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11-2007

Refuge Update – November/December 2007, Volume 4, Number 6

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This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Fish & Wildlife Service at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in RefugeUpdate (USFWS- NWRS) by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System Inside RefugeUpdate November/December 2007 Vol 4, No 6 Celebrating 20 Years of Science on the M/ V Tiglax, page 5 Kevin Bell is honored as Captain National Wildlife Refuges Return Economic of the largest ship operated by the National Wildlife Refuge System. Benefit Along with Wildlife Values Focus on…A River Runs Through It, pages 8-15 Rivers on refuges are managed for recreation, habitat restoration, water rights and sheer beauty. The Fight Against Giant Salvinia, page 18 Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Texas is fighting a weed that can travel three-quarters of a mile in 24 hours. Awards, page 21 From protecting the land to going “green,” awards recognize excellence.

Ten New Refuge Friends Groups: • Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards (Washington) • Friends of Deer Flat National The Refuge System generated almost $1.7 billion in economic return for regional economies in 2006, Wildlife Refuge (Idaho) including money spent on wildlife observation, birding and photography. (USFWS) • Amigos de la Sevilleta (Sevilleta he National Wildlife Refuge created, generating about $543 million in National Wildlife Refuge, New TSystem – with 548 national wildlife employment income. Mexico) refuges spanning nearly 97 million • Refuge Friends, Inc. (Minnesota acres – has long been regarded as the “We’ve always known that national wildlife refuges enrich Americans’ lives Valley National Wildlife Refuge) world’s finest network of public lands in ways that are substantial, if not easily • Friends of Trempealeau Refuge dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat. Now, the 2006 measured,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Wisconsin) Banking on Nature study shows that it Service Director H. Dale Hall. “Now • Supporters of St. Vincent National is also a significant economic engine for we can point to solid economic research Wildlife Refuge (Florida) neighboring communities. that shows the Refuge System, while admirably fulfilling its conservation • Friends of Southwest Louisiana The Refuge System generated almost mission, also repays us in dollars and Complex National Wildlife Refuges $1.7 billion in economic return for cents. That goes far above its mandated • Friends of Mackay Island National regional economies, according to the mission to guarantee that wild creatures Wildlife Refuge (North Carolina) study, which looked at 80 national wildlife will always have a place on the American refuges. The economic benefit is almost landscape.” • Friends of Wallkill River National four times the $383 million allocated to Wildlife Refuge (New Jersey) the Refuge System in fiscal year 2006. The Banking on Nature report clearly • Friends of Rocky Flats National As the spending flowed through the shows that people will travel to visit Wildlife Refuge (Colorado) economy, 26,798 private sector jobs were national wildlife refuges that are not in continued pg 22 In fact, refuges are already doing a lot. More than 760,000 youngsters participated last year in environmental education programs on 375 national wildlife refuges. Consider Fran McTamaney, who we profile From the Director on page 15 in this issue. Her leadership at San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Igniting a Passion Complex has touched tens of thousands H. Dale Hall of students. She has played a key role in I don’t follow fashion, but I’m told the new for the environment is reasonably scores of projects, conducting summer catch phrase among some opinion makers consistent across several decades, but camps for youngsters from economically and cultural pacesetters is, “Green is the high school seniors aren’t among them. disadvantaged neighborhoods and helping new black.” Retailers like Wal-Mart are In a survey of about 18,000 students, the to produce a Salt Marsh Manual for setting up stores to use less energy; hotels educator-led field trips that is a model for and motels are advertising themselves researchers discovered what they called “a startling, precipitous decline” from 1976 environmental education programs across as environmentally responsible; and the country. even some fashion shows have replaced to 2005 in reports of their conservation the traditional red carpet with a green behaviors. Seniors in 2005 weren’t as Fran is proof not only that one individual one and are featuring clothing made of willing to change their behavior as were can make a difference, but also that sustainable fabric. young people in the late 1970s. They are environmental education is critical. As happy to endorse efforts to protect the we embark on our Children and Nature The “green revolution” is encouraging environment, but they aren’t willing to Initiative, we expect environmental because it indicates the conservation make a personal commitment. According education to be central. Our national message the Fish and Wildlife Service and to the analysis, they are also less likely wildlife refuges are already models for others have been spreading for more than than youth of past generations to believe some of the finest programs offered 100 years is taking hold across America. resources may be scarce in the future. anywhere. Whether through schools But we’re not reaching everyone. An and scouting groups or during festivals analysis by Pennsylvania State University If conservation has a prayer in the future, we need to help these young folks find a and other special events, national wildlife researchers found that most Americans refuges are places where we can connect generally recognize the importance of passion for nature and the outdoors. So what can we do? children with nature and ignite a passion to environmental issues and their concern last a lifetime. ◆ Chief’s Corner RefugeUpdate One Person at a Time Dirk Kempthorne Address editorial The most recent the most important story. What really Secretary inquiries to: Banking on Nature matters can be seen on the land, not just Department of the Refuge Update report, detailed the wildlife and habitats being restored Interior USFWS-NWRS 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Geoff Haskett on the front page to health, but also in the experience of H. Dale Hall Room 634C of this newsletter, tomorrow’s conservation stewards. Director — U.S. Fish and Arlington, VA brings great news to national wildlife Wildlife Service 22203-1610 Litchfield Wetland Management District Phone: 703-358-1858 refuges. To summarize the report, we Geoffrey L. Haskett in Minnesota reported that more than 30 Fax: 703-358-2517 created about $4 in economic return for Assistant Director E-mail: Boy Scouts have donated about 240 hours, — National Wildlife every $1 we received in the fiscal year [email protected] 2006 budget. Communities that surround right in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Refuge System region. They’ve worked hard, but they’ve This newsletter is national wildlife refuges saw a measurable Martha Nudel published on recycled also had fun. They’ve encountered Editor in Chief economic pay-back, including creation of paper using soy-based about 27,000 private sector jobs. skunks, bats, turtles, frogs, snakes and lots of bugs they think are “cool.” Their Karen Leggett ink. Managing Editor This is one of many benefits that stem volunteer work on the WMD brought from the National Wildlife Refuge them Scout badges and an important C System. But economic return is not connection to the land. — continued on pg 23

Pg 2 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 Marine Debris Initiative: A Call to Can It

managing marine the drains out into the oceans and then debris. The finally ended up at the Northwestern Refuge System Hawaiian Islands.” includes about 30,000 coastal Marine Debris Trash Increases miles, 20 million Five Percent a Year coastal acres, seven A new report from the nonprofit Ocean million ocean acres Conservancy says marine debris from with three million both ocean- and land-based activities has acres in coral reef increased across the United States by ecosystems. The more than five percent a year since 2001. Refuge System The newly-launched Marine Debris also has 300,000 Initiative is a multifaceted, national Congressionally- and international approach to identify, designated marine prevent and reduce the problem. The wilderness acres on NOAA Web site, http://marinedebris. 34 refuges. noaa.gov/about/welcome.html, is a first The Midway Atoll step in a program that not only brings Laysan albatross are too often found surrounded by marine debris – including together state and local authorities, buoys – on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where First Lady Laura grant is being Bush found carcasses of infants who had ingested things like cigarette lighters provided to the the private sector and international and bottle caps. (David Patte/USFWS) Friends of Midway partners, but also helps educate school Atoll by the children and others about their roles in he White House announced on National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, solving the problem. There will also be November 2 a Marine Debris T the Dow Chemical Company, the National kiosks in the new Ocean Hall opening Initiative that includes a $200,000 Oceanographic and Atmospheric next year at the National Museum of grant for a Midway Atoll Marine Debris Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Natural History in Washington, D.C. Coastal Monitoring Project. The grant Fish and Wildlife Service. Midway Atoll The Initiative calls for development will fund additional research on marine refuge manager Barry Christenson says of marine debris action plans to trash around Midway Atoll and Hawaiian the research will quantify the types of better understand the problem and Islands National Wildlife Refuges, which debris while Dow Chemical will help explore long-term solutions to remove include the new Papahnaumokukea identify the sources of plastic debris. hundreds of tons of harmful debris. Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (see Refuge “With better understanding of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne Update Sept-October 2006). source,” explained Christenson, “an said during the launch of the Initiative education campaign can be much more that “the pollution at Midway Island The scale of marine debris ranges effective.” He added that cleaning is an comes from all of us. Litter from our from hundreds of tons of small plastics ongoing effort until education can reduce neighborhoods travels by stream and covering entire shoreline landscapes or eliminate the plastic debris. by river to the ocean and from there, to large, abandoned vessels wrecked currents carry it around the world.” on Refuge System coasts and reefs. During the announcement of the Seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals Initiative, First Lady Laura Bush drew “Whether we live on the shore or not,” and other fish and wildlife species suffer on her visit to Midway Atoll in March added the First Lady, “all of us have critical ingestion/digestion problems to illustrate the problem. “We became the obligation to care for these amazing ◆ from marine debris, including Styrofoam very fond of these little albatross, but we natural resources.” fragments and suspended plastics that also saw the carcasses of a lot of infants are washed off the land or dumped into who had ingested cigarette lighters and the sea. toothbrushes and bottle caps and toys and every single type of plastic that With 174 coastal national wildlife refuges, we all use every day. This could be a including those bordering the Great cigarette lighter somebody dropped Lakes, the National Wildlife Refuge on a street somewhere in the United System faces significant challenges in States . . . and it slowly washed through

November/December 2007 | Pg 3 Refuge Update Summer Drought May Give New Life to Ding Darling Refuge

“ ne of Southwest Florida’s most birds and fish. The Opopular wildlife refuges is barely grasses are also surviving,” said a local television report a nursery for a about J.N. “Ding” Darling National large range of fish Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. species on which The culprit? “Our partners have nesting ospreys identified 17 species of algae within the depend. Osprey Caloosahatchee estuary,” said former nesting numbers refuge manager Rob Jess. have dropped dramatically The algae carpet the waterways, because there isn’t smothering the sea grass that is critical enough mullet or habitat and food source for the many food available near species of migratory birds. Even their traditional mammals like the manatee and the nesting areas on porpoise depend upon sea grass. Sanibel Island. Artificially regulated freshwater released Fledging rates have into the Caloosahatchee directly affects declined from a water quality and encourages algae historic high of growth. Too much freshwater (or too 123 in 2003 to 45 The summer drought has actually helped sea grasses begin to rebound from little) and its timing can debilitate the this year. a toxic blanket of algae at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. fragile estuarine ecosystem and its Longer term solutions are needed to maintain the health of this fragile Dry Weather is estuarine ecosystem and its dependent wildlife. (George Gentry/USFWS) dependent wildlife. Multiple hurricanes Good News in 2004 caused the water levels in Lake Jess says the summer drought was the organizations. The task force is Okechobee to swell; in 2005, the South best news so far for the sea grass and gathering funding to initiate studies that Florida Water Management District and the refuge. Artificial water releases will define the issues more clearly and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began during the summer were minimal so recommend viable solutions. Several regulated releases of water from the lake the sea grasses had time to regenerate proposals from scientific and collegiate to control flooding. without competition from new algal laboratories are under review. Algae thrived on the heavy nutrient– blooms. But long-term solutions need The task force is also leading efforts laden water and gradually covered the to be developed since the estuary can’t to educate the public about the links bottom and the surface of the estuary. depend only upon drought. between the refuge and the Everglades. The algae decrease the available light One solution might be a storm water The health of J. N. “Ding” Darling for sea grasses. The grasses attempt to treatment area where water can be Refuge and its estuarine environment grow through the algae, but it is often naturally filtered of the nutrient-rich are dependent on the health of so thick that the plant eventually dies. sediment before it flows into the estuary. the Everglades watershed, which “We’ve lost 60 to 70 percent of the sea “Another approach,” said Jess, “is to look encompasses the Kissimmee River, Lake grass on the refuge since 2005,” says within our own use of water. Sanibel Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee Jess. “On a positive note, in 2006-2007, and Captiva Islands as well as other River. “We have worked to educate the the lack of high water releases because communities in South West Florida are public about the issues. Our tram tours of the drought has actually helped the already implementing restrictions so and many of our volunteers talk about estuary grasses begin to recover. But we reclaimed water is used by companies the many causes of the algae problem don’t yet see the acres upon acres of sea that fertilize lawns. It’s a start.” and its impact on the habitat. An grasses that we saw prior to 2005.” informed public is a smart public,” The Algae Task Force was established says Jess. ◆ The sea grasses are critical to the to address water issues and includes success or failure of this marine the City of Sanibel, Lee County, Sanibel ecosystem as they hold and are utilized Captiva Conservation Foundation, the by invertebrates that are then eaten by refuge and several other conservation

Pg 4 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 Happy Anniversary to the Research Ship M/V Tiglax

Brought Such Goodness to our Community Qawalangin tribal member Janice Krukoff has vivid memories of working on the Tiglax during the 2004 spill. Initially, said Krukoff, “I felt out of place, especially with all those who had such wonderful degrees in science, fisheries and animal wildlife. But within hours, I felt I was part of the family. To this day, I will not forget the wonderful experience working with so many people who brought such goodness to our community, our local tribe and the residents of Unalaska.” Archeologists from universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Service have used the Tiglax to access the village sites of the earliest inhabitants of the Aleutians. Much has been learned Kevin Bell, Captain of the research ship M/V Tiglax, was awarded the Department of Interior Honor Award for Meritorious Service during 20th anniversary celebrations for the ship at Alaska Maritime about early Aleut life from the digs National Wildlife Refuge. (USFWS) and archeological mapping conducted by these scientists. As recently as this he M/V Tiglax – the Unangan or to our knowledge base, the Tiglax has summer, refuge and National Park TAleut word for eagle – celebrated seen a lot of action. The ship contributed Service employees traveled on the th its 20 anniversary this year as the to the recovery of the Aleutian cackling Tiglax to World War II battlefields in largest ship operated by the National goose, which came off the endangered the Aleutians and documented guns and Wildlife Refuge System. During species list in 2001. The Tiglax was other remnants of the war. In 1988, the anniversary celebrations this fall in involved in all aspects of the project, Tiglax brought home the remains of the the ship’s home port of Homer, Alaska, from supporting fox trappers who made last missing soldier from World War Captain Kevin Bell received the the islands safe for geese to transporting II. His body was discovered by field Department of the Interior’s Honor young goslings and reintroducing them biologists on remote Buldir Island, 43 Award for Meritorious Service. to their historic range. Data collected by years after he disappeared. researchers on the Tiglax documented Bell has been a crew member on the the collapse of sea otter populations in The Tiglax has seen its share of wild Tiglax since it was first commissioned in southwest Alaska. Bering Sea water but, according to 1987 for the Alaska Maritime National Captain Bell, “We’ve never had our Wildlife Refuge. Working his way up to The ship is also a floating research windows knocked out.” The ship has captain from his first job as cook, Bell platform to study ocean conditions near been involved in several rescues. Crew was recognized by the Department critical seabird and marine mammal members Bob Schulmeister and Marcia for his “many years of outstanding breeding colonies in the Gulf of Alaska Macone received a Citation for Valor seamanship and exemplary support of and the Bering Sea. Watching for from the Department of the Interior for international maritime conservation change is critical to understanding pulling a mariner off a burning ship in programs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species decline and possible causes, Dutch Harbor in 1989. Service.” More than 200 scientists, crew including climate change. The Tiglax members, volunteers and staff joined Bell has been on the scene of the two biggest In a typical season, the Tiglax may sail for the celebration. Almost 700 visitors oil spills affecting refuge lands – the to islands from southeast Alaska to the came from Homer and the surrounding Exxon Valdez in 1989 and the Selendang far western end of the Aleutian Chain area to tour the ship. Ayu in 2004. The Tiglax’s job in those and into the Bering Sea, traveling spills was assessing damages to wildlife 15,000 to 20,000 nautical miles. To From oil spills and daring rescues to and refuge lands. learn more about the Tiglax, visit http:// saving endangered species and adding alaskamaritime.fws.gov/Tiglax.htm. ◆

November/December 2007 | Pg 5 Refuge Update Conserving Terns in the Changing Great Lakes

eney National Wildlife Refuge in Creating Habitat that is Kind to Terns Initially the refuge worked with the SMichigan has developed a strong Protecting the common terns at the Sand company to remove vegetation that was working relationship with owners Products site is a trickier proposition. growing on top of the cells. Ring-billed of land on which two of the largest The problem is not fur, but feathers: gulls still out-competed the terns, so now colonies of common terns are found – competition with ring-billed gulls for the refuge and Cuthbert are ready to try the Coast Guard and Sand Products, nesting space. Historically, common another tack. They want to put a grid Inc. Together they are safeguarding terns were much more abundant in the of monofilament fishing line across the a species of Conservation Priority as Great Lakes region. Gulls and terns top of each cell, a technique employed listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife use the same basic habitat and space, elsewhere with positive results. Terns are Service. The two colonies are found on but gulls – like pigeons – adapt well to small enough to drop through the cross­ the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake humans. Their populations continued to hatched filament lines and incubate their Huron near Seney Refuge. grow in spite of industrialization. The eggs – gulls are too big to do that. terms prefer more tranquil nesting spots. Much of the original credit for initiating Cuthbert says common terns are very the partnership goes to former refuge Large ships coming to load industrial receptive to management, but the work manager Mike Tansy, who saw that sand from Sand Products tie up to huge can be labor intensive and the tern he needed to step off refuge lands to round posts sunk into the water, called colonies must be carefully monitored help these birds. “He was able to reach cells. Terns and gulls nest on the little to detect problems. She is heartened, out to the larger community,” explains islands created on top of these cells, and even excited, by such different groups Francesca Cuthbert, a biologist at the the gulls usually win the competition for of people “willing to work with new University of Minnesota who has studied scarce space, especially since they are colleagues with different ideas to solve the common terns and other colonial more tolerant of all the shipping and the problem. We are all energized when waterbirds for several decades. loading activity. Sand Products has a we feel we are working as a team to save these rare and beautiful birds.” ◆ Coast Guard Protects its Terns permit to control the gulls, but Corace with Pride said that hasn’t eliminated enough of the competition to help the terns. A large Coast Guard vessel is moored to a small pier where the terns nest. In 2003, Cuthbert and others found that the site was stable and not affected by changing water levels in the Great Lakes, but no young were produced. Coast Guard crew members on all-night patrol saw skunks and cats easily making their way to the nesting site. They began trapping the predators, but Seney Refuge staff realized a better solution was necessary. In 2004, Seney Refuge and the Coast Guard built what refuge ecologist Greg Corace calls the “most highly secured common tern colony” in the Great Lakes. An electrified chain link fence now keeps out most mammalian predators. “It’s impressive,” says Corace, “many young have survived.” Corace counted 145 common tern nests this year, the most he has counted in several years. Reproduction rates also seem to be dramatically improved. Gulls and common terns compete for nesting space on the little islands on top of these “cells” in shipping channels near Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. The refuge is working with university researchers and Sand Products, the owner of the cells, to make the habitat more appealing to the terns. (Francine Cuthbert)

Pg 6 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 A New Vision for Managing the Future of Alaska Refuges

“ f we are ever going to be fully beginning classes Isuccessful in engaging rural at the University residents in wildlife conservation, we of Alaska, either need to develop local, professional in Anchorage or talent,” says Mike Rearden, former Fairbanks. manager of Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Rearden Rearden is working is doing just that as he helps to launch with ANSEP a program with the University of director Herb Alaska’s Alaska Native Science and Schroeder to Engineering Program (ANSEP) to recruit students interest native Alaskans in fish and and find annual wildlife biology and management while funding for the they are still in high school. summer program, which Rearden Rearden left his refuge manager considers key to position in late October under the acclimating rural Intergovernmental Personnel Act students to the Mobility Program to work fulltime with larger university ANSEP on the University of Alaska community. campus in Anchorage. Funding from Joe Pete, a student in the University of Alaska’s Alaska Native Science and a variety of Engineering Program, removed a chum salmon from the Kwethluk River The program began last summer when federal, state and weir at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. (USFWS) five young men from four local villages nonprofit sources came to Yukon Delta Refuge right “Good mentors will be key to a successful – including, for example, the Arctic program,” says Rearden. During the after their high school graduation. All Yukon Kuskokwim Sustainable had been accepted into the ANSEP summers in the ANSEP program, Salmon Initiative, a federal program students will work with a variety of program. They were selected through administered by the state – provides an application and interview process agencies and organizations, immersed in scholarships and will support the high science and field work. by ANSEP employees because of their school portion of the program, including strong academic records as well as their supplying high end computers that each While there is no requirement for motivation to continue their education in student must assemble. students to work for particular agencies science. Rearden expects the program to when they graduate, Rearden hopes grow to 20-25 students every summer. High Standards, Qualified Scientists the program will persuade students to “This program has very high continue to live in rural areas, perhaps The students spent a month living in standards and ultimately will turn tents, collecting biological data. “This helping to fill positions that experience out very well qualified scientists,” high turnover on Alaska refuges. Those type of work is a natural for them,” said explains Rearden. “It is likely that Rearden. “They all grew up in small who choose to work in an urban area will providing a high quality education in offer a bush perspective. Alaska Native communities where science to students who have cultural subsistence use of fish and game is vitally understanding, can speak Native “The program does not guarantee important.” During the summer, they languages and have natural observational anyone a job, but it does provide split their time working at the Salmon skills will provide the Service and other students with the opportunity to apply Rivers Observation Network field agencies with exceptional employees.” for jobs. I expect most of them will want station on the refuge and at a weir on to return to the bush. It’s a lifestyle the Kwethluk River, where they worked Interested high school sophomores that is familiar, and most have strong with Fisheries and U.S. Geological will be groomed for possible careers in family ties. I think having professionally Service biologists. One student worked science through summer internships educated Native scientists, working in with the Alaska Department of Fish and with fish and wildlife biologists and rural Alaska and elsewhere, will be very Game on the Kuskokwim River. After assignments with various agencies beneficial to conservation in Alaska.” ◆ the month, students flew to Anchorage immersed in science and field work, to complete an advanced math course including national wildlife refuges. with other ANSEP students before

November/December 2007 | Pg 7 Refuge Update . . .On A River Runs Through It

The River That Runs Through Four States and One Refuge

“ o other natural resource in New species and habitat, but the vision was NEngland can inspire the public established six years earlier with a law to protect our natural heritage and that charged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife forge private-public partnerships for Service with studying the Connecticut The Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge was established to conserve wildlife and conservation like the Connecticut River watershed and creating a refuge habitat in the Connecticut River watershed, River.” As part of the current that visionaries recognized could well which includes New Hampshire, Vermont, Comprehensive Conservation Planning be very different than others in the Connecticut and this view from Mt. Toby in process at Silvio O. Conte National Refuge System. Massachusetts. (USFWS) Wildlife Refuge, this workbook comment answered the Deputy refuge manager Beth Goettel question, “What do you value and others saw that land acquisition most about the Connecticut alone could not protect or enhance the River and its watershed?” diversity of species in the watershed, so the refuge’s earliest goals were to involve The Connecticut River the people of the watershed, especially watershed covers 7.2 million landowners and land managers, in acres in Massachusetts, environmental education programs and Vermont, Connecticut and New cooperative management projects. “The Hampshire and is home to Conte Refuge approach,” explained more than 2.3 million people. Goettel, “is an effort to engage partners The refuge was established to accomplish the purposes of the refuge, in 1997 to conserve diverse to encourage citizens to understand and native plant, fish and wildlife

Housing of A Different Kind along the Detroit Riverfront

by Greg Norwood been found in recent years in Wayne County, which includes Detroit. midst the industrial operations Aalong the banks of the Detroit Considerable improvements in River, a colony of more than 300 bank environmental quality have occurred in swallows has found a temporary home. the Detroit River over the last 35 years, The swallows used their feet, heads and and the Detroit metropolitan area is wings to dig about 300 nesting holes into gaining an international reputation a 4,000-ton pile of industrial dolomite, a for its public-private partnerships for compound used in construction. conservation. The rewards can easily be seen in the rich diversity of wildlife Although this isn’t the first time this that frequent this industrial heartland species has used artificial structures for and the Detroit River International nesting, no bank swallow colonies of this Wildlife Refuge. size have been nesting in the Detroit River area for many years. According to Bank swallows, a protected migratory the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas, only bird in the U.S. and Canada, are known six other bank swallow colonies have for digging their nests in rock quarries

Pg 8 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .On A River Runs Through It

care about the problems wildlife and projects,” said Goettel, “but they are not. centers opened shortly thereafter. habitats face.” All of the projects help accomplish the Managing the new division and refuge’s purposes and goals.” centers required money for staff and Explaining the refuge’s multi-pronged operations. project approach to refuge management, Invasive Plant Atlas of New England Goettel quotes David Dobbs, who wrote One of the best known projects is the Goettel expects the CCP to include in Vermont Life magazine, “Conte Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, a both traditional land acquisition as well Refuge recognizes what very few big partnership among Conte Refuge, the as non-traditional refuge activities, conservation efforts do: that in a world University of Connecticut and the New such as landscape-scale technical where ecosystems die by a thousand cuts, England Wildflower Society. The Web- assistance to landowners and education the appropriate prevention and cure will accessible atlas documents the existence targeted to people who make zoning be similarly multifaceted – a thousand and spread of more than 100 invasive decisions or work with land trusts. bandages and shields.” plants in the area; many are now banned “Issues Workbooks” were distributed from further nursery trade. In its publicly as part of the CCP process For the first two years, Conte Refuge earliest years, Goettel says the refuge’s and mailed to 2,000 individuals and the used most of its $750,000 annual invasive education workshops reached managers of the 390 towns throughout appropriation to fund projects all over the owners of more than three million the watershed so people could identify the watershed, including assistance acres of private land. critical watershed issues, rank the tools to individual landowners, numerous they would use to address those issues, cooperative agreements, including one to This approach of funding multiple and recommend key audiences for improve fish habitat on the Salmon River, projects to serve the multiple needs public education. “To the extent we can and projects to improve water quality of the vast watershed changed inspire citizens,” says Goettel, “we can (through better land use planning) or dramatically in 1999 when the refuge help forge this partnership. The key fish passage elsewhere in the watershed. purchased 26,000 acres in the Nulhegan role for us is to lead.” ◆ “The thousand bandages and shields may Basin area of New Hampshire, and appear to be a random assortment of when the refuge’s three education

and sand or gravel pits. The ephemeral place newly arrived nature of the species’ natural nesting material in another venues of muddy banks, sand dunes and location to protect lakeshores makes this species well- the swallows adapted to finding alternatives like the during their critical soft dolomite. nesting period.” “We Were Pleased to Limit Female bank Operations” swallows incubate The Detroit River nesting colony was in for 13 to 15 days dolomite owned by Detroit Bulk Storage at which time the on property leased from U. S. Steel at chicks hatch in the confluence of the Detroit and Rouge early summer. All rivers. If this pile of dolomite were to be swallows were disrupted during the key nesting period, completely gone about a thousand young could be lost. from the area by When refuge staff informed company early September. officials about the importance of not They depart for disturbing the nests, Noel Frye, vice over-wintering president of Detroit Bulk Storage said, habitats in “When we were made aware of the bank Suriname, Brazil, The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Michigan worked with swallow nests, we were most pleased to and southern U.S. Steel and Detroit Bulk Storage to protect nests dug by bank swallows in limit our operations in the area and even piles of soft industrial dolomite on the river banks. (USFWS) continued pg 17

September/October 2007 | Pg 9 Refuge Update . . .On A River Runs Through It

A grant from the state of New Mexico will be used to restore the legendary Pecos River in Recreating a Healthy River at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. The project will re-connect sections of the winding river. (John Magera/USFWS) Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

by Paul Tashjian now received a $518,500 state grant to restore six miles of the Pecos River as he Pecos is it runs through Bitter Lake National Ta legendary Wildlife Refuge near Roswell, New river in American Mexico. We now have a chance to cowboy stories. improve an ecosystem that is barely Now it is little hanging on. more than a ditch for most of its Old school flood control methods course in central channelized the Pecos River into narrow New Mexico and chutes during the 1940s and 1950s. Texas. Without the shrubs and other plant life of a fully functioning floodplain and The U.S. Fish and riparian habitat, the diversity of wildlife Wildlife Service, species was minimal. The four-year river in partnership restoration project will bring back a with the World richly diverse riparian community to the Wildlife Fund and Pecos River. the New Mexico Interstate Stream The grant will fund the second phase Commission, has of a large restoration project that

Brook Trout Come Home to Minnesota Valley

by Chuck Traxler thrived in the stream until at least the 1940s. Between the 1940s, when trout n a hot day in June, more than 60 were last know to be in the stream, until Opeople gathered at the Bass Ponds the 1970s when it became part of the area of Minnesota Valley National refuge, the stream and surrounding Wildlife Refuge to see something that landscape had many uses. The stream had been missing for more than 50 years. itself was actually diverted at one time They stood alongside the cold, clear to provide a water source for a warm water of an unnamed, groundwater-fed water fish hatchery operation. Could this stream to watch 1,450 native brook trout stream – in the middle of the city – be fingerlings dart across the gravel bottom. suitable for trout once again? Volunteers had excitedly carried the According to Sherry, “Until we took a two-inch trout to the stream in pails and closer look, refuge staff always assumed gently released them into the cold water. that the stream was likely degraded from The project began in 2005 after refuge either surface or stormwater runoff. biologist Vicki Sherry and fishery Instead it appears that we have a jewel biologist Scott Yess of the La Crosse in the middle of the city that we all can Fishery Resource Office conducted enjoy.” The surrounding topography and fishery surveys. Sherry found historical underground water source seems to have records indicating that brook trout shielded the stream from pollution.

Pg 10 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .On A River Runs Through It

includes removing invasive tamarisk maintained by natural flooding, which habitat in eastern New Mexico for as well as floodplain levees, lowering moved sediments between the channel native fish, including the federally listed floodplains, re-connecting sections of and the floodplain. This dynamic Pecos bluntnose shiner, rare migratory the river that had been cut off from relationship sculpted a wide channel, birds such as the yellow billed cuckoo, each other, and establishing native moved sediment from the floodplain unique amphibians such as the spiney plants. The restoration’s first phase, back into the channel, and formed new soft-shelled turtle, and native riparian being coordinated by the U.S. Bureau of floodplains with channel sediment. plant communities. Reclamation, involves dredging sections Animal species took their cues from the of an oxbow-shaped lake so that it will seasonal movement of water and sand. Bitter Lake Refuge sits at an ideal once again be connected to the river location for river restoration. Quality and restoring roughly 1.5 miles of river Like many rivers in the West, Pecos habitat can be both created and enhanced habitat. The new funding from New River’s historic functions have been within a perennially flowing portion of Mexico’s River Ecosystem Initiative will disrupted in order to ensure water the river that connects to this quality enable restoration of an additional six supply and safety. The construction of habitat further north. river miles within the refuge. upstream reservoirs allowed greater control of natural upstream flows to The project seeks to restore the Diverse Habitats in Slow meet agricultural and interstate compact traditional ebb and flow of the river. This Backwaters and Swift Channels obligations and provided flood protection will improve habitat on the refuge for Historically, the Middle Pecos River was for downstream communities. the Pecos bluntnose shiner, attract more a wide, sediment-laden, braided river birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians with a diversity of habitats, ranging North of Bitter Lake Refuge, many of and fish, remove 100 acres of invasive from slow backwaters to swift main the river’s historic floodplain functions plants, reduce flood risk for downstream channel settings. These habitats were remain intact. Here is some of the best properties, reduce fire risks, and continued pg 22

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife refuge and car parts, was removed along with road ahead of them, including a long cold manager Patricia Martinkovic said that invasive plant species. Several areas winter coming very soon.” “the fact that a trout stream exists here, will be planted with native vegetation surrounded by more than two million next spring. If the trout survive, the stream would people, demonstrates the value and become one of only nine streams in the importance of habitat protection within Looking Toward the Future continued pg 17 urban refuges like Minnesota Valley.” The refuge is working closely with the Minnesota Department of National Organizing Partners Resources to determine if the stocking Sherry quickly began assembling succeeds. If the trout do well, the stream an army of partners, including the will be stocked for the next several Minnesota Department of Natural years. Things looked promising on a Resources, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak cool day in late September when a small Walton League, Sierra Club, Lower crew from the refuge and the Minnesota Minnesota Watershed District, local Department of Natural Resources visited schools and nearby businesses. In the stream. Not long after the sampling addition, adjacent landowners including began, the first trout swam into the the City of Bloomington, Metropolitan sampling net. And then another, and Airports Commission and the only another, sometimes four or five flopping remaining private landowner adjacent to trout came out with each netting attempt the stream also joined the cause. – some already up to eight inches long. Sherry enlisted the partners to help “This is extremely positive.” said Sherry. with small restoration projects along “These fish have survived a tough the stream and its surrounding habitat summer and shown this stream has great Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to prepare it for stocking. Garbage potential. But, they still have a tough biologist Vicki Sherry stocks brook trout into a such as tires, old furniture, concrete stream on the refuge in June 2007. (USFWS)

September/October 2007 | Pg 11 Refuge Update . . .On A River Runs Through It

“Whiskey’s for Drinkin’ Water’s for Fightin’”

ow much water does a river need “In the past, Malheur Refuge took water Hto sustain an ecosystem? If you when needed. As various demands for divert water from a river to manage water increase,” explains Karges, “people wetlands for waterfowl and shorebirds, look very close at who is legally entitled will there be enough water left for fish to the water. Refuges throughout the and other aquatic resources? These are west are coming under increasing levels critical questions for national wildlife of scrutiny concerning our use of water.” refuges in the west, where water is often a scarce and highly regulated resource. Historically, Malheur Refuge operated under a traditional summer time Chad Karges, deputy project leader at irrigation, domestic and livestock water Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in right to meet the refuge’s management the southeast corner of Oregon, wrote objectives. In 1999, the state of Oregon recently that “in the high desert region of asked the refuge to clarify how the water southeast Oregon, the old western adage was being used in the Blitzen Valley Unit of whiskey’s for drinkin’, water’s for in order to make certain that the refuge fightin’ remains as true today as it was is in compliance with Oregon state water when Europeans first settled the region law. This led to the submission of two in 1872.” (Special Report: Countering water right applications to accurately Resource Challenges and Building depict how Malheur Refuge uses water. Community Bridges) The applications addressed timing,

Managing Fun on a River

“ he plan is doing its job. We can number of people canoeing, kayaking Tfocus on other refuge issues,” says and tubing the Niobrara River within the Kathy McPeak, refuge biologist at Fort refuge steadily increased from several Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in hundred people in the early 1970s to a Nebraska, two years after the refuge put peak of more than 31,000 people in 1997. in place a River Recreation Management The majority of these visits took place Plan (RRMP) that elicited a stream of on weekends in July and August. Along comments. with the rising numbers of pleasure seekers came alcohol and drug violations. Seventy-six miles of the Niobrara The refuge began aggressively enforcing River have been designated a National alcohol regulations in 1999. That Scenic River; nine miles flow through same year the refuge completed its the refuge. It is ranked among the Comprehensive Conservation Plan, top 10 canoeing rivers in the country which called for a detailed management by Backpacker magazine. In 2007, the plan for river recreation. refuge hosted visitors from every state in the nation and several foreign countries. In 1999, a moratorium on new outfitters National Geographic listed the refuge’s was established. The 11 outfitters hometown – Valentine – as one of the top then using the refuge canoe launch 50 adventure towns in the country. received special use permits to continue operations. The refuge is the preferred A River Recreation Management Plan at With all these accolades, it is no wonder launch site from nearby Valentine and Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in that the number of visitors soared. The Nebraska manages public use on the river to provide a quality, wildlife-dependent experience. (USFWS)

Pg 12 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .On A River Runs Through It

sparked A Foundation of Communication controversy within A strong foundation built on effective the local ranching communication played a significant role community. in the permit granted to the refuge for the new water right. In recent years, the “Anytime you refuge has been building relationships talk about water with landowners, conservation groups in Oregon,” says and government agencies. This led to Karges, “you a collaborative process called the High are going to get Desert Partnership. The Partnership people’s attention. fostered an atmosphere of trust and There was a allowed for discussions about the complex perception that the water issues. refuge was going to take more water Ultimately, the refuge and private and do new things landowners reached agreement on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon depends on having the right with it. Private conditions for current and future water amount of water at the right time to meet its wildlife management objectives. landowners were use. The refuge is able to meet current (Kit Carson) also worried that management objectives with added volume, place and purpose of use by they would not flexibility for the future while at the allowing water to be used for “wildlife have enough water to meet their current same time addressing needs of private refuge management” on a year-round and future needs.” landowners. basis. The applications immediately continued pg 19

the gateway to the most scenic portion of A Plan that Works McPeak says the RRMP provides the Niobrara River. The new plan finally went into effect in consistent rules that focus on a quality February 2005. In 2006, the number of wildlife-dependent experience: seeing a A new outfitter who was denied a permit visitors suing the river was a comfortable white-tailed deer and her fawn standing because of the moratorium took the 10,000. The plan also manages public in the middle of the river drinking water, refuge to court. The court ruled in favor use on the river for a natural resource having a beaver swim by and splash you of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but experience rather than a “party” as it flips its tail and goes underwater, also told the refuge to complete a river experience. It caps the number of hearing the chatter of common management plan. people on the river annually and by yellowthroats in the shrub habitat along The CCP had identified river floating day of the week and encourages river the river, watching a bobcat scurry up on the refuge as a compatible public use traffic to avoid early mornings, late the tall river bank, wondering if the activity when carefully managed. The afternoons and evenings to minimize bison on the bluff above the river can refuge held a public meeting to gather wildlife disturbance. Outfitters must now get in the river. “You can have a solitary feedback on its river management. “It submit a prospectus every three years to experience if you choose. If you want was clear that the biggest issues we continue launching from the refuge. “It to float with a group you can do that. faced were how to deal with outfitters is not a right to do it forever,” explains There’s a range of opportunity aided and how many people to allow on the McPeak. “Outfitters have to say why they by a plan that provides stability and river,” wrote deputy project manager want to be an outfitter and how they will continuity to managing the river.” ◆ Bernie Petersen in the Refuge System’s provide a quality service. It’s a privilege Countering Resource Challenges and to outfit on the river.” Building Community Bridges.

September/October 2007 | Pg 13 Refuge Update In Remote New Mexico, Focus on Research and Learning

In 1988, the The refuge hosts several projects that refuge agreed seek to answer scientific questions by to host the Long manipulating the natural environment. One Term Ecological experiment examines the effects of rainfall Research (LTER) manipulation on grassland, shrubland and program, funded grassland-shrubland ecotones. Metal and by the National plastic structures shield multiple research Science Foundation. plots from summer precipitation, while One of 24 LTER metal piping and pumps add artificial locations in the rain to others. The manipulated plots are United States, compared to control plots that experience the Sevilleta only natural precipitation. LTER is the only one on a national Another experiment scrutinizes nighttime wildlife refuge. warming. Over the past 50 years, nighttime The research warming has occurred twice as fast as community daytime warming; the trend is expected to has access to a continue. Automated metal frames roll out unique outdoor special aluminum fabric at night over small laboratory, and plots. The fabric traps radiant heat and the refuge benefits increases temperatures. These plots are Sevilleta Refuge and LTER staffs relocated prairie dogs to artificial burrows from the wealth then compared to control areas. on three plots, but steady predation from American badger and kit fox and of knowledge extreme drought in 2006 took their toll. (USFWS) New Facilities, Expanding Visions provided by Sevilleta Refuge and the University the research. by Renee Robichaud of New Mexico are building a new facility that will have 18,000 square inety-nine research projects will be On Behalf of Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs In the wake of urban development, feet of laboratories, offices, conference carried out at Sevilleta National N researchers and the refuge entered a rooms and classrooms. The facility will Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico this collaboration in 2005 to relocate more complement existing facilities, including year by 15 educational institutions and than 450 Gunnison’s prairie dogs to refuge eight houses that now lodge up to 48 five government agencies, supported by grasslands from a colony in Santa Fe. people. The Socorro Soil and Water more than $13 million in funding. Primary Gunnison’s prairie dogs have declined by Conservation District has provided investigators from around the world will over 90 percent across their range due funding for an outdoor classroom near conduct experiments in such areas as plant to habitat loss, extermination attempts refuge wetlands, where schoolchildren ecology, climate, zoonotic disease, geologic and disease. Prairie dog colonies not only will be able to conduct their own mapping, avian ecology and hydrology. help grassland ecosystem health, but also experiments and participate in hands-on wetland education programs. By the end of 2007, more than 1,700 provide food and shelter to other species schoolchildren and teachers will have and fertilize and aerate soil that increases Refuge manager Terry Tadano is participated in refuge-sponsored plant protein content and digestibility for justifiably proud of both the science and environmental education programs and other grazing animals. the education that take place on the refuge. field trips. They come from the small Sevilleta Refuge and LTER staffs He says, “Sevilleta Refuge provides a communities of Veguita and Lemitar, relocated the prairie dogs to artificial great opportunity for scientists to conduct the larger towns of Belen and Socorro, burrows on three 10,000-meter plots. ground-breaking research, while instilling Albuquerque, and even the Alamo Indian The colony quickly established natural curiosity in youth destined to become Reservation more than 85 miles away. ◆ burrow systems, but steady predation from tomorrow’s environmental leaders.” The refuge’s educational laboratory American badger and kit fox and extreme is a top-notch facility, complete with Renee Robichaud is a wildlife refuge drought in spring 2006 took their toll. As a microscopes, computers and an animal specialist at Sevilleta National Wildlife result, research objectives took a backseat specimen collection. Researchers enrich Refuge in New Mexico. to establishing a thriving colony. More the environmental education program by animals may have to be relocated over the co-sponsoring teacher workshops, leading next two to three years. field trips and teaching some programs.

Pg 14 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 Frances McTamaney: Creating Emotional Connections to Nature

The 2007 Sense of Wonder Award winner is Helping Adults and Children Frances McTamaney, environmental education specialist at San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Discover the Salt Marsh Refuge Complex. (USFWS) This year, a story McTamaney used with puppets during refuge field trips in the North Bay at San Pablo Bay was turned into a full-fledged children’s National Wildlife Refuge, one for book, A Home for Salty by Stephanie Farallon National Wildlife Refuge off Stuve-Bodeen, an example of her the California coast and one for Ellicott dedication to creating an emotional Slough National Wildlife Refuge connected to a local endangered species. on Monterey Bay. Each program “Salty” is an endangered salt marsh is distinct and tailored to specific harvest mouse, and children are asked management issues and the needs of the whether Salty would find her home “in local communities. the quishy, icky mudflats, the winding, watery slough, or the plump, pickleweed Through McTamaney’s leadership, salt marsh.” more than 15,000 students are reached annually and another 120,000 students McTamaney was one of three core in the surrounding area have been team members who produced a Salt provided the opportunity to connect with Marsh Manual for educator-led field nature. She conducted summer camps trips. Now in its fifth edition, the 320­ for many children from economically page manual has become a model for 2007 Sense of Wonder Award Winner disadvantaged neighborhoods who the Service’s environmental education First as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ordinarily would not have had a chance programs across the country and volunteer and temporary employee, then to visit the refuge. used by other governmental and non­ as a permanent employee beginning in governmental agencies. The guide January 1986, Fran McTamaney has “If I had influence includes the natural history of the San played a key role introducing children Francisco Bay estuary, tips on how to to nature as an environmental education with the good fairy conduct refuge field trips, and pre/post specialist at the San Francisco Bay and on-site activities. National Wildlife Refuge Complex. who is supposed McTamaney also served on the original Now as she retires and begins the next design and development team for chapter of her life, McTamaney has to preside over the two national Service environmental been honored with the Sense of Wonder education courses: “Developing award for excellence in environmental christening of all Teacher Training” and “Environmental education. Education Methods.” She has Environmental education in the children, I should ask instructed sessions of those courses for Service was in its earliest stages when 15 years. Her reach extends beyond McTameney began her career. “Virtually that her gift to each even beyond the Service as a long­ everything she initiated and carried time leader within the Mid-peninsula through to completion was creative, Environmental Educators Alliance, a child in the world be a ◆ original and significantly advanced collaborative forum. the Service’s interpretive and EE sense of wonder programs,” says San Francisco Bay Refuge visitor services chief Karla Tanner. so indestructible that Under her guidance, the environmental it would last education program expanded beyond one location in the South Bay on Don throughout life.” Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge to include a program Rachel Carson

November/December 2007 | Pg 15 Refuge Update Around Alaska by the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge The top of a precipitous rock island Enhancement (CARE) during an in the Alaska Maritime National October 10 reception in the Cannon the Refuge Wildlife Refuge became a graveyard House Office Building Caucus Room. for nesting murres until it was The evening reception, which drew accidentally discovered by hikers. about 300 guests, was jointly sponsored System The trap door on the roof of a World by CARE and the U.S. Fish and War II gun emplacement had been Wildlife Service. propped open years ago, allowing Fish Hatcheries contributed to the The six honored were Congressmen the murres nesting on the roof to fall reintroduction project. When the fish Norman Dicks of Washington; through. The birds were unable to fly were released in May, they were 12 to Todd Tiahrt of Kansas; Ron Kind of out through the narrow gun slats and 30 inches long and carried external and Wisconsin, Jim Saxton of New Jersey; the gun emplacement became a death internal tags for future identification. Mike Thompson of California; and trap. Adventurers who were jumping Some of the fish also have radio Michael Castle of Delaware. Kind and from boat to cliff in the rough seas of transmitters. Mingo Refuge manager Saxton are chairs of the Congressional Kathleen Burchett expects this year’s Wildlife Refuge Caucus, which now has fry to reach maturity within 11 years. more than 130 members in the House “As successful spawns occur, a viable of Representatives. Thompson and alligator gar population on the refuge Castle are co-chairs of the Caucus. will once again be established. For All those honored were particularly visitors to the Mingo Wilderness Area, supportive of the Refuge System this means an opportunity to see the during deliberations on the fiscal year second largest freshwater fish in the 2008 budget. central and southern U.S. return to its Earlier this year, CARE recognized native habitat.” two members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, Senator Russ Feingold and Representative Ron Kind, for their visionary leadership and steadfast support of the National Wildlife Refuge System. They were honored in August at the Trempealeau the Gulf of Alaska scaled the rocks National Wildlife Refuge in August. and reported the seabird death trap The Wisconsin awards were presented to refuge authorities. Refuge staff by Jim Eddy, President of the Friends closed the trap door with wire mesh of the Upper Mississippi Refuges and and added a warning to future human Dan McGuiness, Director of Audubon’s visitors not to disturb the site. There Upper Mississippi River Campaign. are also plans to drill escape holes in the concrete bunkers. Refuge staff Missouri also found a stash of World War II era Nineteen alligator gar are once again acid batteries that is being removed by cruising the slow-moving backwater the Army Corps of Engineers. World swamps and rivers of Mingo National War II rolled over Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge. The fish have not Refuge leaving numerous structures, been documented on the refuge since contaminants and ordnance. The Corps the 1970s. Habitat loss and excessive is responsible for cleaning former hunting are blamed for the decline of defense sites. the alligator gar, which can grow to 100-300 pounds at full maturity. A joint Six Congressmen Honored effort by the Missouri Department of Six Congressmen who have shown Conservation, Mingo National Wildlife Nineteen alligator gar have been reintroduced extraordinary support for the National Refuge and the Neosho, Tishomingo into their native habitat in the backwater Wildlife Refuge System were honored swamps and rivers of Mingo National Wildlife and Private John Allen National Refuge in Missouri. (USFWS)

Pg 16 Refuge Update | September/October Brook Trout Come Home to Minnesota Valley — continued from pg 11

Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area that still have trout. After the September sampling, Sherry said, “Our ultimate goal is to have a self- sustaining population of native brook trout in this stream, and today’s positive assessment gets us a big step closer to realizing that goal.” ◆ Chuck Traxler is public affairs specialist in the Midwest Region. A record number of trumpeter swan cygnets hatched on the National Elk Refuge this season. (USFWS) Wyoming “As you drive the auto-tour route look A record number of trumpeter swan for a structure that used to hold corn. cygnets hatched on the National Now it provides safe nesting places for Housing of a Different Kind Elk Refuge this season. This year’s owls. Take a family picture in front of — continued from pg 9 the structure,” was one clue. total of 18 cygnets is six more than Sinaloa to northeast Guerrero the previous record of 12 cygnets “At the end of a trail you will find steps in Mexico. in 1989. Trumpeter swans establish to climb and at the top you will find out lifelong mates when they are about For those fortunate enough to live how an impoundment is managed for three years old and nest the following near the banks of the Detroit River, the different seasons of the year. Take a year, choosing nesting sites close to there are bald eagles and peregrine family picture in front of the sign.” the water. The higher productivity falcons soaring over the Detroit River may be due to an early spring, leaving Completed photo collections were and canvasback ducks thriving amidst refuge waterways ice-free about three turned in to the Bombay Hook “flurries” of Bonaparte’s gulls. World weeks earlier than average. Birds had Visitor Center. Up to 50 families who record walleye are being caught, and better access to forage and were in completed their photo collections were lake sturgeon are returning to their better physical condition at the time of to receive a one-year entrance pass to spawning grounds. Clearly, all of nesting, which can lead to more viable the refuge. this is further evidence of ecological eggs and more swans hatched per pair. recovery in this industrial heartland. Refuge biologist Eric Cole monitored Colorado In the case of the bank swallows, the this year’s class of cygnets through Some of the six million tons of concrete refuge made company officials aware fledgling stage in the fall. All 18 fledged and asphalt runways from the old of the significance of the swallow nests successfully. Stapleton Airport in Denver have made their way to Rocky Mountain and the critical period when they need Delaware Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. to be undisturbed; the companies Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge The refuge will use two million tons did the rest. Nesting bank swallows celebrated National Wildlife Refuge of “staplestone” as a biota barrier. peppering the sky around U. S. Steel Week with a new twist on the old Supervisory wildlife refuge specialist and Detroit Bulk Storage are yet scavenger hunt. Families were invited Vic Elam explains that the material another example of the dedication of to participate in a nature scavenger will cover landfills where contaminated these industrial partners in working photograph search anytime over a soil has been placed. It is designed with the Detroit River International two-week period. Families received 10 to act as a barrier to prevent animals Wildlife Refuge and other agencies to clues about wildlife and habitat on the from burrowing and exposing the protect our natural heritage. ◆ refuge. As each designated area was contaminants. Greg Norwood is biological located, families took a photograph of science technician at Detroit River themselves at the site. International Wildlife Refuge.

September/October 2007 | Pg 17 Refuge Update Refuge Joins Fight Against Giant Salvinia by Mark Williams By January 2007, an hen an invader struck the estimated 300 WJeems Bayou of the 30,000-acre to 350 acres in Caddo Lake in 2006, organizations Jeems Bayou and individuals on the Texas side of were infested Caddo Lake formed the Giant Salvinia with giant Community Response Project to fight its salvinia. Heavy aggressive migration into this vulnerable rains and western part of the lake, where Caddo flooding moved Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located. substantial Now the fight has expanded, as a amounts of the Working Group established by the Texas plant into other legislature seeks new and improved ways parts of the lake, to fend off the attacker in both Texas including Big and Louisiana. Green Brake The deadly invader? The floating, and Tar Islands, Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert pulls salvinia from Caddo Lake during a rootless aquatic plant giant salvinia. located along the visit to Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas legislature has created state line. a Working Group to identify new and better ways to wage war against this Caddo Lake is the largest naturally- aggressive invader. (USFWS) The Cypress formed lake in the south, providing In August, Texas Congressman Louie Valley Navigation District, created by habitat for a diverse plant and animal Gohmert led a tour through the refuge the Texas legislature to maintain Caddo population. About half the lake lies in for Louisiana Congressman Jim Lake for boat navigation, obtained northeastern Texas; the other half is in McCrery and Paul Hoffman, deputy permission from U.S Army Corps of northwestern Louisiana. Parts of the assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and Engineers to construct a two-mile-long lake and the refuge are recognized under parks in the Department of the Interior, containment net barricade from the the Ramsar Treaty as a “wetland of and a number of other federal and state north shore of the lake to the south international significance.” agency officials involved in invasive shore. Volunteer and paraprofessional aquatic plant control. These officials are Refuge biologist Paul Bruckwicki and spray and removal teams have worked now members of a Working Group which I became involved in the community- almost daily since March to maintain is now seeking ways to expand the local based effort organized by the Greater the barricade and remove giant salvinia project onto both sides of the lake. Caddo Lake Association, a longstanding plants that would otherwise have non-profit organization formed to migrated into the western half of the The refuge’s support of the Caddo protect Caddo Lake and its wetlands lake. Teams also patrol the protected Lake Giant Salvinia Community from industrialization and promote wise side of the barricade to spray and Response Project is more than just conservation practices at the lake. remove new giant salvinia infestations good community relations. This group From Brazil to South Carolina to that escape the containment zone represents all the Texas community Texas and Louisiana through two openings for boat traffic. groups and organizations that are performing first responder functions Salvinia was brought to the United States The refuge has supported the project in such as spray & removal and containment from Brazil by aquarium collectors in a variety of ways, including serving as to prevent giant salvinia from reaching the early 1990s. From South Carolina, a staging area for handling barricade the refuge’s shoreline boundaries. it has traveled to lakes and creeks from materials, placing warning signs on the Caddo Lake Refuge is proud to play an California to Colorado , Florida, Texas water for boaters and anglers to clean important role in the fight against giant and even Hawaii. Caddo Lake boaters their equipment, and instituting other salvinia and consider our involvement to reportedly followed one patch of salvinia giant salvinia control operations. The be a necessary part of our mission. ◆ that traveled three-quarters of a mile in refuge also provides a secure location for 24 hours. It is now estimated that more testing some control measures, including Mark Williams is manager of Caddo than 1,100 acres of Caddo Lake on the thermal treatment. The Service Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Louisiana side are heavily infested with supplements local funding and state giant salvinia. So far, the salvinia has not appropriations. impacted wildlife on the refuge in Texas.

Pg 18 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 Whittlesey Creek

nvasive species do not recognize been treated for 11 species, including Iarbitrary boundaries, so in 2005 buckthorn, honeysuckle, purple Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife loosestrife and reed canary grass. Two Refuge in Wisconsin joined with the small areas totaling about 50 acres have Forest Service and the Northern Great actually been declared invasive free. Lakes Visitor Center to create a model Invasive Free Zone on 720 acres, which Landowners and others have learned includes a diversity of habitat types and about invasives through mailings, invasive species. The land is owned workshops and interpretive programs about equally by the Refuge System, the have at the Northern Great Lakes Forest Service and private landowners, Visitor Center in Ashland, which is a who have granted access to manage cooperative project operated by a group invasive species. of private organizations and government agencies, including the U.S. Fish and The refuge’s Invasive Plants Wildlife Service. ◆ Management Plan acknowledges that “becoming and remaining entirely invasive-free is unlikely… The project strives to drastically reduce invasive populations so that minimal maintenance Fifty acres of Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife is required to control them.” During Refuge in Wisconsin have been declared free of the past year, more than 100 acres have such invasives as purple loosestrife. (USFWS)

“Whiskey’s for Drinkin’, Water’s for Fightin’”— continued from pg 13

Permit to Permanent Right already obligated to address as part of screening requirements. Almost all Before the new water right becomes normal business such as maintaining of the refuge’s water delivery system, permanent, the refuge must prove to the adequate river flows and managing including the main diversion dams, state that it can meet conditions placed water quality. were constructed during the 1940s by on the permit. Many of the permit the Civilian Conservation and do not The most time consuming condition conditions are activities the refuge is meet today’s scientific standards for fish involves state fish passage and passage/screening. The refuge has been addressing these deficiencies for many years but remaining corrections will cost several million dollars, so it could be several years before the refuge is able to fulfill this permit condition. The Future Karges says the water rights process will serve the purpose of Malheur Refuge by improving habitat for a wide spectrum of fish and wildlife species that are dependent upon water from the Donner and Blitzen Rivers. He adds that the relationships and trust built through this complex process has helped position the Service to expand its conservation mission far beyond the boundaries of Rivers in the west provide a scarce and highly regulated resource—water. Malheur National Wildlife Malheur Refuge. ◆ Refuge in Oregon worked cooperatively with adjoining landowners and the state to create a refuge water right that meets the needs of the wildlife and people. (Barbara Wheeler Photography)

November/December 2007 | Pg 19 Refuge Update Mini-Joint Venture on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge

by Mike Graue North American Wetland Conservation size and vegetative composition, and Act (NAWCA) grant for replacement then rotate to a new pasture every two new partnership between a local wells. to three weeks. Each pasture will be Arancher and Lostwood National given at least 35 days of rest before being Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota Once funding for the wells was in place, grazed again to allow the grass to grow became a mini-joint venture in 2007 we discussed the mini-joint venture new leaf area for photosynthesis, forage as the refuge sought to implement grazing system with a local cattle for the herd and wildlife cover. grassland management within a rancher. The proposed agreement would block of the refuge that had not been allow the rancher to graze 2,313 acres of Benefitting Wildlife Beyond previously grazed. Prior to this, the refuge land for multiple years, with the Refuge Boundaries tools for active management within understanding that he would rest 1,548 With conventional grazing, ranchers are Lower Lostwood Lake were limited to acres of his range land during the same allowed to graze a unit on the refuge, prescribed fire and haying. time. The rancher entered into a Wildlife but typically continue to graze their own Extension Agreement through the pasture. Implementing this mini-joint Lack of suitable water kept livestock Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. venture provides an ideal demonstration off this unit of refuge land, so if grazing area for the landowner to see how his were to become a realistic management The plan – which began this year – calls own grassland responds to rotation tool, refuge staff needed to come up with for cows to enter the refuge around grazing and rest. The net benefits to funding to replace old, nonfunctioning mid-May and graze until the first week wildlife occur inside and outside the wells. In December 2004, Lostwood in September, just before the state refuge boundary. Wetland Management District Complex upland bird hunting season begins. , the North Dakota Game and Fish Approximately 300 cows with their calves One of the big benefits of the mini-joint Department, Ducks Unlimited, North will rotate through four grazing units. venture is that private land gets an Dakota Natural Resources Trust and Cows will graze each unit for a specified opportunity to rest, allowing plant and private landowners applied for a $10,000 amount of time, depending on the pasture wildlife communities to rejuvenate. The rancher’s pastures will have a chance to restore seed beds and promote plant diversity while slowing the encroachment of invasive grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and smooth brome on the refuge. Both the refuge and the rancher should have good stands of native grasslands by resting one property while grazing the other. Success can be judged in a number of ways. Refuge staff will sample vegetation to see if we have reduced invasive grass species and expanded native species. Staff will also be able to locate any noxious weeds, such as leafy spurge and Canadian thistle, more easily after grazing has reduced the grass canopy and removed grass litter. We have not only increased our management capabilities but also solidified a relationship that extends grassland management capabilities beyond the boundaries of our refuge fences. ◆ Mike Graue is private lands biologist Cattle graze on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota as part of a grassland management with Partners for Fish and Wildlife. agreement with a local rancher. (USFWS)

Pg 20 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 Awards for Protecting Land and Going Green

channelized the dramatic improvements in the wildlife river for navigation habitat that resulted in dramatic wildlife half a century response.” ago. Creation of the Boyer Chute Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge Refuge restored a was established with 25.55 acres of land in river side-channel 1995. Since then, more than 6,000 acres to its original have been added while McCoy has been condition without refuge manager. The acquisition of the affecting navigation Old Ben Coal Company property led to on the main river. restoration of 150 acres of wetland habitat The refuge now for the endangered least tern. “Waterfowl has 4,040 acres use of this area has been spectacular!” of floodplain exclaims Kauffeld. woodland, tallgrass Solar Power in Alaska? prairie and wetland Alaska Peninsula and Becharof Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge received a 2007 habitat to benefit Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award for going National Wildlife Refuges, 300 miles green in the land of ice and snow, including the use of solar energy and Missouri River fish, southwest of Anchorage, use solar environmentally-friendly spray to melt ice on walkways. (Donna Dewhurst/ migratory birds panels to power generators for radio USFWS) and other species. communication, lights, computers and he mission of the National Wildlife The Mountain- other electronic equipment. For their TRefuge System is to administer a Prairie Region’s nomination of the diligence, the refuges have been honored national network of lands and waters Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources with a 2007 Department of the Interior – about 97 million acres of land at this District praised the District as a “local Environmental Achievement Award. point. Each year, the U.S. Fish and government entity that displays the Typically, hazardous materials and other Wildlife Service Division of Realty foresight and creativity of a non-profit waste must be barged or shipped out of honors people and organizations who conservation organization…the District King Salmon, Alaska. Local recycling have made significant contributions to demonstrated skill in utilizing local tax opportunities were minimal and federal protecting that land. receipts to match private, state and suppliers did not offer green products federal grant funding for over eight in sufficient quantities to make shipping The 2007 National Land Protection million dollars in real estate, habitat and Award has been presented to the Papio- to Alaska cost effective. But the green infrastructure value contributed to the team at Alaska Peninsula and Becharof Missouri River Natural Resource national Wildlife Refuge System.” District in Nebraska. In 1996, this local Refuges persevered, enlisting the conservation agency donated 2,000 acres William McCoy, manager of Patoka local community to recycle aluminum to establish Boyer Chute National Wildlife River National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana cans and use the proceeds to purchase Refuge near Omaha. Natural Resource has been honored with the 2007 Land playground equipment for King Salmon Districts in Nebraska assess taxes and Legacy Award, which honors significant Elementary School. The refuges found apply conservation practices that benefit contributions to the Service’s land affordable energy-efficient light bulbs, soil, water and other natural resources acquisition systems, operations or mission. nontoxic cleaning solvents, retread within their districts. The Papio-Missouri Relentless in his pursuit of funding for tires and recycled paper products. An River Natural Resources District went the refuge, McCoy was praised for his environmentally-friendly spray is used well beyond this basic mission to restore accumulated knowledge of the local on walkways instead of ice melt-type riparian wetlands, native vegetation market that allows him to take advantage products and the janitorial service uses and such recreational facilities as hiking of realty opportunities. green products to clean the offices. trails, fishing access and educational The Interior Department awards interpretation. McCoy uses “innovation and partnerships in a mosaic of land acquisition recognize exceptional achievement in Working in partnership with the U.S. strategies,”said refuge supervisor Jon waste/pollution prevention and recycling, Army Corps of Engineers, the District Kauffeld. “He has dealt with abandoned green purchasing, environmental restored wetlands along the Missouri oil facilities and the coal industry with management systems, sustainable design, River that were lost when the Corps equal ability and aplomb…making alternative fuel and environmental stewardship. ◆

November/December 2007 | Pg 21 Refuge Update National Wildlife Refuges Return— continued from pg 1

some expenditures in Fiscal Year 2006. The region also for food and generated the most jobs, at 7,381. gasoline, and just 40 percent • Chincoteague National Wildlife of spending for Refuge in Virginia generated the most sporting goods – recreational visits (about 7.5 million) on the assumption as well as the most jobs, at 3,766, and that sporting the most economic benefit, at $315.4 goods purchased million, with $155.42 returned for every for national $1 in budgeted expenditures. wildlife refuge Many other national wildlife refuges also trips will later be had marked returns for their budgets. used for recreation Don Edwards San Francisco National in other places. Wildlife Refuge, for example, had The report looked more than 1.5 million visits in 2006 and More than 37 million people visited national wildlife refuges in 2006. at six recreational returned $43.55 for every $1 in federal (USFWS) activities: budget expenditures. Bombay Hook freshwater fishing, National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern their communities. About 87 percent of saltwater fishing, Delaware – with 271,000 visitors in 2006 – refuge visitors come from outside the migratory bird hunting, small game returned $23.38 for every $1 in budgeted local area. hunting, big game hunting and non- expenditures and was responsible for 198 private sector jobs. Muscatatuck According to the Refuge Annual consumptive activities – such as bird watching. National Wildlife Refuge in south central Performance Plan, more than 37 million Indiana – spanning just 7,800 acres – people visited national wildlife refuges Among its other findings, the report returned $21.56 for every $1 in budgeted in 2006. noted: expenditures and created 48 private sector jobs. Methodology • About 82 percent of total expenditures The Banking on Nature study looked came from non-consumptive recreation; The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting at 80 national wildlife refuges, and only that is, recreation other than hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, analyzed refuges that received more than and fishing on national wildlife refuges. published every five years by the U.S. 1,500 visitors annually. Additionally, only Under the National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, found that more national wildlife refuges in the “lower 48” System Improvement Act, national than 87 million Americans, or 38 percent of states were evaluated. No refuges in either wildlife refuges offer six “priority public the United States’ population age 16 and Alaska or Hawaii, among other places, uses,” including hunting and fishing. older, pursued outdoor recreation in 2006. were included in the study. Therefore, the The other four are wildlife observation, They spent $120 billion that year pursuing Banking on Nature study estimates that wildlife photography, environmental those activities. About 71 million people 34.8 million people visited wildlife refuges – education and interpretation. observed wildlife, while 30 million fished a figure smaller than actual visitation. and 12.5 million hunted. ◆ • The Southeast Region – with such In calculating economic return, the popular attractions as Okefenokee, J.N. Banking on Nature report included “Ding” Darling and Pea Island National expenditures for lodging and air travel, Wildlife Refuges – had the most visitors

Recreating a Healthy River at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge— continued from pg 11 enhance recreational opportunities like was buoyed by support from Chaves a very limited water supply and the birdwatching and wildlife observation. County, the Carlsbad Irrigation District requirements of interstate compacts. ◆ and the Friends of Bitter Lake National The grant was made possible by the 2007 Wildlife Refuge. Paul Tashjian is a hydrologist with the River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, National Wildlife Refuge System in a one-time funding opportunity under We hope this project demonstrates Albuquerque, New Mexico. the state’s Year of Water agenda. The how river ecosystem improvement can project’s successful bid for state funding be accomplished within the reality of

Pg 22 Refuge Update | November/December 2007 Three Arch Rocks Refuge Celebrates Centennial

by Amy J. Gaskill n pioneer days, the natural Iabundance of a young United States seemed boundless. By the early 20th century, Americans had hunted bison and elk to near extinction, silenced nesting birds to use their showy feathers for high fashion, and drained countless marshes for farmland. However, the exploitation did not go unnoticed. Far-sighted citizens and leaders, including President Theodore Roosevelt, acted on the belief that America’s wildlife heritage should be protected. In 1907, just four years after he established the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, the first refuge west of the Mississippi, celebrates its first national wildlife refuge, Roosevelt centennial this year. (David Pitkin/USFWS) designated the first Pacific Coast refuge at sea on a desolate Pacific Ocean beach Today, Three Arch Rocks Refuge is Three Arch Rocks in Oregon. before they could load a dory with food, one of the nation’s smallest designated The need to designate Three Arch Rocks a tent, water, clothing and photographic Wilderness Areas, comprised of three as a protected wildlife area was brought equipment and row toward the rocks. large and six smaller rocks totaling 15 to Roosevelt’s attention by Oregon Over the next two weeks, the men took acres. The three largest rocks provide wildlife photographer William Finley, some of the first photographs of nesting habitat for more than 100,000 nesting who produced spectacular photos with his seabirds, collected eggs and specimens, seabirds. Seal Rock, on the east side of childhood friend Herman Bohlman. In and documented some of the life history the refuge, is the only pupping site on the June 1901 and again in June 1903, they of the birds. Oregon north coast for the threatened Steller sea lion. climbed the wind- and sea-swept rocks A few months later, during a personal on the beach in the town of Oceanside audience with President Roosevelt, The rocks provide habitat for Oregon’s to photograph wildlife. During their who was well acquainted with Finley’s largest breeding colony of tufted puffins. first expedition, they witnessed target renowned photos, Finley spread the They nest on the Oregon coast from May shooters on a tugboat killing Steller sea photographs on a table. Roosevelt found to August. The refuge also supports lions for their skins and oil and blasting them so compelling that he exclaimed, the largest breeding colony of common seabirds for sport. Finley wrote that the “Bully, bully, we’ll make a sanctuary out murres south of Alaska, in addition to “beaches were littered with dead birds of Three Arch Rocks.” Four years later, auklets, gulls, petrels, oystercatchers and following the Sunday carnage.” Roosevelt designated Three Arch Rocks cormorants. ◆ In 1903, the men waited out 19 days as the first national wildlife refuge west of the Mississippi River. Amy J. Gaskill is an external affairs of storms, heavy fog and tumultuous specialist in the Pacific Region.

Chief’s Corner One Person at a Time— continued from pg 2 Now, when they get to Litchfield WMD, The message of environmental concern and millions of youngsters across the country the Scouts don’t see just grass and stewardship is spreading. Litchfield WMD can become land stewards through our trees. They recognize big bluestem, received more volunteer hours in 2007 than Children and Nature Initiative and our lead plant, blazingstar, buckthorn, it had in the last 10 years combined. People refuge environmental education programs. sumac and boxelder. They learned how are invested in conservation. As Litchfield The next time a neighbor comes across monarchs migrate, and saw woodcocks WMD staff work on projects along a busy the folks from Litchfield WMD improving and northern leopard frogs. They are highway, they get a honk and a wave from habitat along a busy highway, they may beginning to understand what land passersby who appreciate what is being well do more than give the thumbs up sign. stewardship means in practice and done for wildlife conservation. They may stop the car and ask how they what it means in the long run for our can help. That’s when we know that we are nation’s health. It is hugely important that these Boy changing the world, one person at a time. Scouts in Litchfield, Minnesota, and

November/December 2007 | Pg 23 Refuge Update Whatever Happened To… Ivory-billed Woodpecker he comment period has ended for Educational efforts are underway to paying for the cleanup. One million dollars Ta U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inform the general public, hunters, anglers will go the National Fish and Wildlife recovery plan for the ivory-billed and birders about how to report possible Foundation for seabird restoration work woodpecker, spotted in 2004 – the first sightings. Strategically located kiosks at Alaska Maritime Refuge; another time in more than 60 years – on the Cache on the refuges let hunters, anglers, and three million dollars will pay for a risk River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern birdwatchers know about this elusive assessment to identify shipping hazards Arkansas. The recovery plan, released in bird and its habitat. Brochures, designed on sea routes that go through the refuge. August, focuses on learning more about primarily for the hunters using the refuge, The spill in the woodpecker’s status and ecology. provide identification characteristics December There will be additional searches and and contact information in case of an 2004 killed habitat surveys in the Cache and White encounter. The Cache River Refuge also several River Basins, conservation planning aimed completed two important land acquisitions thousand at preserving or creating the conditions in 2005 and 2006 to benefit the ivory-billed seabirds and needed to support the woodpecker, woodpecker, waterfowl, songbirds and several marine management of sensitive areas and many other bottomland hardwood species. mammals. protection of any rediscovered populations At least 29 of ivory-billed woodpeckers. Oil and Soybean Spill at Alaska bird and three Maritime National Wildlife Refuge mammal “The opportunity to recover this icon of Almost three years later, the owners species were the ornithological world cannot and should of the freighter Selandang Ayu, which oiled, including not be passed over,” said Sam Hamilton, spilled 66,000 tons of soybeans and 340,000 harlequin regional director for the Southeast gallons of fuel within the Alaska Maritime ducks, crested Region. Ivory-billed woodpecker habitat National Wildlife Refuge, have pleaded auklets and is thought to be mainly the remaining guilty to violating the Refuse Act of 1899 murres. ◆ hardwood swamps and associated pine and the Migratory Treaty Act. The plea uplands with abundant dead trees, like agreement called for the shipping company Search team member Bobby Harrison in 2004 hung a decoy on a tree bordering the Cache River the bottomwood forests of Cache River to pay $10 million in fines in addition to Refuge. (Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy) Refuge. Historically, the bird was found in extensive, mature forests throughout the southeast. Send Us Your Comments There is currently no additional restriction Letters to the Editor or suggestions about Refuge Update can be e-mailed to on public access to areas on the Refuge. [email protected] or mailed to Refuge Update, USFWS-NWRS, 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Room 634C, Arlington, VA 22203-1610.

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