bottles labeled beautification or environmental efforts. Basin. In the 1920s, pronghorn were with the refuge’s name and a Kick the believed to be near extinction with fewer Illinois Bottle logo for $1.25, just 25 cents more than 20,000 remaining; today, the species Two national wildlife refuges are part of than it charged for bottled water. is estimated at nearly one million animals Illinois River habitat that has been named from Mexico to Canada. “We already have clean, filtered water, a Wetlands of International Importance and we would rather make it easier for under the Ramsar Convention. In related news, Friends of Nevada people to refill their bottles than to sell Chautauqua Refuge, Emiquon Refuge Wilderness volunteers and U.S. Fish and The Nature Conservancy-owned Emiquon Preserve together have been recognized as the 34th Ramsar site in the United States. There are more than 2,000 such sites worldwide. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 to encourage voluntary protection of wetlands. Countries that sign the treaty demonstrate commitment to conserve wetlands as a contribution toward sustainable An aerial survey of Hart Mountain and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuges showed a record number of pronghorn. Here a herd development. The speeds across Sheldon Refuge in northwest Nevada. (Gail Collins/USFWS)

14 • Refuge Update newly recognized site, called the Emiquon the purchase of Complex, lies within the former natural Nebraska Aquatic Washington floodplain of the Illinois River. The site Habitat Stamps. and adjacent lands support at least 87 Valentine Refuge species of fish, 23 freshwater mussels, attracts about 19 amphibians, 41 reptiles, 260 birds and 15,000 fishing 28 mammals, many of which are state visitors annually. endangered, threatened or rare. Available species include largemouth Rhode Island bass, yellow Just days after Sachuest Point National perch, bluegill and Wildlife Refuge reopened its renovated northern pike. visitor center, 100 college student volunteers helped restore native North Dakota shrubland and clean up beaches at the Audubon National refuge five miles east of Newport. About Wildlife Refuge 80 students from Providence College won a 2012 Federal The Environmental Education Center at Nisqually National Wildlife and 20 from Roger Williams University Energy and Water Refuge has new artwork in its entryway—a hand-painted tile mural spent almost 800 hours cumulatively on Management highlighting salmon species of the Pacific Northwest. The mural was consecutive days planting native shrubs, Award presented by created and installed by six-to-12-year-old students at Mariah Art School clearing debris and litter from the the Department of in nearby Olympia. It is the latest of four murals the school has installed since the center opened in 2009. With the largest estuary restoration coastline and improving beach habitat Energy. The refuge project in the Puget Sound region underway at Nisqually Refuge, critical by removing invasive Asiatic sand sedge. was honored for the salmon habitat is returning. (Michael Schramm/USFWS) Native shrubland is essential for many sustainable design species of migratory birds, and Sachuest and Leadership Point Refuge is a critical stopover point in Energy and along their flyway. The refuge is also Environmental Design (LEED) gold of the Year. The award honors a manager working to provide habitat for the New rating of its 17,123-square-foot visitor who has demonstrated an innovative England cottontail rabbit, which benefits center/headquarters. The $6.1 million approach to managing volunteers on from shrubland restoration. Students building, completed with American federal lands. French was recognized for pulled the invasive sedges to make room Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding his leadership and creativity in fostering for native grasses and wildflowers to in 2010, emphasizes energy efficiency, productive and far-reaching partnerships grow back. Next spring, refuge staff renewable energy, recycled materials that have benefitted conservation and and volunteers plan to further restore and water conservation. Its total energy communities in the four states the the land by planting native beachgrass savings compared to an average building refuge spans in the Connecticut River plugs. The visitor center was renovated is approximately 289.2 million BTUs per watershed: Vermont, New Hampshire, to install new exhibits that tell the story year. Its energy intensity is estimated Massachusetts and Connecticut. of Sachuest Point, which over centuries to be 67 percent less than the building it has been a Native American settlement, replaced, and it minimizes greenhouse St. Croix WMD Friends group was cited a farm, a sheep ranch and a Navy gas emissions by some 30 metric tons in the nonprofit group category. The communications center. of carbon dioxide equivalents annually. group was recognized for a string of The award cited the Audubon Refuge accomplishments in 2011-12. The Friends Nebraska project team of Michael Crocker, Sheri group introduced local residents to the The Service and the Nebraska Game Fetherman, Jackie Jacobson, Lloyd wetland management district’s prairie and Parks Commission are joining Jones, Eric Jordan and Gary Williams. habitat in west-central Wisconsin via forces this fall to make improvements numerous outreach events; used a for fishing access at Valentine National Take Pride Awards National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Refuge. Boat ramps are being Andrew French, project leader at Silvio grant to develop an auto tour birding built, replaced or improved at four of the O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife guide of the district and state wildlife nine lakes that are open to fishing at the Refuge in New England, and the Friends area; and used grants and partnerships to refuge. All of the ramps will be Americans of St. Croix Wetland Management encourage residents to volunteer for with Disabilties Act (ADA)-accessible. District have been named 2012 Take habitat restoration work. As a result, 468 The projects are being funded with U.S. Pride in America Award winners. people contributed more than 4,800 Fish and Wildlife Service visitor facilities volunteer hours to the WMD. enhancement funding and money from French was cited as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Land Manager

Refuge Update • 15 Civil War History at Lower Rio Grande Valley Refuge

By Douglas Murphy the Rio Grande wisely adopted an ower Rio Grande Valley informal truce. National Wildlife Refuge in L deep South Texas is one of But that agreement the most biodiverse refuges in North collapsed on May America. It draws tens of thousands 12, 1865, when Col. of visitors annually from across the Theodore Barrett nation. Unbeknown to many of them, the led 300 Union 90,000-acre refuge along the winding Rio troops inland to Grande also includes the site of the last Palmito Ranch on land battle of the Civil War—the Battle the banks of the of Palmito Ranch. Rio Grande, engaging Soon, history enthusiasts will have Confederate an opportunity to experience the pickets in an site’s heritage. apparent attempt This flatland at Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge was the site Working with the National Park Service to capture of the final land battle of the Civil War, which occurred after the April 1865 and Texas Historic Commission, Lower Brownsville. Confederate surrender at Appomattox, VA. (Scot Edler/USFWS) Rio Grande Valley Refuge is building an Confederate troops overlook of the Palmito Ranch responded the next Rio Grande delta, where four climates battlefield and developing interpretive day, when 350 cavalry soldiers drove back (temperate, desert, coastal and information about the clash that the Union forces. Union troops counted subtropical) converge and the growing occurred on refuge grounds. two killed, 28 wounded and more than 100 season is 365 days. captured. Confederate troops suffered During the Civil War, the Rio Grande only minor casualties and earned a final Birdwatchers’ Paradise delta attracted attention, not for its victory in an otherwise lost cause. The refuge lies at the northernmost point wildlife but as a vital depot for the for many birds migrating from Central Confederate cotton trade. Today, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and South America and at the juncture of Refuge preserves the Palmito Ranch “White Gold” two migratory flyways, the Central and battlefield in much the same natural state Mississippi—making it a birdwatchers’ When U.S. naval ships sealed off ports as it appeared in 1865. from Virginia to Texas, Confederate paradise. More than 520 documented bird leaders transported their “white gold” The coastal prairie and lomas are home species include neotropical migratory across the Rio Grande, loaded it onto to many of the 1,200 documented plant birds, shorebirds, raptors and waterfowl. Mexican flagships and sailed it safely species that thrive in the rich soils of the Among them are the aplomado falcon, past the blockading forces. For years, green jay, plain chachalaca, great trade through the region helped sustain kiskadee, red-billed pigeon, Altamira the Confederate war effort. oriole and ringed kingfisher. The thriving trade made Fort Brown, in The Lower Rio Grande Valley also the city of Brownsville, a strategic boasts approximately 300 documented location. In November 1863, Union forces species of butterfly, many of which invaded the Texas coast and occupied cannot be seen elsewhere in the United Brownsville to halt the flow of cotton. States. The endangered ocelot, a favorite Confederate troops recaptured South Texas feline, is part of this historic Brownsville in July 1864 and pushed the landscape, too. Union troops back to Brazos Island, the A site set aside to preserve wildlife is southernmost barrier island on the coast. also preserving the final land battle site The two forces would be divided by the of the nation’s bloodiest war. It’s a 20 miles of coastal prairie for the natural fit. remainder of the war. Douglas Murphy is a National Park After the surrender of Confederate Service historian. Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, VA, on April 9, 1865, the military leaders on

16 • Refuge Update Protecting an Alaska Village from Wildfire

By Maureen Clark he central Alaska village of Ruby is adjacent to 2.1-million- T acre Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge, where the landscape has been influenced over thousands of years by lightning-caused fires that have left a mosaic of black and white spruce, birch, alder, willow, shrubs and grasses. While natural fire is essential to the health of the ecosystem and the diversity of wildlife on the refuge, controlling such fire is essential to the safety of the 180 residents in Ruby. To help protect the village, the Ruby Tribal Council turned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program. Fifty-four acres have undergone hazardous fuels reduction since 2009. The program provides technical assistance and funding to reduce the threat of wildfire in communities The village of Ruby is next to 2.1-million-acre Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge in central Alaska. within and near refuges by controlling For help in safeguarding the village from wildfire, the Ruby Tribal Council turned to the U.S. Fish and “hazardous fuel,” the twigs, low-hanging Wildlife Service Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program. (USFWS) limbs and other vegetation that ignites easily and burns rapidly. caribou, marten, wolverines, salmon, reduces the likelihood of fire moving So, one day last summer on a ridge sheefish and northern pike. The fire into the canopy of the trees, where it can above the Yukon River village, Service- project gave the refuge a chance to be a spread quickly. good neighbor. funded tribal employees were moving Brush was piled neatly, before being through the woods, cutting and pruning “When it comes to fire, our first priority burned in the fall after the threat of trees, removing highly flammable black is protecting life and then property,” wildfire passed. Trees have been cut spruce and clearing a stretch of forest says refuge manager Kenton Moos. “The down to create a buffer around the village to create a firebreak between Ruby and hazardous fuels reduction funds help us dump and thinned around the cemetery. the possibility of wildfire. Before long, do that. The program also provides some the sky darkened and a thunderstorm much-needed income in a community “If a fire crew had to come in to protect rolled across the valley, underscoring where jobs are scarce.” the town from a wildfire, they would be the importance of the crew’s efforts in impressed and very grateful for the work interior Alaska’s boreal forest, where that’s been done,” says Pratt. summer lightning strikes are common. The fire project gave For Ruby residents, the project brings a Service fire managers helped the Nowitna National Wildlife measure of comfort. community develop a fire mitigation plan “I think they’re really happy knowing that was implemented in stages over Refuge a chance to be a they’re safer from fire,” says tribal the past four summers. Service funding good neighbor. administrator Pat Sweetsir. “And the enabled the tribe to purchase tools and crew is glad to be doing work that helps safety equipment and to hire and train Walking around the village with refuge the community.” village residents. fire management officer Ben Pratt, it’s Maureen Clark is a fire information Nowitna Refuge was established in 1980 easy to see what’s been done. Where once specialist in the Alaska Region office to conserve fish, wildlife and habitats, a thick black spruce forest came up to the in Anchorage. in particular trumpeter swans, white- edge of the road that rings the village, fronted geese, canvasback ducks, moose, some trees have been removed and lower limbs have been pruned. Such thinning

Refuge Update • 17 From the Director — continued from page 2 Hunting is a key part of our shared licenses, tags and national heritage, and I am confident land leasing that learning to hunt will grow into a real and ownership. love for the outdoors. What people love, they protect. These wildlife supporters This increase in hunters and anglers made purchases reverses decades of declines and offers throughout us a great opportunity to get out the community “greatest conservation story never told,” economies: at which involves sportsmen and -women sporting goods and their industries. stores, guide and outfitter services, The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration gas stations, cafes, Program, which collects excise taxes on hotels and many hunting and fishing gear and returns the other enterprises. money to the states for conservation, got its start thanks largely to the These support of manufacturers and users of contributions also such gear. Imagine! Taxing themselves led to jobs at these for conservation. same businesses. And this spending WSFR, celebrating its 75th anniversary, generated tax has provided more than $14 billion for revenue for conservation since 1937. local economies. We cannot afford to lose the money and Hunters and passion hunters bring to conservation … anglers have given or what they pump into the economies of America a great local communities. Federal wildlife officer Rachel York speaks with a hunter at William L. gift; let’s get out Finley National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. “Hunting is a key part of our there and enjoy it. In 2011, hunters, anglers and wildlife shared national heritage, and I am confident that learning to hunt will watchers spent $145 billion on related grow into a real love for the outdoors,” writes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gear, trips and other purchases such as Director Dan Ashe. “What people love, they protect.” (George Gentry)

Chief’s Corner — continued from page 2

Everglades Headwaters Refuge is a supplied. That’s success, and I could reel perfect outcome every time. But most sterling example of our new way of doing off others. importantly, you have to be in the game business, working with people who want if you hope to win. to conserve a way of life as much as we A few years ago, the Refuge System want to conserve the wildlife values. produced a television public service In the words of President Theodore announcement that garnered more than Roosevelt, “the credit belongs to the We have loads of partnerships, with state $26 million in free airtime, returning man who is actually in the arena, whose agencies, land conservation partners, about $2,000 for every $1 we spent on face is marred by sweat and blood ... private landowners and nonprofit production. That’s success. who errs, comes short again and again, organizations. But have we exported because there is no effort without error our expertise in partnerships to reach But then recently a National Public and shortcoming.” private enterprise? Not often enough. Radio station in Florida announced that it was National Wildlife Refuge Week Our implementation teams are in the Let’s consider communications. This and told people it was a great time to arena on communications and year, Parade, the nation’s most widely visit a park. A park! partnerships—and on science, read magazine with some 32 million in environmental education, recreation and circulation, put National Wildlife Refuge What’s the takeaway? First, we have conservation planning, too. We won’t Week right at the top of its “Parade demonstrated that we know how to always succeed, but we won’t be what Picks” page. The story wasn’t long, generate media attention and successful Roosevelt called “the cold and timid but it went with a great photo that we partnerships. Second, you can do souls” who never try. everything right and still not have the

18 • Refuge Update Three New Refuges in West Bring National Number to 560 — continued from page 1 programs for local residents, and perhaps provide demonstration areas for sustainable agriculture. Rio Mora Refuge and Conservation Area was established by a Thaw Charitable Trust donation of more than 4,200 acres. The refuge, two hours northeast of Albuquerque, is in a transition zone between the Great Plains and the southern Rocky Mountains. The Mora River flows through the refuge Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, northeast of Albuquerque, NM, was established by a Thaw Charitable for about five miles Trust donation of more than 4,200 acres. (Tami Heilemann/DOI) in a 250- to 300-foot- deep canyon. ever to the Service. The Blanca Ranch Luis Valley. It is an area widely known The refuge will protect and restore easement donation was to be finalized for its cultural, geographic, wildlife and riparian and grassland habitat, reversing late this year. habitat resources.” erosion and bringing back the river’s natural meanders. Species that stand Trinchera Blanca Ranch is the largest contiguous, privately owned to benefit include long-billed curlew, Rio Mora Refuge and loggerhead shrike, burrowing owl, ranch in Colorado and features vistas mountain plover, Southwestern Conservation Area is of high desert shrubs and mountain willow flycatcher, a number of aquatic in a transition zone grasslands, combined with alpine forest and alpine tundra. The area stretches species, and migratory grassland and between the Great Plains woodland birds. to the top of Blanca Peak (14,345 feet and the southern Rocky above sea level). It falls in the center of In mid-September, Sangre de Cristo Mountains. the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, Conservation Area was established in the longest mountain chain in the United southern Colorado, thanks to a large States, and borders the Sangre de Cristo easement donation in the Sangre de “We are too quickly losing important Wilderness near Great Sand Dunes Cristo Mountains by conservationist landscapes in this country to National Park and Preserve. Louis Bacon. development—and I worry that if we do not act to protect them now, future Among the species that benefit from the Bacon, a proponent of landscape and generations will grow up in a profoundly new conservation area are Rio Grande wildlife conservation, donated an different world. This motivates me and cutthroat trout, a candidate for listing easement on nearly 77,000 acres of is why I am proud to place Trinchera under the Endangered Species Act, and his 81,400-acre Trinchera Ranch. He Ranch, Blanca’s adjoining ranch, into the threatened Canada lynx. previously announced his intention to a conservation easement,” said Bacon. donate an easement on 90,000-acre The Refuge System grew by five units “I am also honored to help Secretary in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. Blanca Ranch, bringing the total amount Salazar and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife of perpetually protected land to nearly In addition to 560 refuges, the Refuge Service create the Sangre de Cristo System includes 38 wetland management 170,000 acres. When completed, the two Conservation Area in Colorado’s San easements will be the largest donation districts.

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A Look Back . . . Paul Springer

n the early 1970s, researchers and owned fields. His work helped boost the students from Humboldt State goose population to about 100,000, I University in northern California prompting him to say, “I guess we may conducted daily counts of Aleutian have over-succeeded.” cackling geese leaving their roost near Castle Rock for mainland pastures. Paul Springer was highly regarded by Springer—Doc to those who knew him— Humboldt State students and refuge would help. biologists/managers he mentored. “He was a powerful influence and an “He was so detailed that when individual extremely critical editor—fair, but flock counts did not match, even by less infamous for his late-night phone than five birds, he would immediately calls,” says Eric Nelson, manager of recount and then make a notation that Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. he would bring up at the end of fly-off The Paul Springer Student Award is to iron out the discrepancies,” recalls given to the best student poster at the Jock Beall, supervisory refuge biologist biennial Humboldt Bay Symposium at Willamette Valley National Wildlife As a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service research to honor Springer’s contributions to Refuge Complex, OR. biologist, Paul Springer (1922-2007) helped understanding of the bay’s ecology. recover the Aleutian cackling goose. (Courtesy of Beall remembers Springer’s legendary Virginia Springer) Since Springer’s death in 2007, filing system: “The stacks on the desk in professional accolades have poured in, his Arcata office were so high you could but one of his four sons, Peter, treasures barely see him sitting behind it. But recovery team that rebuilt the Aleutian a more personal memory: “We’d get up when you walked in, he never failed to goose population and helped ensure at 4 in the morning, and he would pull what he needed from some giant pile. that the geese’s roosting site off the sometimes take one of us along to count I use a similar system today.” California coast would become Castle birds. He would share some hot soup Rock National Wildlife Refuge. He from his thermos, and I would think this Springer worked as a U.S. Fish and negotiated with landowners, farmers and is just about the coolest thing I could be Wildlife Service research biologist government officials to conserve foraging doing with my dad.” from 1947 to 1984, serving on the areas for wintering geese on privately

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