Refuge Notebook

Refuge Notebook Volume 7 • 2005 USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge ii This volume was compiled in 2016 by Jennifer Peura from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s archive of Refuge Notebook articles. Formatting has been improved, some hyperlinks (URI’s) have been updated, and minor edits were made, but the articles have mostly been unchanged. Contents Contents iii 1 2004 held many accomplishments for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Robin West 1 2 Where do the Bugs go in winter?, Matt Bowser 3 3 Winter recreation and you, winter fun in your backyard, Nicole Johnson 5 4 Tree-ring dates for the Victor Holm cabins, Ed Berg 6 5 What the interagency All Lands/All Hands agreement and action plan mean to the Refuge, Doug Newbould 9 6 I love nature, Mari Reeves 11 7 Moose Range Meadows conservation is a challenging but worthwhile “work in progress”, Rick Johnston 13 8 Why doesn’t it grow here?, Ed Berg 15 9 Ecologist will use computer maps to track Refuge landcape and wildlife, Lee O’Brien 18 10 Do long tails tell the tale? Reported mountain lion sightings once again in the news, Ted Bailey 20 11 Invasive Plants: An ounce of prevention…, Caleb Slemmons 22 12 Looking beyond the snow berms, there are new things to see, Leah Rigall 24 13 Wildland fire behavior prediction is both science and art, Doug Newbould 25 14 Refuge ecologist visits Costa Rica, Ed Berg 27 15 Harvesting spring—clamming at Ninilchik, Mari Reeves 30 16 Merlins and fidelity—it’s not what you think, Merlins and witches’ brooms, John Morton 32 17 A story about a caring family and a boat rescue, Clay McDermott 33 18 Spring is a great time to get out and see Wildlife, Robin West 35 19 The up’s and down’s of dandelions, Candace Ward 36 20 Snipe—the true harbingers of spring, Ted Bailey 37 21 Wildlife Refuge has first annual Clean-Up, Green-Up Day, Ted Bailey 38 22 Refuge planning effort continues to progress, Robin West 39 23 Heading out to wet a line on the Upper Kenai River? You’re not alone, Julie Laker 40 iii Refuge Notebook • Vol. 7 • 2005 24 Aphids by the bucket form “oil slick” on Cook Inlet waters, Dominique Collet and Ed Berg 41 25 When the family from Georgia comes for a visit, Bill Kent 43 26 A sordid affair: shorebird mating systems, Toby Burke 45 27 Researchers are a valuable asset to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Rick Johnston 47 28 Trumpeter swan cygnets shipped to Iowa for swan restoration program, Liz Jozwiak 49 29 Climate warming brings alders and spruce bark beetles to mountains across Cook Inlet, Ed Berg 51 30 The Carpathian Mountains: A refuge for wildlife and a “paradise” for the people ofSlovakia, Ted Bailey 54 31 Let the school times roll!, Nicole Johnson 56 32 A volunteer intern from Hawaii studies invasive plants on the Kenai, Sadie Purinton 57 33 Long road to the Kenai: wanderings of an itinerant biotech, Toby Burke 59 34 The 2005 Kenai Peninsula fire season is another for the record books, Doug Newbould 61 35 Shrub invasion shows recent drying of ancient Kenai peatlands, Ed Berg 63 36 Celebrate new Environmental Education Center at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge!, Candace Ward 66 37 Aerial swan survey evokes memories and visions of change on the Kenai, Ted Bailey 67 38 Daddy long-legs of the home, garden, and mountains, Matt Bowser 69 39 Sign, sign, everywhere a sign, Dave Kenagy 71 40 Jays making a “Steller” appearance at local feeders, Todd Eskelin 73 41 A robin by any other name…, Doug Newbould 74 42 The Kenai Peninsula as seen from outer space, Lee O’Brien 76 43 Bark beetles hammer forests throughout the West, headed eastward, Ed Berg 78 44 Alaska Natural History Association—an important partner for the Kenai Refuge, Brenda Nichol 81 45 Refuge used new strategy for the Fox Creek and Irish Channel Fires, Doug Newbould 83 46 Refuge Place Names: How places were named on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Gary Titus 86 iv USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Notebook • Vol. 7, No. 1 • January 7, 2005 2004 held many accomplishments for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge by Robin West As 2004 fades into history, I reflect on what the of understanding with the Alaska Department of Fish year held for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and I also and Game for collaborative efforts on moose research, look ahead to 2005 to begin planning what promises to and another agreement with multiple agencies in an be another challenging and rewarding year. “All Hands and All Lands” effort to address forest man- We started 2004 working aggressively on the man- agement, wildfire protection, and fuels treatment on dated revisions to our Comprehensive Conservation the Kenai Peninsula in the aftermath of many years of Plan—holding scoping meetings in Soldotna, Seward, spruce bark beetle impacts. In 2005 I expect substantial Homer, Cooper Landing, and Anchorage. We began progress in implementing these cooperative ventures, drafting the updated plan in the fall and hope tohave and potential new partnerships to address long-term a draft plan out for public review and comment by changes to fish and wildlife habitats on and adjacent summer 2005. We also completed a cabin manage- to the Refuge. ment plan early in 2004, and began to implement it by The Refuge had 17 wildland fires in 2004, allbut summer. Eleven older cabins had renovations com- one human-caused fire. The most notable fire wasthe pleted, and three new public use cabins were con- Glacier Creek Fire, first discovered on August 14, 2004 structed. In 2005 many of the older cabins, and all of and declared out October 15, 2004. The fire burned ap- the newly constructed cabins, will be available for pub- proximately 6,000 acres over a several week period. Its lic use via a reservation system. Major improvements only real threat was to remote cabins, which we were were also completed on many of the over 200 miles of able to successfully protect. Concerns over smoke and Refuge trails in 2004 using a one-time Congressional the fire’s potential were hot topics in the late sum- appropriation. The loop for the Centennial Trail atthe mer, when fires were still a significant issue in Interior Refuge headquarters, and improvements to the Nordic Alaska. The 2005 fire season will remain as specula- ski trail system, were also completed in the fall. Visi- tion, until it has come and gone, but Refuge crews are tors should start enjoying these easily accessible trails completing necessary preparedness and training ex- for year-round activities in 2005. ercises this winter. Winter snows also provide some Other construction projects in 2004 included the promise of moist soil and duff conditions in spring, re- upgrades to trail heads and camp sites along the Swan- ducing the probability of large fires early in the coming son River and Swan Lake Roads, completion of the year. riverbank protection and fishermen access project at A few other notable accomplishments of 2004 in- Jim’s Landing, and completion of the interpretive dis- clude: a record number of Refuge volunteers (setting a plays to greet visitors at the Kenai airport. In 2004 the new high at 121 people and contributing 20,047 hours State of Alaska agreed to relinquish the right-of-ways of labor); Refuge rangers were involved in over 500 law to the Refuge for Ski Hill and Skilak Loop Roads, and enforcement cases in 2004 and sentencing occurred 2005 will see planning activities for upgrades to these for several significant cases, including a felony bear two routes. Planning will also occur in 2005 to con- poaching case involving two Anchorage men; Refuge nect the Refuge headquarters facilities to the City of law enforcement also received a new staff member in Soldotna water and sewer systems. 2004—a young black lab named “Samson”—this K-9 ca- Cooperative ventures in 2004 included an agree- pability will assist officers in detecting a variety of ment with the U.S. Forest Service to use data from wildlife species, common illegal drugs, and help with their Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to help search and rescue activities for lost and missing per- the Refuge with a long-term cost effective method to sons in 2005 and beyond; 2004 saw new environmental collect status and trend information for many plants, education programs created at the Refuge and students animals, and insects. We also signed a memorandum now have eight different field trip options—1,179 stu- USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge 1 Refuge Notebook • Vol. 7, No. 1 • January 7, 2005 dents participated in Fall 2004 Refuge education pro- from staff. They love their work and they are good atit. grams. We look forward to the completion and grand I am lucky to have the co-workers that I do, and even opening of our log environmental education classroom more fortunate because of the support we receive from at our headquarters in 2005! the community. People on the Kenai Peninsula, with At the end of 2004 Refuge staff had just com- rare exception, care for the wild lands, clean air, water, pleted involvement with a couple of oil spills on salmon fisheries, wildlife and scenery that the Refuge the Refuge when the freighter Selendang Ayu went provides. Such values are why many of our friends aground within Alaska Maritime National Wildlife and neighbors choose to live here. So, at year’s end Refuge near Dutch Harbor. As we prepare to help I not only want to thank the Kenai Refuge staff for a out with this event by deploying Kenai crews to the job well done, but also thank you, the Kenai Peninsula Aleutians, I am reminded that our work is never really community for your help and support in 2004.

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