U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News

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spotlight Science in the Field / 12

Too Much Sugar / 16

Follow that Pigeon / 20 what’s inside

SPOTLIGHT: Science in the Field / 12 features Making History / 13 Lahontan cutthroat trout returning to Fallen Leaf Lake 12 by DAN HOTTLE Too Much Sugar / 16 Researchers work on a sweet solution to a sticky problem by LAURI MUNROE-HULTMAN 13 Follow that Bird! / 20 Using old technology in new ways to study band-tailed pigeons

by AISLINN MAESTAS

Science in the Stream / 24 Looking for signs of life for Lake Champlain salmon

by BRIDGET MACDONALD A War in the Water / 28 On the cover: Invasive Asian carp threaten native fish Northern in the Southeast and spark a battle for survival 16 20 leopard frog. by DAN CHAPMAN

COURTNEY CELLEY/USFWS MORE FEATURES Behind the Headlines / 32 Proactive partnerships in Texas address endangered species issues

by ADAM ZERRENNER Seeing the Tree, Not Just the Lion / 34 A botanist’s mission to save our natural landscapes by ASHLEY SPRATT 24

From the Directorate / 1 Life After the Service / 39 departments News / 2 Our People / 40 Curator’s Corner / 38 32 34 from the directorate

Strong Science Helps Us Overcome Real Problems

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a science-based Apparently, biologists in New England, including agency, and each one of us should be proud of that Dr. Susan Adamowicz at Rachel Carson National description—I know I am—and work to uphold that Wildlife Refuge in Maine. They are testing their Greg Sheehan, Principal ideal. idea now. Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife We use the best science available to make the best And that’s just one of the stories you will read in Service decisions that we can. And I expect us to always do this issue of Fish & Wildlife News about science this to ensure we are doing the best job we can for in the field. wildlife and the American public. Counting butterflies with lasers, using transponders Will that always make everybody happy? Of course commonly used in fish to help track birds, tracking not. We will be accused of kowtowing to industry or fish with sound...the list goes on. Quite frankly, alternatively adhering to unrealistic conservation what our people are doing is mind-boggling. ideals, or both! I hope you take some inspiration from these stories: But science remains, and will remain, a cornerstone Science and scientists are thriving at the Fish and of the Service. Wildlife Service!

We need good science to identify the needs of wildlife and habitat systems, and how we can meet those needs most effectively.

We need to ensure that the scientific and scholarly information that the Service considers in its public decision-making is accessible, robust, of the highest quality, and the result of the rigorous scientific and scholarly processes. In other words, that it is the best science available.

We need strong partnerships within the greater scientific community that will help generate good information and help grow the next generation of Service scientists.

You see across the nation—in refuges, field offices and hatcheries—that science hasn’t disappeared. Our scientists are hard at work identifying and solving issues that stand in the way of conservation. Often in innovative ways. GARY PEEPLES/USFWS

For instance, Mary Poppins sings about “a spoonful Biologists tag an Eastern hellbender. of sugar” making the medicine go down. Who’d have thought it might be the answer to controlling the invasive Phragmites?

Winter 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 1 news

SCIENCE IN THE FIELD it’s just a matter of downloading the data, clipping the receiver to another concrete block and Listening for Fishes sending it back into the abyss. at the Bottom of Lake No matter how often they do it, the biologists always hesitate an Ontario extra beat before letting go and watching their gear sink from or generations, the Great view. FLakes have supported local communities and the world Through the use of such cutting- with fish for good eating, but edge technology, biologists are overfishing, pollution and invasive examining and unraveling the sea lamprey have taken a toll on mysterious year-long movement many native fishes, especially patterns of fishes in the vast,

lake trout. USFWS deep, dark lake environment. This research will make a future of Several decades of hard work to was part of an effort to better A freshly tagged lake trout ready self-sustaining lake trout popula- control sea lamprey, in concert understand fish movements in for release. tions thriving in restored habitats with strategic stocking of lake Lake Ontario. possible. trout in lakes Ontario and Erie, is helping the trout, which is good For years these biologists have nearly all the fish disappear ERIC BRUESTLE, Lower Great Lakes news for anglers. Indeed, the been tracking lake sturgeon from the river. It is clear they are Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, second most angled fish in Lake and lake trout movements in moving out into the lake, and new Northeast Region Ontario in 2016 was lake trout. But and around the lower Niagara research seeks to find out where lake trout still have a long way to River. Now, in coordination with they go and, eventually, why. go before they are self-sustaining Canadian research partners, without help from hatcheries. the project has expanded in The more we know about where scope to track fish as they move fishes go in the lake, the better To restore the lake trout throughout Lake Ontario proper. we can protect and restore them. population to a self-sustaining Identifying the chemical, physical level, scientists need to know To accomplish this, they strategi- and biological characteristics of how well the fish are reproducing cally place acoustic receivers areas of high use will provide a in the wild, if there is enough on the bottom of the lake in a blueprint for re-creating these suitable spawning habitat and very large grid formation that conditions through restoration if they are finding it, and where will eventually blanket the projects. It will also make it they are spending most of their whole lake. The receivers listen possible to identify and protect time feeding and growing. for sonic signals emitted from areas at specific time periods tagged lake sturgeon, lake trout, that are critical to these species. Scientists are using high-tech cisco, Atlantic salmon and other techniques, including acoustic species. When a tagged fish So, how do you recover scientific telemetry, to answer these swims near a receiver, its unique equipment (and the precious data questions and help restore ID and date/time are recorded. within) resting 500 feet below the Great Lakes fishes. With this lake-wide monitoring surface? The receivers are tied system, scientists can continue to a small buoy and attached to On a clear day in July 2017, fish to unravel some of the mysteries an 80 lb. concrete mooring block biologists from the Service’s of fish migration. For instance, to hold them in place. To retrieve USFWS Lower Great Lakes Fish and with lake sturgeon in the lower them, biologists drive a boat to The moment before sending the receiver Wildlife Conservation Office Niagara River, high numbers the deployment site and send down to the lake bottom. ventured out to the middle of Lake of fish move into the river in down a signal that causes the Ontario and sank $20,000 worth the spring to spawn and then receiver and buoy to detach from of scientific equipment. Not to congregate just outside the river the concrete and begin the long worry, this was no accident. It in the summer/fall. In the winter, journey up to the surface. Then

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SCIENCE IN THE FIELD

Informative Waterbird Monitoring Means Moving Beyond Bird Counts.

ore than a million snow WILLIAM R. COATNEY Mgeese stop off at Missouri Some wetlands seem to be objectives, making efficient More than 50,000 northern pintails River wetlands at Loess Bluffs overlooked by the birds, perhaps management decisions, and can be found in a single lake. National Wildlife Refuge in just by chance or because of using research and monitoring Missouri each fall and spring, some subtle missing ingredient to assess accomplishments while 50,000-plus northern of the habitat. The factors behind and inform future management dabbling duck abundance. pintails can be found in a single the patterns of nonbreeding actions. This approach has Data were also used in local- backwater lake at Two Rivers waterbirds aren’t always clear to been labeled Strategic Habitat scale projects at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois managers. And with resources Conservation (SHC). National Wildlife Refuge in on a November morning. Up to 50 at a premium, leaving things to North Carolina and Clarence percent of the Atlantic population chance with the Field of Dreams Applying SHC to wetland Cannon National Wildlife Refuge of tundra swans can be found on “build it and they will come” management is definitely easier in Missouri to make refuge- refuges in eastern North Carolina approach is no longer a viable said than done, but progress is specific decisions related to during the winter. management strategy. being made via the Integrated managing multiple waterbirds. Waterbird Management and More recently, refuge staff in These spectacular waterbird To help unravel this uncertainty Monitoring (IWMM) approach. the Service’s Midwest Region concentrations are just a few surrounding how nonbreeding IWMM is a nationally approved evaluated dabbling duck densities examples of amazing natural waterbirds respond to monitoring protocol and across 12 units using a cost- events occurring at refuges management efforts, refuge associated online database benefit analysis. This approach scattered across the four major managers and biologists need to standardize data collection supported the continued migratory bird flyways. In most information beyond bird counts. across flyways. The online investment in two expensive-to- cases they are also the direct They need to document bird database allows cooperators to operate but highly efficient units results of dedicated refuge staff, use in terms of their habitat enter their management actions, and identified several smaller who “set the table” for these management efforts and the habitat response and bird use in wetlands as money pits. The waterbirds by providing high return on investment. For wetland a centralized database managed latter units could be repurposed quality wetland habitats for their managers, that includes critical by the Avian Knowledge Network. for other objectives if the results transition from nesting grounds components such as water This ensures management are reproduced in following to wintering areas. levels, various impacts to birds actions are documented and the years. such as hunting or birding, and monitoring data are collected But a well-timed mix of water vegetation. Years of bird counts consistently and accurately. As these examples show, IWMM and vegetation doesn’t always alone can, in the best cases, In addition, these data can be is making certain those amazing work. Droughts, floods, vacant identify trends, but without infor- archived and shared. Reporting natural events don’t disappear. staff positions and equipment mation on water levels, impacts tools have been built into the breakdowns often interfere with and vegetation, there is no database and include a calculator BRIAN LOGES, Inventory and the best-laid plans. Even when context in which to place those for measuring the abundance of Monitoring Program, Midwest Region, everything comes together and trends, hampering managers’ birds over a season, migration and JOHN STANTON, Migratory Birds, the habitat “looks ducky,” early ability to react to changes in chronology curves, management Southeast Region ice-ups, Indian summers and nonbreeding waterbird habitat action logs, vegetation cover weather fronts impact large-scale use. summaries and a moist-soil seed MORE INFORMATION bird movements and ultimately production index. ? influence a refuge’s ability to Said another way, the practice reach their goals for supporting of providing for the needs of Recently, researchers at the U.S. Summaries of projects ducks, geese, swans and shore- nonbreeding waterbirds involves Geological Survey developed and links to the full birds during the nonbreeding an iterative process of devel- a novel approach to use this reports can be found on season. oping and refining management monitoring data to predict .

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 3 news

SCIENCE IN THE FIELD

Researchers Work to Improve Monarch Counts with LiDAR Technology

very year, monarch butterflies Efrom as far as Idaho, Utah,

Arizona and other Western states converge to spend the winter in tree groves along the Pacific Coast and at a few inland sites. Following the butterflies’ arrival by late November, citizen JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS scientists trek to these coastal (Top) Overwintering monarchs cluster overwintering sites—from after a rain storm at Lighthouse Field in Mendocino County, California, Santa Cruz, California. (Left) Dr. Louise to northern Baja California, Allen of Winston-Salem State University Mexico—to count them. watches over the LiDAR machine as it scans Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz, These volunteers of the Western California. Monarch Thanksgiving count must rise early to accurately assess monarch numbers before the sunlight warms the butter- a target and is commonly used flies’ wings and they flutter off to map topography, generating in search of nectar or water. three-dimensional information about surface characteristics. Researchers are now testing The target can be the leaf of a high-tech surveying tool, a tree, a branch, a trunk or a which would lead to increas- monarch butterfly. ingly accurate and expedient population estimates to use in LiDAR has proved to be an conjunction with the manual effective tool for estimating estimates. hibernating gray bat populations, JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS a species that exhibits dense- To summarize the current 2012 and notably down from 2016 the only technique used for clustering patterns comparable counting method, volunteers when slightly fewer than 300,000 estimating monarch populations. to overwintering monarchs. led by The Xerces Society for overwintering butterflies were Invertebrate Conservation estimated along the California But a group from the Service, Dr. Nick Hristov and Dr. Louise start by counting a portion of a Coast. Winston-Salem State University Allen of Winston-Salem State cluster of monarchs and use that in North Carolina and the U.S. University pioneered the use number to estimate the size of the When the Thanksgiving count Geological Survey is testing a of LiDAR to estimate wildlife remainder of the larger cluster. began in 1997, approximately method for estimating monarch populations, almost by mistake. 1.2 million monarchs were populations using a system called Since its inception, experts have estimated at overwintering Light Detection and Ranging, “We began using terrestrial- used the data to estimate the groves along the coast. otherwise known as LiDAR. based LiDAR to study the annual population of monarchs Developed in the 1960s, LiDAR is morphology of caves used by in the West. The 2017 count These data, made possible only a remote sensing technology that roosting bats, only to realize that tallied 192,629 monarchs, the through the efforts of dedicated uses light in the form of a pulsed we were missing an opportunity lowest number observed since volunteers, are gathered using laser to measure distances to by not including the bats in ››

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our analyses—after all, bats were Use of the technology to measure SCIENCE IN THE FIELD squirrel project and enlisted really just an extension of the monarch population numbers is the help of citizen scientists. cave morphology when roosting in the early stages of testing, but in there,” says Hristov. “The if it works, researchers hope for The Secret Life of The partners began by placing technology is uniquely suited for a combined survey approach, in Flying Squirrels “Have You Seen Me?” posters in capturing rich three-dimensional which citizen scientists would shop windows and ads in local data, quickly and very accurately. continue to monitor Western ew people ever see a San newspapers across communities overwintering sites, while supple- FBernardino flying squirrel, in the San Bernardino Mountains, “Such applications have allowed menting hand-counts with LiDAR particularly in flight. These asking residents to report any us to learn more about not only technology at larger overwin- nocturnal creatures spend most sightings of the squirrel. From this the number of roosting bats but tering areas. The technology of their time high up in trees, initial engagement, they recruited also where in the caves bats would be transferable and could venturing down only to forage for some 50 residents who were roost, what they do when they be used to estimate the famous truffles, insects, bird eggs, pinyon excited to take a more active are in there, when they move, monarch clusters in central pine seeds and other vegetation. part in the project. They provided how they structure their roost Mexico. This elusiveness makes it particu- these volunteers with remote formations, etc.,” he says. larly hard for scientists to learn video cameras and trained them Because it is a mapping about this creature, which is in data collection. Hristov admits that using LiDAR to technology, LiDAR would also restricted to mature forest in a assess the size of overwintering create 3-D maps of the overwin- small area of Southern California. For Clark Winchell, Conservation monarch clusters will be consid- tering sites to help the Service Partnerships Program Division erably more complicated than and partners track the quality To better understand the squir- Chief in the Service’s Carlsbad ›› with roosting bats. “We hope, of overwintering habitat in rel’s life history and habitat use, with further developments of the California, and eventually Mexico, the Service, San Diego Natural associated technologies, to be from year to year. History Museum and other able to gain new insights about partners collaborated on a flying Ambassador squirrels greet visitors this fascinating species and how “Our partners in California and at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. best to support its conservation.” Mexico play an important role in monitoring the monarch In December 2015, Hristov, Allen population each year. The and Ryan Drum, lead Service data serve as the basis for our biologist on the Monarch Science understanding of the monarch’s Conservation Partnership, visited extinction risk and help to inform three key overwintering sites habitat goals across North in California where monarchs America,” says Drum. “New were clustered to test the LiDAR technologies are empowering concept to map the butterflies us to test key assumptions about and the groves they occupy. overwintering numbers and can help improve the accuracy of our To count monarchs using population estimates in ways that LiDAR, overwintering sites are we hope can also help conser- scanned twice: once while vation efforts for bats, monarchs monarchs are present and once and other species.” after dispersal from overwintering sites. By mapping surface area JOANNA GILKESON, External Affairs, with and without monarchs and Pacific Southwest Region comparing the mapping images, it may be possible to produce precise estimates of overwin- tering colonies. BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 5 news

coming in for the food. They areas with high levels of duff— could then upload the images leaves, twigs, stems, etc. that are along with location data to the in various stages of decay on the web-based iNature database. forest floor—close to a water For Lilley, participation in the source, but are less dependent on project provided hands-on forest type than other subspecies science education for his two of northern flying squirrel. children. “This was part of our Squirrels liked conifer and mixed home-schooling curriculum, and conifer, with lots of old growth my children learned responsibility and closed canopy, according and technical skills.” to Yuen.

According to Kevin Clark, Tree heights are similar between biotechnician with the Natural the two mountains, but tree History Museum, cameras diversity is greater in the San placed by the Lilley family and Jacinto Mountains, which has others “turned up squirrels mixed oak, conifer-oak, and everywhere.” conifer communities. The key, however, may be relative canopy The second phase of the study cover. According to Clark, “Even focused on the San Jacinto with more tree diversity and Mountains. To determine if any tree density in the San Jacinto squirrels remained in this portion Mountains, the overall canopy of the species’ historic range, cover is lower there than in the project partners set up cameras San Bernardino Mountains.” in areas between 4,000 and 8,000 Canopy cover appears to be the

JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS feet in elevation. Unlike in the one factor that may explain the San Bernardino Mountains, disappearance of the squirrel A remote camera used to capture not a single camera recorded from the San Jacinto Mountains. images of squirrels. a squirrel, Clark says. But the habitat differences alone do not appear to be significant Was there something about enough to explain why the Fish and Wildlife Office, “efforts the habitat of the San Jacinto squirrels appear to be in one area like the squirrel project increase Mountains that was keeping but not the other. “The positive awareness of the natural world squirrels away? To try to answer news is that habitat quality around us, and give people this, Stella Yuen, a University does appear to be suitable if a sense of ownership about of California, San Diego intern a future reintroduction is to species and habitats.” with the Service, spent much of be considered, says Clark.” her senior year collecting and At the start of the study, “most analyzing vegetation data from This summer, the project partners residents weren’t even aware the San Bernardino Mountains. will undertake more surveys in flying squirrels are up here,” “There wasn’t much research the San Jacinto Mountains and says Nole Lilley, one of the on the San Bernardino flying may employ acoustic surveys to research participants. squirrel’s habitat,” says Yuen. make a final determination about the squirrel’s presence in that The volunteers put out suet or The focus of her work was portion of its range. bird seed to attract squirrels measuring vegetation near and set up the motion-sensing Lake Arrowhead. Her research JANE HENDRON, External Affairs, cameras to detect squirrels indicated the squirrels prefer Pacific Southwest Region

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The Threatened Higo Chumbo Cactus Resurges on Desecheo Refuge

t’s hot, it’s steep, there are so islands of Mona, Monito and disastrous for the native cactus. GPS coordinates to mark their Imany spines around us. Our field Desecheo, west of Puerto Rico. Its numbers plummeted. Reports locations. We also took careful team, from Island Conservation The species has been extir- from botanists estimated measurements of each cactus— with the support from the Service pated from the main island of approximately 430 adult and 120 its height, number of branches, and partners, is sweating, and Puerto Rico, and in 1990 it was juvenile Higo Chumbos in 1994. everything we needed to know we are tired. We are traipsing protected as threatened under Fast-forward to 1999: Only five to assess the plant’s health and through the inhospitable habitat the Endangered Species Act. individuals were found on the the status of the population. of Descheo Island, Puerto Rico, Major threats include natural island. Conservationists sounded looking for the threatened Higo catastrophes such as hurri- the alarm. This cactus was on Our results were exciting and Chumbo cactus. But eventually, canes, habitat modification, low the verge of disappearing from encouraging. We found and our efforts are rewarded and genetic variation and invasive Desecheo forever. measured a total of 72 Higo we see one off in the distance. species that eat the cactus. But Chumbos, with height and And then another, and another! now, efforts to restore its habitat Searching for Higo Chumbos on number of branches increasing We are so excited and happy we on Desecheo National Wildlife the island to document its status consistently since 2010. We also forget the trials and tribulations Refuge, which encompasses was no easy task. We visited the observed individuals with flowers of the hike and just enjoy the the entire 360-acre island of island regularly from 2010 to 2013 and huge yellow fruits, a good sight of all these Higo Chumbos Desecheo, are being rewarded. and made meticulous records of sign for the overall reproductive covering the mountains of the cactus. All accessible areas status of the population. Intensive Desecheo, a striking view forever On Desecheo Island, invasive on the island were searched efforts to remove invasive to remain in our memories. vertebrates were introduced by a team of two, amounting vertebrates have revived hope starting with the arrival of the first to approximately 300 hours for the Higo Chumbo cactus. The Higo Chumbo is endemic to Europeans into the region in the of searching during the study Now that the refuge is free of Puerto Rico with natural popula- 15th century. Invasive mammals, period. We marked each plant rats, the Higo Chumbo can stake tions known only on the offshore including goats and rats, proved with a metal tag and recorded its spiny, fruity claim to its natural habitat once again.

This turnaround is owed to the tireless (and sweaty!) efforts of field teams and partners, including the Service, Island Conservation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bell Laboratories and Tomcat, who supported the project. Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge has faced a number of ecological challenges over the past century, but thanks to passionate, hopeful individuals, it seems that this incredible place is starting to feel like itself again.

CIELO FIGUEROLA, Island Restoration Specialist, Island Conservation

Mona Island is one of three places the Higo Chumbo cactus lives. NASA

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 7 news

Catching All the a boat motor. This sometimes move fish across the lake into the last few feet into the desired results in painful consequences a confined space for removal. removal location. Concerned the Asian Carp in when, in an effort to escape, tight ball of fish would escape, St. Louis, Missouri one of these fish, weighing In many areas where mass the partners quickly assembled five pounds on average, hits removal of Asian carp is equipment and personnel to atching one fish can be a fun a speeding boat’s occupants. necessary, very few native fish remove the fish from the water. Cand relaxing way to spend an exist, underscoring the urgency They wrapped a net around the afternoon; trying to catch 47,000 Able to swim 30 miles per hour to minimize the spread of invasive ball, and then physically removed fish presents some extreme and evade fishing nets, hooks and species. But when present, the fish with a netting system and fishing challenges. Yet that is lures, these fish are beyond the partners work to minimize impact loaded them onto a machine on exactly what Service biologists limits of standard modern fishing to them. For the Creve Couer shore. and the Missouri Department of eradication techniques. So the Lake removal, trained staff sorted Conservation, U.S. Geological partners looked to China, the native fish from Asian carp and The successful removal of 47,000 Survey and the St. Louis County country of origin for silver carp released the desirable species silver carp was a monumental Parks Department attempted and other Asian carp species, back into the lake or holding undertaking. From start to finish, to do at Creve Coeur Lake in for inspiration. tanks. the effort took three full weeks, St. Louis suburb Maryland 20 people, one track hoe, two skid Heights, Missouri. While silver carp populations Biologists used high intensity loaders, 10 boats and a mile of have steadily increased in lakes sound coupled with deep-water net. Cool temperatures at night The 320-acre lake had become and rivers of the United States, electric shock devices and also created ice on the lake that infested with silver carp, a type they continue to decline in floating nets to efficiently and had to be broken each morning of Asian carp that is known for China, where they are seen as effectively herd the fish. The before work could continue. jumping high out of the water a valuable source of nutrition. technique was largely successful, when agitated by the sound of Partners deployed a Chinese until the fish formed a tight ball. Creve Coeur Park Lake, once “fish herding” technique to slowly But the carp refused to move packed full of silver carp, is now largely free from them. After nearly a decade of competing with silver carp for food and space, native sport fish such as crappie have a chance to regain their foothold in the lake and create a desirable fishery for anglers. Once again, recreational boaters will be able to enjoy the lake without the excessive risk of jumping silver carp. The absence of the invasive Asian carp will also reduce the likelihood of smelly and unsightly fish kills at the scenic urban park. Through this partnership effort, it is anticipated the lessons learned will allow other groups to successfully remove Asian carp in invaded waters throughout the country. (See: A War in the Water as Asian Carp Threaten Southeast, p. 28)

Some 47,000 invasive Asian carp were removed from Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights, Missouri. COURTESY OF MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION COURTESY OF MISSOURI DEPARTMENT

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Texas Refuge and Volunteers ‘Bust’ Ghost Fishing

very year tons of blue crab, Especkled trout, flounder and dozens of other fish species are caught on the Texas Gulf Coast, not to the delight of an angler, but accidentally caught in lost, unmoored or discarded crab traps. The wire-mesh traps can remain in the water for years “ghost fishing,” with one trapped, decaying animal attracting countless others. These traps affect more than 40 species, including commercially and recreationally important fish such as sheepshead and black drum. Abandoned crab traps also damage boat propellers and frustrate those who enjoy wading the shallow coastal LAURA BONNEAU/USFWS waters to fish. Aransas is the winter home of Pulling the traps also helps to Volunteers help with the wet, muddy job To address the proliferation the only natural wild flock of ensure that healthy crab and fish of pulling abandoned crab traps. of abandoned traps in Texas whooping cranes, an endangered populations remain along refuge waters, in 2001 the Texas species. “The cranes migrate bays and waterways. This year, Parks and Wildlife Department to the Texas Coast from Canada, Aransas Refuge staff and volun- (TPWD) created the Abandoned and blue crab is one of their teers collected 274 crab traps in Crab Trap Removal Program, primary food sources here,” San Antonio Bay, which borders a volunteer-driven effort that says Bonneau. the refuge. The San Antonio Bay allows the public to remove crab Foundation and San Antonio traps during a 10-day crab trap But this problem affects much Bay Partnership collaborated in moratorium in February. Since more than whooping cranes. the area-wide cleanup, which the program’s inception, national Fish, other birds, sea turtles and “netted” a total of 997 abandoned wildlife refuge staff and volun- people eat blue crabs. “This crab traps. This was double the teers on the Texas Coast have stretch of the Texas Coast has number from previous years, been pulling abandoned crab world-class fishing, and at likely the result of Hurricane traps out of bays and marshes Aransas you can fish from the Harvey. adjacent to refuge lands. piers or enjoy wade fishing,” Bonneau says. “But we want to According to TPWD, since 2002, Aransas National Wildlife do more than just provide access efforts have resulted in the Refuge “serves a lot of important to the bays: We want families removal of 32,700 abandoned customers that depend on to enjoy a great day of fishing.” traps from Texas waters. blue crab, including whooping Removing abandoned crab traps cranes,” says Laura Bonneau, the is one way to do that. refuge’s visitor services manager.

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 9 news

Post-Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Priority on Restoring and Enhancing Recreation in the Gulf of Mexico Region

he Gulf Coast beckons Ttravelers and locals alike with promises of emerald waters and brilliant white beaches for boating, fishing, swimming and lazy lounging about. There are also untold acres of forested habitat waiting to be explored for bird watching and nature hikes. These recreational activities depend directly on the health of the Gulf’s natural resources and the ability to access them. So the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion in 2010 that ultimately fouled more than 43,000 square miles of the Gulf and its shoreline with 134 million gallons of oil was a body blow to both the environment and recreational activities in the area.

To assess the disaster’s impact and remedy the damage, five Gulf state agencies and four federal agencies (including the

Department of the Interior) came NANCIANN REGALADO/USFWS together to form the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource several new viewing platforms recreational opportunities lost One section of the newly restored Jeff Damage Assessment Trustee and easier-to-navigate trail during and after the Deepwater Friend Trail at Bon Secour National Council. The council has calcu- materials. Horizon oil spill: a $10.8 million Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama. lated that the public lost more beach enhancement project than 16.8 million days of recre- The oil spill had a devastating involving the removal of tons of ation due to the oil spill, and the impact on the refuge. As first debris that resulted from roads council has allocated almost responders rushed about dealing being damaged during several among other things, create 5 percent of the final $8.8 billion with the oil washing up on its storms and hurricanes, and the artificial reefs (for fishing, scuba legal settlement reached with sandy beaches and vegetated $4 million purchase of two ferries diving and snorkeling); improve BP (the party most responsible shoreline, the Service had to that will begin to carry visitors boat ramps at state parks; for the disaster) to projects that restrict public access to the between the City of Pensacola, rehabilitate fishing piers; and provide and enhance recreational areas. That led to a loss of Pensacola Beach, and the Fort develop ecotourism and environ- opportunities in the Gulf. recreational opportunities and Pickens area of Gulf Islands mental education venues. diminished the refuge visitor’s National Seashore in Florida this One such project that was experience. summer, thus improving pedes- NADINE SIAK, External Affairs, recently completed is the rehabil- trian access to the park and Southeast Region itation of the Jeff Friend Trail at The Department of the Interior is reducing auto traffic on the Bon Secour National Wildlife in the process of implementing park’s roads. Refuge in Gulf Shores, Alabama. two other Trustee Council-funded The popular one-mile loop now projects, both at Gulf Islands The Trustee Council has approved boasts new, longer-lasting National Seashore in Florida, other recreation-focused projects composite-material boardwalks aimed at offsetting some of the along the Gulf Coast that will,

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Take Me Fishing…for the Very First Time! and enjoy such an innocent sight. event on QuePasa, and was After all, these kids and others lured by the prospect of giving like them are the reason why his 5-year-old son, Hector, want to go fishing,” replied boys) headed out to Jordan Lake, she has been putting together a new experience. “I3-year-old Jacob when his a 45-minute ride to make little this event for the North Carolina mom, Tennille Folks of Clayton, Jacob’s birthday wish come true. Wildlife Resources Commission, None of the boys, Hector, Jacob North Carolina, asked him what three years in a row. It didn’t nor Christian, caught fish that he wanted for his fourth birthday. Upon arrival at the White Oaks take long for King to jump in. The day, but they had fun. To improve Mrs. Folks was stumped. “I had Recreation Area, volunteers got 20-year environmental outreach chances of catching fish, CC no idea where to go, because the Folks situated, handed them educator was soon kneeling next encourages first-time and novice as parents we have never fished a map and directed them to the to Jacob, looking eye-to eye and anglers to visit Community Fishing in our whole lives. I think he got casting station. Jacob and his giving him pointers. Shortly after, Program (CFP)-designated the idea from watching fishing 6-year-old brother, Christian, he reeled in his first catch. “Now, sites. More than 40 lakes in videos,” she says. playfully attempted to catch can we go for the real fish?” North Carolina are stocked with and reel-in big, colorful fish-like, asked Jacob with a big smile. catchable-sized channel catfish Mom was determined to put plastic toys that were laid on from April-September. Anglers together a fishing trip for Jacob. the ground before them. The The family moved on, grabbed can also borrow rods and reels She started searching online eye-hand coordination takes poles and bait, and stopped by free of charge at many CFP sites. and came across a fishing event some getting used to and aiming the Chatham Sheriff Department’s The CFP sites are operated by posted on Facebook called Family can be challenging, just like in exhibit. Officers gave Jacob the commission and local govern- Fishing Fiesta. The event showed real-life fishing! and Christian free vests and ments. The commission provides promise. They could borrow rods showed them how to fit them 75 percent of the operating funds, and reels, get free bait, and see As the boys were casting on properly. Finally! They made which come from the Service’s some exhibits about water safety, solid ground without luck, the their way to the fishing dock and Sport Fish Restoration Fund, wildlife conservation and endan- event coordinator, Cecelia “CC” found a clearing from where to while the local government gered species. So on April 21, King, was passing by. She saw cast, along with other families funds 25 percent and provides the Folks (mom, dad and the two the boys and decided to linger trying a new pastime activity. the fishing site. Minutes later, the Hernandez family arrived at the dock. Mr. LILIBETH SERRANO, External Affairs, (Right) The Hernandez family tries out fishing. (Left) Little Jacob Folks explores a Hernandez learned about the Southeast Region squirmy earthworm during his first fishing outing at Jordan Lake in North Carolina. L. SERRANO/USFWS

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 11 spotlight

Science in the Field

Developing the best science to conserve the nature of America is not easy. There are always hurdles, and as Dan Collins, Migratory Bird Coordinator for the Service’s Southwest Region says, “Science always leads you to more questions.” But every day, Service staff and partners are out there working on the science of conservation. Here are just a few of their stories. USFWS

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Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex crews install a weir at the mouth of Glen Alpine Creek. The fish barrier is installed once a year to prevent non-native rainbow trout from hybridizing with spawning Lahontan cutthroat trout upstream of Fallen Leaf Lake. Making History Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Returning to Fallen Leaf Lake by DAN HOTTLE USFWS

With a little help from state and federal fisheries returning the native trout species back into a high mountain lake has not been without challenges: The biologists, highly revered Lahontan cutthroat low nutrient production of the crystal clear, 6,300-foot- elevation lake means there’s less for newly minted trout, which disappeared from a California alpine and stocked young Lahontan cutthroat trout to eat. lake more than 80 years ago, are making their Additionally, the introduction of non-native species way back home. such as rainbow, and brown trout into the system nearly a century ago adds the risk of hybridization, “Decades of overfishing and habitat degradation in the as well as of Lahontan cutthroat trout becoming Lake Tahoe Basin caused these unique native fish to food themselves. vanish from the system all the way back in the 1930s, and now we’re working to bring them back where “The number and diversity of non-native species they belong,” says Stephanie Byers, a senior fisheries present in the Lahontan cutthroat trout’s historic biologist for the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery habitat and the ability for them to interbreed with Complex in Gardnerville, Nevada, which has been non-native trout species such as rainbow trout adds raising a broodstock of the famed species since 1995. another layer of challenges,” says Sarah Mussulman, senior environmental scientist with the California Operating under a fisheries conservation agreement with department. the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that was signed last May, the hatchery complex and its partners As part of a recent agreement, the California have ramped up efforts to reintroduce threatened Department of Fish and Wildlife receives Lahontan Lahontan cutthroat trout back into the Fallen Leaf Lake cutthroat trout eggs from the hatchery and raises the watershed that neighbors Lake Tahoe. Restoring the fish species in its American River Hatchery in Gold River, in the lake began in 2002, and according to biologists, California, to help restore recreational fisheries in the eastern Sierra region. ››

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 13 spotlight

(Top) Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex fishery biologists Jason Smith (left) and Thomas Bland search for Lahontan cutthroat trout in Glen Alpine Creek. Biologists use snorkeling equipment to learn more about the reintroduced species’ spawning behavior in the Fallen Leaf Lake system. (Bottom) “We knew early on that if our partners A young Lahontan cutthroat trout is could get Lahontan cutthroat trout back caught by an angler in Fallen Leaf Lake. into their historic habitat and work to give them a fighting chance, they’d possibly be able to recover on their own,” says Byers. “That meant suppressing non-native trout species and creating a niche for them in their native environment with improved stocking management.” DAN HOTTLE/USFWS Several years of research showed that in order for young, reintroduced Lahontan to have a better chance at surviving, more strategic stocking methods needed to be incorporated.

“Rather than stocking large numbers of Lahontan cutthroat trout at a time in one portion of the lake, our crews now stock smaller batches more frequently throughout areas of the lake where there are more natural places for them to hide,” says Service fishery biologist Jason Smith. “In addition, we wait until the summertime so that we can stock larger Lahontan cutthroat trout into the warmer, upper thermocline layer of the lake at a COURTESY OF CLYDE ZIRBEL COURTESY OF CLYDE time in the season when predatory lake trout are down deeper in colder waters.” That same year, stocked and tagged The gains have biologists excited, Smith says that the changes in stocking Lahontan cutthroat trout were observed and the success has drawn attention locations and timing gave the fish a critical attempting to spawn into Glen Alpine from local residents who support the adjustment period to acclimatize to the Creek at the lake’s inlet once again. conservation effort. lake and more quickly seek cover from predators. The results paid off quickly. “This summer, within three days of “The agency partners have taken great In 2012, after reintroduction approaches stocking, we observed hundreds of steps to work with local homeowners and were refined, the lake’s population cutthroat gathering at the mouth of other interested groups for the success numbers began to slowly turn in favor Glen Alpine Creek,” says Smith. “It of this effort as well as for other Lahontan of Lahontan cutthroat trout. was the first time we’d observed that cutthroat trout recovery efforts in the many stocked Lahontan cutthroat trout Tahoe Basin,” says Sarah Muskopf, an migrating all the way across the lake aquatic biologist with the U.S. Forest to instinctually seek out their historic Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin ›› stream habitat.”

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Management Unit. “The long-term outcome of returning these large, lake-dwelling cutthroats is something we’re all excited to see.”

“We’re thrilled to be a small part of the effort to bring back the lake’s native species,” says Dave Bunnett, director of Stanford University’s Sierra Camp, which incorporates information about the restoration project into naturalist programs it provides for more than 3,000 camp guests each year. The university owns lakefront property including portions of Glen Alpine Creek where the hatchery complex installs and monitors a fish barrier, called a weir, every season to block the spawning of non-native trout.

“It’s always fun when we get to observe [U.S.] Fish and Wildlife Service biologists stocking fish from our sailing dock, knowing that we’re helping to bring back Lahontan National Fish Hatchery a native fish that can only be found in Complex fishery biologists Jason Smith this part of the world,” Bunnett says. (left), Roger Peka and Thomas Bland (right) electrofish the mouth of Glen DAN HOTTLE/USFWS Lake residents and other visitors who Alpine Creek that leads to Fallen Leaf come from afar for the famed species also “The return of spawning Lahontan Lake. The fisheries crews are hoping have the chance to help the recovery effort cutthroat trout is not only historic for the to learn more about the spawning by submitting fish measurements and lake, it also means that nesting bald eagles behavior of reintroduced Lahontan other critical data on Lahontan cutthroat and black bears may also return in greater cutthroat trout in the system. trout they catch to Service biologists. historic numbers to Glen Alpine Creek one day,” Muskopf says. Anglers can call a hotline to report Lahontan cutthroat trout catch in the lake. DAN HOTTLE, External Affairs, Pacific Southwest Region Returning Lahontan cutthroat trout to Fallen Leaf Lake revives a historic fishery, improves shoreline angling opportunities and provides the chance to reinvigorate the watershed’s ecosystem as a whole.

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 15 spotlight

Too Much Sugar Researchers work on a sweet solution to a sticky problem by LAURI MUNROE-HULTMAN

A boardwalk passes through a stand of Phragmites australis at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts. STEVE DROTER

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When you’re a biologist at a site named for a famous environment- alist, you feel a responsibility to do your job with the planet in mind.

Just ask Dr. Susan Adamowicz, the Land Management Research and Demonstration Area biologist for the Northeast Region of the Service, stationed at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. Tasked with finding the best ways to manage wildlife habitat, Adamowicz takes inspiration from Carson as she plans her research projects.

In 1962’s Silent Spring, Carson, who also worked for the Service, sounded the alarm about pesticides that imperiled wildlife and people alike. She knew that many of the synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants and insects were dangerous to more than their targets. For a healthy environment, Adamowicz In the field, Phragmites plants also seeks other solutions. were isolated using tubes made of bottomless five-gallon pails. GREGG MOORE/UNH Today, Adamowicz hopes she has found a new one, with the help of a University of New Hampshire researcher. plant turn to tinderboxes primed for There has been no good way to do that. wildfire, putting nearby homes and Herbicides work in certain locations A ’consummate invasive species’ businesses at risk. but pose a risk to native vegetation and groundwater—certainly not a solution Phragmites australis, or common reed, Biologists have long searched for effective Rachel Carson would embrace. is an aggressive, non-native marsh grass ways to control Phragmites. It’s a that pushes out native wetland plants. determined adversary, however. Like So Adamowicz teamed up with Dr. David It is known for its tall (up to 18 feet), those birthday candles that re-ignite— Burdick, research associate professor and feathery, golden stalks. it springs back to life just when it seems interim director of the Jackson Estuarine defeated. Laboratory at the University of New Phragmites is plentiful in the high salt Hampshire, to explore innovative ways to marsh of the Great Marsh, the largest According to Adamowicz, “Phragmites is control Phragmites. One of the methods continuous stretch of salt marsh in the consummate invasive species. If you they tested was sweet and simple. New England. Three thousand acres cut it or burn it, it comes back. If you can of the 20,000-acre marsh in eastern flood it for six months, that might kill it, Turning the tables Massachusetts lie within Parker River but flooding is not always feasible.” National Wildlife Refuge. Burdick had a hunch that sugar, the Restoring natural tidal flow to coastal same kind you put in your coffee, The invasive grass changes the structure marshes is the preferred way to fight might be Phragmites’ Kryptonite. of the salt marsh, filling natural channels Phragmites, but replacing culverts, filling and tidal pools where waterbirds, fish and ditches and improving drainage takes Each summer, rising air temperatures and invertebrates would otherwise find food time. Treating it directly is necessary increased plant growth stimulate bacteria and safety. Many wildlife species find its to keep it in check in the meantime. in salt marsh soils to convert organic dense patches impassable, and in the fall, matter and oxygen into carbon dioxide, when the stalks die back, stands of the water and energy—a process called ››

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 17 spotlight

aerobic (“with air”) respiration. The “Because Phragmites is a master at Some plants (the control) received only activity quickly uses up soil oxygen, getting oxygen to its roots for its own the bay water; others got water with table forcing other groups of bacteria to make respiration, we could use this strength sugar; still others water with extra salt; energy using anaerobic (“without air”) to kill it,” he says. “By elevating soil and the remaining, water with sugar respiration. hydrogen sulfide levels, we might and salt. stimulate the plant to oxidize the gas One byproduct of anaerobic respiration is into a strong acid that it may not be “This is another tool in our hydrogen sulfide gas, a potent toxin for able to tolerate.” plants as well as people. At typical levels, toolbox, and it’s nontoxic the gas is not deadly to most native Pour some sugar on it plants, but it can be toxic to Phragmites. to wildlife, which is very Burdick and his team first tested their Burdick thought increasing bacterial idea in the greenhouse. They soaked desirable.” anaerobic respiration, and therefore Phragmites plants with bay water for hydrogen sulfide levels, could kill the three hours every two weeks to mimic Dr. Susan Adamowicz invasive. He couldn’t control air the flooding that high-marsh plants get temperatures, but he could increase during the extra-high “spring” tides fuel for the bacteria—using glucose that come with the full and new moons Both the sugar- and sugar-and-salt- in the form of table sugar. each month. treated plants showed signs of stress within weeks and eventually died. Only the plants that received plain bay water or bay water with added salt lived.

The sugar-treated plants had very high soil acidity, possibly caused by sulfuric acid, the product of hydrogen sulfide oxidation. This supported Burdick’s theory.

Next, Burdick and Adamowicz headed to Parker River Refuge to set up a field study in the northern part of the Great Marsh. The research was supported by federal funds for Hurricane Sandy recovery and resilience projects.

They isolated individual Phragmites plants and applied the same treatments as in the greenhouse. Sugar and salt were put on the plants every two weeks, after the spring tides flooded the marsh.

The plants that got sugar showed far greater mortality than the other treatments, even with uncontrollable environmental factors, such as rain— a clear sign that sugar is not sweet to Phragmites. ››

In the greenhouse study, plants receiving sugar or GREGG MOORE/UNH sugar-plus-salt (right, top and bottom) showed clear signs of distress within weeks of treatment.

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(Top) Dr. David Burdick takes notes in the field at Parker River Refuge during field testing. (Bottom) Parker River Refining the technique Refuge protects 3,000 acres of the Great Marsh, the largest continuous Adamowicz is pleased with the study stretch of salt marsh in New England. results so far and eager to set up more field trials. She’s exploring ways to treat Phragmites with sugar and salt more efficiently and broadly, perhaps using a backpack sprayer to apply corn syrup at more-frequent intervals than every two weeks.

“This is another tool in our toolbox, and it’s nontoxic to wildlife, which is very desirable,” she says. “The more complicated response to Phragmites is ecosystem restoration, but in the meantime, we need a fast-acting tool to help native plants come back and buy time.”

If Rachel Carson were alive today, she would approve of this environmentally sound method—and just might be thinking, “Sweet!”

LAURI MUNROE-HULTMAN, External Affairs,

Northeast Region GREGG MOORE/UNH MATT POOLE/USFWS MATT

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 19 spotlight

Follow that Bird! Using old technology in new ways to study band-tailed pigeons by AISLINN MAESTAS

Band-tailed pigeons on feeding platform.

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Aristotle once put forth two theories for explaining why certain birds With these benefits in mind, Carleton were observed only during certain times of the year: transmutation and and his research partners decided to try using PIT tags to help research migration hibernation. According to the famed philosopher, summer redstarts would behavior of band-tailed pigeons. annually transform themselves into robins in the winter, just as golden The band-tailed pigeon is the closest warblers would change into blackcaps. For those species without the ability genetic relative to the passenger pigeon and the only native pigeon species in to transform, he offered up hibernation as an explanation: When swallows North America. There are two distinct and kites disappeared in winter, Aristotle claimed they could be found populations of the species in the United States: the Pacific Coast population buried in the ground. and the Interior population. The latter, sometimes referred to as the “Four Corners population,” occurs in the dry These ideas, as fantastic as they may seem Understanding these pros and cons mountain forests of the Four Corner today, persisted for centuries. It was not of available tracking methods (bands, states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico until the 19th century that researchers radio tags, GPS), bird biologists with and Utah. began to genuinely track and study bird the Service’s Southwest Region have migration. In 1804, John James Audubon recently started using a combination Though they are considered to be common used silver string tied around birds’ of technologies to track bird patterns. in their range, the species has steadily legs (the first bird band), to see if a pair been declining. According to the North of eastern phoebes returned to the same For decades, fish biologists have used American Breeding Bird Survey, North nest year after year. By the end of the passive integrated transponder (PIT) American populations of band-tailed 19th century, European naturalists were tags to monitor and study fish populations. pigeons declined more than 2 percent per banding birds in earnest, fitting numbered These tiny transponders (which are year between 1966 and 2014 (amounting metal bands to birds and plotting the also commonly used to “chip” dogs and to a cumulative decline of 63 percent). locations where they were later recovered. livestock for tracking purposes) provide researchers with the ability to track In 2014, the Service recommended Today, new technologies allow researchers individual animals over time and changing the hunting regulations for this to digitally track and study birds in ways space. By acting like a barcode, these game species. In the six states where never before imagined. Radio telemetry transponders are dormant unless harvest of the species is currently allowed allows researchers to track bird activated by a scanner, which is set up (California, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, behavior and movement without having to in a specific location. This gives them a New Mexico and Arizona) the bag limit recapture or recover the individual. Then much longer lifespan and reduces both was reduced to two a day from five a day. came satellite telemetry, which provides their cost and size. PIT tags respond researchers with a minimum of four to a low-frequency radio signal emitted “This is a species we have very limited data points a day, for 365 days a year. by a scanning device. The tag then sends knowledge about. To date, harvest a unique code back to the scanner where information has been our primary source As with all new technologies, however, it is recorded. of monitoring data for band-tailed there are downsides. Satellite transmitters pigeons,” says Dan Collins, Migratory are expensive (one unit can cost about “The PIT tag acts like a fingerprint,” Bird Coordinator for the Southwest $3,000), rely on batteries that often don’t says Scott Carleton, Migratory Bird Region. “It is unclear if the declines are last the entire lifespan of many bird Chief for the Southwest Region. “If used the result of harvest or something else, species and are still too large to fit on correctly, they can last the entire lifetime such as changes in climate or land medium to small birds. of an individual.” use across their range. Our goal with this project is to develop management strategies to allow for the continued sustainable harvest of the species, and to determine if, how and where we may need to implement conservation efforts.” ››

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 21 SCOTT CARLETON/USFWS

(Top) New Mexico homeowner, collaborator and bird lover Joe Fitzgibbon assists with the collection of data. (Bottom) A band-tailed pigeon is weighed. SCOTT CARLETON/USFWS

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Beginning in 2013, the Service formed The PIT tags provide data on local area a partnership with the New Mexico use and help estimate survival. In Department of Game and Fish, New addition, satellite platform transmitter Mexico State University, and U.S. terminals (PTTs) are tracking individual Geological Survey (USGS) to study band-tailed pigeons and increasing the migration behavior of band-tailed understanding of their movements across pigeons. Carleton, a bird biologist with a the larger landscape. Initial data from the background in fish biology, proposed using research are revealing new information PIT tags to monitor and track the species. about the species. For example, at all three sites, PTTs have revealed band-tailed “Because these birds are believed to pigeon movement patterns within the have high site fidelity within and between United States, identified new wintering years, we hoped the tags would reveal how areas in northern Mexico and provided frequently they are visiting foraging sites detailed information on how frequently per day and across the breeding season. pigeons visit foraging sites. Then, we hoped they could be detected again when they returned in the spring “This is interesting information, but from their wintering grounds in northern science always leads you to more Mexico” to the same breeding sites, says questions,” says Collins. “We will soon Carleton, explaining what biologists expand our work to include Colorado wanted to uncover. and Arizona to see if what we are learning in New Mexico applies to other areas.” Today, more than 500 band-tailed pigeons have received PIT tags in New Mexico At the same time, researchers Band-tailed at three monitoring sites in the Gila, at USGS have begun pigeons in a Jemez and Sacramento mountains. working on models tree. Close to 60 percent of tagged to estimate daily and individuals have been detected again annual survival for after they return from the wintering the species using the PIT tag grounds. With the cooperation of data collected in New Mexico. private landowners, researchers All of this information will be spend several months each year used to inform future conservation tagging birds and setting up and management decisions for scanners at each site to band-tailed pigeons. look for PIT-tagged birds. AISLINN MAESTAS, External Affairs, Southwest Region SCOTT CARLETON/USFWS

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 23 spotlight

Science in the Stream Looking for signs of life for Lake Champlain salmon by BRIDGET MACDONALD

A mix of salmon eggs and gravel inside one of the artificial nest boxes that scientists plant in streambeds. USFWS

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Each spring, around the same time sap starts to flow in sugar maple trees stick to its body and scrape a hole through in the Northeast, salmon eggs are beginning to hatch inside underwater its flesh with their tongue,” explains Steve Smith, a fish biologist at the Lake nests, called redds, dug by females in rubbly streambeds in the fall. Within Champlain office. A single sea lamprey kills 40 or more pounds of fish in its life a few weeks, Service scientists will be pulling on snorkels and dry suits as a parasite. and slipping into streams to look for the young salmon as they emerge Just when scientists had gotten the sea- from the gravel. lamprey problem under control through application of lampricide chemicals in streams to kill larvae and temporary “We keep a temperature probe in the In the 1800s, a lot of things started to barriers to trap adults during seasonal water from fall through spring, and based go wrong for salmon in Lake Champlain: migrations, a new problem surfaced. on that, you can calculate when they are overfishing, agricultural runoff, likely to emerge,” explains Bill Ardren, development and the deal-breaker for a In 2003, an invasive fish called alewife senior fish scientist for the Service’s Lake migratory fish species: the damming of appeared in the lake, crowding out Champlain Fish and Wildlife Conservation rivers. Blocked from spawning grounds rainbow smelt, the native food source for Office. It’s at about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, upstream, salmon could not reproduce, salmon. Alewife carry an enzyme called hence the dry suits. and by the end of the 19th century, the thiaminase that digests the vitamin B1 in native Atlantic salmon population was the intestines of salmon, which can lead to How do they know where to look? gone from the lake. neurological dysfunction and decreased Scientists are out in those streams in the survival in adults and offspring. So fall, too, marking the locations of redds, But not forgotten. eating alewife could be deadly for salmon. and making a few nests of their own. They bury containers about the size of a box In 1972, the Service partnered with the Scientists were dismayed, but not of butter in streambeds at the depth of a Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department deterred. “We’ll never get rid of alewife,” natural redd, tether them in place with and the New York State Department of says Service fish biologist Nicholas Staats. a chain, and stock them with gravel and Environmental Conservation to restore “We just have to manage around them.” fertilized eggs. Lake Champlain’s Atlantic salmon population. So they responded with a variety of The artificial nests give scientists a way to experiments in the field and in hatcheries evaluate habitat quality in streams based Where do you begin when trying to designed to support “evolutionary rescue” on the amount of fine sediment that ends re-establish a species that’s been missing of salmon, by breeding salmon to be more up inside the box (which can suffocate from a system for nearly a century? With tolerant to thiaminase and restoring eggs) and the degree of scour on the chain eggs, of course. The ones they used were habitat so salmon lifecycles can play (an indication of strong currents that can developed from a salmon strain originating out naturally in the streams. wash eggs away). in Sebago Lake, Maine. The idea was to seed the lake with the next generation Then, nature started doing its thing. The real nests give them a way to evaluate of salmon and let nature do its thing. something bigger: the long-term viability “It wasn’t until recent years that we even of the Atlantic salmon population in Lake But nature couldn’t do its thing. Salmon began to look for natural reproduction,” Champlain. faced some of the same problems as says Brian Chipman, a fisheries biologist before, and some daunting new ones. for Vermont Fish and Wildlife who has For a long time, the outlook wasn’t good. been involved in the restoration program First, the influx of young salmon in the for 30 years. “A lot of things need to be right for salmon lake from the stocking program caused a to have a full lifecycle,” Ardren explains. population boom for a parasitic fish called Last summer, nearly 50 years into the Adults must migrate to spawn in streams sea lamprey, endowed with a suction-cup- restoration effort, they found the first where juveniles mature for two or three like mouth lined with concentric rings of naturally born Atlantic salmon discovered years before migrating to the ocean— jagged teeth. When sea lamprey find a in the basin in more than 150 years. ›› or in this case, the lake. They go through host fish, “They use that suction cup to several phases, with distinct habitat needs.

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 25 spotlight

(Top) To jumpstart recolonization, scientists stock tributaries to Lake Champlain with young salmon raised in hatcheries.(Bottom) Scientists assess habitat quality and look for nest boxes in a very cold stream.

The juveniles, called fry, were discovered in two tributaries that would have been inaccessible to salmon back when the restoration program began: the Boquet River, which flows into the lake from the Adirondacks, and the Winooski River, the largest tributary to the lake. The Service supported a major dam removal on the USFWS Boquet in 2015. Each fall, scientists now transport salmon beyond the steep cascades where the dam once stood to spawning habitat upstream. Biologists use a “trap and truck” program to deliver salmon to spawning habitat above a series of three hydroelectric dams on the Winooski.

“It’s only been recently that we restored the system enough that salmon can colonize these rivers, and we are doing a lot of work in the field and hatcheries to help reintroduce them to different areas and improve their returns to these rivers,” Ardren says.

But fieldwork also helps scientists recalibrate their efforts based on what they actually see on the ground.

“Salmon haven’t been here in a long time and we have some preconceived notions about where they will spawn, but we learn a lot based on the places they actually choose,” says Ardren. “Looking at aerial ›› USFWS

26 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 spotlight

(Top) Field technician Zach Eisenhauer holds an 11-pound salmon caught, assessed and released in the Boquet River. (Bottom) Scientists involved in the salmon restoration program in Lake Champlain dive headfirst into their work.

photos showing where we found redds teaches us where we should focus on restoration work to support a functioning river.”

And they are finding more evidence in the field to indicate that despite all of the known challenges and unexpected setbacks, half a century’s work to reestablish salmon is paying off.

The naturally born fry, for instance. A graduate student compared the genetics of the fish that were transported above the cascades in the Boquet River to those of the fry discovered the following year; it USFWS turns out the fry were parented by salmon that got above the cascades on their own.

“That is an interesting twist,” Ardren says. “We wanted to jumpstart their migration because previous assessments showed that passage there was difficult at low flow, but we now have hope they will get up on their own.”

That’s the goal. Service staff and partners study salmon at every stage of their complex lifecycles and intervene to support their needs, in hopes that someday they won’t have to anymore.

BRIDGET MACDONALD, External Affairs, Northeast Region USFWS

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 27 spotlight

A War in the Water Invasive Asian carp threaten native fish in the Southeast and spark a battle for survival by DAN CHAPMAN

A fish biologist holds a bighead carp. RYAN HAGERTY/USFWS RYAN

28 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 spotlight

The stretch of the Tennessee River in Eastport, Mississippi, is considered The fish, which can reach 40 pounds, the most aquatically biodiverse in the nation, teeming with sportfish and traveled up the Ohio River and into the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers landing at-risk snails and mussels. en masse in Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake about a decade ago. Bass anglers increasingly complain of fewer landings Locals boast that Pickwick Lake, where Of immediate concern for the Mississippi- and blame the carp. Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee come based aquatics experts: an invasion of the together, is “the smallmouth bass capital Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which Researchers at Tennessee Tech, of the world.” Catfish and buffalo fill allows passage to Mobile Bay and the supported financially by the Service, commercial anglers’ nets. Marinas lining Gulf of Mexico. wrote in a recent report that “all empirical the reservoir’s roads attest to Pickwick’s and anecdotal evidence points to a rapid huge economic impact. Yet the Tennessee “The Southeast is a hotspot of biodiversity, expansion of [Asian carp] upstream River, and a way of life, is under siege. so we’re trying to prevent further declines in both river systems and into their in at-risk species. It’s a big threat,” says tributaries and successful reproduction The silver carp, a voracious, fast-moving Rodgers. “There’s not a magic bullet by silver carp in the headwaters of and highly invasive species ravaging the to get rid of them. It’s just a matter of Kentucky Lake.” Upper Mississippi River, has set its sights working together to slow their movement on the Tennessee, Cumberland, Yazoo and and potential impact.” Tech and Murray State University tagged other Southern streams. more than 100 silver carp in Kentucky ’Eradication is the ultimate goal’ Lake and 10 in Pickwick. Underwater Reservoirs downriver in western acoustic telemetry will determine where Kentucky, for example, have been invaded Silver, black and two other carp species the fish are headed. The first round by carp, which out-muscle juvenile bass were imported from Southeast Asia in of results is expected by summer. and other filter-feeders for food. Last the 1970s to help clean catfish farms and November, 75 silver carp were gill-netted wastewater treatment ponds of weeds “We are trying to figure out population by biologists at Pickwick; other trips, and parasites. Flood waters helped them distributions within reservoirs,” says though, turned up no carp. The carp’s escape an Arkansas farm. The fish headed Mark Rogers who runs the U.S. Geological DNA was even discovered last fall in up the Mississippi River and into the Survey’s (USGS) Cooperative Fishery Guntersville Lake—140 miles upriver sinew of tributaries that reaches into Research Unit at Tech. “Eradication is from Pickwick. 31 states and Canada. Locks and dams the ultimate goal. But suppression and don’t always impede their march. the prevention of carp moving upriver And there’s more: The black carp, another is really what we’re striving for.” highly invasive Asian import, appears to The silver (and bighead) carp’s notoriety be following on the heels of the silver mostly centers on tributaries to the Great Not far behind, black carp were caught carp and gobbling up mussels and snails. Lakes and fears that it could damage the within the last year in Barkley and region’s multibillion dollar a year fishing Kentucky, their southernmost foray “They’re progressing this way and they’re industry. to date. going to keep migrating. I don’t care what you do,” says Jimmy Dees, manager of Now, it’s the South’s turn to worry. An ‘underwater rainforest’ in peril the Eastport Marina on Pickwick Lake in Crappie, bream and black bass abounded Mississippi. “They’re going to deplete the across many of the lakes and oxbows in Silver and black carp pose a double- fish in this lake. The long-term impact Mississippi’s Yazoo River basin 20 years barreled threat to a river’s ecosystem. could cost a lot of money.” ago. Fisheries’ biologists surveyed four Silver eat plankton—algae and other oxbows last year and discovered that microscopic organisms—the basic food Not if Angie Rodgers, Dan Schwarz and silver carp made up 90 percent of the source for native fish. Black are a platoon of federal and state biologists fish stock. molluscivores, with human-like molars, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of and they prey upon snails and mussels, Mexico have their way. Rodgers and many of which live across the Tennessee Schwarz, with the Service, are tracking River basin and are listed as threatened the carps’ upstream push. or endangered. ››

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 29 spotlight

(Left) Angie Rodgers and Dan Schwartz ready to search for silver carp on Lake Pickwick. (Right) Similar to bighead carp, silver carp have their eyes set low on the face. LEFT: DAN CHAPMAN/USFWS. RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE ASIAN CARP REGIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE COURTESY OF THE ASIAN CARP REGIONAL COORDINATING DAN CHAPMAN/USFWS. RIGHT: LEFT:

Asian carp, in general, can consume up to 20 percent The system is home to dozens of state or federally of their body weight daily. protected mussels (including the Southern combshell), crayfish, snails and fish (such as the pygmy madtom). “And they are a lot more fecund than our native species, reproducing sooner in life and having more Yet more than mussels and fish are at risk. Ask eggs,” says Schwarz, a biologist at the Private John Johnny Robinson, a commercial fisherman who Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, Mississippi. gill-nets across Pickwick Lake. “Carp may out-compete our fry for food. We may lose an abundance of native species.” “We’ve seen a bunch of carp; every year it gets worse and worse,” says Robinson, who wholesales fish to The Tennessee Aquarium, upriver in Chattanooga, cities across the region. “A lot of days we’ll catch and the University of Georgia released an alarming 20 or 30 of them. They stay in the same type water study last year detailing the Southeast’s most diverse, that buffalo do, so we catch less and less buffalo and and imperiled, waterways. Three-fourths of the more and more carp.” nation’s fish species and 90 percent of all American mussel and crayfish species live within 500 miles of Locals also worry the sportfishing industry will suffer Chattanooga. The report, funded by the National if the carp conquer Pickwick. Fish and Wildlife Foundation, labeled the region’s biodiversity “a veritable underwater rainforest.” “They got a big problem in Kentucky Lake and ours is getting pretty bad, too,” says Roger Stegall, a fishing The Tennessee River watershed is blessed with guide renowned for landing large smallmouth bass. aquatic biodiversity—and cursed with threats from “Seems like they’re real calm ‘til sunny days and runoff, pollution, development and invasives. then they come to the surface and you see ‘em in big schools. They are a nuisance, recreation-wise.” ››

30 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 spotlight

(Below) Jimmy Dees manages the Eastport Marina and says of the invasive carp: “They’re going to deplete the fish in this lake. The long-term impact could cost a lot of money.” DAN CHAPMAN/USFWS

Dangerous, too. Boat motors and other loud noises “This is the front line in the war on silver carp for spook silver carp who then jump clear out of the Tennessee and the Tenn-Tom waterway,” she says, water. Anglers and water skiers, increasingly, tell of as a blue heron passes overhead. the big fish flying into their boats or knocking them over. A decade ago, a silver broke the jaw of a The Service and other federal agencies work closely teenager riding an innertube on Lake Chicot in with states to combat the carp. It’s a maddening Arkansas. Stegall was guiding on Mississippi’s Lake and expensive challenge. The U.S. Army Corps of Ferguson three years ago when a 30-pound carp Engineers, for example, recommends spending jumped over his boat. $275 million—on electric barriers, noise generators, and a new lock and channel—to keep Mississippi “We’ve still got good fishing here, but these jumping River carp from the Great Lakes. carp [are] what I’m really afraid is going to hurt our lake as far as tourism and fishing,” says Robinson, In addition to research by Tennessee Tech, the the wholesaler. “If things get as bad as some places state, the Service and USGS are considering “noise up north, you’ll hardly be able to run a boat without barriers” at various dams along the Tennessee River. them jumping in.” High frequency sound waves would be blasted at the carp to keep them from advancing further upriver. ‘The front line in the war’ (See: Catching All the Asian Carp in St. Louis, Missouri, p. 8) Rodgers and Schwarz, the Service biologists, idle the jon boat in Indian Creek, a cove feeding into “I’m most concerned with the fish getting into eastern Pickwick Lake. Ten silver carp were captured, tagged Tennessee where we don’t have them now,” says and released here last November. Rodgers checks Frank Fiss, fisheries chief for the Tennessee Wildlife a telemetry gauge that tracks the carps’ movements. Resources Agency. “We still have an opportunity to slow them down and are using all available means.”

DAN CHAPMAN, External Affairs, Southeast Region

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 31 (Clockwise from top left) 1. Leaves of Texas wild-rice weave in San Marco River currents. 2. Since 2013, the Texas Comptroller has dedicated more than $1.7 million for spot-tailed earless lizard research. 3. The Texas blind salamander is native only to waters of the Edwards Aquifer. 4. The Houston toad Safe Harbor Agreement between Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Service, finalized in 2017, facilitates partnerships with nonfederal landowners to recover the Houston toad on private lands. 5. The Texas pimpleback freshwater mussel is one of the Central Texas Candidate freshwater mussel species.

PHOTO COURTESY IAN WRIGHT (UNIVERSITY OF RYAN HAGERTY/USFWS TEXAS AT AUSTIN)

GARY PANDOLFI FWS PAIGE NAJVAR/USFWS RYAN HAGERTY/USFWS

Behind the Headlines

Proactive partnerships in Texas address endangered species issues | by ADAM ZERRENNER

The Endangered Species Act often makes headlines, but in reality, the Texas is dominated by privately owned lands with a rich natural and agricultural majority of conservation work under the act goes on with little fanfare heritage. It is also home to some of the and to great effect. At the core of these efforts are usually solid and fastest growing regional economies in the country, particularly along the I-35 productive partnerships. In Texas, as in many other parts of the country, the corridor from Austin to San Antonio. Due to the high number of endangered Service is fortunate to be part of a number of stakeholder-driven, voluntary species in this part of the state, local conservation programs that involve diverse groups coming together to solve communities have come up with ways to balance economic development with complex conservation problems. These efforts, along with the Species Status the recovery of federally protected Assessment (SSA) process, help the Service and partners create voluntary, species and the conservation of other natural resources throughout this region. proactive species conservation that works for everyone. The Edwards Aquifer Habitat ››

32 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 Conservation Plan serves as a prime other state agencies, universities and interested in being involved in proactive example where diverse stakeholders stakeholders were important partners. conservation efforts for the lizard. Should worked together to ensure water security these efforts materialize, they, along with for San Antonio and irrigated agriculture Working with stakeholders as part of the the research results, will be integrated with continuous spring flow at the state’s Texas Comptroller’s Endangered Species into the future SSA for the species. two largest springs to benefit endangered Task Force, which has received $15 million species that call the springs home, such from the Texas legislature for at-risk Freshwater mussels as Texas wild rice. Numerous other species research in the last six years, has At-risk freshwater mussels occupy voluntary conservation programs are in helped to identify species for state-funded numerous rivers across the state of Texas. place in central Texas that demonstrate research and voluntary conservation Since 2014, the Texas Comptroller has how the recovery of listed species can be programs. This task force includes a dedicated more than $3.6 million for balanced with economic growth, including number of state agencies and a diverse scientific research, and stakeholders meet the recent Range-wide Houston Toad group of other stakeholders. Partners monthly to discuss mussels and voluntary Safe Harbor Agreement, which offers focus resources toward species well in conservation programs available to help landowners benefits for voluntarily advance of the completion of the SSA them. conserving toad habitat and was developed or any ESA-listing decision. with Texas Parks and Wildlife. By working closely with stakeholders and Spot-tailed earless lizard experts, the Service ensures that outside Species status assessments One ongoing example of how stakeholders groups contribute to multiple mussel SSAs are a key tool in developing such can be involved in the SSA process is the SSAs scheduled for development in the conservation agreements. The Service effort for the spot-tailed earless lizard. next few years. uses the SSA process to ensure that the The spot-tailed earless lizard is found best and most comprehensive science in parts of central and west Texas that Ingredients of proactive partnerships informs ESA decisions. It gives Service includes the oil- and gas-rich regions of In Texas, proactive partnership with biologists more time to spend on species the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford shale the state and numerous stakeholders is science rather than on document review. formation. In 2011, after reviewing a working. A key factor in the success is petition to list the species, the Service the improved relationships and trust that The science-focused process to develop an decided to complete an SSA and has developed as a result of the increased SSA creates opportunities for proactive determine whether to move forward transparency and partner engagement stakeholder and expert engagement to with a proposed listing by 2020. Little was through the SSA process. The use of the ensure the Service is using the best known in 2011 about the lizard; historic SSA process has increased the proactive available scientific information. Proactive survey data and some recent survey involvement of our partners and has engagement and communication about efforts indicated the species appeared increased their regulatory certainty in the ecological needs of a species and its to be in a decline. situations where they may be impacted potential threats can help foster greater by an ESA listing. Additional financial transparency with states, outside experts, Since 2013, the Texas Comptroller has resources dedicated by the Texas and other stakeholders. This common dedicated more than $1.7 million for spot- Comptroller and Texas Parks and understanding of what wildlife species tailed earless lizard research. Research Wildlife have also been instrumental by need can lead to beneficial voluntary funded for the lizard includes large multi- funding research and supporting possible conservation programs for species and year survey efforts across south and west voluntary stakeholder conservation ecosystems. Texas, genetic research to understand the initiatives. species’ taxonomy, radio telemetry studies Engaging states and other partners for understanding home range, movement By moving away from a reactive In 2014, the Service began developing a and habitat use, and habitat models approach to one that promotes proactive seven-year listing work plan that outlined to estimate potential habitat and loss partnerships, together we are creating how and when it would make future of habitat. This research was funded to opportunities for long-term conservation determinations to address ESA listing support the SSA process and was closely of species while recognizing and petitions. Developing the plan involved coordinated with the Service. addressing the potential economic issues engaging states to ensure it considered in the state. ongoing and future research and voluntary As part of this funded research project, conservation programs. In Texas, the updates are provided to stakeholders. This ADAM ZERRENNER, Austin Ecological Services Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, information may lead to the development Field Office, Southwest Region Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, of voluntary programs for stakeholders

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 33 A botanist’s mission Seeing the Tree, to save our natural landscapes

Not Just the Lion by ASHLEY SPRATT

KENDRA CHAN/USFWS

34 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 Santa Cruz cypress, Lane Mountain milk-vetch and Island bedstraw. Few “Plants are working so hard for us, people know them by name, but we can attribute their continued existence keeping our watersheds intact, pumping out oxygen, keeping our pollinators on earth, in part, to Service botanist Connie Rutherford and her lifelong around so we can have agriculture,” she says. “They are critical to the whole commitment to their recovery. web of life.”

“This is much more than just a job for “We learned about photosynthesis. Rutherford saw that first hand as a Peace her,” says Ray Bransfield, Rutherford’s I was mind blown!” she exclaims. “How Corps volunteer in Haiti from 1985 to husband of 27 years and a wildlife biologist miraculous is it that plants can take 1987. At the time, Haiti had already lost for the Service (they met on the job). carbon dioxide, water, soil and sunlight, 95 percent of its forests due to agriculture and through this remarkable process and other land uses. Communities faced “I remember Connie and our son sitting of photosynthesis, make oxygen and extensive soil erosion and the waters on their haunches in the middle of a field carbohydrates for all the rest of life on surrounding the country were clogged of wildflowers in the Panamint Valley.” earth to live and eat!” with sediment from agricultural run-off. It was a banner year for wildflowers in Rutherford worked alongside the Food 1998. Bransfield describes a moment Rutherford attributes to her mother the and Agriculture Organization, a branch captured on film that epitomizes his wife’s adventurous spirit that led her to become of the United Nations, to help villagers love of wild places and natural landscapes, a firefighter in Olympic National Forest, set up tree nurseries in their backyards a love she nurtured traveling the world a backcountry ranger in Rogue River to replenish the soil, thus allowing them as a diplomat’s daughter and lifelong National Forest and a natural resource to continue their food crops of beans and adventurer. Bransfield and Rutherford surveyor in the Alaskan tundra. “My corn, while stabilizing the small plots of passed on their love of the outdoors mother was a trailblazer, a pull-yourself- land on which families farmed and lived. to their children, Tyler and Terra. up-by-your-bootstraps, self-made woman. She left home at 17, learned to fly and Rutherford returned to California after Rutherford’s childhood was spent overseas became a decoder for the U.S. Department two years with the Peace Corps in Haiti. in Venezuela, Iran, Canada and Indonesia, of State,” she says. “She had a willingness “I realized that we have a better chance impressing upon her at an early age to go off into the unknown, and taught to conserve our wild landscapes, and the stark contrasts between urban and me to leave myself open to the learning I knew I had to be part of that effort.” ›› natural landscapes. Her family settled experiences that the world has to offer.” in California when she was an adolescent and she recalls sleeping on the roof of Rutherford graduated with a bachelor’s Connie Rutherford and son Tyler exploring amid her parents’ house in Long Beach “to get degree in plant sciences from the wildflowers in the Panamint Valley in California in away from the TV, the noise, to just look University of California, Santa Cruz, in early spring 1998. at the stars.” 1975. She went on to pursue her master’s degree at Humboldt State University. Later, Rutherford cut short her travels around Europe to take an introductory Rutherford argues that our society turns botany class at the University of a blind eye to plants’ contributions to California, Davis, in 1973. our world.

“I had never taken a science class before,” “Show a person a picture of a lion in a tree. she says. She can hardly contain her What do people see? They see the lion,” excitement as she recalls the pivotal she says. “But people don’t realize the tree moment more than 45 years ago, when is the anchor of the ecosystem, providing she fell in love with the world of plants. shelter and food for all of the wildlife that uses that landscape.”

Rutherford admits she is often asked the question, “But why do plants really matter?” For her, the answer is simple. (Previous page) Rutherford (right) examines California We, and the rest of life on earth, need

seablite, a rare species of flowering plant endemic to them to survive. BRANSFIELD COURTESY OF RAY San Luis Obispo County.

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 35 “It’s like squares in a quilt that are stitched together,” she says. “If the threads start loosening, the squares start to detach, and the whole quilt eventually falls apart.” USFWS

Rutherford spent the next three decades Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey Connie Rutherford has dedicated more than three working to recover some of the many to develop a conservation strategy for decades to the recovery of rare plants in southern species of rare plants in southern and those species. The strategy outlined and central California. central California, some of which teetered what the plants needed to recover, set on the edge of extinction in the 1980s due goals to reduce threats and helped to habitat loss and fragmentation from guide management of the islands. urban expansion, agricultural conversion “It’s like squares in a quilt that are and recreation. She also worked with natural resource stitched together,” she says. “If the professionals from the Department of threads start loosening, the squares start In 1990, the Service was petitioned to list Defense and BLM to study in depth the to detach, and the whole quilt eventually more than 100 plants species in southern Lane Mountain milk-vetch, a species falls apart.” California under the Endangered Species that only exists in the Mojave Desert. Act (ESA). Rutherford, a botanist for The plant, once thought extinct, was Those stitches strengthened in Santa Cruz the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rediscovered in 1985. Rutherford and County when conservation work allowed at the time, was hired by the Service to husband Ray spotted a new population of the downlisting of the Santa Cruz cypress analyze their status based on the best the plant a few years later, and she returns from endangered to threatened under the available science, ultimately leading to every spring to conduct surveys with ESA in 2015. The cypress, found in the ESA protections for many. natural resources staff from Fort Irwin Santa Cruz Mountains of San Mateo and and BLM. She suggests that the more we Santa Cruz counties, was protected as Rutherford’s work, along with that of learn about rare plant species, the better an endangered species in 1987 due to her co-worker Tim Thomas, led to the chance we have at recovering them and threats from logging, development and protection of 13 plant species on the conserving the ecosystems in which they agricultural conversion. Rutherford says northern Channel Islands. She and her live and thrive. the ESA listing focused conservation colleague worked with the National resources on recovery planning and projects in partnership with the ››

36 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Parks and Recreation, San Mateo County and conservation efforts by private landowners in Santa Cruz County.

“We chipped away over the years to address issues like habitat protection. We worked to understand the ecology of the species—especially its response to wildfire—and established seed collections,” she says.

The number of known trees in 1987 was 2,300. Today, improved data indicate some 33,000 to 44,000.

“I think one of the things that’s so remarkable about Connie is how she works with people,” Bransfield says. Bransfield has observed his wife’s knack for networking and building partnerships that have helped contribute to the recovery of listed plant species such

as the Santa Cruz cypress. JENNY MAREK/USFWS

Rutherford has mobilized universities, a corner and put this plant back on the Rutherford serves as an educator and mentor land managers, nongovernmental road to recovery. to young biologists. organizations and research institutions across southern and central California Rutherford has also served in numerous to support rare plant conservation. leadership roles for more than 28 years with the California Native Plant Society, a world, volunteer, take on internships, see With three other botanists, she established large network of partners from academics different parts of the country, the world, Botswap, a forum for dialogue across the to nonprofits dedicated to plant do it! Learn how land-use planning works, botanical community to share information conservation. She is currently working how laws and regulations work, and learn and resources along the Central Coast on a committee to promote a certification how to communicate and work with all region. “We need to have that dialogue,” program for professional botanists in different types of people.” She adds, “And she says. “We need to make sure we have California. don’t be afraid to ask questions. Seek out the best information to help us reach our mentors in your field. Seek out people goals, while at the same time putting a “Connie’s decades-long, active engage- who have spent their lives studying what name and a face on our agency.” ment with the plant research and interests you. Those experiences and conservation community enables her to that knowledge are irreplaceable.” Botswap has since been replaced by collaborate with species experts to address another collaborative group, headed by questions that contribute to conservation As for the future of plant conservation, the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo of our listed plants,” says Cat Darst, Rutherford says there’s one thing that we County that is focusing on conserving Connie’s supervisor and Assistant Field need to work toward. “As a society, we’ve unique dune habitats and their constituent Supervisor for the Service in Ventura. decided that conservation of our natural species, including Nipomo lupine. After “These relationships are critical to help resources is a value that we uphold. years of securing support for research on our partners recognize what steps are There’s education that needs to continue the species, Rutherford is heartened to needed to recover our listed plant species.” to take place, so that our kids don’t only see that the combined efforts of the Land see the lion, but they also see the tree.” Conservancy, the University of California, When asked what advice she would give to Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara budding botanists, she says, “If you have ASHLEY SPRATT, External Affairs, Pacific Botanic Garden may have finally turned the opportunity to get out and work in the Southwest Region

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 37 curator’s corner

A Curator’s Work Is Never Done

Not too long ago a student attending a class at NCTC dropped down to the museum to ask a question. He was from a different agency, BLM I think, and he suspected that a curator could help him. He had a very old brass buckle Murie Cabin in a Car This is a series of or button that he had found on the beach in curiosities of the Florida. He was wondering if I could help him Service’s history One of our most beloved objects is a scale model of Olaus from the U.S. Fish identify it, tell him its age or anything about it. and Mardie Murie’s cabin, which has been on display at and Wildlife Service Wow, that is some overwhelming confidence Museum and in a complete stranger who is just a curator. NCTC for years. It is a beautiful hand-made model that is Archives. As the After a little searching on the Web, I could tell about 4 foot by 3 foot, and it was made by volunteers of the first and only curator him it was British because it had a crown with Murie Foundation. It is an exact replica of the house, and you of the museum, three feathers on it. can look into it from the cut-out in the roof. It includes all the Jeanne M. Harold It was the symbol furniture down to a tiny framed photograph of Mardie with says the history of the Prince of John Denver sitting atop the diminutive mantle. It is almost surrounding the Wales. Wouldn’t like being in the cabin yourself. There are even intricate deer objects in the have had a clue and a porcupine in the yard outside. The funny part of this museum give story is that years ago an intern and I had to go pick it up in them life. without the Web. Easy knowledge at Moose, Wyoming, and drive it back to NCTC. The stares we our fingertips. got when people passed us were amusing and frequent. It is not often that you pass an SUV carrying an entire cabin in it! PHOTO: FRY1989, CREATIVE COMMONS

Snakes on a Plane

Challenge Coins I was recently reading a Department of the Interior news release from July I think that one of the coolest 1981 titled “Live Animal trends that has come ‘Sting’ Reveals Massive down the pike is challenge Illicit Market in U. S. Wildlife.” coins. I have seen many of them from It was about an 18-month investigation several Service programs, especially concluding in a sting operation involving the law enforcement. We would like to start a trafficking of thousands of snakes, turtles, lizards collection of any and all challenge coins that and migratory birds carried out by more than 175 individuals. have to do with the Service, and eventually At that time, hundreds of thousands of these animals were being put them on display here at NCTC. So, if you have a coin you taken from the wild in the United States and sold in the thriving black would like to donate to our museum, please send them to market and smuggled into Europe and Japan. Many of the animals me! (Email me at for an address.) moved through the Atlanta Wildlife Exchange, a wholesale reptile Round, square, triangular or shaped like the blue goose flyer, business in suburban Atlanta run by undercover agents. Many of the we will be overjoyed to have the coin collection for future snakes and reptiles were extremely dangerous. This sting operation display, the more the merrier. was conducted by about 200 federal and state wildlife conservation officers. The Service estimated back then “that at least 100,000 venomous and nonvenomous snakes are shipped secretly through the U.S. mail annually…[and] masking tape is commonly placed over the rattles of rattlesnakes so they won’t be heard.” Wow, talk about snakes on a plane. These airmail flights would be Samuel L. Jackson’s worst nightmare. The Service continues to fight wildlife trafficking at home and abroad. You go, FWS officers!

38 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 life after the service

coasts, the heartland of the United States Missing and on the Big Muddy. And frequently, we return to our historic home at the National Conservation Training Center Meetings? in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Retirement brings many changes to your At each reunion, we have informative life, some good and eagerly anticipated presentations and discussions on such and some not as much. No more a slave diverse subjects as gray wolves in the to the alarm clock, no more deadlines northern Rocky Mountains, wildlife and or restrictions. Those are good things. border issues along the Rio Grande, and But you might also feel a sense of loss whooping crane recovery efforts and at no longer having authority or a clear migration problems. And to top off each mandate to stay involved in fish and reunion, we have our Reunion Banquet wildlife resource issues. You might have and silent auction. Our banquet speakers COURTESY FWS RETIREES anticipated being out of the loop or have included such notables as author Laura Bonneau, visitor services manager at Aransas missing the closeness with like-thinking Doug Brinkley and Joel Sartore, National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, Texas, gives colleagues, but you might be surprised conservationist, author and photographer retirees a tour of Aransas during the 2015 reunion. that things you thought you disliked you extraordinaire and a Fellow of the now miss, like meetings with friends and National Geographic Society. friendly adversaries alike. At least, that’s what I found. A highlight of each reunion is having the All folks who at one time worked for the FWS Director or Deputy Director discuss Service or were members of a Friends So once you’ve retired and have caught up current happenings in the Service and the group are automatically members of the on the many domestic tasks and honey-dos Regional Directors keeping us abreast of nonprofit Association of Retired Fish that you’ve neglected for so long, what’s local issues. This reunion is no exception. and Wildlife Service Employees (FWS next? Travel? Personal projects? Just plain And lest you think we just sit and listen, Retirees Association). They can become relaxation? Sure, all of these and more. we almost always let them know our active members who stay up-to-date But you will still miss some of your old life feeling on how thing are going and what with their former agency and its issues, and some of your working buddies. And directions we think the Service needs and connect with former colleagues. you’ll never really lose interest in things to take. We also let them know we stand fish and wildlife or in what’s going on with ready to help whenever needed. And The FWS Retirees Association aims the Fish and Wildlife Service, once you’re as an organization some 3,000 strong, to foster camaraderie among retirees no longer there to tell them how to do unfettered by the rules that might and active employees; recognize and the right things and how to do things restrain government employees, preserve the rich history of the Service right. There is a great way to maintain we have significant influence. and the many contributions of employees; your connections with colleagues and to foster the preservation and use of objects continue your involvement with fish and Our 2018 venture was along the scenic and information relating to the Service’s wildlife matters. It’s called the Association Oregon Coast the first week in May. unique history; and involve present of Retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service About 135 or more retirees and active and past employees in the history and Employees, or FWS Retirees for short. Service members attended. heritage of the Service. And in case you wondered, we do it all while having fun. So as you think about life after retirement, Our members and their families and please don’t hesitate to join us and keep friends enjoy reminiscing at reunions, Every 18 months or so at some of the most alive some of those things that drove traveling, gathering stories, conducting interesting and scenic places throughout you during your careers. Keep in touch oral history interviews and mentoring. the country, we hold an FWS Retirees with your colleagues, stay involved and Reunion where we get together for a effective in matters of importance to you, Find out more about us at our website, week with former colleagues and active and most of all, have a ball doing it. . Service personnel to socialize, keep informed and tour local attractions. We JIM MCKEVITT, Secretary/Scribe, Association of have met on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Retired Fish and Wildlife Service Employees

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 39 our people

Peninsular bighorn sheep, San the process, covering huge habitats worthy of preserving transitions Francisco garter snake and Santa distances with little effort. Seeing when possible, like Tejon Ranch. Cruz long-toed salamander. hundreds of raptors soaring You are the ones who care together in these swirling clouds the most or else you wouldn’t Pacific Southwest He began his federal career with was one of those moments that have dedicated your careers to the Bureau of Land Management reminded me that what I was conservation. You are the best Retiree in the mid-70s and transferred to working for was worthwhile.” ones to carry out the Service’s Dwight the Service’s first listed-species- mission.” Harvey only field office in the country, Not everyone sees that, though. worked in Sacramento, California, in Rick says that one of the most in the 1980. He also spent time at the difficult things in the job was one Sacramento Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office of the most basic: “convincing Lori Rinek, Section 10 biologist, Fish and before finishing his career at people that conservation is retired from the Bay-Delta Fish Wildlife the Palm Springs Office, where worthwhile; that it’s an effort to and Wildlife Office at the end of Office for he most recently worked on a protect something we should March. 23 years. proposed rule to reestablish all cherish.” Nevertheless, Rick As a fish and wildlife biologist in Sonoran pronghorn in California. will miss the job, especially the Division of Conservation Despite his departure, Palm the people. “I value my time Banking, he worked with local, Springs biologists will continue working with others in the office state and federal agencies—as to implement his visionary and more than anything. I’ve always well as consultants and private effective endangered species had excellent mentors and I’ve landowners—to establish more work. wanted to be the same for other than 25 conservation banks people. There’s a great sense of totaling 14,000 acres for the accomplishment when you can permanent protection and explain a difficult concept and management of 16 plants and In March, have someone understand it and animal species on the endan- Rick take it with them.” gered species list. Dwight has Farris, been the office’s resident chef, wildlife In retirement, Rick hopes to Slader Buck (seen with Jill Terp, preparing an array of creative biologist advance his woodworking skills refuge manager at San Diego meals over the years, and plans and and build musical instruments. He National Wildlife Refuge) retired to pursue a career as a private section 7 also plans to just “enjoy life with on March 20. Deputy project chef and children’s book author coordi- my wonderful wife who will retire leader at San Diego National in retirement. nator in June after almost 30 years as Wildlife Refuge Complex for for the a biology professor.” But he still 18 years, he served in the federal Service in Ventura, California, plans to “further conservation government, all in conservation, retired after two decades with in some way, whether through for 36 years. Pete the agency. In that time, one of activism or volunteering with Sorensen, his fondest memories occurred conservation organizations.” Slader has always had a passion super- while working on the Tejon Ranch for getting people outdoors, visory Habitat Conservation Plan. The And he offered some advice for personally and professionally, fish and 272,000-acre ranch is the largest biologists who are just starting and expanding public access to wildlife single private landholding in their careers with the Service: all types of outdoor recreation. biologist California. “During one of my “Stick with it. No one else is at the visits, we had reached a hill going to do your job as well as Palm overlooking the Antelope Valley. you, and no one cares more Springs It was raptor migration season, than you. At some point, I came Fish and Wildlife Office, retired in and we could see ‘kettles’ of to realize that if someone with March after more than 41 years hawks, falcons and eagles less concern for our natural with the federal government. soaring wherever there was a world was doing my job, they During his tenure, Pete worked good updraft. They would ride the wouldn’t bother to notice on a great diversity of listed thermal to a great height, then something extraordinary, like a species in California including glide to the next one and repeat mass migration of songbirds or

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Northeast Regional Director’s Recovery 412 piping plover chicks and conservation plans. As project Permit to authorize routine conserved more than 1,170 leader, Tom oversaw implemen- The Service’s Northeast Region recovery activities conducted by acres of wildlife habitat. Ward tation of an alternative strategy to celebrated the contributions Northeast Region employees. hired and mentored hundreds of conserve vital natural resources of several employees who new conservation professionals in the area by establishing the St. retired between December Christal Cutler: Christal Cutler during his career. His dedication Lawrence Wetland and Grassland and March. Collectively, they worked for the Service for almost to conservation of wild places, Management District. dedicated centuries to public 27 years. For the past 21 years, his promotion of strong partner- service, and they leave a she worked in the Contracting ships, and his love of Rachel Cynthia Britton Lane: Cindy legacy of professionalism and and General Services Division, Carson Refuge has left the refuge Lane served as deputy refuge accomplishment. We wish them and held a Contracting Officer’s a much better place. Says Ward: manager at Great Dismal Swamp success and fulfillment in the Warrant and a Grant’s Officer’s “A productive career distin- National Wildlife Refuge in next phase of their lives and Certificate. Christal worked with guished by the fantastic people Virginia and North Carolina for thank them for their commitment the Hurricane Sandy Contracting with whom I worked.” more than two decades. Cindy to the American public and Division and managed several supervised the day-to-day opera- wildlife conservation in the multimillion-dollar construction Alexander Hoar: Alex Hoar, tions of the refuge and guided Northeast. contracts. She and her team fish and wildlife biologist for completion of the station’s received the Northeast Region Ecological Services, helped Comprehensive Conservation Steve Boska: Steve Boska Eagle Award in 2017 for their initiate and complete the Plan from 2002–2006. She held the served the country for 51 years. contributions to and support Penobscot River Restoration refuge together during several A Vietnam veteran, he spent 20 of Hurricane Sandy resilience program that opened up more wildfires, including the largest years in the Air Force, retiring projects. than 1,000 miles of Maine’s fires on record in 2008 (4,600 as a chief master sergeant, the Penobscot River. He helped acres) and 2011 (6,500 acres). highest enlisted rank. He then Ronald Essig: As a fisheries lead the team that successfully She was instrumental in ensuring worked for 31 years as a mainte- biologist with WSFR since 1991, negotiated a 50-year agreement Service trust resources were nance mechanic at Potomac Ron Essig greatly advanced with Exelon to improve fish protected and enhanced to the River National Wildlife Refuge sport fish restoration in the passage at the Conowingo Dam greatest extent. In 2017, Cindy Complex. He says he “lived Northeast through state partner- and successfully led the largest was recognized by the Northeast for the job” and left the shop ships. Ron is widely recognized Federal Energy Regulatory Region Law Enforcement Chief every night with a smile and for his expertise in fisheries Commission program in the for her continued support of the the personal reward of doing research, surveying, propagation Service. National Wildlife Refuge System meaningful work. and restoration, particularly law enforcement program. related to marine species. He Thomas Jasikoff: Tom Jasikoff, Deborah Carter: During her time is also a renowned fisheries who retired as refuge manager Daniel Leahy: For more than as recovery permits coordi- scientist. After serving as chapter at Montezuma National 26 years, Dan Leahy has been nator at New York field Office, and division president of the Wildlife Refuge, seized upon a positive force for protecting Deb Carter worked to create a American Fisheries Society (AFS), the opportunity for growth and publicly owned places to hunt, community of practice among he led the national organization landscape-level conservation fish and enjoy nature in the regional recovery permits coordi- as president from 2015 to 2016. at Montezuma by working Northeast. As a land acquisition nators by establishing a forum Ron received the prestigious with partners, including the specialist, Dan helped protect for discussing interpretation and Dwight A. Webster Memorial New York Department of 292,791 acres of land—37,712 application of law, regulation and Award from the AFS northeastern Environmental Conservation and acres that became part of the policy; developing more-efficient division in 2016. Ducks Unlimited, to create the National Wildlife Refuge System permit-processing and program- Montezuma Wetlands Complex, and 255,079 that were acquired management procedures; and Ward Feurt: Ward Feurt worked one of the largest and most by states and other partners ensuring national consistency for the Service for 46 years— ambitious wetland restoration through grants administered in program implementation. She on national wildlife refuges in and enhancement efforts in by the Wildlife and Sport Fish also helped develop a regional New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas North America. It has been Restoration Program (WSFR). strategy for implementation of the and Florida; in regional offices; recognized as an important Well-known for his expertise, Recovery Permits Program in the and most recently at Rachel bird conservation area by many deeply thoughtful manner, and Northeast and helped guide the Carson National Wildlife Refuge conservation organizations and creative problem-solving, Dan development of a programmatic in Maine, where he retired has been highlighted in many elevated the Northeast Region’s as refuge manager. During WSFR land-acquisition program his tenure, the refuge fledged to one of the best in the nation. ››

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 41 our people

Mark McGee: Mark McGee Susan Robinson: After starting John Warner: John Warner came Headquarters began his career with the Service at the Federal Aviation to the Service from the Federal at Chincoteague National Wildlife Administration, Sue Robinson Energy Regulatory Commission, Refuge as a temporary law spent most of her nearly 27-year and his experience at that agency Tim enforcement seasonal employee federal career with the Service. made him an extremely effective VanNorman, in December 1991. He served She worked first for Ecological hydropower biologist for the New Chief of the concurrently in the U.S. Coast Services in New Jersey. In 2009, England Field Office. Throughout Division of Guard from 1983 until 2013. By during the IT consolidation, she his career with the Service, John Manage- November 1994, he was leading became part of the Division developed close relationships ment the complex law enforcement of Information Technology with staff from other federal and Authority— program at Chincoteague, Management in the Northeast state agencies and hydropower Branch of responding to 2,723 incidents in Regional Office. Sue offered NGOs. It was these partnerships, Permits his first full year. Mark served as outstanding customer service, coupled with his ability to work in the an instructor at Federal Wildlife always with good humor, to cooperatively with industry, that International Affairs Program, Officer Basic Training and as the offices throughout the region, led to a number of successful, retired after more than 25 years National Incident Commander. supporting networks, software complex settlement agreements, with the federal government, He also worked with other law and VIDEO Relay. She also had achieving substantial resource including 24 years with the enforcement agencies to protect a national role, becoming known benefits. Service. the Eastern Shore. as a premier mobile device expert and creating a more Bill Zinni: Bill Zinni’s ​habitat ​ Hailing from El Paso, Texas, Tim Sandra Perchetti: Sandy positive experience for Service conservation work ​for the achieved a bachelor of science in Perchetti served as the volunteer customers. National Wildlife Refuge System forestry and wildlife management and community partnership brought him into contact with from Stephen F. Austin State coordinator at New Jersey’s Janith Taylor: Janith D. Taylor many in the Service family University in Nacogdoches, Edwin B. Forsythe National retired after 36 years of service during his 35-year career. As a Texas, in 1983, and a master of Wildlife Refuge for nearly for the National Wildlife Refuge realty specialist, he was instru- science in wildlife management 23 years. During that time, System. Jan started at Carolina mental in the establishment of from Texas A&M University in she served as the Northeast Sandhills National Wildlife new refuges—including Lake 1987 with a thesis on the nutri- Region volunteer coordinator Refuge in 1982 and held positions Umbagog, Canaan Valley, John H. tional aspects of wild turkey and received a Northeast at Great Swamp National Wildlife Chafee, and Great Thicket—and distribution. Region Eagle Award and a Refuge and Edwin B. Forsythe the expansions of many others. Communication Champion National Wildlife Refuge. She Bill is also a talented musician With brief stints as a camp Award. In 2012, she was became regional refuge biologist who found numerous ways to director in New Mexico, awarded the Legend Award for in 1993 and the Chief of the inspire and uplift people with bartender in England and her achievements in bridging Division of Natural Resources his fish and wildlife themed zookeeper in El Paso, Tim’s the gap between children and Conservation Planning in music over the years. He was career in international conser- and the outdoors. The award the Northeast Regional Office instrumental in the creation of vation began in earnest in is presented annually by the in 2012. Jan had a national the Refuge Centennial Songs of 1991 during his Peace Corps American Recreation Coalition, impact with her co-authorship the System CD and has regularly service in Botswana. As game in partnership with the Service, of the “Resources of Concern performed with his Fish & Wildlife warden of Gemsbok National National Park Service, Bureau Handbook,” and was one of the Service band over the years in Park, Tim put his wildlife and of Land Management, Bureau main authors on the Habitat and outside of the Northeast habitat management training into of Reclamation, Forest Service, Workgroup of Fulfilling the Region. practice, developed personnel U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Promise, along with many other management skills and built a Federal Highway Administration peer-reviewed publications. She first-hand understanding of the Sandy has left a legacy of is known for her cutting-edge challenges and complexities of kindness, good humor and data management applications, international wildlife conser- inspiration for the volunteers, use of geospatial technology vation. visitors and colleagues whose and her innovative approaches lives she has touched. to address natural resource He joined the Service as a management issues. biologist in 1994 with the Office of Scientific Authority for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

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Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), tions, which are now coordinating Other energy efficiency strategies and served as an Endangered honors their actions and investments to make this project exemplary: Species Act (ESA) listing focus on common goals by using cool roof; high R-value double biologist. Beginning in 2001, Tim science to design and achieve a pane windows with window films; devoted 17 years to leading the Southeast connected network of habitats daylighting; energy-efficient Branch of Permits, supporting and waters that supports thriving fluorescent and LED lighting; and his staff through the challenges The fish and wildlife populations. PC power management through of reviewing applications for winner of efficient computer purchases upward of 40,000 permits per the 2017 and controls. Low VOC-emitting year under CITES, the ESA and Sam D. carpets, paints, and adhesives other laws for a wide variety of Hamilton contribute to a healthy indoor activities ranging from the import Award environment. Upgraded low-flow of zoo animals, to foreign travel for Trans- fixtures conserve more than with exotic pets, to the import forma- 757,000 gallons of potable water of sport-hunted trophies, to the tional annually. Further reducing green- international sale of rosewood Conser- house gas emissions, employees guitars. He graduated from the vation Science is Bill Uihlein, are encouraged to use alternative Service’s Advanced Leadership Assistant Regional Director for methods of transportation when and Development Program Science Applications in the commuting to and from the office, (ALDP) in 2013. Southeast Region with the provision of places to The Service has won a Federal secure bicycles and locker rooms Tim’s work with the International For several years, Bill has been Energy and Water Management with showers. Affairs Program took him to working with the Service and award from the Department of the four corners of the world broader conservation community Energy for the Southeast Regional as he represented the Service to define how to ensure Office building (Seen: award Northeast at meetings of the CITES landscapes in the Southeast are recipients, members of the Conference of the Parties in capable of sustaining populations Department of Energy, and other Martin Chile, Thailand, the Netherlands, of fish and wildlife range-wide Service staffers, including “Marty” Qatar and South Africa, as well at desired levels. Under Bill’s Principal Deputy Director Greg Miller, the as meetings with international leadership, the Service is leading Sheehan on the far right). In Chief of stakeholders and foreign govern- an effort to be more collaborative FY2016, the Service completed an the Division ments. (internally and externally) and extensive energy retrofit on the of Endan- strategic in targeting conser- existing Southeast Regional gered Tim looks forward to his next vation activities to achieve true Office building. The high perfor- Species chapter, where he’ll enjoy time large-scale conservation in the mance, sustainable 62,685 gross in the with daughter Hannah and wife Southeast. square-foot facility underwent a Northeast Janine, and shift focus to his total modernization, resulting in Region, has won the 2017 Science passion for sustainable living. He Bill was a driving force in efforts 980 MMBTU in annual energy Leadership Award, recognizing and Janine, newly retired from to unite conservation leaders savings, avoiding at least 202 him as an outstanding science the Branch of Foreign Species from 15 state and 13 federal metric tons of greenhouse gas leader, relationship builder in the Service’s Ecological agencies, who have joined emissions. and tackler of complex policy Services Program, plan to restore together into a shared, long-term situations through science. a 600-acre property in upstate vision called the Southeast Projects installed include a high New York through cob and straw Conservation Adaptation Strategy efficiency 215-ton capacity chiller Marty has established himself bale construction, sustainable (SECAS). Through Bill’s coaching, system with individual double- as an expert on all things agriculture, and wildlife and mentoring and determined filtered air handlers on each floor Endangered Species Act (ESA) habitat management. They hope persistence, SECAS is making with updated automated controls, and manages his high-functioning that the property will ultimately great progress, transforming how energy recovery unit on the roof team in a considerate and become home to a multigenera- agencies and businesses achieve with hot gas reheat with field strategic manner. tional intentional community of their missions. provided sensor, energy recovery like-minded friends and family, wheel and outside air intake by and an environmental education SECAS has become a shared CO2 monitoring per floor, and center where local students and vision among federal, state, airtight duct sealants. families can learn about natural nonprofit and private organiza- history and permaculture.

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 43 our people

Marty demands the highest The Robert McDowell Award Weber was cited specifically for Southwest quality scientific work from was established by the NEAFWA her leadership in region-wide himself and his team, yet does so directors to honor career Service and state efforts to Matthew in such a way that his team feels professionals who have made restore Atlantic Coast habitats Butler, supported and energized to do significant contributions to fish in the aftermath of Hurricane Ph.D, better. He is unwavering in his and wildlife conservation in the Sandy. She also was recognized a bio- dedication to ensuring the best northeastern United States and for guiding the Service and metrician science is appropriately applied eastern Canada. state efforts to restore White in the to ESA decisions, whether it is a River National Fish Hatchery Division listing determination, a habitat As Regional Director, Weber in Vermont, which was nearly of conservation plan or an ESA oversees Service activities destroyed by Hurricane Irene in Biological consultation with another federal in 13 states—from Maine to 2011. At the dedication ceremony Sciences, agency. Virginia—and the District of to reopen White River in 2017, Refuges, in the Southwest Columbia. She currently leads Vermont U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy Region, has won the 2017 Rachel He believes in empowering his more than 800 employees at more called the effort “a story of Carson Award for Exemplary team to “be science leaders” than 130 offices, including 72 heroics.” Scientific Accomplishment for and participate in the scientific national wildlife refuges. Weber his rigorous scientific work for community through collaborating has worked for the Service since Nowhere has Weber’s leadership whooping cranes and lesser with other scientists, serving as 1998 but also has experience been more evident than in the prairie-chickens. peer reviewers and on graduate working for state fish and wildlife work of Northeast states to committees, presenting at scien- agencies in both Georgia and conserve the New England His work is helping to ensure tific conferences, and authoring Florida. cottontail, Connolly said. that the most appropriate, best numerous scientific publications. available, high quality scientific “Throughout her career, [Weber] “Because of long-term, and scholarly information is Marty also supports his staff in has consistently demonstrated landscape-scale habitat alter- available to advance stewardship working on national teams that the essential principles of ation throughout their native for these species. are defining the next evolution collaboration and cooperation range, the New England cottontail of ESA policy for national ESA with conservation partners is indeed in perilous condition. Matt led the development of an section 7 consultation stream- at all levels. She is deeply With careful attention to the improved and peer-reviewed lining guidance and the new respected and appreciated by her requirements of the Endangered survey protocol for whooping Species Status Assessment colleagues in the state fish and Species Act with a focus on cranes. He also conducted a process. wildlife agencies in the north- the congressional intention of population viability analysis, eastern states,” said NEAFWA the act—namely conserving determined that juvenile President James Connolly in and restoring rare species— recruitment most influences presenting the award. [Weber] has proven the value of population recovery and Wendi cooperation and collaboration in analyzed influences on juvenile Weber, “While it’s always been true conservation.” recruitment. Together, these Northeast that effective conservation scientific contributions are Regional requires collaboration, our He added that the approach steering management toward Director award winner has excelled at works, and success with the habitat protection along the for the the difficult task of motivating New England cottontail effort Texas Gulf Coast and refocusing Service, and inspiring citizens, key has proven to be a respected research toward understanding has stakeholders, elected leaders, model. It is now used in other the declines of whooping crane received policymakers and colleagues in landscape-scale conservation recruitment on breeding areas the 2018 other agencies—both state and efforts, such as protecting in Canada. ›› Robert McDowell Award for federal,” Connolly said. “Indeed, monarch butterflies. Conservation Management our award winner understands Excellence, the highest honor that conservation today does awarded by the Northeast not happen in the absence of Association of Fish and Wildlife partnerships and teamwork.” Agencies (NEAFWA).

44 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2018 our people

For lesser prairie-chickens, Matt protected more than 840,000 Pacific Southwest preceding his death. His strength led the team that developed aerial acres throughout the country, and positivity was an example survey techniques for lesser including land that is now part Christopher Gregory, 47, a fish to many. prairie-chickens, which has of J.N. “Ding” Darling Refuge and wildlife biologist for the provided population estimates, in Florida, Okefenokee Refuge Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Chris studied wildlife conser- new lek locations, and areas to in Georgia, Sevilleta Refuge in Office in California, died vation around the globe. He target for monitoring and conser- New Mexico, as well as Oxbow March 15. received his bachelor’s in wildlife, vation. This information informs Refuge in Massachusetts. fish and conservation biology on-the-ground conservation by In Palm from the University of California, identifying how energy devel- In 1975, Bill became the Deputy Springs, Davis; his master’s in wildlife opment can be steered away Regional Director for the Chris ecology and conservation biology from places favorable to lesser Northeast Region, adjacent dedicated from the University of Florida, prairie-chickens. to the Oxbow Refuge. He much of Gainesville; and his doctorate quickly became ingrained in his time to from Griffith University in his community, serving on the studying Queensland, Australia. He Harvard Planning Board and as and had environmental conservation in memoriam a Selectman. Bill also served conserv- affiliations across the world, too. as the president of the Nashua ing the River Watershed Association, federally endangered Casey’s The Carlsbad and Palm Springs Northeast where he worked with partners June beetle and the Western Offices will remember Chris to protect thousands of acres burrowing owl, a species of for his dedication to furthering of land. When Fort Devens concern in California. He also conservation in the desert of Army Base was closed in the focused on conserving Peninsular California, and the persistence, mid-1990s, Bill helped ensure bighorn sheep and spent many determination and positivity he the transfer of another 836 evenings and early mornings in emanated throughout his time acres of land from the Army to the field conducting wildlife with the Service. the Service, further expanding research on those three species the Oxbow Refuge. with his wife, Noelle Ronan, also a fish and wildlife biologist in the Southeast Bill’s willingness to take on Palm Springs Office. controversial issues for the Pat Metz, a longtime refuge benefit of America’s wild places He worked with local commu- ranger at Savannah National Bill Ashe, career Service and his knack for mentoring nities to reduce the impacts of Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, employee and father of Dan Ashe, others inspired many who high-usage recreational trails died February 25. former Director of the Service, worked beside him. on the species. He was effective died December 14 at the age at fostering partnerships with She was well-known for the of 88. Because of his many contribu- various collaborators to promote long hours she worked and the tions to the Oxbow Refuge, strong conservation efforts and perfection she demanded. Bill Ashe began his career with just one piece of land was especially adept at winning the Service as a realty specialist, protected by Bill throughout research grants to further the In a 2010 profile of Pat when she identifying pieces of land that are the years, Oxbow in 2016 held recovery of the three species. retired after 32 years on the job, particularly important for wildlife a dedication ceremony for Chris also loved reptiles and she told the Savannah Morning and working to purchase them, the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility, a amphibians. News: “I never thought of it as in effect creating and expanding beautiful new building that will a job. It was more like a calling, the nation’s national wildlife host educational programs to Three years ago, Chris was like a priest. This is what I wanted refuges. During his career, he connect people with nature. diagnosed with a type of lung to do.” cancer that commonly affects nonsmokers. Throughout his treatment, he focused on fighting the illness and continued to live life to the fullest. He worked for wildlife conservation as passion- ately as ever, even in the weeks

Spring 2018 Fish & Wildlife News / 45 STANDARD PRESORT Division of Marketing POSTAGE AND FEES Communications PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service INTERIOR 5275 Leesburg Pike PERMIT G-77 Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

parting shot

Pretty in Pink

In a visit that seemed to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a flamingo plunked down its long slender legs into a salty marsh at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It wasn’t for a short visit, however, as it stayed for more than three months—and counting. With the nearest wild flamingo population thousands of miles away, it is thought to be an escapee because it is banded and the right secondary feathers are clearly clipped. But alas, no has claimed it. The pink surprise has attracted news crews, neighbors, and birders flocking to see the wayward bird happily foraging and filtering plankton on the recently restored salt marsh. Lisa Cox /USFWS

Fish & Wildlife News Submit articles and photographs to: Submission deadline: Editor: Matthew Trott U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Summer 2018: by June 30 Assistant Editor: Jennifer Deschanel EA-Division of Marketing Communications Art director: Jane Pellicciotto, Allegro Design MS: EA Website: fws.gov/home/fwn/ 5275 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 703/358-2512 Fax: 703/358 1930 E-mail: [email protected]