U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service System Inside RefugeUpdate September/October 2007 Vol 4, No 5 Searching for Japanese MIAs in – page 3 Japanese and Americans look Friends Academy: for burial sites on in Alaska Maritime National “This Has Been Extraordinary” Wildlife Refuge.

The Job of a Lifetime – pages 6-7 Meet a 90-year old volunteer and a 31-year old tractor driver.

Crocs Come Back – page 27 American crocodiles are threatened but no longer endangered.

The first Friends Refuge Academy, held July 22-25 at the National Conservation Training Center, brought together 19 Friends representing 24 organizations. For a full identification of those in the photo, please turn to page 24.

ineteen refuge Friends, Friends returned to their refuges Nrepresenting 24 Friends knowing more about the complexity organizations, became immediately of the Refuge System and how refuge immersed in learning, sharing and managers deal with that complexity on a networking during the first-ever day-to-day basis. Friends Academy July 22-25 at the “I feel I can be more a part of it because National Conservation Training Center I understand more,” said Ann Fourtner (NCTC). They participated in nearly with the Friends of Iroquois National 25 formal workshops, and took full Wildlife Refuge in . “I also advantage of planning that put them took away real confidence in what the Snowy egret at Chincoteague National at the training center during the Wildlife Refuge in (Ched Bradley) Fish and Wildlife Service is doing to same week that the Advanced Refuge protect the refuges. These people are Academy brought seasoned refuge thinking ahead.” This issue of Refuge Update managers there. The first Academy will celebrates the 10th anniversary be a model for what could well become The Value of Face-to-Face Dialogue of the Refuge Improvement Act, an annual institution. which established the mission of the The agenda covered everything from strategic planning and law enforcement National Wildlife Refuge System: One Friends participant drove to West to habitat loss, , climate “To administer a national network Virginia from , stopping at change, land acquisition and water of lands and waters for the 18 refuges on the way. He planned quality. Tom Murray, president of conservation, management, and to stop at 17 more on the way home. Friends of Panther National where appropriate, restoration of Another came from to represent Wildlife Refuge, said, “I went from not the fish, wildlife and plant resources the Friends of Midway National knowing anything about the Master and their habitats within the United Wildlife Refuge, whose 300 members Naturalists program to having a contact States for the benefit of present and come from across the country. These in the Florida. There’s no way to collect future generations of Americans.” continued pg 24 From the Director Commitment to a Common Mission H. Dale Hall In 1997, when the National Wildlife Refuge years before the Act was passed that We’ve improved our cooperative working System Improvement Act became law, delineated guiding principles. However, relationship with state governments. I was Deputy Regional Director for the that Directive was implemented without We’ve made good progress on writing Southeast Region. I remember being the basic organic legislation that was Comprehensive Conservation Plans for excited that the Refuge System would have needed to define the management of the many refuges, and we have a plan to an “organic” act that would give us a stated Refuge System. We all recognized that complete all of them by 2012. The scope mission and a cohesive system like those of the Directive wasn’t enough. and availability of wildlife-dependent other federal public lands systems. recreation, mentioned prominently in Today, we can take pride that the Refuge the Act, has created Refuge System As many of the articles in this Refuge System truly operates as one unified supporters among people who didn’t really Update recall, before the Refuge system. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife understand the value of national wildlife Improvement Act, the Refuge System Service’s regions approach Refuge System refuges until they visited one. was not quite a true “system.” Some issues in a uniform manner, giving us units were established as game ranges. the management consistency that was The key to the success of the Refuge Many units had various uses that were absent a decade ago. That consistency Improvement Act is its importance to inconsistent with each other. In 1997, has increased our credibility with the our common, stated mission. Together the Refuge System had more than 92 American public. we work to protect the country’s natural million acres, but we had no consistent resources, and to invest citizens with a language mandating a common mission or Not everything has been solved with the greater understanding and appreciation management policy. Refuge Improvement Act, but what has of America’s wild creatures and places. happened since its passage is important. Our unifying ideals are encompassed in Those who have worked for the We now have policies on appropriate uses; the Refuge Improvement Act, and I am Refuge System for many years recall mission, goals and purposes; and wildlife happy to join in celebrating an important a Departmental Directive issued two dependent recreation. milestone anniversary. ◆ Chief’s Corner RefugeUpdate Consistent Vision in Changing Environment Dirk Kempthorne Address editorial In 1997, the stars Hundreds of people, assembled as the Secretary inquiries to: seemed to be Promises Implementation Team, got Department of the Refuge Update aligned in just the to work implementing the vision that Interior USFWS-NWRS 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Geoff Haskett right way for the became the central focus and strategic H. Dale Hall Room 634C Refuge System. direction of the Refuge System. Then, Director — U.S. Fish and Arlington, VA Congress passed the National Wildlife the focus of the country changed with Wildlife Service 22203-1610 Phone: 703-358-1858 Refuge System Improvement Act with the explosion that was 9-11. In 2003, Geoffrey L. Haskett Fax: 703-358-2517 overwhelming bipartisan support. We the Office of Management and Budget Assistant Director E-mail: — National Wildlife had budget surpluses that we hoped (OMB) used its Program Assessment [email protected] would allow us to do the job set out by Rating Tool (PART) to review Refuge Refuge System This newsletter is the Refuge Improvement Act. And System operations and maintenance. Martha Nudel published on recycled Editor in Chief with the Act’s strong direction, the They found the Refuge System paper using soy-based leaders of the Refuge System gathered had not demonstrated that it was Karen Leggett ink. at Keystone, , in October 1998 achieving results, primarily because Managing Editor to chart a future course, ultimately we did not have a strategic plan that detailed in a document aptly named laid out measurable goals. C Fulfilling the Promise. — continued on pg 23

Pg 2 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 Searching for Japanese MIAs at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

team of five Japanese and four AAmericans spent four days in July digging on Attu Island, part of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, in search of burial sites and remains of the Japanese soldiers who died in the only land battle of World War II that was fought on North American soil. The expedition brought forth only a bit of leather and two boots containing small bones. These remains were returned to the original Attu Island gravesite following a small ceremony conducted by the Japanese. Wildlife refuge specialist Kent Sundseth says the Japanese do not intend to identify specific remains but will use the information to determine whether another expedition and further repatriation efforts are warranted. Attu Island was captured and occupied by the Japanese in 1942, but American Jarmin Pass on Attu Island in Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge was the site of a fierce battle forces swarmed the island a year later between Japanese and American troops in World War II. A delegation this summer searched the area for burial sites. (Kent Sundseth/USFWS) in a fierce 18-day battle that left 500 Americans and 2,600 Japanese soldiers special use permit for the expedition and in 1987 as a memorial to soldiers of all dead. Twenty-eight Japanese were taken accompanied the delegation. nations lost in the North Pacific. prisoner. The Japanese were buried on Attu in mass graves. Although heavy equipment was used to The delegation returned from Attu dig the original graves, only hand tools to Kodiak on July 14 but it wasn’t the Shortly after the war, 236 sets of could be used now because most of the last of World War II for Sundseth. Japanese remains were recovered island is a designated wilderness area. “It He also visited Kiska Island over the and reburied at Ft. Richardson, was tough, rocky digging,” said Sundseth, summer, a national historic landmark near Anchorage. The Japanese later “but we knew we were in the right place and the only other Aleutian island disinterred these remains, cremated because the vegetation on the surface occupied by the Japanese, where he them as part of a religious ceremony and was markedly different.” Sundseth says assisted with an inventory of Japanese reburied them at the same location. In Japanese battle trenches were also visible firearms and six-inch guns. “Alaska 1953, eight of the original burial sites in the now placid landscape. Maritime Refuge is loaded with cultural were located. resources,” explained Sundseth, “and Sundseth had no idea what to expect we are especially rich in resources from Reciprocity and Respect when this expedition began. “It was prehistoric times and World War II.” ◆ Earlier this year, the Japanese important to show respect,” added government assisted American Sundseth, who said the Japanese did investigators during a visit to Iwo Jima indeed want the active participation of to search for Americans still missing in everyone in the delegation, including 10 action from World War II. The American volunteers from the island’s Coast Guard government then agreed to a reciprocal station, which provided housing. Digging request from the Japanese. As manager on at least one day continued until almost of the unit of the Alaska midnight. The group also inspected a Maritime Refuge, Sundseth wrote the peace monument erected by the Japanese

September/October 2007 | Pg 3 Refuge Update Two Years Post Hurricane Refuges Show Signs of Life and Loss

“ e’re hanging on and we’re Wcoming back,” says Byron Fortier, supervisory park ranger of Southeast Lousiana Refuges Complex, referring to the continuing recovery from the 2005 hurricane season. Alligator nesting is up eight-fold since last year’s post-hurricane low in Louisiana. Moist soil plants abounded last fall, setting the stage for large numbers of wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds. Fresh water fishing was affected by salt water intrusion and drought following the storms, but anglers have been catching bass and other species in the freshwater impoundments at Lacassine and Sabine National Wildlife Refuges. All refuges are now open to public access although some facilities at Sabine and Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuges are still being repaired. The visitor center and offices at Cameron Moist soil plants abounded last fall, setting the stage for large numbers of wintering waterfowl like the Prairie National Wildlife Refuge were roseate spoonbill to return to Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. (Diane Borden­ Billiot/USFWS) open intermittently but are now closed to complete interior repairs. Within the but by this year, there were 3,000 nests. the Complex or the Service because of next year, a two-mile stretch of the Bayou The nest sites are more vulnerable the hurricane. Sauvage waterway will be dredged for because of the lower elevation. The canoeing and fishing. A bike path at the U.S. Geological Survey is studying the A heroic effort to rejuvenate the refuge will eventually be open only to feasibility of restoring the Breton habitat Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges dirt bikes because the asphalt surface either by mechanical means or through by its president Jim Schmidt brought required by street bikes was damaged natural regeneration. membership up to 70 from a low of 20 during the storm. right after the storm. Half the board At Big Branch Marsh, red-cockaded resigned because of overwhelming Waterfowl populations are down about woodpecker foraging and nesting habitat personal issues and 75 percent of the first 75 percent at Bayou Sauvage National was affected by the loss of approximately membership mailing was undeliverable Wildlife Refuge because of the loss of 1,300 acres of forest. Artificial nest six months after the storm. Now freshwater marshes. In some cases, the cavities were created to encourage the Schmidt is organizing “work and play” storm brought unwanted wildlife – feral birds, but the number of family groups days, with boat trips to Delta National pigs to Bayou Sauvage and Big Branch was down by about a third. It will take Wildlife Refuge and other member-only Marsh, an explosion of Chinese tallow 20-30 years for the foraging habitat excursions as an incentive. at Bayou Sauvage Refuge when the to recover and double that to recreate hurricane opened the forest to sunlight. suitable nesting habitat. Visitors are slowing rebounding too. Bayou Sauvage – which once hosted Slow Recovery at Breton And Then There Are the People… 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a year and Long term wildlife impacts have been It took fifteen months for Fortier to closed for a full year after Hurricane most severe at Breton National Wildlife repair the damage to his home from Katrina – is back up to 5,000 visitors. Refuge, where the chain of barrier Hurricane Katrina. He spent most of that “I’m betting the rest will be back as islands was reduced in size and elevation. time living on the second floor and using well,” says Fortier. ◆ Before Hurricane Katrina, there were a kitchen in an adjacent Service trailer. 6,000-8,000 brown pelican nests each Most staff are back in permanent housing year. In 2006, there were only 700 nests now and Fortier is proud to say none left

Pg 4 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 Kodiak Brown Bears A Peek Inside Their Genes by William B. Leacock bruins comprise a distinct population Although the patterns of genetic from those on Kodiak Island. diversity seen in Kodiak bears were a he Kodiak Archipelago is home bit unusual, genetic evidence provides Tto nearly 3,500 of the most In addition, although all bears are quite virtually no support for the animal’s magnificent brown bears in the world. capable of traveling great distances, subspecies designation. Nevertheless, It is here that Kodiak National Wildlife daughters tend to set up house close Kodiak bears possess unique physical Refuge was established in 1941, primarily to their mothers. Males, on the other characteristics and, like other isolated to protect these national treasures. hand, tend to disperse widely and breed populations, will likely diverge from Kodiak brown bears have long been with females from other lineages. mainland populations over time. classified as a distinct subspecies, Ursus Regardless of questions concerning arctos middendorffi, one of two currently Examination of a gene thought to govern immune response showed their status as a subspecies, biologists recognized brown bear subspecies in continue to consider the Kodiak brown North America. extremely low levels of variation of the Kodiak brown bear. This could bear as a population of special value. Recent breakthroughs have allowed indicate that Kodiak bears have a Among the world’s studied populations, biologists to peek at the genes of the limited capacity to fight new diseases Kodiak brown bears appear to be most Kodiak brown bear to investigate a introduced to the island. For now, the closely related to populations in western host of questions. Are concerns about archipelago’s populations are considered Alaska, the Alaska Peninsula and genetic diversity warranted? Does healthy and show no physical or genetic Siberia. A more detailed and thorough their isolation leave the bears more signs of inbreeding or decreased fitness. analysis of brown bear populations vulnerable to environmental disruptions, within the North Pacific Rim has particularly if they have low levels of One of the main motivations for this study was to see if we could use genetic been initiated in cooperation with the genetic diversity? Are they really that Northern Forum Brown Bear Working different from other brown bears? Is analysis to estimate more accurately the size of the bear population on Group (http://www.northernforum.org/ there interbreeding between bears on servlet/content/brown_bear.html). ◆ Afognak and Kodiak Islands? Afognak, where heavy forest cover makes accurate aerial surveys virtually William Leacock is a wildlife To address these questions, staff impossible. Unfortunately, given the biologist at Kodiak National at Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge low genetic variation we observed, Wildlife Refuge. initiated a study in 2004 in cooperation population estimation using genetic with the U.S. Geological Survey’s tagging is not possible. Alaska Science Center (ACS) and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). The ACS Conservation Genetics Laboratory examined samples from nearly 300 bears. Low Genetic Diversity The study confirmed that brown bears of the Kodiak archipelago have the lowest nuclear genetic diversity of any documented brown bear population in North America. This suggests that the population was probably founded by a small number of bears, and that it has been isolated from populations on the Alaska mainland, probably since the end of the last ice age 10,000-12,000 years ago. Genetic data also suggest that movement of bears between Kodiak and Afognak, the two main islands in the New genetic research suggests that brown bears of the Kodiak archipelago in Alaska have archipelago, is so limited that Afognak’s probably been isolated from the mainland since the end of the last Ice Age 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. (USFWS)

September/October 2007 | Pg 5 Refuge Update Harold Burgess – 33 years Paid, 11,839 Hours Unpaid

arold Burgess worked for the J. Clark Salyer HNational Wildlife Refuge System II, the first chief for 33 years across five states. In 1980 of the Refuge he retired. Well, not really. System, once called Burgess to Over the next 27 years, Burgess donated his 11,839 hours to the Refuge System. office to find “That’s the equivalent of having one out what was full-time person work nearly six years,” happening at said Jodi Stroklund, refuge manager for Lacreek Refuge the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in in , the beneficiary of many of those where Burgess volunteer hours. On June 6, Burgess was manager. officially retired from volunteer service th “Salyer was – and celebrated his 90 birthday. already blind,” Burgess remains physically and mentally Burgess recalls, agile, says Bryan Winton, manager “but he knew all about Lacreek of Lower Rio Grande Valley National On June 6, Harold Burgess celebrated his 90th birthday and officially retired Wildlife Refuge in Texas, who learned and remembered from volunteer service, having donated more than 11,000 hours to the Refuge his way around the refuge by going out every tree and System, in addition to 33 years as a full-time refuge biologist and manager. with Burgess. Winton was a 35-year-old habitat he’d ever (USFWS) assistant manager, Burgess an 82-year­ seen. He asked old volunteer. “I learned to get out of the lots of questions.” failing – and then continuing to drive his office and go get dirty,” said Winton. own vehicle for several more years. “You An avid outdoorsman and supporter couldn’t discourage him in any way,” said Together Winton and Burgess would of wildlife conservation, Burgess was Winton with a laugh. remove bees from nest boxes. “He was twice president of the Trumpeter Swan always pointing out where we needed Society; he contributed to the Breeding “The main thing I found most satisfying to do work,” recalls Winton. “He knew Bird Atlas published by the University was the volunteer work I did with the where roads were that you couldn’t find of Texas and received numerous awards, black-bellied whistling ducks,” recalls because they had grown closed. There including the Department of the Burgess. “That duck is as close to a swan were always additional work assignments Interior’s Take Pride in America Award. as there is and I am especially partial after a day out with Harold…we weren’t He also wrote and self-published a book to swans.” about his work experience with the always keeping up with things as well as Burgess says he will continue to help Service and plans to write another book he thought we should.” with bird counts. His own life list about his retirement years. Meeting the Trumpeter Swan includes 511 birds in the and J. Clark Salyer Volunteering Without the Swans and another 87 recorded while working Burgess spent most of his career in the Retiring to Texas because his arthritis briefly as a rubber farmer in the West upper Midwest, at refuges like Upper demanded gentler weather, Burgess African country of Liberia. He told a River, Lacreek and Squaw is feisty when asked about the lack of local Texas newspaper that he enjoyed Creek, where he is particularly proud of trumpeter swans in South Texas. “The volunteering for the Refuge System more his efforts to restore the trumpeter swan. swans wanted to be there, but Texas than working. “I don’t have any boss. I ◆ “I learned about this bird as a student wasn’t interested…no one identified the just go ahead and do it.” at State,” says Burgess, “and birds or protected their habitat.” once I saw and heard the bird, it became Identifying and counting birds and other a symbol to me. I was always interested wildlife filled many of Burgess’ volunteer in it.” In 2001, he and his wife Ruth hours in Texas. Lower Rio Grande Valley were honored for their efforts by the Refuge covers four counties and Winton Trumpeter Swan Society, receiving a says there are never enough people to “standing ovation from my peers, their do baseline inventories. Burgess filled families and many international swan that niche, traveling the territory in a scientists. We were thrilled.” refuge vehicle until his eyesight began

Pg 6 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 A Man and His Tractor: Saving Shorebirds in

Bull Frogs and Flap Gates the rotation schedule for different Smith’s workday includes mowing, tilling, treatments on those units.” controlling invasive species (including feral pigs), preparing fields for native Mitchell sees Smith’s passion when he wetland vegetation – and problem-solving. goes out long after normal working hours His supervisor, Michael Mitchell ( to watch the birds come in. “He gets Refuge deputy manager) says Smith is re-energized seeing the tangible results able to think about the wetland system of his labor.” Living as well as working as a whole and come up with practical on the refuge, Smith has also developed ideas to solve problems. He designed a good relations with neighboring farmers. “ hen I manipulate a pond and bull frog trap to keep the predators out There are nine farmers growing taro as a Wget a growth cycle with the commercial crop on refuge land. “When I vegetation I want, then I’m like a kid at of nesting areas for endangered water birds like moorhen chicks and stilts. go after the feral pigs that eat the taro, I’m Christmas. The birds come very quickly. helping those farmers,” says Smith, “and Every time I go by, I’m counting birds.” Smith also devised special flap gates for an impoundment unit. A valve on the gate their fields provide weeds – native sedges That’s Chadd Smith talking about his allows tidal water to enter the ponds in – that are a food source for the shorebirds.” work today. But in many ways, Smith, addition to fresh water, bringing in brine Mitchell has long been impressed with a heavy equipment operator at Kauai shrimp for the stilts. Both the bull frog Smith’s vision and goals for the refuge. Refuge Complex in Hawaii, has been trap and the flap gates have improved Asked about his career objectives during flooding ponds ever since he was a young fledgling success at Kauai Refuge, a recent performance review, Smith boy – when he built dikes around the according to Mitchell. said that his goal was the removal of grass in his backyard. His father Carey, waterbirds – the Hawaiian stilt, the a retired regional refuge biologist, recalls Smith was also a key participant in a habitat management planning meeting Hawaiian moorhen, the Hawaiian coot and that “neighbors then were not too happy the koloa or Hawaiian duck – from being with Chadd’s ‘career choice’ because he that normally includes only wetlands experts, biologists and managers. considered endangered, at least on the would run the hose for days to create refuge. “If I could have a full career with wetlands in our subdivision.” “Wetland management is much an art as a science,” explains Mitchell. “Chadd the Fish and Wildlife Service and get the The senior Smith also remembers that his knows the art. He is not scared to try native Hawaiian duck off that endangered ◆ son was “always most impressed with the different treatments. He helps choose list,” says Smith, “I’d be happy.” folks who do the real work on refuges – the the location of management sites and equipment operators.” In third grade, when he was told to create an identification card for the job he wanted as an adult, the card showed him as a “plower” for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Twenty- two years later, Smith is living that dream. “I could be working for a construction company, desecrating habitat and building roads and apartment complexes. Now I’m helping to build habitat for native birds. That’s the appeal.” Passionate about saving endangered shorebirds in his home state of Hawaii, Smith says working as an equipment operator “is as close to biology as I could be without being a biologist,” adding that he’s just “not a college type of person.” He spent two years volunteering full- time at Kauai Refuge before becoming an employee, and his father remembers that One of heavy equipment operator Chadd Smith’s career objectives is protection of endangered waterbirds “switching from the blue to the brown like the Hawaiian moorhen at Kauai Refuge Complex in Hawaii. Hawaiian legend says the moorhen shirt was his proudest day.” - or `Alae `ula - brought fire to the Hawaiian people. (John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS)

September/October 2007 | Pg 7 Refuge Update FOCUS . . .On Refuge Improvement Act Diplomacy, Leadership, Compromise It Took All Three to Make a Law

by Dan Ashe deceased, who was chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public ot long after joining the U.S. Works. He became her unflinching ally. NFish and Wildlife Service in The legislation was stymied. 1995, I walked into the office of then Director Mollie Beattie, now deceased, Mollie soon fell ill with cancer and would the evening before she was to testify never resume leadership of this battle. before Chairman Don Young of Alaska But as she withdrew, she enlisted the and the House Resources Committee on passionate support and commitment the subject of organic legislation for the of former Interior Secretary Bruce National Wildlife Refuge System. She Babbitt. As he prepared to testify in the was scribbling intently. It is, perhaps, next round before Chairman Young’s my most vivid and lasting memory committee, he also earned distinction of her. She was not just rearranging in my memory with these words (which her testimony; she was redefining it, I am paraphrasing): I feel as if I am out of deep concern about the House playing a role in a Kabuki drama. I will legislation and its attempt to elevate fulfill my commitment to Mollie, and I uses (principally hunting and fishing) to will vigorously deliver this veto threat, purposes of the Refuge System. but I want you to arrange a meeting with Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado Chairman Young, immediately after my (Karen Hollingsworth/USWS) She was searching for a way to make testimony, so that he and I can begin an the Committee members understand effort to bridge these differences. that the purpose of a refuge, and the Refuge System, must be singular Bridging the Differences – wildlife conservation. She believed Kabuki is highly stylized theatre known that uses, even wildlife dependent uses for the elaborate makeup worn by its like hunting and fishing, must be distinct performers. I never had opportunity from purpose and subservient to it. That or courage to ask exactly what the evening, I believe, was the beginning of Secretary meant, but I understood the successful road toward compromise that he wanted something different. “Give us clear vision, that became the National Wildlife Refuge I believe that the Secretary was telling System Improvement Act. us that he would wear his veto makeup that we may know and play his dramatic role temporarily, Mollie Beattie scripted the political but that he would not stay this course position that refuge uses should not where to stand and of conflict without at least trying to be elevated to refuge purposes, and bridge the differences. He would not that any legislation embodying such what to stand for play to a stalemate between the House a concept should be vetoed by the and Senate. President. For this, she was ridiculed by – because unless we many members of the House Resources To those of us who had been engaged Committee and by many recreational in this struggle for several years, the stand for something, we constituencies, some of whom testified thought of impromptu discussions with in support of the proposed legislation. Chairman Young seemed almost naïve. shall fall for anything.” She lost overwhelmingly in the House of Both armies were firmly entrenched Representatives, but she built a firebreak and Don Young was commander-in-chief Peter Marshall with the national media, which lambasted of the opposing forces. To be honest, the House-passed legislation. Then, I was more than a bit relieved when she lit a successful backfire with Senator Chairman Young’s staff rebuffed the idea John Chafee of , also now of a meeting following the Secretary’s

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

. . .On Refuge Improvement Act

testimony. But then serendipity, or fate, hunting and fishing have unique status enlisted the help of an old colleague who or destiny took over. and should not be treated the same as was then the President’s scheduling other uses, like grazing and mining. All assistant – Jennifer Palmieri – and As we were waiting by the elevator of a sudden, it seemed that we could reach we got one more person into the Oval to ride down, the doors opened and agreement around the concept of priority Office. We invited Steve Thompson, now there stood Chairman Young, who had public uses that we had earlier outlined in California- Operations manager, left the hearing earlier and was now an . because he, along with others in the on his way to the House floor for a then-Division of Refuges, had played an vote. I was shocked when Chairman I was amazed at how the personal focus invaluable role. (Ask Steve to tell you the Young immediately and enthusiastically and attention of a cabinet secretary could story of his journey into the Oval Office.) accepted Secretary Babbitt’s invitation lend an air of seriousness and maturity for negotiations. to the discussions. Issue-by-issue, In the Oval Office, there was a small table meeting-by-meeting, disagreements were along the wall next to the President’s The Secretary was insistent that the resolved. For me, it was a subject lesson desk. It had a collection of pins and negotiations be limited to a small and in the kind of skillful diplomacy that buttons. I removed the Blue Goose pin select group, and that the discussions author Daniele Varè called, “The art of from my lapel and laid it carefully in the take place in his office. He restricted letting someone else have your way.” middle of the collection. the Service to two representatives; I was fortunate and honored to join then The final deal was cemented during a As I recall the events of a decade ago, acting-Director John Rogers. The meeting in the office of Congressman it seems distant and almost surreal, others included Secretary Babbitt; John Dingell of Michigan. Congressmen but it was one of the most intense and Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Young, George Miller of California and rewarding periods of my career. I Barry; Harry Burroughs, majority staff, Jim Saxton of attended. was in the presence of distinguished House Resources Committee; Chris We dodged a few minor landmines but public figures and debating issues of Mann, minority staff, House Resources the meeting ended with handshakes incredible importance. Every meeting, Committee; Max Peterson and Gary Taylor, and backslaps. A few weeks later, the and every word in every meeting, was Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; new legislation passed the House of consequential. I witnessed tremendous Dan Beard, Audubon Society; Bill Horn, Representatives, with only one member courage in Mollie Beattie’s principled Wildlife Legislative Fund; and Rollie voting against – Congressman Ron Paul and determined stand. Because of her Sparrow, Wildlife Management Institute. of Texas. leadership, we had clear vision and knew where to stand and what to stand Secretary Babbitt insisted that we Blue Goose Pin in Center for. I saw almost magical diplomacy on negotiate with just the House – since only The Senate was not particularly the part of Secretary Babbitt. I saw they had passed legislation – and that the pleased to be handed a fait accompli, Congressman Don Young accept an environmental and recreational interests but Chairman Chafee proved true to adversary’s offer made in good faith. I be limited to only one representative his allegiance with Mollie Beattie and saw enemies in a long battle climb from each. These were shrewd decisions, quickly moved the legislation. Despite their trenches, abandon their armaments, and he instructed the participants that protestations from a few interest groups and find the path to agreement. they would be responsible for selling – such as utilities and mosquito control the ultimate product to their larger agencies, Senator Dirk Kempthorne The monument to this effort is a law communities. If the negotiations of , chairman of the relevant that continues to guide purposeful succeeded, then we would all deal subcommittee, agreed to move the stewardship of America’s National collectively with the Senate. legislation with only a few very minor Wildlife Refuge System. It also reflects amendments. Senate Majority Leader the good faith and hard work that the Personal Focus of the Secretary Trent Lott of Mississippi agreed to entire Service and all of our friends and The negotiations took place over a period schedule the bill for consideration. partners have invested in implementing of about six to eight weeks. The group this landmark law, which recalls for me met weekly with the Secretary. He The bill passed and was signed by Thomas Carlyle’s adage that, “Conviction showed no end of patience for discussion, President on October 9, is worthless unless it is converted into but absolutely no tolerance for posturing. 1997, in an Oval Office ceremony that conduct.” ◆ He asked each party to identify the I was privileged to attend along with single most important thing that they the Secretary, Director Jamie Clark, Dan Ashe is the Service science advisor needed to get from the negotiations. Assistant Secretary Don Barry and other and a former chief of the National Ours was that the conservation purpose dignitaries. We desperately wanted Wildlife Refuge System. of the Refuge System must be singular someone who had actually managed a and superior. Bill Horn’s was that refuge to attend. At the last minute, I

September/October 2007 | Pg 9 Refuge Update . . .On Refuge Improvement Act

10 Years of Improvement Let’s Aim for 10 more

by Congressman Jim Saxton merica’s National Wildlife Refuge ASystem is the world standard when it comes to wildlife habitat networks. In addition to providing places where flora and fauna can prosper, people can benefit, too. We can hike, fish, canoe and do other outdoor recreational activities. Refuges are also economic engines that generate over $1.4 billion annually to Swallowtail butterfly at Edwin B. Forsythe support local economies. National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey It indeed is a unique national resource. The Improvement Act gave the Refuge Ten years ago, as chairman of the System a clear mission and directed House Subcommittee on Fisheries that every refuge be managed to pursue Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, I the mission, leading to better overall had high hopes when Congress passed management that would achieve local, the National Wildlife Refuge System regional, national and international goals. Improvement Act of 1997. The law required each refuge to produce

Refuges Say Welcome!

n the early years refuge planning and management, but Iof the National that it is “directly related to the mission Wildlife Refuge of the National Wildlife Refuge System.” System, visitors The Act is also the first to name the were rare. By the “Big Six” priority public uses – hunting, 1920s, some refuges fishing, wildlife observation and were opened to photography, environmental education hunting and fishing. and interpretation. By 1960, the Refuge System was seeing Kevin Kilcullen, chief of visitor services more than 10 million for the Refuge System, observes, “We visitors each year had never articulated through the and by 2004, the mission that the purpose of all this number had climbed conservation is to benefit the American to 39 million. public, and one way to engage them is to give them direct access to refuges The National with quality programs and nice, safe Wildlife facilities.” Many of them are called Refuge System Visitor Enhancement Facilities, or VFEs. Birdwatching at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas (USFWS) Improvement Act was the first legislation to state explicitly that compatible Is Your VFE on the List? wildlife-dependent recreation should not The criteria for VFEs were developed only receive priority consideration in four years ago with the first infusion

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

. . .On Refuge Improvement Act

a Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Many invasive species problems come via a process that allowed frank and from outside the refuge where the native open discussions between the refuge plant communities have been disrupted and the public. and invasive species fill the habitat voids. It is very important to integrate Since the passage of the Act, we’ve made measures to control invasive species on some progress on maintenance funding and off the refuges. and volunteer programs. However, our refuges face a number of long-term The Improvement Act paved the way for problems that threaten the health of the this type of comprehensive legislation. Refuge System, such as invasive species. We have a lot at risk should we fail to H.R. 767, the “Refuge Ecology Protection, act. There are 548 refuges spread out in Assistance, and Immediate Response every state in the union. Every major Act,” or REPAIR Act, now before U.S. city is within a one-hour drive of a Congress begins to address the invasive refuge. In beautiful rural southern New species crisis in our Refuge System. The Jersey, the Edwin B. Forsythe National bill would provide voluntary REPAIR Wildlife Refuge is home to seal colonies grants to states, local governments, and designated wilderness areas. It is a regional agencies or individuals to fund refuge in every sense of the word that the planning, execution and maintenance permanently sets aside habitat amid of projects to remove invasive species on development pressures. the lands and waters in and adjacent to national wildlife refuges. I hope over the next 10 years we can Congressman Jim Saxton is a senior build upon the successes since the Refuge member of the House Natural Resources Improvement Act was enacted. ◆ Committee.

of money for outdoor kiosks. The Trails are another ways to get visitors Trail. The tracts became part of St. House Appropriations Committee staff outside. Surveys indicate that 25 percent Marks National Wildlife Refuge, where expected the Refuge System to build 25 of all refuge visitors use the trails. they increase the protected acreage kiosks at $50,000 each with that first one Refuge trails must be accessible if they for wildlife. million dollar appropriation. “We built connect facilities. Today, they also tend The Refuge System was also a co­ 58 kiosks,” said Kilcullen, “because we to include “sustainable practices” so they th were efficient, we had design standards, require minimal maintenance. sponsor of this fall’s 11 Conference on and we enlisted partners like Friends National Scenic and Historic Trails. The groups, states, local communities, Transportation enhancements conference sought to help participants Scouts and chambers of commerce.” coordinator Nathan Caldwell explains engage their local communities in that now trails are more likely to be sustaining the nation’s trails. For VFEs include a range of small facilities, contoured along a hill, with a gentler national wildlife refuges, this is yet but not visitor centers, exhibits and grade and more attention to the water another avenue for fulfilling the Refuge visitor contact stations. Instead, flow. Planners use soil stabilizers to Improvement Act mandate to “ensure observation decks, signs, historical make an accessible trail that doesn’t that opportunities are provided within resources, kiosks, even restrooms are necessarily have to be paved. the Refuge System for compatible included if they cost less than $750,000. wildlife-dependent recreational uses.” ◆ This year, refuges identified all VFEs The National Wildlife Refuge System they would like to complete through is also an active participant in national 2013; the projects are prioritized in the trail planning and promotion with Service Asset Maintenance Management groups like The Conservation Fund, System (SAMMS) and Kilcullen says “we American Hiking Society, America’s have a five- year construction plan with Byways Resource Center and other regular funding.” federal agencies. The Forest Service, for example, purchased three tracts of land to buffer the Florida National Scenic

September/October 2007 | Pg 11 Refuge Update FOCUS . . .On Refuge Improvement Act Alaska’s Refuges and the Improvement Act

by Mike Boylan nation’s wildlife refuges, but a whopping 80 percent of the acreage. To give a sense of scale, Yukon Delta National Wild­ life Refuge is the size of . Alaska’s big size has spawned big dreams, and these have touched its refuges. In the 1960s, the state wanted to build a dam and flood an area the size of New Jersey for hydroelectric power. The Rampart Dam project fell through, though, and today the third largest refuge, Yukon Flats, sits where there might have been a reservoir larger than Lake Erie. In 1958, the Atomic Energy he danger in looking at Alaska to Commission wanted to demonstrate the Tunderstand the Refuge System is peaceful uses of nuclear power by atom- like looking for a date in a funhouse blasting a harbor at Cape Thompson in mirror – the image is pretty distorted. today’s Alaska Maritime Refuge. Project Alaska has just three percent of the Chariot was abandoned, but Amchitka

Reflections on the Tenth Anniversary of the Refuge Improvement Act “The Service now The Centrality of the Mission has an affirmative by Robert Fischman associated with modern scientific resource programs.” This is a very conservation en years after Congress enacted the different conception of conservation from TNational Wildlife Refuge System the multiple-use, sustained-yield missions stewardship duty.” Improvement Act, the law remains the that sought to conserve a steady stream most recent for any federal of commodities to be extracted from the public land system. The envy of other public lands. It also embraces a broader systems, the law provides a hierarchy of land and water ethic that extends to plants preferred uses, comprehensive planning, and habitat rather than the previous, substantive management criteria and almost exclusive, focus on animals. many other elements necessary to conserve public resources. A key lesson of conservation biology is that nature reserves need to be The most fundamental change wrought interconnected. The 1997 Act re­ by the 1997 law is its systemic goal of conceived the Refuge System as a conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife “national network” of lands and waters Service must “sustain and, where to sustain plants and animals. This appropriate, restore and enhance healthy realigned the geometry of refuge populations of fish, wildlife, and plants conservation from linear flyways to a utilizing . . . methods and procedures

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Island, part of the Aleutian Islands Integrity policy, and its innovative conserve fish and wildlife populations and Reservation since 1913, endured three Appropriate Uses policy. habitats in their natural diversity. . .” underground nuclear tests, including the Regrettably, ANILCA didn’t define largest held in the U.S. in 1971. New Level of Scientific “natural diversity.” However, the Refuge Sophistication Improvement Act provides direction to It’s no wonder that Alaska National The Refuge Improvement Act directs “ensure that the biological integrity, Interest Lands Conservation Act that CCPs be developed for each refuge diversity, and environmental health of the (ANILCA) was seen as the salvation of or complex within 15 years, “except with System are maintained.” The subsequent Alaska’s refuges. And it’s no surprise respect to refuge lands in Alaska. . .” This 2001 Policy on Biological Integrity turned that the National Wildlife Refuge System exemption recognizes that Alaska has ANILCA’s “natural diversity” from a Improvement Act clearly defers to had CCPs since the 1980s, as required stumbling block into a stepping stone by ANILCA: “If any conflict arises between by ANILCA. Still, Alaska refuges have clarifying that biological integrity must any provisions of this Act and any seized upon Refuge Improvement Act “provide for the consideration and provision of the Alaska National Interest guidance to revise their CCPs to address protection of the broad spectrum of fish, Lands Conservation Act, then the new challenges and opportunities. The wildlife and habitat resources found on provisions in the Alaska National Interest Improvement Act adopted Alaska’s refuges and associated ecosystems. Lands Conservation Act shall prevail.” “Comprehensive Conservation Plans” Further, it provides refuge managers title as the national standard, replacing with an evaluation process to “. . . prevent It would be an exaggeration to say variants like “master plan” and ANILCA gave birth to the Refuge further degradation of environmental “comprehensive management plan” used conditions and . . . restore lost or severely Improvement Act, but it was certainly before the Act. present in the delivery room. Three degraded components.” notable examples include the Refuge If the Improvement Act benefited from This policy brought a new level of Improvement Act’s consistent direction ANILCA, it reciprocated by patching scientific sophistication to refuge for Comprehensive Conservation Plans some holes in the landmark law. For management by considering genetic (CCPs), its visionary Biological example, among the standard purposes variation, population levels, keystone ANILCA specified for each refuge is “to continued pg 24

more complex web of relationships. It conservation after three decades of these concerns were incorporated into challenges the Service to consider how lagging. The Service policy implementing the formal environmental impact analysis actions on each refuge contribute to this standard addresses external threats of the proposed project, and the Service or diminish the conservation potential – those sources of degradation that followed the policy’s prescription to raise of the System. It provides traction for originate from actions that occur outside concerns in the context of local land adapting to the monumental disruptions of the refuge boundary. Of all the federal use procedures. The regional director of climate change. public land systems, only the national testified in opposition to the project’s parks’ policies deal as forthrightly with conditional use permit before the Meeting the Mission at external threats. commission. In the face of the Service’s Valley National Wildlife Refuge well-documented opposition, which But there is more. In an effort to One of my favorite examples of how this was amplified by the refuge Friends hold the Service accountable to the policy can make a difference in meeting organization, the county commissioners broad purpose for the Refuge System, the mission occurred near Minnesota unanimously rejected the permit Congress imposed a number of path- Valley National Wildlife Refuge in 2003­ application. breaking substantive management 04. Facing construction of a 19,250-seat, criteria. The law requires that the amphitheater on a tract of land adjacent Stewardship and Restoration Service maintain “biological integrity, to the refuge, the refuge staff carefully The 1997 statutory mission of the diversity, and environmental health” documented how the amphitheater system also includes restoration, where on refuges. This is the most ecological would project noise, nighttime light and appropriate, of plants and animals. This standard in all of U.S. public land stormwater into the refuge, harming element is reflected in three unusual law. It represented a return of the refuge resources and priority public obligations. First, the Service has a Refuge System to the cutting edge of uses. They took measures to ensure that duty to acquire water rights, the only

continued pg 26

September/October 2007 | Pg 13 Refuge Update . . .On Refuge Improvement Act

The Refuge Improvement Act’s Biological Framework by Bob Adamcik Managing as a System Managing a diverse system is he National challenging, yet after a decade of Wildlife T biological effort, the Refuge System has Refuge System made much progress towards unified Improvement approaches to adaptive management, Act provides that monitoring and research. These are disparate refuges promoted through tools like the Policy be managed in on Habitat Management Plans and a system-like two related handbooks, Writing Refuge way to maintain Management Goals and Objectives and biological integrity, the draft Identifying Refuge Resources biodiversity and of Concern and Management Priorities. environmental These, along with other guidance, health. The Refuge workshops and training, help field Improvement Act staff identify biological priorities, write mandates that the and pursue supporting objectives, and Refuge System develop related monitoring. Further, the monitor status Northeast and the Great Lakes Regions and trends of created the Biological Monitoring Team, natural resources, which promotes shared solutions by while working exploring management and monitoring Puffins at Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge collaboratively with states and neighboring techniques applied across several stations. (USFWS) communities. How has the Refuge System approached this framework?

Is the Refuge Improvement Act all Wet?

by Evan Hirsche water, the lifeblood of refuge habitat and wildlife. The expanding human footprint, efuge professionals, thousands of changes in agricultural practices, Rrefuge volunteers and more than introduction of non-native species, 250 Friends groups work tirelessly to the need to restore the hydrology of ensure that each one of the 548 refuges stream and river systems, and concerns across the country is managed for the for water quality are all reasons to optimal benefit of America’s wildlife. reexamine the priorities and tactics We should all be proud of what we of refuge water resource programs in accomplish together. Yet threats from order to prevent the loss of species and beyond refuge borders – inappropriate habitat integrity. development, military maneuvers, mining and fossil fuel extraction – threaten As the struggle over clean and plentiful to jeopardize the future of these supplies of water rages across the conservation gems. country, refuges are frequently caught in the crossfire. At many refuges, thirsty A significant challenge facing refuges is human communities are siphoning off the need for adequate quantities of clean

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Biological Integrity gives meaning to interpretation of the The latter, particularly for comprehensive Perhaps the most progressive element results. Also, depending on the scale and conservation plans, is open to many of the Refuge Improvement Act is the detail, it can be one of the most costly and interests. Planning teams also work requirement that the Refuge System time-consuming activities undertaken. closely with state agencies, interest “…ensure that the biological integrity, groups and private landowners around Since passage of the Refuge diversity, and environmental health of each refuge, a practice reinforced by the Improvement Act in 1997, the Refuge the System are maintained…” The many new Refuge Friends groups. System has attempted to focus on Policy on Biological Integrity, Diversity selective, meaningful monitoring that Climate change, invasives and water and Environmental Health, completed supports management questions, issues promise new challenges to in 2000, defines these terms and the relates to multiple refuges, or supports our implementation of the Refuge Refuge System’s intentions regarding larger, landscape level efforts, such Improvement Act during its second the “integrity mandate.” Among its as monitoring for climate change. An decade. Fortunately, the Service’s new provisions are protection of extant ongoing revision of the Policy on Strategic Habitat Conservation initiative communities, use of historic conditions Inventory and Monitoring consolidates offers a stewardship model to support for decision making and restoration of these philosophies and should be ready us in these challenges. The initiative’s native habitats. The Refuge System is for review by the end of the year. landscape perspective incorporates now referencing this policy in planning the interests of our partners while and management, and individual refuges Coordination and Cooperation maintaining our identity as a land base applied it in discussions as diverse as with Partners with unique mandates. We will be able to compatibility, wilderness management, Finally, the Act requires “coordination, set collaborative priorities that support environmental education and recreation. interaction, and cooperation” with our trust responsibilities but promote a Monitoring Wildlife Trends adjoining landowners and state natural Refuge System role larger than that of resource agencies. The Refuge System The Refuge Improvement Act is clear individual stations. ◆ has embraced these responsibilities by that the Refuge System must “…monitor ensuring public review of new policies, Bob Adamcik is a wildlife biologist in the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and public notice of compatibility reviews, the National Wildlife Refuge System’s plants in each refuge.” The challenge and a broad scoping process associated Branch of Wildlife Resources. is doing so with available resources. with planning activities. Monitoring always needs a context that

stressed by the demands for more and deadly algae blooms, is poisoning plant more water to satisfy a rapidly growing and wildlife downstream. But that is population. The Southern Nevada Water not the only problem. Sedimentation Authority has obtained a permit to begin has caused cloudy water to cut off light tapping a vast aquifer that directly to seagrasses, while there has been a supplies the refuges, even though experts tremendous influx of freshwater into the do not know how much water the aquifer Caloosahatchee estuary. All of these holds or how pumping the groundwater issues are affecting J.N. “Ding” Darling, will impact water supplies. A dramatic Caloosahatchee, Island Bay, Matlacha drop in water tables would harm at least Pass, and Pine Island Refuges. 16 federally listed endangered species St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge freshwater As the competition for water grows, lake in Florida (Jane M. Rohling) and hundreds of others. Opponents argue that no pumping should be allowed in the refuges face an uncertain future face of such uncertainty. worsened by the difficulties of securing water supplies. At others, waterways are water rights across the country. With burdened by polluted runoff. While Desert Refuge faces a lack of water such a crucial resource for refuges, Too Much, Too Little water, a number of refuges in Southwest does the National Wildlife Refuge Refuges within the Desert National Florida must confront an excess of System Improvement Act of 1997 provide Wildlife Refuge Complex, located just water released from Lake Okeechobee. the authority and leverage that U.S. Fish outside Las Vegas, are increasingly This fertilizer-laden water, prone to and Wildlife Service professionals need continued pg 26

September/October 2007 | Pg 15 Refuge Update . . .On Refuge Improvement Act

No Deposit, No Return – My Leadership Journey

by Maeve L. Taylor passion, and the fact that they were looking to us for future leadership. joined the U.S. Fish and Through the employees I met that first IWildlife Service through the summer, I was given the belief that if I Student Career Employment stayed with the Service, I could make a Program (SCEP) in 1998. difference for wildlife conservation. So I It only took a few days at have stayed. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in central New York for Fulfilling the Promise, which arose me to realize that I had found after the National Wildlife Refuge the right career. System Improvement Act, speaks of every employee having a leadership Part of the hook was the SCEP role, extending the legacy of leadership workshop that summer, when into the future and developing employee I met other SCEPs, learned pride. These goals were evident how the Service works and was throughout every Service training I inspired by Service leaders encountered. Yet, I learned the most like former Chincoteague from the challenges that were available Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Refuge manager John Schroer and for me to conquer, and no one suggested in (USFWS) Mamie Parker, then special assistant to I couldn’t try. the director. I was impressed by their

SES in the Refuge System: Implementing a Vision

he word “leadership” does not and the future of the Refuge System to Tappear in the National Wildlife the three candidates from the Refuge Refuge System Improvement Act, System: Rick Schultz, chief of the yet leadership is the prime necessity Refuge System Division of Conservation as the Refuge System goes about Planning and Policy, Todd Logan, implementing the concepts and regional refuge chief in Alaska, and Greg directives encompassed in the Act. Siekaniec, manager of Alaska Maritime Little wonder, then, that Fulfilling the National Wildlife Refuge. Each Promise, the vision document that came answered individually in writing. on the heels of the Act, devotes a whole chapter to the subject. How has the Refuge System Improvement Act made a difference to This year, eight U.S. Fish and Wildlife managers – on the ground – in guiding Service employees were selected for them in management? the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program, which trains Rick Schultz: top leaders in all federal agencies to The Refuge System Improvement Act motivate people, continually transform provides a strong legal foundation for government, and achieve results through managing disparate units of the National partnerships and building coalitions. Wildlife Refuge System in a consistent Refuge Update posed several questions manner. It directs refuge managers about the Refuge Improvement Act to administer these units to fulfill the

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The early years of my career at Parker and the head. Through my work at during our closing ceremony of Refuge River National Wildlife Refuge in the refuges I met the most important Academy, “We are not alone!” coincided with the mentors of all – my co-workers. I found “Invest in People” program launched the employees I most wanted to imitate Nine years after that first summer at by Mamie Parker when she became the – Gary Burke, Martha Parmenter, Steve Montezuma Refuge, I’m still looking for new director of the Northeast Region. Flanders, and so many others – because challenges and taking every chance I can Opportunities abounded, such as Refuge they worked hard, cared immensely to learn how to be a better leader. The Academy, the regional Mentoring about what they were doing, stood up for best opportunities are still available Program and the regional Leadership what was right and took the time to share to the newest members of the Service. Pathways Program – including a month­ their and advice with me. Identify an employee you admire to long detail in Alaska. mentor you. Accept the challenge of a “We Are Not Alone” difficult project to see how much you The greatest gifts have been my If you’ve heard Mamie Parker speak, can grow. relationships with my mentors. Refuge you’ve probably heard her mother’s manager Terry Villanueva at Bombay advice: “No deposit, no return.” One of Always remember the strength of our Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the most valuable ways we can make that Service team. Most employees are Delaware was so eager to share her deposit is to invest in future leaders and here because they love wildlife and wild experiences with me and guide me become partners on a team – where each lands. They are wor king with you to ◆ through becoming a first time supervisor. member feels an important link to the make a difference. My mentor in the Leadership Pathways outcome. As Oscar Diaz, refuge manager Maeve Taylor is the regional volunteer, program was deputy refuge chief Jim at Caribbean Islands National Wildlife grants, and partnerships coordinator in Kurth, who showed me how to make Refuge, whispered into the Mason jar the Alaska Region. decisions that come from both the heart

mission of the System as well as specific purposes for which their individual refuges were established. The Act was forward looking in directing the Service to complete comprehensive conservation plans for all refuges in cooperation with others including states and local communities. Finally, the Act directs refuge managers to ensure that the conservation purpose of their refuges receives priority over wildlife-dependent Rick Schultz Todd Logan Greg Siekaniec public uses and other uses. Todd Logan: Greg Siekaniec: conditions, relationships with neighbors, At the risk of stating the obvious, the The Refuge System Improvement Act conservation strategies with state fish Improvement Act led us to develop six has afforded managers an opportunity to and game offices and other partners, new foundational policies – compatibility, do something that many of us rarely means of conserving important areas that conservation planning, biological seem to take time to do. We are charged complement existing habitats, wildlife integrity/diversity/environmental health, with taking the time to stop and think oriented recreation, or a host of other mission/goals/objectives, appropriate about the future of the refuge you are important issues each refuge faces. working at and to couple that with being uses and wildlife dependent recreation. I think one of the most exciting elements Day in and day out, these six policies part of a larger conservation system. Each manager has the chance, while of conservation planning is the public shape what we do – and don’t do – involvement process. Developing a plan on refuges. developing conservation plans, to think about the future, whether it is inventory in the “eyes” of the public will forge and monitoring, facilities, habitat new relationships, resolve longstanding continued pg 18

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SES in the Refuge System — continued

controversy, create tensions that need and public interactions should radiate addressing, and set the course for the outward and influence private and public refuge for an extended time. land administration because we set a conservation ethic that shows respect for Where do you think the Refuge System the land and people we interact with. should be in 10 years? What difference has the Improvement Rick: Act made to the people who visit The next 10 years will be very important national wildlife refuges, and how do to the National Wildlife Refuge System. we continue fulfilling the mandate “to By 2017, the System will continue to ensure that opportunities are provided benefit from strong support within within the System for compatible Congress and within the conservation wildlife-dependent recreational uses?” community. We will be leaders among “Each refuge should land management agencies in the use Rick: of technology to manage habitats and The Improvement Act validated the stand as a conservation species. Land acquisition within the importance of public visitation and citizen NWRS and private land projects support for the National Wildlife Refuge cornerstone in its own completed beyond refuge boundaries System. Through policies promulgated will be closely integrated with the Fish by the Act, wildlife-dependent public sphere of influence.” and Wildlife Service’s Strategic Habitat use activities have been increased or Conservation initiative and State improved throughout the System. Action Plans. Through partnerships designed to maximize limited refuge resources, these Monitoring protocols on System land recreational activities and educational will be in place which will contribute to opportunities will become increasingly our understanding of global warming. important as demand for wildlife- We will be leaders among land dependent recreation also increases. management agencies in monitoring our carbon footprint and restoring Todd: habitats that sequester carbon. In a On many refuges, the public has related effort, we will model the use of indeed seen increased and/or higher energy efficient vehicles, equipment, and quality opportunities to engage in the buildings. Lastly, we will have a cadre of priority public uses: hunting, fishing, innovative and creative refuge employees wildlife observation and photography, successfully addressing the challenges of interpretation, and environmental 2017 and beyond. education, and maybe even a de-emphasis of some other distracting uses. Todd: It took us 10 years to finalize the To continue fulfilling the mandate, I urge foundational policies of the Improvement folks to reflect on one of my favorite Act. I hope to see us actually paragraphs of Fulfilling the Promise implementing these policies in a (page 51): “Some refuges with unusually systematic way 10 years from now. high visitation can effectively enhance their interpretive and educational Greg: programs with visitor centers. However, I think the Refuge System should the focus of most refuge public use be a standout in the conservation facilities and programs should not be community in how to engage the public on creating more vicarious wildlife in conservation strategies on and around experiences, but on getting people in the refuge. Each refuge should stand closer contact with refuge habitat and as a conservation cornerstone in its own wildlife.” I’m a huge fan of the Visitor sphere of influence. Our management Facility Enhancement program. Ten

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years from now, I’d like the Refuge and create a network of priority public System to be known as the place with uses that tell how we are an exceptional the best trails, boardwalks, boat ramps, system of national wildlife refuges. canoe trails, fishing docks, observation towers, photo blinds, wildlife drives, Refuge Update also asked each of these hunting blinds, etc. leaders to answer one additional question pertaining to his own particular sphere of Greg: responsibility. I think visitors now have a basic understanding of what opportunities Rick - What is the role of leaders at they will likely encounter as they visit the national level, in the Washington different refuges. Not all experiences Office, in “saving dirt,” as Lynn will be the same, and some things Greenwalt puts it? allowed on one refuge will not be The primary role of refuge leaders allowed on another, but overall they can within Washington is to support the expect wildlife dependent recreation on programs and activities that occur all refuges. across the Refuge System. This What are the one or two mandates role includes working with others in the Refuge Improvement Act that to advocate for Refuge System should receive the most attention in policies, procedures and budgets that without an ATV or fishing without a 200 the next decade? help address both challenges and opportunities that occur at the field HP bass boat. There may be a time and Rick: level. In addition, national leaders are place for these vehicles, but not on most Our biological programs need the most uniquely positioned to identify national national wildlife refuges. attention over the next decade since trends or initiatives that can add value Greg - How do you help Service nearly all we do on national wildlife to units of the Refuge System. employees feel that what they are refuges is based on sound science. doing every day is connected to what’s Sound science is needed to effectively Todd - What is the biggest challenge happening on refuges in the rest of the manage wildlife populations and habitats you face in your region and do you country? as well as conduct wildlife-dependent think that is a common challenge throughout the Refuge System? public use activities. Recent experience I have always maintained that even as we strongly suggests that the ecological I believe the biggest challenge is and will make what are seemingly inconsequential communities in which all refuges reside continue to be flat or declining budgets. decisions we need to reflect for a moment are also subject to increasing complexity. Despite some promising activity on the on whether it will compromise another At a minimum, we need to develop a FY 08 budget, I’m pretty pessimistic over refuge or program in some unintended thorough understanding of the ecological the long haul. I hope I’m wrong. way. We often discuss why we have processes that occur on refuges and how standards, why we create common outside influences affect our ability to On the policy side, motorized access onto policies, why we strive to look similar, meet refuge purposes. Alaska refuges will grow as an issue. so I guess I’m always trying to convey The Alaska National Interest Lands “why” it’s important that we behave as a Todd: Conservation Act (ANILCA) has special system of conservation units. It makes The Act provides a pretty long list of motorized access provisions for access each refuge stronger and it makes the things we shall do. Last, but certainly to inholdings, traditional activities and system stronger. I encourage personnel not least, we shall “monitor the status subsistence. However, snow machines, to interact with staff from both the and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants ATVs, jet skis/jet boats and even regional offices and other refuges while in each refuge.’’ We need to update our helicopters are very different machines considering issues, while issuing a permit inventory and monitoring policy, and than what could be envisioned when or considering a compatibility decision more importantly, implement it. ANILCA was enacted in 1980. I hope – a good decision that benefits all refuges, Greg: we can hold the line. While ANILCA not just one, is not only processing it Complete the Comprehensive provisions are unique to Alaska, right but is the right process. ◆ Cconservation Plans for each refuge marketing nationwide has convinced many hunters that hunting can’t be done

September/October 2007 | Pg 19 Refuge Update e-Learning: Engage Volunteers in Invasives

n collaboration with the Center for Next year, a more in-depth online tools for educating local groups about IInvasive Plant Management, the course is planned to help refuge staff the importance of preventing and Refuge System has designed its first with invasive plant management and controlling invasive plants, such as online training course for volunteers how to integrate volunteers. a PowerPoint presentation that can and Refuge Friends groups interested be downloaded and customized for in fighting invasive species -- the single “I’ve been repaid for every moment different locations. Volunteers can greatest threat to the Refuge System, I’ve worked,” said Steve Sutter, a be our greatest advocates in the fight according to the National Wildlife and volunteer since 2001 at Minnesota against invasive species.” Refuge System’s Threats and Conflicts Valley National Wildlife Refuge. In a database. An estimated two million personal story recounted online, Sutter Congressional appropriations have also acres of refuge lands are infested with says he appreciates returning to a been used for competitive grants for invasive plants, yet only 280,000 acres spot where he helped inventory purple invasive species projects that directly have been treated. loosestrife and seeing that 90 percent of involve Friends groups and volunteers. the invasive is gone. Such grants also often require training For three years, beginning in 2003, – now readily available online with the Congress has appropriated $1 million The Refuge System partnered with new course. ◆ annually to engage volunteers in The Nature Conservancy, the National managing invasives on refuges. Some Wildlife Refuge Association and the of the funding has been used to develop U.S. Geological Survey in 2003 to the online training. The new Web train volunteers in using hand-held site (http://www.fws.gov/invasives/ GPS devices to volunteersTrainingModule/index.html) map invasives includes video, text and photos that on national give not only background about the wildlife refuge. Refuge System, but also the science “We needed an and management of invasive plants orientation to and strategies to attract volunteers for invasive control work that takes special stamina and that would be as dedication. standardized as possible,” said The online, self-study course comes Jenny Ericson, complete with quizzes. Among its national invasives other elements are a thorough but volunteer simplified explanation of Integrated coordinator. Pest Management (IPM), a link to the Department of the Interior’s “We want IPM policy, and a discussion of how volunteers to be invasive plant control is included in a able to engage refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation their communities Plan. There are also links to many on the issue of government and private Web sites invasives,” said dealing with invasives. Ericson. “The online training provides practical

The Refuge System’s first online, self-study course helped train Refuge Friends and volunteers to fight invasive species. It includes a thorough but simplified explanation of Integrated Pest Management, among other elements.

Pg 20 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 Know Your Birds: On TV and In Costume

“ he theme music is superb, the bird Harbor Audobon, Weyerhauser, the local Tof the month fun and the closing school district and Friends of Nisqually, readings charming.” McCartan and an Americorps volunteer Ann Berry, Birdwise viewer developed a shorebird program that was first offered to schools in 2002. For the With such unvarnished praise, who needs past two years, Americorps volunteer Neilson ratings? The program eliciting Jacki Schwindlein has expanded the this viewer’s accolades is Birdwise, program’s reach so much that two a monthly half-hour feature that is Americorps volunteers are coming this broadcast on local access cable television fall to keep up with demand. in Thurston County, Washington. Birdwise combines the talents and Schwindlein tells 8 to 13 year old expertise of Nisqually National Wildlife students that Grays Harbor Refuge is Refuge, Black Hills Audobon Society and the fourth largest stopover for shorebirds a variety of local birding experts. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in in the Pacific flyway. She asks children to Washington helps produce a monthly birding flap their arms until they get tired and The curator of a local museum provided program called Birdwise on the local public access Schwindlein asks, “Could you do that for cable television channel. (Tim Sweeney/Birdwise) segments on bird anatomy. The owner two to three days straight?” The children of a local Wild Birds Unlimited store Tom Schooley. Since April 2006, the give up in about two minutes. offered backyard birding tips. One program has been produced once a program included segments on the Youngsters also have a chance to try on month and airs twice a week for the mating practices of birds, tips on bird the different adaptations that enable entire month. baths and the 20th annual summer birds to make that long journey – a lecture series at Nisqually Refuge. The Judge’s Choice Award vest made of down, air sacs, long beaks “sponsor” in May was the white-crowned Earlier this year, the Alliance for to reach into the mud for food, long sparrow and the bird of the month in July Community Media gave Birdwise a pointed wings to fly those long distances. was the osprey. judge’s choice award in the Best of Schwindlein’s enthusiasm for her subject Northwest Video category, prompting rubs off on the kids. After a microscope Regulars include Phil Kelley, avian producer Sweeney to quip in his blog, workshop at the annual Grays Harbor forecaster and Featherman, who points “While Birdwise didn’t win the top Shorebird Festival, one young girl told out birds and behavior to be seen in prize, the Honorable Mention in the Schwindlein, “This is so much fun. When the coming month. Kelley augments informational program category is not I grow up, I want to be a scientist.” ◆ his Feather Report with a weekly bird bad given we were using shows from last count and field trip into the Nisqually year when we barely knew what we were Delta on the refuge. Sheila McCartan, doing.” The Web site (http://birdwise. visitor services manager at Nisqually blogspot.com/) offers everyone the National Wildlife Refuge Complex, opportunity to post comments or view the gives the monthly roundup of birding programs online. news and events. There is also a regular educational feature from biologist Burt “It’s a nice outreach project that does not Guttman, a member of the Black Hills cost us any money,” concludes McCartan, Audobon Society and professor emeritus “It takes a little bit of our time and it’s at The Evergreen State College. reaching a lot of people, including people who can’t get out.” “There were all these shows about fishing,” McCartan said in describing Create a Shorebird the origins of Birdwise, “we thought McCartan is also proud of another there would be an interest in birds and outreach initiative at nearby Grays Americorps volunteer Jacki Schwindlein at Grays birding.” Tim Sweeney, who volunteers Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. The Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Washington at Thurston Community Television, helps a student don shorebird adaptations. refuge has no permanent staff even (USFWS) produces the show which is hosted by though environmental education is part Nisqually Friends member and birder of its mission. With funding from Grays

September/October 2007 | Pg 21 Refuge Update Around land. The cleanup will be finished in National Elk Refuge is launching 2011. Rocky Mountain Arsenal was the second year of Journals and built in 1942 to manufacture chemical the Refuge JPGs: Seasons on the Refuge, an weapons and was later leased to Shell to make agricultural chemicals. Located System just outside of Denver, the Arsenal is one of the nation’s largest to build a weather shelter and kiosk. environmental cleanup “We feel very fortunate to have had sites and is also the the contributions of so many local largest contiguous open and national partners,” said refuge space in the Denver manager Craig Sasser. metropolitan area. Since 2004, more than 30,000 people have visited the The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge. recently released 260 alligator snapping turtles into the waters of Tishomingo Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge has become the 548th refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Second graders at National Elk Refuge in Wyoming show off the Department of Energy journals they created during an environmental education program completed cleanup of the called Journals and JPGs: Seasons on the Refuge. (USFWS) former nuclear weapons site in 2005. Earlier this environmental education program for year, Rocky Flats was removed from second graders. Students come to the the national list of Superfund sites. refuge three times during the school The Comprehensive Conservation year for classroom lessons and field Plan for the refuge calls for a gradual experiences that bring together art, increase in public use over the next writing and science. Several local art 15 years with conservation efforts and conservation groups are project focused on native tallgrass prairie. The partners. During each field trip, refuge mission also includes protection students use both journals and digital of habitat for the Preble’s meadow cameras (purchased through a Nature jumping mouse, an endangered species. of Learning grant) to record their experiences. “Everybody’s journal South Carolina Grant Graves, son of Tishomingo National Fish turned out different because we all Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge Hatcher manager Kerry Graves, holds one of have different imaginations and nobody has just opened its new Cox Ferry 260 alligator snapping turtles recently released thinks the same,” said second grader Lake Recreation Area. The area into the waters of Tishomingo National Wildlife Mataya. Journals and photographs features bird watching, hiking, Refuge. (USFWS) were showcases for a parent open kayaking, canoeing and fishing. house at the end of the school year. Eventually, a boardwalk will lead National Wildlife Refuge. A species of special concern in Oklahoma, the only Colorado visitors onto an island within a wetland area. Funding for the area began with viable population had been at Sequoyah The Environmental Protection Agency a Conservation Award from the Bass National Wildlife Refuge, where honored Rocky Mountain Arsenal Pro Shop in Myrtle Beach. Additional Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery National Wildlife Refuge with a 2007 donations came from the National Fish has been rearing the snapping turtles Notable Achievements Award for Land and Wildlife Foundation, Anheuser in captivity and releasing them into the Revitalization. The award recognizes Busch and the City of Conway. Centex wild. The illegal market in the food the exceptional effort involved in Homes donated engineering and design and pet industry as well as pollution cleaning up more than 13,000 acres of services as well as construction crews and overharvesting have drastically

Pg 22 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 reduced the number of these turtles in mean something,” said visitor services southern Oklahoma. This new group was manager Nell Baldocchino, who noted Chief’s Corner confiscated from a commercial breeder in that the individual “took the time to track — continued from pg 2 . us down and mail these artifacts back to us.” After the health and genetics of the That and much else have changed in turtles were tested to make sure they In Memoriam the decade since passage of the Refuge were compatible with Oklahoma’s turtles, Eugene Kridler died of heart failure Improvement Act. they were released into the Washita last May near his home in Sequim, River watershed, which is within their Washington. He was 87. During a U.S. Today, we have a 12-part Strategic Plan historic range. All of the turtles were Fish and Wildlife Service career that for the Refuge System. We have a new marked for future identification and stretched from 1952–1979, Kridler database system – the Refuge Annual several now have sonic transmitters served at Bowdoin, Salton Sea, McNary, Performance Plan – that tracks and on their shells. Tishomingo Hatchery Klamath Basin, Sacramento and measures our progress. In May, we got and researchers at Oklahoma State Malheur Refuges. He was also the first passing marks from OMB during our University will track the turtles’ Service employee to be permanently PART review. movement over the next two years. stationed in Hawaii. His efforts there led Yet, those achievements hardly begin to the creation of 10 new refuges in the to paint a picture of the Refuge System Pacific Islands. Kridler was particularly Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has 10 years after passage of the landmark skilled in capturing and banding birds. Refuge Improvement Act. been named an Important Bird Area By 2004, he had banded 100,500 birds of by the Ohio Audubon Society. The 310 species. We welcome and orient nearly 20 designation came on International percent more people than we did in Migratory Bird Day when the refuge A dedicated volunteer with the Rhode 1997. As the country has become celebrated the opening of its new $3.6 Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex more ethnically diverse, visitors find million visitor center. The three-story died unexpectedly last year. In his 30s refuge brochures and Web sites in visitor center is quite a step up from the at the time of his death, Stuart Keeble Spanish, Russian and other languages original hunting lodge that once served was an avid birder and led bird walks at as we reach out to those whose native as refuge headquarters. Energy saving Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge. countries have nothing that equals features include gas-filled windows Keeble’s family, the refuge Friends the Refuge System. Land acquisition for added insulation and a geothermal group and refuge staff created a dozen has slowed, yet we have added 35 climate-control system that uses water birding backpacks that will be on loan refuges since passage of the Refuge from a 20-foot-deep pond to regulate at the refuge in Keeble’s memory. Each Improvement Act. When the U.S. indoor air temperature. The facility also monogrammed pack includes binoculars Fish and Wildlife Service earlier this features an exhibit area highlighting bird and guide brochures. The project year identified the areas it wants to be migration and a muskrat hut to teach prompted another family to provide recognized for excellence, the Refuge kids (and adults) about these furry marsh funding for backpacks at Sachuest Point System was among its six priorities. residents. National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island to honor a family member. In every state, national wildlife refuges connect people with nature, Patuxent Research Refuge received an Birding backpacks implementing the Refuge Improvement interesting call recently from a man in are on loan Act’s mandate. In every region, Fairfax, Virginia, who had just rented a at Trustom national wildlife refuges are involved storage unit and discovered some items Pond National in extraordinary habitat work, from that had been on loan from Patuxent Wildlife the largest tallgrass prairie restoration since 1970. The items included a framed Refuge in Rhode Island at Neal Smith Refuge in to the letter with two molted whooping crane in memory of nation’s largest salt marsh restoration at feathers. The letter had been signed Stuart Keeble, Bay Refuge in California. by E.H. Dustman, director of Patuxent an avid birder at the time, who is now 90 and living in and dedicated The National Wildlife Refuge System Virginia. The feathers were on loan to volunteer is both a powerful conservation tool who died and a collection of national treasures. the General Services Administration. unexpectedly Now they are being sent to Mark last year. That hasn’t changed in the decade since Madison, Service historian at NCTC for (Janis passage of the Refuge Improvement “debugging.” The returned items are Nepshinksy/ Act. That will not change in the decades “testimony that values and honesty still USFWS) to come. ◆

September/October 2007 | Pg 23 Refuge Update Friends Academy— continued from pg 1 that information without the face-to-face two hours brainstorming ways to help To an appreciative and newly inspired dialogue we had here.” organizations meet challenges like audience, Greenwalt said the Friends building membership, raising money represent “an incredible potential that is “This Friends Academy reaffirmed and raising the profile of the Refuge just beginning to be revealed.” ◆ that Friends groups appreciate help System. “You always hear about doing in become as effective as possible,” more with less,” commented Kathy Friends Academy Participants concluded Trevor Needham, national Woodward with Friends of Great Friends coordinator. “A lot of light Back row: Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Leslie Calhoun (Black Bayou Lake), bulbs went off during the week.” New Jersey, “but now we realize how Mark Hufford (National Wildlife Refuge Association), Ellen Gabel (National Fish Friends heard from each division within much less.” and Wildlife Foundation), Marie Springer and daughter Mary (Wallkill), Ralph Gilges the Refuge System and from some of The personal reflections of Lynn the nonprofit conservation organizations (Bon Secour), Bev Arnoldi (Willapa), Trevor Greenwalt, who worked on five refuges Needham (national Friends coordinator), that are part of the Cooperative Alliance before becoming director of the Darlene Moegerle (), Ann Fourtner (Iroquois), Marion Sansing for Refuge Enhancement (CARE). Service from 1973 to 1981, put current They also heard a presentation (Noxubee), Nancy Menasco (Red River), goals and even the Friends groups Robb Jess (refuge manager Ding Darling), by Emilyn Sheffield, chair of the themselves in perspective. He recalled Sue Hix (Sherburne), Norman Penner Department of Recreation and Parks (Tualatin), Marty O’Connor (Blackwater), when environmental education was Tom Murray (Florida Panther) Management at California State considered outside the scope of refuge University/Chico on “Changing World, responsibility. Likewise public use, Front Row: Changing Wildlife” (see Refuge Update Barbara Volkle (Assabet River), Joan which changed from “people are a pain Patterson (Potomac River), Lace Blue- May-June 2007). and a bother” to a Service that employs McLean (Chassahowitzka), Kathy Woodward (Great Swamp), Tim Anderson (Seal Beach), Despite long hours at formal sessions, people whose specialty is effective Gary Tucker (Visitor Services, Southeast the Friends never seemed to lag for public use. Region), Sally Webb (Okefenokee), Dan enthusiasm. One evening, they spent Dziekonski () (Matt Poole/USFWS)

Alaska’s Refuges and the Improvement Act— continued from pg 13 species, and other factors in light of pre-empt the compatibility process. The more rigorous scientific standards of historic conditions. For Alaska, the Appropriate Uses Policy was published the biological integrity policy to the Policy on Biological Integrity emerged June 2006. Its ink was barely dry before heightened efficiency of the Appropriate just as refuge managers were calling for it was tested at Alaska Peninsula Refuge Uses Policy to the improved consistency back-up to explain “natural diversity” when a local air taxi operator sought and accountability of CCPs, the Refuge in the face of state efforts to expand a permit to fly fishing clients into the Improvement Act gifted all refuges, predator control for wolves and bears. refuge by helicopter. including Alaska’s, with improved The new policy helped managers resist management tools. predator control on refuges by invoking ANILCA ensures traditional access a rigorous scientific review, including to Alaska refuges by small airplanes. Since 1903, through strategic habitat factors such as historic population Helicopters have been permitted on acquisition and courageous decisions by fluctuations, harvest rates and age-sex refuges when airplane access was myriad managers in far-flung corners of ratios as prelude to NEPA compliance insufficient – e.g. search and rescue our country, the National Wildlife Refuge and other constraints. – but never for recreational access. System continues to provide the best After a rigorous review in light of the homes for our nation’s wildlife, including Raised the Bar new policy, the refuge manager found the animals and plants of Alaska. We’ve The Refuge Improvement Act also closed such helicopter use not appropriate spent a century building this house; it’s an old loophole by replacing “wildlands­ and denied the permit request. The only fitting that the Refuge Improvement oriented recreation” on refuges with a manager’s decision was appealed to the Act now gives us the ultimate home higher standard for compatible “wildlife­ regional director but upheld and the security system. ◆ dependent recreation”. A little-known permit denied. new standard also empowered managers Mike Boylan is refuge supervisor for those to identify a use as inherently not The Refuge Improvement Act has raised refuges in the southern part of Alaska. appropriate for the Refuge System and the bar of refuge management. From

Pg 24 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 Searching for the Silver Lining of Black Duck Wings by Dane Cramer, Paul Castelli and refuges currently protect over 57,000 activities: feeding, loafing, sleeping, Christopher Williams acres of habitat in southern New Jersey. comfort (preening and wing stretching), The habitat is vital to the success of agonistic (bothering other ducks), he American black duck remains black ducks but also provides essential courtship, swimming, walking and Ta spectacular sight on the salt wintering habitat and crucial stops flying. Finally, biologists are estimating marshes along the Atlantic coast. Any along migration routes for hundreds of the availability and utilization of foods winter salt marsh scene is illustrated thousands of birds that rely heavily on such as snails, clams and seeds. This with a show of black ducks floating the rich coastal habitat. effort, across the landscape, provides an effortlessly against an icy backdrop. estimate of food energy available as well Building a Bioenergetic Model as any associated depletion rate. Crop Researchers from the University of The study will collect multiple pieces Delaware in partnership with Ducks surveys from harvested black ducks then of information to build a bioenergetic verify food usage, food preference, and Unlimited, New Jersey Division of Fish model. To determine habitat and Wildlife, Edwin B. Forsythe and the possibility of any shift in food source Cape May National Wildlife Refuges and as resources become depleted. The final Black Duck Joint Venture have launched result will be an estimate of the amount a two-year study aimed at understanding and types of habitat required to support the habitat and food requirements and maintain projected population goals. of wintering black ducks. The study “We are very supportive of this will complement a similar study cooperative research investigation. It recently completed around Wertheim will further our understanding of National Wildlife Refuge in New York natural resources and strengthen refuge and one currently underway around management decisions,” says Kevin Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Holcomb, refuge biologist at Edwin B. in Virginia. Forsythe Refuge. Finding answers on a flyway scale will Increasing the quality of habitat in New enable managers to more effectively Jersey may have direct impacts on the anticipate waterfowl habitat needs and health of hens returning to breeding determine priority areas for restoration grounds and could result in increased and protection. The New Jersey production, potentially curbing the research is also supported by the New current downward population trends. Jersey Waterfowlers Association, the Managers hope to combine data from all Atlantic Coast Joint Venture and the three studies to insure that population New Jersey Duck Stamp Committee. goals set for black ducks are realistic. New Jersey is a pivotal area for black Data will also be used to support wetland ducks. According to a mid-winter protection policy changes aimed at inventory coordinated by the U.S. Fish University of Delaware graduate student Dane protecting black duck habitats. ◆ and Wildlife Service, nearly half of the Cramer cradles one of the black ducks he is studying. (USFWS) Dane Cramer is a graduate student Atlantic flyway’s population winters in at the University of Delaware. Paul New Jersey. Along the Atlantic flyway, availability and usage, we summarized Castelli is a research scientist at New New Jersey approximates the center of information about wetland habitat Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. the ducks’ wintering range. Even in the across southern New Jersey from the Christopher Williams is an assistant face of habitat loss and development, National Wetlands Inventory data. professor of wildlife ecology at the the population has managed to stabilize We attached radio transmitters to University of Delaware. to the north. To the south, populations female black ducks to monitor their continue to decline. movements around the clock, from The majority of ducks is found on the winter through late spring, identifying coastal salt marshes of numerous state- habitat areas that are most important. owned wildlife management areas and We also assembled time-energy budgets two national wildlife refuges, Edwin by determining the percentage of birds B. Forsythe and Cape May. These two in a flock engaged in nine predefined

September/October 2007 | Pg 25 Refuge Update Reflections on the Tenth Anniversary— continued from pg 13 affirmative trust mandate of its kind in into a coherent network for continental U.S. public land law. Because instream conservation. The refuges do not yet flow problems in refuges are generally fully cohere into a system that is more caused by upstream users outside of than the sum of its parts. The web the refuge boundaries, this provision remains frayed and patchy. supports the commitment to abate external threats. The Refuge Improvement Act is a call to action that will be remembered as Second, the 1997 statute requires the farsighted as ’s Service to “monitor the status and 1903 proclamation of the “preserve” on trends” of animals and plants in each Pelican Island. The traditionally shy refuge. This biological monitoring duty Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Service is poised to provide leadership will prompt development of an essential, Maryland (Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS) in the tremendous land use challenges yet chronically missing, element of a sword to advance the restoration goal facing our fragmented landscape. The adaptive management. Adaptive and the mission to maintain biological manifestation of the mission on-the­ management requires feedback about integrity, diversity, and environmental ground can inspire neighbors to join the consequences of decisions in order health. To succeed, refuges must go in urgent conservation projects. The to adjust them continually. Public land beyond abating threats and lead through Refuge System under the 1997 statute management generally lacks a research example to demonstrate what good land can be more than just the national component that adequately evaluates the use is for a watershed or region. network of nature. It can be the polestar success of predictions. for reformed resource management The Challenge and Potential of throughout the world. ◆ Third, the Service now has an affirmative Purpose conservation stewardship duty. This Notwithstanding its systemic purpose, Robert Fischman is a law professor looks to the future when the system will t Indiana University—Bloomington the 1997 law retained the disparate a face problems not specifically addressed and the author of The National Wildlife purposes for which individual refuges in the current law. While it will initially Refuges: Coordinating a Conservation were established. The Service still be used as a shield to defend protective System through Law (Island Press 2003). faces a tremendous challenge in actions, it may ultimately be wielded as orchestrating the hodgepodge of refuges

Is the Refuge Improvement Act all Wet?— continued from pg 15 to ensure the necessary quantities? The funding to access and document the effects on wildlife as a result of intervention short answer is yes… and no. water uses and needs on refuges and by the National Wildlife Refuge recommended development of a program Association and others who stopped Few refuges have federally reserved water to “improve data collection and analysis for “rider language” in the Water Resources rights, and the overwhelming majority use in defense of refuge water rights” and Development Act that would have operates under state water laws with water “increase the efficiency and effectiveness of extended high water levels in upstream rights granted by the states. Although existing water management.” Lake Barkley. the Act does not create new water rights, it does require that the Secretary of the Until the Administration requests If we do nothing about water quantity, Interior “acquire, under state law, water and Congress substantially increases many of this country’s most beautiful and rights that are needed for refuge purposes” appropriations for purchasing water rights, biologically diverse lands will cease to exist. and “assist in the maintenance of adequate the Secretary will simply be unable to Refuge supporters around the country water quantity and water quality to fulfill comply with the law. need to look around them, acknowledge the mission of the System.” and understand the problem, and do what In the meantime, it is the responsibility they can to assure that refuge habitat and While this directive to the Secretary of those who care about refuges to defend wildlife have a voice in the clamor for the is clear, ultimately the Refuge System refuge water needs. Some refuges have clean water we all need in order to survive must have adequate funds to meet this already benefited from citizen action. and thrive. ◆ obligation. The Western Water Policy Tennessee and Cross Creeks National Review Advisory Commission reported Wildlife Refuges may be spared drastically Evan Hirsche is president of the National in 1998 that the Service has inadequate reduced water volume and its disastrous Wildlife Refuge Association.

Pg 26 Refuge Update | September/October 2007 American Crocodile Makes a Comeback

because they provide the less brackish water needed by hatchlings. Unlike the adults, croc hatchlings do not do well in the saltwater cooling canals. Shortly after hatching, the young are removed from the confines of the small ponds by FP&L staff and placed in larger tracts of wetlands adjacent to the canals where they continue to grow and later disperse to available habitat outside the facility. Historically, crocodiles probably did not nest on the refuge. However, a failed development project in the 1970s, with its abandoned canals and associated levees, provided an excellent site for nesting crocodiles. Because this nesting area is artificial, it must be continually maintained to provide Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Wildlife Refuge and Turkey Point proper nesting conditions. Nuclear Power Plant provide sanctuary to the 1,400-2,000 American crocodiles residing in South Florida and the Florida Keys (Al Sunshine). Over the years, refuge volunteers have helped enhance and maintain nesting by Steve Klett Establishment of the 6,700-acre habitat by removing invasive vegetation Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge on key nesting areas. The refuge also hen the American crocodile was on North Key Largo in 1979 was another federally listed as an endangered plans to build up portions of the levees W important step. The refuge, along with that have eroded and install culverts species in 1975, fewer than 300 animals Florida Power and Light (FP&L) and remained in South Florida and the across a series of breaches in the levees Everglades National Park have protected to permit access by the trucks and heavy Florida Keys. Today, the U.S. population and preserved most of the important is estimated at 1,400 to 2,000 individuals, equipment needed to control invasive remaining wetlands habitat within their vegetation on a larger scale. prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife boundaries. Protection of nesting habitat Service to reclassify the species as in particular is vital The crocodile population has increased “threatened”. So what has caused this for recovery. because the work has been a cooperative rather dramatic turnaround over the last effort of many federal, state, and 30 years? The croc population is fluid, with local government agencies as well as animals moving back and forth among The continued recovery can be attributed volunteers, organizations and private Everglades National Park, Florida Power companies. Their work has ranged to several factors. The “endangered” and Light’s Turkey Point Nuclear Power listing provided much needed protection from population monitoring to law Plant, and Crocodile Lake Refuge. Based enforcement to habitat management. and helped focus attention and resources upon a count of nesting females, there on the plight of the crocodile. As a could be up to 150 animals on the refuge, The American crocodile must be result, hunting and illegal take were excluding hatchlings, at any given time. recognized for its resilience. It has curtailed, and critical wetland habitat survived in one form or another for 200 was protected from development. Nesting in the Shadow of a Nuclear million years. Its ability to adapt and Power Plant persevere is amazing. As long as we The Service designated critical habitat Crocodiles are attracted, in increasing on portions of the Everglades, Biscayne continue to provide protection to this numbers, to the 80-plus miles of cooling magnificent creature and its habitat, and Florida Bay and the Florida Keys canals at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power from Elliott Key south to Long Key. The the American crocodile will take care of Plant, where they nest on the banks of the rest. ◆ Service must be consulted regarding any the canals. To improve nesting habitat, proposed development within this area to FP&L has constructed a number of small Steve Klett is refuge manager of insure that there is no net loss in habitat fresh water ponds on top of the canal Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and that development does not jeopardize banks. Nesting females prefer to nest in Florida. the species. along the banks of these small ponds

September/October 2007 | Pg 27 Refuge Update Bird Call Snowy Plovers

Rare snowy plovers were seen nesting in over the summer. Snowy plovers are a species of concern in the state, and North Dakota is not typically within breeding range. Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge manager Paul Van Ningen and Carol Aron, biologist with the Bismarck Endangered Species office, found snowy plovers and piping plovers on the refuge in late June. Van Ningen and his son Aaron verified that the nest was being incubated by a pair of snowy plovers. Both male and female snowy plovers attended the nest and aggressively defended it, including feigned injury displays by the female and vertical jumps by the male to lure away both human intruders as well as additional showy and piping plovers. A female snowy plover feigns injury as a ruse to protect her nest. Four rare snowy plover nests were seen at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota in June. (Aaron Van Ningen) Snowy plovers are smaller and lighter in color than their piping plover cousins, which have had more than a dozen nests at Long Lake Refuge this year. “Adding the four snowy plover nests makes this quite a year,” Van Ningen noted. All the Send Us Your Comments nests were located in a one-mile stretch Letters to the Editor or suggestions about Refuge Update can be e-mailed to of shoreline habitat. Both plover species [email protected] or mailed to Refuge Update, USFWS-NWRS, move frequently as the habitat changes 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Room 634C, Arlington, VA 22203-1610. seasonally from bare to full vegetation. ◆

STANDARD PRESORT POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RefugeUpdate PERMIT G-77 USFWS-NWRS 4401 North Fairfax Dr. Room 634C Arlington, VA 22203-1610