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January 2006
Fish & Wildlife News: Winter/Spring 2006
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Looking for Wheelin’ Living with a Legend Sportsmen Grizzlies
The Galapagos of the North Alaska’s Pribilof Islands are home to a teeming world of wildlife. 2 Inside this Issue...
Departments News Briefs / 4 Fish Tales / 23 Faces in the Field / 11 Transitions / 24 Science & Technology / 22 Honors / 26 From the Hill / 23 In Memoriam / 27
Features The Galapagos of the North / 12 Alaska’s Pribilof Islands are home to a teeming world of wildlife. By Karen Sullivan
Looking for a Legend / 15 The search is on for the ivory-billed woodpecker. By Tom MacKenzie
Wheelin’ Sportsmen / 18 At Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, disabled hunters get their time in the blinds. By Terry Villanueva and Terri Edwards
Living with Grizzlies / 20 Proposed delisting marks a new era for these misunderstood bears. By Valerie Fellows
On the cover: A pair of tufted puffins from the Pribilof Islands. (USFWS) 3 From the Director Returning to our Roots
In early March, To protect our scientific credibility, we also to assess the roles of professional societies Service leaders have an obligation to maintain a culture in the Service and the USGS Biological met at the National of thorough, in-Service scientific debate. Resources Discipline. Involvement in Conservation Premature release of draft documents, professional societies keeps us informed Training Center scientific analysis or briefings can about new scientific directions and ideas, to participate in a significantly undermine public confidence provides a way for Service scientists to workforce planning in our methods and findings, as well as share their ideas and knowledge with workshop titled, our ability to have free and open internal the larger scientific community, keeps us “Shaping Our debate on data interpretation and engaged with professional colleagues and Future.” They took some important first analysis. To ensure the integrity of this raises the stature of our employees and steps in setting a course for the Service for process, it’s imperative that all draft our organization. the next three to five years and expressing documents, and assessments remain our core values—the things that mean inside the Service, except as is required We all know the stereotype of scientists the most to us. to support collaboration with federal as unsociable folks who just want to be and state peers. This does not mean left alone to do science. But that’s not the This workshop was part of a process of that we can’t have discussions with stereotypical Service scientist. We value our change that will be ongoing as we rise to outside experts, such as universities and professional relationships and collaboration the conservation challenges of the 21st conservation partner organizations. Those with partners. We know it’s essential to century. But as we prepare to embrace discussions are essential in building what our credibility and accomplishment of change, I believe there will be one constant: Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett our mission. I plan to continue former science will remain the heart and soul of calls “shared knowledge.” But we don’t director Steve Williams’ practice of holding this agency. share decision-related documents until bimonthly meetings with the USGS director the Service has completed its internal and periodic meetings of our Directorate I started out with the Service as a discussion and consideration. and the USGS leadership team to make wetlands biologist. Twenty-seven years sure our scientific priorities are aligned. later, I still view the world through a I realize that we work in a very difficult scientific lens. Science doesn’t make environment. We’re all faced with the As we envision what we want to be in decisions for us, but it lays the foundation challenge of trying to do the right thing the future, we must not lose sight of for making good decisions. The under increased scrutiny, and at the same the fundamental scientific principles cornerstones in that foundation are the time, we have to adjust to new priorities and practices that have sustained us strength of the science (considering factors and expectations. That’s reality. While for decades. I appreciate everything such as certainty, completeness, and the we need to address those challenges, you do to provide the best available rigor of review) and the objectivity of our the thing that is most directly under information to support decision-making. analysis. Both are essential in supporting our control is how we conduct ourselves, I know you are working under very sound policy discussions. as individual professionals and as a challenging circumstances, and I look professional organization. forward to joining with you in continuing I think it’s important to remember that our tradition of scientific excellence. the world doesn’t expect us to know all the I have directed the Service Science answers. In science, sometimes the best Committee to recommend guidelines answer is “I don’t know,” or “I’m not sure.” with which we can evaluate the strength If we are to strengthen our reputation of scientific information. There are other as a professional science organization, measures we can take to make sure we’re we need to be constantly vigilant that we setting and maintaining high scientific are building the foundation to support standards. One of those is to strengthen solutions—not necessarily, or always, partnerships with science organizations building the solutions themselves. And and scientific professional societies. In we need to compile and view scientific this issue of Fish & Wildlife News, you’ll information objectively. As scientists, read about a survey conducted by the we search for truth, even when the truth Service, The Wildlife Society, the American doesn’t necessarily support our opinion Fisheries Society, the U.S. Geological or preferences; in fact, especially then. Survey (USGS), and Cornell University 4 News Briefs
President John Baughman, National Building for the Future Wildlife Federation President and Chief More than 75 Service leaders met in early Executive Officer Larry J. Schweiger, March in a workforce planning workshop author Richard Louv and others informed designed to determine what the agency workshop participants on a range of should look like in the next three to five conservation issues ranging from global years and beyond. warming to Louv’s contention that children in the digital age are increasingly becoming During the three-day session held at the estranged from nature. National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the Quoting Yankee baseball legend Yogi Berra, group of Assistant Regional Directors, who once remarked that “the future ain’t Washington Office Division Chiefs and staff what it used to be,” Scarlett urged Service involved in current workforce planning leadership to change with the times. efforts generated an extensive list of recommendations aimed at making the “We need to have the right people in the Service more efficient and effective. right places with the right tools and clear goals,” she said. “The public demands The discussions were framed by a host of a government that is more efficient, challenges facing the agency, including transparent and accountable....The Fish budget constraints, urbanization, changing and Wildlife Service is poised to meet demographics, loss of experience and those challenges.” leadership due to workforce turnover and natural forces such as last summer’s Bud Oliveira, Assistant Regional Director Freed to explore ideas without having to Gulf Coast hurricanes. for Refuges in the Southeast Region, consider the implications of cost and other participates in a group discussion during realities, participants brainstormed ideas Shedding program loyalties, participants the workforce planning workshop at NCTC. in several cross-programmatic groups. identified core values and challenged the (USFWS/Ryan Hagerty) Suggestions included consolidating and status quo by supporting the concept combining programs; creating “service of “one Service” that combines and centers” that combine administrative integrates resources and ideas rather than The first day of the workshop resembled functions; co-locating offices on government a fragmented network of programs. Most a college reunion, with Service leaders land; eliminating rent costs by locating also agreed that available resources should greeting old friends and catching up on offices on Service lands (one group be directed to on-the-ground conservation news from other offices and the field. But aspired to have the Service paying no and resource management rather than the importance of the session quickly rent in 15 years); improving leadership administrative growth. became apparent when the Director in his development programs; creating a more opening remarks challenged the group to interdisciplinary workforce with diverse “We need to begin with the end in mind,” come up with ways to transform the culture skills; ensuring that consistent messages said John Christian, Assistant Regional of the Service from “business as usual” to are communicated to the public; improving Director for Migratory Birds and State one that expects change and effectively internal communications and information Programs in Region 3. “And that end is manages for it. Hall urged them to confront sharing; and incorporating more partners the resource.” the hard decisions of eliminating some and stakeholders—including local programs and functions, suggesting that governments, State and Federal agencies, The group’s recommendations will serve they identify the ones for which they would and conservation groups—in collaborative as a cornerstone for ongoing workforce “fall on their sword.” approaches to resource conservation. planning efforts and have bearing on present and future budget discussions. “I would rather know the Fish and Wildlife “We’re on the verge of a new day,” said Service as the experts in 15 things than Gerry Jackson, Assistant Regional Director “This [workforce planning process] is kind not know us at all for 50,” he said. “Our for Fisheries in Region 3. “This cross- of like building a boat we will all share to tough assignment is to identify those 15 or program meeting is one of the greatest take us where we need to be in the next so things we want to be known for in the things I’ve seen in 30 years working here. several years,” said Service Director future. I have unquestionable faith in you Our organization is ripe for change and Dale Hall, who remarked that the session and your ability to meet this challenge.” we need to seize the opportunity.” exceeded his expectations. “What this first workshop did was to go into the forest, Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett, In addition to specific recommendations to cut the trees, bring them back to the International Association of State Fish improve performance and meet the needs of construction area and remove the bark. and Wildlife Agencies Executive Vice a changing public, the group also sounded We now have the ability to look at the raw several general themes, including: materials and go to work.” 5
■ Establishing more trust within and outside the Service. Kempthorne Nominated for Interior Secretary Post ■ Embracing “landscape-level” Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has been conservation. nominated to succeed Gale Norton as Secretary of the Interior. As of the Fish ■ Moving from “statutes to stature” (relying & Wildlife News press deadline in April, less on regulation and more on cooperative Kempthorne had yet to be confirmed by management and voluntary incentives). the U.S. Senate. ■ Encouraging the Directorate and In nominating him for the position, leadership at all levels to commit to President George W. Bush said moving the Service’s workforce planning Kempthorne has broad experience needed efforts forward. for managing the 388 parts of the National ■ Involving the entire Service in the Park system, 545 wildlife refuges and more workforce planning process. than 260 million acres of multiple-use lands located mainly in 12 western states. Hall said the information and recommendations from the workshop will Prior to serving as governor, Kempthorne be used “as much as possible” in helping the served six years in the U.S. Senate, from Former Interior Secretary Gale Norton Directorate craft the 2008 budget proposal, 1993 to 1998. and Governor Dirk Kempthorne. though he cautioned that the Directorate (DOI/Tami A. Heilemann) would have little time to review the Kempthorne said he appreciates and information before its budget discussions respects the President’s “genuine the first week of April. enthusiasm for this great land of ours in all of its grandeur and its essence.” He said he A Lasting Legacy The Directorate’s new Management would be “a responsible steward of the land Hundreds of people and organizations Oversight Committee has been charged and the natural resources with which our are voicing support for the National Fish with reviewing the material and providing nation has been blessed.” Habitat Action Plan, which harnesses recommendations to the Directorate on the energies, expertise and existing ways to begin implementing some of the Norton, 51, is the first woman to serve as partnerships of State and Federal agencies ideas from the workshop. the Secretary of the Interior. She was the and conservation organizations to improve 48th Interior Secretary and served longer aquatic habitat health. The Service is “The Directorate expects to continue than all but six of her predecessors. the lead Federal agency supporting efforts to involve you and get your input as this effort. we go through this year so decisions can be In a letter to President Bush announcing made that will have significant influence on her resignation in March, Secretary Norton As of late February, the National the 2009 budget process,” he said. thanked the President, “for inviting me Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI) to be part of your Administration for a Partners Coalition included Though participants were generally upbeat meaningful and rewarding five years.” approximately 350 organizations about the first steps of workforce planning, and more than 800 individuals. many, like David Patte, Assistant Regional “With your support and leadership, your Director for External Affairs in Region 1, team at Interior has accomplished great “The National Fish Habitat Action were also realistic about the road ahead. work in the face of hurricanes, record- Plan is about striving for and fulfilling setting wildfires and droughts, acrimonious a commitment—a commitment to address “This meeting was a start,” Patte said. litigation, and expanded post 9-11 security current needs; a commitment to cultivate “The next steps would be grouping the responsibilities,” the letter reads in part. new partnerships; a commitment to identify ideas, and then we need to form work team “The Interior Department has conserved new opportunities—all working toward assignments to see what kinds of actions millions of acres of public and private lands a commitment to better protect, restore can be taken—short-term and long-term. and steered the nation toward cooperative and enhance the nation’s fish and aquatic A lot of follow-up is needed, and our Service conservation by working with landowners communities and to improve the quality of leadership needs to make commitments and local groups.” life for the American people,” said Mamie to the next steps because they will be the Parker, Assistant Director of Fisheries most difficult and time-consuming.” and Habitat Conservation.
David Eisenhauer, Public Affairs, Service Director H. Dale Hall has called Washington, D.C. NFHI “the greatest legacy we can leave for future generations.” Legacy, continued on page 6 6 News Briefs
(Legacy) efforts designed to support the action Each program within the Service and The idea of using the North American plan: Western Native Trout Initiative every employee can contribute to the Waterfowl Management Plan as a model ($565,095), Midwest Driftless Area Fish work of the action plan. For more for a similar program for fish and fish Habitat Restoration Project ($192,500), information about how to get your habitat long has been a glimmer in the eye Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan ($257,000), programmatic area involved, please visit of fisheries professionals keen to address International Instream Flow Program with your regional Fisheries Program underwater crises that have evaded Initiative ($262,000), and a Fisheries Data office. For general information about the both public attention and coordinated, Base Summit ($95,700). action plan, visit
The Oregon chub, an endangered endemic minnow, is now found in 33 locations— up from 10 less than a decade ago. And two species of native birds—the western meadowlark and the western bluebird— nested at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge last year for the first time in recent memory.
How did the refuge complex staff do it?
“We hit the road, so to speak, and started going to watershed groups, conservation organizations, plant clubs, anybody who would listen to us,” said Jim Houck, deputy project leader at the Willamette Valley complex who started the complex’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. “We realized we weren’t going to achieve our conservation goals by just working between the Blue Goose signs.” 7
Meeting with landowners such Preserving as Richard Owens Gulf Coast Treasures (left) of Corvallis, After the Gulf Coast was devastated by Oregon, is a big hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Federal part of the wildlife Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conservation work requested assistance from various Interior done by Steve Department agencies for expertise on Smith, a private several fronts. One such request was for lands biologist with museum collections specialists—museum the Willamette conservators in particular—to assist with Valley National museum collections affected by the storms. Wildlife Refuge Complex. (USFWS) Jeanne Harold, a museum conservator for Museum/Archives at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, responded to the call. The effort has paid off. Landowners have In 2004, the refuge complex partnered “As the only museum conservator in the become the complex’s best outreach leaders with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, I volunteered for a one-month as they show off their restoration projects Service to take the program to new heights. detail in New Orleans to help assess and to neighbors and friends and enlist them in The Conservation Service had wetland salvage museum collections,” Harold said. projects of their own. And other agencies restoration money through the Farm “My time at the FEMA Joint Field Office and organizations have signed on: about Bill. The refuge had staff and equipment. in Baton Rouge included many site 50 have been involved in either funding or Together, they have grown the program into visits into New Orleans and surrounding labor during the past 10 years. a $2.5 million effort. parishes to survey collections and determine how to salvage and stabilize “We’ve gone from Jim (Houck) working These days, the refuge staff doesn’t spend damaged museum objects. part-time to having two full-time biologists a lot of time on outreach. Their landowner and three other employees in the program,” partners do it for them. Harold, National Park Service teammate Refuge Project Leader Doug Spencer said. Blair Davenport and FEMA coordinator “It’s an awesome program, I can’t say Alan Aiches visited nine different museums A big boost came in January 2002 when enough good things about it,” said Dale in New Orleans (the 7th and 9th wards) Steve Smith joined the refuge complex as Bergey, who’s working on his second and in Slidell, Louisiana. Those included the private lands biologist. He had years of restoration of wetlands and wet prairie the University of New Orleans (UNO), experience working for the state on habitat after hearing about the program from a Southern University of New Orleans restoration in the Willamette Valley, which neighbor. “I’ve had guys stop by and say (SUNO), Jackson Barracks, Beauregard- gave him an intimate knowledge of the they noticed it and wondered how I made Keyes House, Slidell Museum, Slidell landscape and a list of landowner contacts. it happen. I tell them what we did, who I Cultural Center and the Black Arts He signed up 28 new landowners for did it with and say, ‘here’s who you call.’” National Diaspora Museum. The team projects in 2005 and expects another surveyed materials and offered consultation 30 to 40 in 2006. “It’s just very rewarding,” he added. on a range of items, such as Mardi Gras “You can leave your mark on something.” Indians costumes at the Back Street “These partnerships are going to be the key Museum, Chevron drilling core samples to recovery,” Smith said. “I don’t know how Joan Jewett, External Affairs, at UNO and African ethnographic artifacts else it would be possible.” Portland, Oregon at SUNO.
Harold said the level of destruction was “truly amazing.”
“Most of these collections were subjected to three- to six-weeks of standing water, and then several months of extremely high humidity because of the lack of electricity
Treasures, continued on page 8 8 News Briefs
(Treasures) to run cooling and ventilation systems,” Joining Forces for Conservation she said. “In all instances, the water that “Lagoon Quest,” “Snake River,” and Established by Congress in 1984, the flooded the collections was brackish, as well “Where Natives Walked” may sound Foundation is a private, non-profit as contaminated with hazardous chemicals like the latest round of Hollywood movie organization devoted to creating and bacterial waste products. The waters releases, but they are actually a snapshot partnerships that strategically invest left behind thick deposits of sludge, and of the 255 projects funded last year by in voluntary conservation projects. mold growth that boggles the imagination.” the ongoing, joint efforts of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its To date, the Foundation has supported Scientists have since determined that up to primary federal agency partner the more than 3,000 grants among almost 50 types of mold that have not been around Fish and Wildlife Service. 1,400 partners, leveraging more than for 100 years have flourished in New $136 million in Service funds into more Orleans since the floodwaters have receded. Last year, the Service and the Foundation than $448 million for on-the-ground projects worked with 217 different partners to that benefit conservation in all 50 states. “As a museum curator, the fear of losing administer $36.1 million allocated for on- one’s collection to a catastrophe is bad the-ground conservation projects. Of that This past year, selected projects funded enough, but to be unable to visit the site total, approximately $7.3 million came from a wide variety of conservation efforts and assess the damage for weeks or Service funds while the rest was matched in accordance with a Conservation Plan even months is beyond comprehension,” by the Foundation and other partners. developed in 2003 by the Service, the Harold said. “In addition, most of these Foundation and its partners. The Plan curators lost their homes and many could “Our relationship with the Foundation identifies four areas of focus for funded lose their jobs.” is important, particularly with declining projects: Working Landscapes, Critical budgets. Their ability to secure matching Species, Stewardship, and Evaluation Harold said she was struck by the number dollars allows us to accomplish a greater and Innovation. of contractors, curators and FEMA diversity and breadth of conservation,” employees who expressed their gratitude said Casey Stemler, Special Assistant to As an example, the Institute for Bird for the efforts of Service personnel. In all, Service Director Dale Hall and liaison Populations received $752,000, including a FWS employees saved more than 4,500 to the Foundation. Service contribution of $46,527, and equal stranded residents, a fact that Harold said has not gone unnoticed. Sikes Act. “This experience has left indelible images (Left to right) in my memory. One that will never leave me John Baughman, is the sight of spray painted markings on Executive Vice- houses that documented rescue efforts with President of the the rescue crews’ acronym, date, type of International search (interior or exterior) and number of Association of bodies found. I was especially moved when Fish and Wildlife the crews additionally noted that they had Agencies, Alex rescued pets from the residence. Another Beehler, Assistant impression is of the power of Mother Deputy Under Nature,” she said. “The only thing that Secretary of Defense might have saved New Orleans would have for Environment, been the natural buffer of wetlands that has Safety, and been receding for years with development Occupational and human encroachment. Perhaps this Health, U.S. horrible event will give us a second chance, Department of and we will truly learn from our mistakes.” Defense and Dale Hall, Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sign a memorandum of understanding that will help manage natural resources on military installations under provisions of the Sikes Act. The Act was enacted in 1960 to promote the sustained use of natural resources on lands controlled by the Department of Defense. (DOI/Tami Heilemann) 9
contributions from the Bureau of Land “The projects funded through our free-of-charge to a sister conservation Management of the Forest Service, to partnership with the Service provide vital agency that desperately needs them.” link vital population information systems contributions to the conservation of our together to better monitor population Nation’s fish and wildlife,” said Jody Service Law Enforcement Officer John declines in migratory birds. Olson the Foundation’s liaison to the Starcher, of nearby Canaan Valley National Service. “The Foundation’s investments Wildlife Refuge, said the idea for the “This is a great example of multiple federal in innovative, collaborative solutions to Federal-State transfer stemmed from his agencies and partners coming together to conservation challenges could not be conversations with West Virginia DNR conserve [wild birds] in a better and more achieved without the strong support of Conservation Officer Troy Weber. The two strategic manner,” Stemler said. our federal agency partners.” have been involved in cases ranging from narcotics investigations to illegal trapping Funded projects often benefit local For more information on the Foundation, of a golden eagle. Because they are communities and people, in addition to visit their web site at
■ real and perceived barriers within the engagement in professional societies also Survey to Gauge Service and USGS to involvement in strengthens the credibility of the Service Involvement in professional societies. as a professional scientific organization.” Professional Societies In early May, 2006, Service and USGS Project results and recommendations will The Fish and Wildlife Service is biologists will receive an email and a link be published in journals specific to the collaborating with The Wildlife Society to the questionnaire. Employees will have fields of wildlife research and management, (TWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 30 days to respond. As the 30-day clock social science, and human dimensions. and Cornell University to assess the roles winds down, employees who have not They will also be presented to the Service of professional societies in the Service and responded will receive email reminders. Director and Directorate for consideration the USGS Biological Resources Discipline. Approximately 100 non-respondents from and action. Funding for the survey is being the Service and 50 non-respondents from provided by the U.S. Geological Survey. Approximately 3,600 Service biologists will the Survey will be interviewed, via phone, This effort is the result of an agreement be surveyed across Ecological Services, to help determine whether and how non- between The Wildlife Society, Fish and Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, respondents differ from respondents. Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Endangered Species, Refuges, Migratory Survey to exchange scientific information, Birds-State Programs, and International “Membership and active participation advance professionalism in the agencies, Affairs in all regions. The USGS portion in professional societies are extremely and elevate continuing education of wildlife of the survey will target approximately important for our employees and our biologists and managers. 800 biologists. organization. It keeps us current with new directions, ideas, and technology in our For questions concerning this project, During March and April, approximately professional fields, and also gives us the contact
The survey questionnaire, which is administered by Cornell University’s Human Dimensions Research Unit, surveys scientists to assess:
■ the values and functions of employee membership in professional societies, and the extent and nature of involvement (e.g., journal subscriptions, attendance at meetings, publications, positions on technical or executive committees);
■ employee perceptions of TWS regarding publications, policies, the annual conference, Settlement Agreement. Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station viewed from the Ottawa the wildlife biologist certification program, National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Ohio. The refuge will receive $1.35 million to fund and activities at chapter, section and improvement projects on the refuge as a result of a settlement agreement between the national levels; and U.S. Department of Justice and First Energy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), owner/operator of the power station. Per terms of the agreement, FENOC admitted that the government can prove the company’s employees knowingly made false statements to the NRC regarding the condition of equipment at the power station. The refuge will use $800,000 to construct dikes and water control structures that will restore 170 acres of former farm land to a high-quality wetland. The wetland will provide habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds including bald eagles. The remaining $550,000 will fund improvement projects associated with the refuge’s new Visitor Education Center. (USFWS) Faces in the Field 11 Andrew Weik Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Maine
By Joshua Winchell Is your work as a wildlife biologist for the A lot of kids—even those of Service USFWS is any different than working as employees—might not have easy access Andy Weik is a wildlife biologist for the a Maine wildlife biologist? to the outdoor resources you are blessed with. What might more urban parents do to Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, AW: I went from an ideal job with a state give their kids an appreciation of nature? located in Maine along the New Brunswick agency to an ideal job with Moosehorn. It border. Weik recently joined the Service was a no-lose situation. But when I worked AW: No matter where you are, there’s from the Maine Department of Inland for the state, I didn’t get to do as much on- always wildlife. Kids get thrills about Fisheries and Wildlife, where he worked on the-ground habitat management as I would seeing a gull or a grey squirrel. Reading a range of wildlife issues, from endangered have liked, working with people to manage to your children is another way. There’s a species to migratory and upland game bird habitat. So that’s a big thing that I picked big wildlife theme to about 90 percent of management. His wife—also a wildlife up at Moosehorn that I really enjoy. In this the kids’ books we read to him. He loves biologist studying habitat selection of lynx job I am able to work outside the refuge naming the fish and wildlife in the prints and Newfoundland marten—and young with neighboring private landowners to that decorate our walls, and the various son Nolan joined Weik in his recent move help them manage their habitats and those decoys, bones, feathers, and antlers that from the metropolis of Bangor to the wilds types of partnerships. Those relationships biologists seem to accumulate. We set up of the Moosehorn region. are really important to me. an aquarium and he loves watching the fish.
Fish & Wildlife News recently caught up Do you spend time hunting/fishing/ Which people are better at cocktail with Weik to get his take on becoming a birdwatching at Moosehorn in your parties, wildlife or fishery biologists? Service employee, and how well he’s been free time? able to integrate his family with his new AW: The fishery biologists, because the refuge family. AW: There is no free time with a little wildlife people don’t know how to drink toddler. This year has been tough as far like fish. as my fishing, hunting, trapping, birding, canoeing and hiking goes. When I’m not Joshua Winchell is a public affairs working I’m taking care of Nolan, so that’s specialist in Washington, D.C. pretty much my schedule. One of the tough things about moving out here from the Bangor area is that babysitters aren’t easy to come by, so it’s been a bit harder to get out. Send your suggestions for other FWN Faces in the Field to: As a new parent, what do you think it David Eisenhauer takes instill an appreciation for the Fish & Wildlife News outdoors in a child? Room 3360 AW: My son gets a bit of the outdoors 1849 C Street NW everyday. Whether it’s looking at something Washington, D.C. 20240 I’ve brought home from work, or going [email protected] to the window to look at the birds at the feeder. Anything having to do with animals or the outdoors is a major part of his life— he takes it all in. He’s been out with me banding ducks and geese. Anytime we go for a walk, its going out to look for squirrels, or look for birds, or take him Andy Weik and son Nolan share the out to the refuge and look for geese and bounty of outdoor life at Maine’s ducks and that sort of thing. Some of the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. first words he spoke were a lot of different (USFWS/Andy Weik) species of wildlife, duck, goose, musk ox, deer. His favorite meals contain moose or wild turkey. He was saying “woodcock” by the time he was 14 months old. 12 The Galapagos of the North Alaska’s Pribilof Islands are home to a teeming world of wildlife.
By Karen Sullivan I was going aboard the M/V Tiglax, the 120-foot ship that travels 20,000 nautical miles every season as the research vessel to the far-flung islands of the Alaska Maritime There are some places National Wildlife Refuge. This cruise was you visit that are entirely part of the long-term Seabird Marine Mammal Oceanographic Coordinated forgettable, but others Investigation or SMMOCI (pronounced “SMO-sigh”). The Pribilof Islands are an leave an impression that annual monitoring site for the refuge. is indelible, permanent The objective was to characterize the and impossible to forget. nearshore marine environment for An Arctic Fox on St. George Island. the seabirds from nesting colonies by (USFWS) When my small plane surveying—via 50-mile line transects— from the southern side of St. George Island touched down last July to the deep pelagic zone beyond the shelf Zooplankton were sampled at the surface on windswept, foggy break. In addition to surveys, we measured with neuston tows, and vertical “bongo” water temperature and salinity at specified plankton nets were lowered periodically. St. Paul Island in the points along these transects by lowering The abundance of zooplankton and fish a device called a CTD (Conductivity, biomass was tracked with an echo sounder Pribilofs, more than 300 Temperature, Depth) into the water to a that provided a colorful graphic display in miles from mainland maximum of 200 meters. the ship’s wheelhouse. Whenever a large amount of biomass showed, we sampled Alaska in the Bering with mid-water trawl nets. We also sampled the bottom fauna with a small bottom trawl Sea, I knew this place or a long line. The diets of large bottom- dwelling fish are a key to understanding would be one of the what is happening in the water column, so latter — but I could in addition to measuring size, the fish crew collected the stomachs of some of the fish never have predicted pulled in from the long lines. how unforgettable the On the evening before the Tiglax arrived to Pribilofs would be. pick us up, I went for a hike with another crew member, a fisheries graduate student. At an old abandoned cement pier we watched red-legged kittiwakes jostle for the best perches, while a harlequin duck and a least auklet looked on. Seventy-five The M/V Tiglax (TEKH-lah: Aleut word percent of the world’s red-legged kittiwakes for eagle) and its crew work for the Alaska are found in the Pribilofs, primarily on Maritime National Wildlife Refuge as its St. George. As we walked the red dirt road research and transportation support along the sea cliffs, a foggy wind swept the vessel. In a season, the Tiglax may sail long tundra grass into swirls, and a sound to islands in Southeast Alaska, the far like a cow barn at milking time reached western end of the Aleutian Chain, and our ears. This was immediately followed into the Bering Sea. SMMOCI and by a pungent odor wafting from hundreds the Pribilof work is an example of an of thousands of northern fur seals on the ecosystem approach to conservation with beaches to windward. Peeking over a the partners from USGS, the Institute of cliff of hardened pahoehoe lava, we were Marine Sciences, the National Marine immediately spotted by a young bull, which Fisheries Service, and several universities. began to roar like the Star Wars character (USFWS/Mike Boylan) Chewbacca. A blue phase Arctic fox perched in a grassy hollow and watched us curiously. This was turning into an amazing walk, but St. Paul Island had a bigger surprise in store for us. 13
As a huge dorsal fin sliced the water I helped with bird surveys, and a typical fog closed in and observers could hardly below the cliff, we watched the largest day went like this: two teams of three see. To enliven the watch and keep the killer whale we’d ever seen swim toward people alternate two-hour watches during fog-soaked observers on their toes, USGS the alongshore kelp line, leading a family daylight hours on transect, usually ending biologist John Piatt, who supervised the unit of two females and a tiny juvenile. around 10:30 p.m. when daylight fades. Port bird operations, said to me, “I want you to Suddenly the water roiled, and the male and starboard observers are posted on the sing out the scan calls from The Hole.” lunged at a large fur seal. We watched in flying bridge and a third person records the awe as the seal came partway out of the data in real-time coordinates on a laptop, Never being one to refuse a dare, I rose water, its flipper describing a wide waving sitting in a cramped and hot room abaft the to the bait—I mean, challenge. Songs arc as its body was flung into the midst of wheelhouse, dubbed “The Hole.” Observers composed on the fly began to hit the ship’s the orca family. The fur seal tried to stay with binoculars and hand-held VHF radios airwaves every three minutes, and people afloat, weakly rising every few seconds for report every bird and marine mammal they began to listen and laugh. Pretty soon, air. But more attacks by the two females see on the water within a 150-meter radius a competition developed. and the juvenile soon dragged it beneath of the boat, which travels at a steady the surface. The large male patrolled the 10 knots. Every 3 minutes observers switch (To the tune of “New York, New York”): kelp line perimeter, and most seals stayed from scanning the ocean to scanning the inside it. Then the orca family glided in sky, calling in all flying birds and ensuring “Start scanning the birds; I’m hittin’ the tight formation down the kelp line, their none are double-counted. keys; We’re SMMOCI in the Pribilofs, breaths clearly audible to us. Fur seals on the beach quietly watched the orcas pass, Mostly this occurs at a leisurely pace, And it’s a breeze...” then went back to scratching and basking a typical sequence sounding like this: on fog-wet rocks. When we returned to the Observer: “On the water, northern fulmars, (To the tune of “Candy Man”): bunkhouse, I learned from several National three; ancient murrelets, two; parakeet Marine Fisheries Service biologists who’d auklets, five.” The Recorder double-clicks “Who can count the birdies? Flying on also witnessed it that seeing orcas kill a seal the radio mic in acknowledgement. Then the scan? is a rare occurrence. the Recorder announces, “Time to scan, please.” This can get a bit tedious if there Aboard the Tiglax the next day, the isn’t much happening, or, in our case, when Galapagos, continued on page 14 24-hour work cycles began immediately. The bird crew worked days, and the fish crew worked mostly nights. The boat crew, all professional mariners, worked the full 24-hour cycle in shifts. Mid-water trawls using heavy gear, or long lines using a hundred large, baited hooks, were set by fish and boat crews. Deployment and retrieval required careful coordination between the aft deck and the wheelhouse. With the safety and seamanship exhibited by the Tiglax’s professional crew, everyone felt secure, even working in the challenging environment of the Bering Sea. Winds of 25 knots and seas to 8 feet made for Above: The author (left) and Service lumpy going and a few queasy stomachs, environmental contaminants biologist but nobody missed a shift because Deb Rudis aboard the Tiglax. Handheld of seasickness. radios and binoculars are used to call in data from the ship’s flying bridge. Below: A tufted puffin. (USFWS)
Murres on sea cliffs in the Pribilof Islands. (USFWS) 14 Galapagos
Enter all the data in the fog and get a tan, That evening the Tiglax dropped anchor the Scanners can, oh the Scanners can...” in a slight indentation on the island called Garden Cove. We were, quite literally, Everyone got into it, and a new SMMOCI anchored in the Bering Sea. The engineer tradition of attempting to sing the data was shut down the diesel engines, and we could established. As birding heated up, however, all hear for the first time the sounds of comedy closed down and observers and this place. I listened to high-pitched bird recorders concentrated on getting data. calls over the noise of the surf, but then I Our busiest transect was circumnavigating realized that there was no surf; this sound 9-mile-wide St. George Island at a distance was all birds. Astonished, I closed my eyes of less than a mile offshore. Airwaves and began to pick out the sopranos, altos, buzzed with rapid-fire observer calls as we tenors, basses, and wing-beat percussionists cruised past birds by the thousands, while in this magnificent choir. in the mist we could see and hear birds in the millions along the 400-foot cliffs. After One evening we were completely a rapid-fire watch in which two hours went surrounded by more than two dozen fin by like two minutes and we burned through whales. These 70-foot brown giants circled four radio batteries, someone joked that the and fed and swam past us, one tilting its laptop’s keyboard had finally caught fire. latte-colored jaw out of the water as it Seeing that many birds in one place left seemed to be taking a better look. Next even the most glib among us speechless. morning, on the last transect in dense fog, two fin whales surfaced less than 20 meters from the boat, their enormous brown backs arcing up, over and down into the water, What a privilege it was with fins marking the end of their glide. All to see such richness and A longline is used to sample large they left were two whale-shaped patches of abundance. It reminded predatory fish. (USFWS) turbulence on the water for us to marvel at. Back at the Regional Office but still walking me of the obligation we Back at the start-point of this transect, on sea legs, I braced myself against the all have to ensure that we pulled in a long line set four hours imaginary roll and toss of elevators, offices previously. The usual Irish lords, sculpins, and chairs, much to my staff’s amusement. unique and irreplaceable halibut, skates and cod were pulled in, but The swaying reminded me of the wonderful much larger than any previously caught. wildness of the Bering Sea and its special ecosystems like this One halibut weighed more than 70 pounds, places such as the Pribilof Islands. There is remain that way. and a huge fat sculpin measuring more than good reason for their nickname “The 2.5 feet was the largest anyone had ever seen. We photographed it and quickly put it Galapagos of the North.” What a privilege back in the water. As each hook was pulled it was to see such richness and abundance. nearer the surface, it was fun to guess what It reminded me of the obligation we all have the emerging shape was. One shape kept to ensure that unique and irreplaceable changing, and finally emerged as a large, ecosystems like this remain that way. bright scarlet-orange octopus with tennis ball-sized eyes. It let go of the decapitated Karen Sullivan is assistant regional fish it had been feeding on and slipped back director for External Affairs in into the ocean, but not before we got a good Anchorage, Alaska look as it was pulled out of the water. It was about 5 feet long. 15 Looking for a Legend The search is on for the ivory-billed woodpecker.
Story and photos by Tom MacKenzie The current field season continues through Since last November, 22 search team April 2006. The search is being led by the leaders, coordinators, supervisors, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the U.S. Fish field technicians have been searching for With the arrival of and Wildlife Service, Arkansas Game and the bird in eastern Arkansas. Volunteers Fish Commission, The Nature Conservancy, will be deployed in groups of 14 for two- more than 100 volunteer and Audubon Arkansas, with the support week periods through the remainder of and cooperation of other members the the field season. The goal is to find an searchers, the 2005–06 Ivory-billed Woodpecker Recovery Team. ivory-bill roost hole or nest hole and get additional photo or video documentation Ivory-billed Woodpecker “This is an exciting opportunity to better of the bird or birds—all in the hope of Research Project is document the existence and learn more learning more about the species to bring about this magnificent bird,” said Sam D. the ivory-bill back from near-extinction. fully staffed and moving Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To highlight the actions of the recovery forward. “Finding birds is a critical part of the team and help keep the public informed recovery process and we’re hoping for of the progress, the team invited more some exciting news.” than 25 media representatives from local, regional, national and international media The ivory-billed woodpecker, long in December. A series of orientation tours considered to be extinct by most helped reporters understand the scope of ornithologists, is North America’s largest this massive effort to find “a flying needle woodpecker. In February 2004, the bird in a haystack,” referring to the ivory-billed was rediscovered on Bayou De View in woodpecker and the half million acres in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge the Cache River NWR, White River NWR (NWR) only two miles northwest of the city and the other key lands in the area that of Brinkley, Arkansas. It was the first time need to be searched. the ivory-billed woodpecker had been seen in 60 years. In April 2005, the rediscovery was made public. Legend, continued on page 16
Illustration of the ivory-billed woodpecker. (George M. Sutton/ Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Martin Blaney, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission,briefs reporters at Dagmar Wildlife Management Area birding trail during media tour December 13, 2005. 16 Legend
“The restoration of the entire corridor of At other times they will be sitting quietly the Cache River is extremely important in blinds, observing. Scouts will be looking to the habitat of many wildlife species, not for suitable ivory-bill habitat, assisted by only the ivory-billed woodpecker,” said NASA satellite photos that will help them Arkansas Game and Fish Commission focus on promising areas more quickly. Director Scott Henderson. “The volunteers are vital to the search effort,” says Dr. John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Without “The volunteers are them there’s no way we could scour such a vital to the search effort large area for ivory-bills. These folks are field biologists and avid birders—all of …These folks are field them giving up their time to be part of this biologists and avid once-in-a-lifetime recovery project.” birders—all of them Key to the recovery of the ivory-bill is preservation of habitat. Thanks to the Caryn Rousseau (left) of the Associated giving up their time to efforts of local hunters and anglers, the Press talks with Cornell field biologist ivory-bill and many other species have been Nathan Nanfield during a media tour be part of this once-in-a- able to survive in the depths of the Big for the ivory-billed woodpecker. Woods. More than 75 percent of the habitat lifetime recovery project.” at Cache River NWR was purchased with “Since the ivory-bill’s rediscovery, The Dr. John Fitzpatrick, director of the $41 million in revenue generated from the Nature Conservancy has acquired for Cornell Lab of Ornithology sale of Duck Stamps. Hunters, birders and protection some 18,500 acres of habitat and other lovers of the outdoors are encouraged worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to buy stamps to save habitat, which not Service to add 1,440 acres to the Cache Searchers will use traditional tools, such as only benefits the ivory-billed woodpecker, River National Wildlife Refuge, where the binoculars and digital cameras, as well as but wildlife everywhere. Duck Stamps sell bird was first spotted,” said Scott Simon, high-tech methods that include Autonomous for $15 at the United States Postal Service director of The Nature Conservancy’s Recording Units, sophisticated sound- 1-800 STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724), and at Arkansas chapter. “The more data gathered analysis software, time-lapse video systems, most major sporting goods stores that sell about the number and location of ivory bills and remote cameras. Human searchers hunting and fishing licenses. living in Arkansas, the more we can do to will make their way through the bayous by protect this fragile habitat and make sure canoe and on foot, looking for promising Tom MacKenzie is chief of media services this incredible bird survives for generations tree cavities. They will also be conducting in Atlanta, Georgia to come. Because of the great cooperation of transect searches with the aid of GPS units. many agencies and organizations focusing on habitat conservation, we have a chance to recover the ivory bill.” Refuge Manager Dennis Widner Searches in Arkansas are planned for White points out River NWR, Cache River NWR, Dagmar reforestation issues Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Black at Cache River Swamp WMA, Wattensaw WMA, and National Wildlife Benson Creek Natural Area. Other teams Refuge during are starting to organize scouting trips a media tour in to follow-up on ivory-billed woodpecker December. sightings from across the southern United States in the former range of the bird. This may involve work in South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, but will depend on a review of what is believed to be the best habitat, along with credible recent sightings. 17
Cashing In on the Ivory Bill The Ivory Bill Inn in Brinkley, By Ronald Rundberg Arkansas. (Photo: Ronald Rundberg) After reading about the rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker, I decided to take a week’s vacation last June to the Big Woods section of Arkansas. The town of Brinkley is located midway between Little Rock and Memphis on the Mississippi River. As an amateur birder and a volunteer at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Eagle Lake, Texas, the story of the near-extinct ivory-bill captivated my imagination.
I wanted to do some birding of my own in the Big Woods, but more than that, I wanted to beavers, otters, alligators and snakes such and eating establishments. Gene DePriest, find out how the citizens of Brinkley felt as water moccasins. Few sportsmen or owner of Gene’s Restaurant and Barbeque, about the rediscovery of the ivory-bill in their fishermen frequent the extreme edges of the told me his business had increased tenfold area and how this has affected their lives. waterways of the Big Woods—areas where since the announcement of the ivory-bill the reclusive ivory bills may have their nests rediscovery. He now is promoting Brinkley as Located in the heart of the Big Woods, or roosting sites in the White River NWR. the “Home of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker,” Monroe County is a true sportsmen’s and the city has put up a large billboard on paradise. Duck hunting and deer hunting The Cache River NWR area (where the Ivory- nearby Interstate 40 advertising this claim. are extremely popular during their respective bill was spotted) was closed when I was seasons. Fishing on the Cache River and there, as was the road to the Bayou De View. Restaurant and motel owners are eager to the White River farther south are popular So I did most of my birding in the Dagmar host birders from all around the world who year round. Now, with the rediscovery of Wildlife Management Area (WMA) just west will want to visit their city to view this rare the ivory-bill, birding should bring more of Brinkley. There were educational displays bird and add it to their life lists. One motel revenue to the entire county. Fishing and or kiosks in the Dagmar WMA about the has even changed its name to “the Ivory- hunting guides have a great opportunity Big Woods ecosystem, the ivory-bills and Bill Inn” and has become an RV park to to take birders by canoe or by kayak into the general history of the area. Farther accommodate birders. the cypress-tupelo swamps, oxbow lakes south, I stopped by the White River NWR and bottomland hardwood forests of the visitors’ center near St. Charles, Arkansas. All over the Brinkley I saw businesses and Big Woods—an area encompassing I was greatly impressed with this $2.6 million homes displaying ivory-bill artwork, and 500,000 acres. facility. It had a bookstore, an environmental ivory-bill T-shirts were being sold throughout education classroom and outstanding exhibits the city. The Brinkley Convention Center has The Big Woods ecosystem is ideal for highlighting the Fish and Wildlife Service, become a popular place for birding seminars the ivory bill, the much more common bottomland hardwood forests, and other and conventions. Clarendon—the Monroe pileated woodpecker and other species ecological facts about the region. I did some County seat—has hosted a Big Woods of woodpeckers, waterfowl, herons, and birding in the nearby forests. I saw several Birding Festival each May since 2001. The other birds that frequent the area. Migrating trees which were drilled with many holes attendance at last year’s festival was about ducks—as many as 350,000 of them, that were obviously made by woodpeckers— 3,000—twice what it was the year before. including mallards and wood ducks—fly more than likely, pileated woodpeckers. through the area each autumn. As many as It’s amazing how a conservation success 10,000 Canada geese find their way to the Back in Brinkley, virtually every person I met story and a legendary bird can transform Big Woods during the winter, and since seemed to be overjoyed with the news of the an entire town. 1982, bald eagles have been found nesting ivory-bill rediscovery. The Brinkley Chamber in the White River NWR. of Commerce is excited, too, particularly about Ronald Rundberg is a volunteer at the the prospects of ecotourism revenue. For Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Other wild animals inhabiting the Big Woods a relatively small city of 4,000, Brinkley has Refuge in Texas. include black bears, white-tailed deer, seven motels and some 16 restaurants, cafes, 18 Wheelin’ Sportsmen At Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, disabled hunters get their time in the blinds.
By Terry Villanueva and Terri Edwards
On a crisp, sunny day last December, the calls of Canada geese resonated along the shores of the Delaware Bay. A dozen men in wheelchairs, many of them veterans, gathered before dawn, eager to participate in a goose hunt on the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge personnel, professional waterfowl guides and experienced hunters, and other volunteers Scott Ward (left) and Rick Vanvorst enjoy a break during the Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt assisted the hunters, at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. (Shannon Nardi/Dancin Dog Productions) many of whom had never hunted waterfowl or were Since its inception in 2003, the “Wheelin’ As the sun rose, the hunters settled into Sportsmen” program, a partnership six temporary blinds amid decoys, clover returning to the sport between the Fish and Wildlife Service and winter wheat fields. From this vantage and the National Wild Turkey Federation, point they could watch the thousands of after sustaining spinal has helped people with disabilities enjoy geese that visit the refuge during the winter the outdoors. months. Despite the bright sunshine— cord injuries. an unfavorable condition for waterfowl “When I was injured 31 years ago I sold hunting—four participants bagged a goose. all my outdoor equipment. I didn’t believe that I would ever hunt or fish again, but my “The time in the blinds is more than a great friends didn’t let me give up,” said Wayne day in the outdoors, watching wildlife, Carter, executive director of the Paralyzed calling birds and hunting geese,” said Veterans of America’s Colonial Chapter. Refuge Manager Terry Villanueva. “It “The Bombay Hook goose hunt provides is an experience that forms friendships an opportunity for newly injured men and and lifelong memories. The good will and women to participate in an activity that they enthusiasm I experience during this event may not have considered possible from a each December has come to represent the wheelchair. Each year, I see disabled people spirit of the holidays for me.” become more confident as they realize that they’re capable of more than they thought they were, and that the outdoors is more accessible than it seemed.” 19
The youngest participant in the event, 13-year-old Patrick Mish, is confined to a Show Time wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. Mish An episode of “Waterdog,” Outdoor Life said he woke up the day of the hunt barely Network’s popular waterfowl hunting able to contain his enthusiasm. When his program, was filmed in conjunction with father, Jim, asked him if he would still the Wheelin’ Sportsmen event at Bombay have fun if he didn’t get a bird, Patrick Hook. Show host, Justin Tackett, interviewed responded with a resounding “Yes!” hunters, refuge staff and volunteers, and the film crew spent time in the blinds during the Villanueva said she looks forward to next hunt. Matt Hogan, Acting Assistant Secretary year’s hunt, and hopes that the hunters will for Fish, Wildlife and Parks (at that time use the accessible blind during open goose Deputy Director for the Service), spent the hunting seasons on the refuge. She hopes morning in the field with Tackett and his dog, the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program will be Yella. Hogan demonstrated his skill calling expanded to other national wildlife refuges, in geese, and Yella made a couple of great and encourages any one interested in retrieves. This episode on hunting and other hosting a similar event to contact her recreational opportunities at Bombay Hook for more information. and other national wildlife refuges will air this fall.
By Valerie Fellows
Native Americans called them “humans without fire” because of the way they stood on their hind legs and walked upright. In fact, some Native American cultures consider them the first humans, ancestors of all tribes. Lewis and Clark boasted of their triumphs hunting them, calling them the most ferocious beasts to traverse the A grizzly forages for food in Yellowstone National Park. (USFWS) western United States. And Aldo Leopold The grizzly bear is a creature of folklore Historically, more than 50,000 grizzlies and legends, revered as a symbol of power, roamed much of North America, from declared society’s need freedom and invincibility. Grizzlies became the mid-plains westward to California emblematic of the untamed Wild West, to and Mexico and northward to Alaska. By to pave the West in the be explored and conquered by European the early 1900s, settlers had hunted the name of modern progress settlers. The perception that grizzlies were grizzly almost to the point of extinction, man-eating monsters threatening human leaving only 1,000 bears left in the lower 48. as thoughtless and existence made hunting them a priority for pioneers and an attraction to adventurers. There are five ecosystems where grizzlies shortsighted, ignorant as can be found today in the lower 48: the It took more than three decades of hard Northern Continental Divide; in and around it was of how we might work to reverse the decline in grizzly bears Yellowstone National Park; the Selkirk need “them” someday in the Yellowstone area brought on by these Mountains in northern Idaho and northeast misguided perceptions. On November 15, Washington; the Cabinet-Yaak area in as much as we do roads 2005, the Service proposed to delist the northern Idaho; and western Montana Yellowstone population of grizzly bears and the North Cascade mountain range. and buildings. from the list of threatened and endangered species, heralding 30 years of robust Because of their dramatic population population growth, intensive scientific decline and uncertain future, the grizzly research, State and Federal management was listed as a threatened species in 1975 efforts, and widespread public support for under the Endangered Species Act. When recovery. It is a success story that shows grizzly bear recovery coordinator Chris how far public understanding of grizzlies Servheen first started working with the has come. Yellowstone grizzly population, there were fewer than 30 adult female bears and denial over the bear’s plight was widespread. 21
“In the beginning, there was strong resistance from state agencies to consider grizzlies as a threatened species and to get the Feds involved in management decisions,” said Servheen, who has spent 25 years working toward the recovery of the grizzly. “In many places, I couldn’t even get in the door. I knew that in order for change to happen, I had to get high-level decision makers involved in the process.”
So Servheen helped establish the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, composed of 11 federal and state agencies dedicated to implementing the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan by coordinating education, research and management activities to recover the grizzly bear. “Listing a species Today there are roughly 600 bears in or under the Endangered Species Act is around Yellowstone National Park, an not enough to recover it,” Servheen said. extraordinary recovery from the original “We needed to dedicate the staff and population of about 200. (USFWS) resources to implement the tasks and actions identified in the recovery plan.” Bear hunter on Kodiak National Wildlife goals outlined in the recovery plan. When the Assistant Secretaries for the Refuge, May 1957. Because of its dramatic Last November, the Service proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture and population decline, the grizzly was listed as that the grizzly be removed from the list U.S. Department of Interior signed the a threatened species under the Endangered of threatened and endangered species. Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Species Act in 1975. (USFWS) bear charter in 1983 along with the Servheen has witnessed not only a change governors of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and in bear numbers and habitat, but also a Washington, they agreed that cooperation At Yellowstone National Park, people change of public attitudes. He recognizes and participation among federal and state were frequently encountering grizzlies that there will always be some level of agencies was in the best interest of the because of improper camping and sanitation conflict between humans and grizzlies, grizzly. The goal of the committee is to techniques. Teaching visitors to properly but he is determined to work with all the engage top-level decision makers at federal dispose of trash and food to keep a clean partners involved to build support and and state agencies in coordinating research, campsite helped minimize the number of educate the public about living policy, management and planning activities conflicts with bears. with grizzlies. to facilitate the recovery of the grizzly. “Then, the population trajectory of bears He also understands the frustrations The committee’s education campaign was changed,” Servheen said. “Yellowstone Service biologists face in their efforts to specifically targeted to people who lived grizzlies are now increasing at a rate of conserve endangered species with limited and worked in bear country. The campaign 4 percent to 7 percent annually. In fact, staff and funding. stated that properly disposing of trash in they are growing so much that they are bear resistant containers, keeping electric moving into historical areas that haven’t “The time that species are under the fences around gardens and livestock, and been documented for more than 60 years. protection of the Endangered Species Act keeping pets and pet food inside at night Now that bears are pushing out into the is a function of the resources we invest were important for residents to remove peripheral areas of Yellowstone, they are in recovering them,” Servheen said. “In bear “attractants.” moving into some suburban areas. That many cases, we have the biological tools means we have to shift our education we need to fix their problems, but we don’t Fact sheets, hunter safety classes and efforts to people who are not used to necessarily have the funds. But I don’t get other educational tools were created to living in bear country and change their discouraged; the biggest reward for me is teach hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to perception about bears.” watching the bears rebound in some places. recognize the signs of a grizzly, how to hunt That shows me that our recovery work does elk and black bears safely in grizzly country, Today, there are roughly 600 bears in or make a real difference. Such success keeps prevent surprise encounters with grizzlies around Yellowstone National Park, an me motivated to continue to work hard to and protective measures to take if a bear extraordinary recovery from the original recover the other grizzly populations.” encounter is unavoidable. population of about 200. Bears have increased so prolifically in both population Valerie Fellows is a public affairs size and distribution that they exceeded the specialist in Washington, D.C. 22 Science & Technology Conservation at the Speed of Light Wildlife biologists use Doppler radar to help manage migratory birds.
By Craig Springer
In your mind, it’s always November. The sky is a variegated gray. Its five shades are a moving misty pale, smudged dark and sooty. The sun struggles to show itself on the horizon through the mass of clouds. In the dim light you can see a mass of birds moving over the treetops, almost level, going left to right NEXRAD picks up an evening flight of wintering waterfowl at Lacassine National over the marsh. Wildlife Refuge, near the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. (USGS)
It’s a scene you hope plays out this coming Most of the microwaves scatter, but some San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge on waterfowl season. How the birds behave is of the signal bounces back to the radar. It’s the Texas coast used NEXRAD to locate an somewhat predictable—they get restless done very rapidly, about 1,300 microwave important tract of bottomland hardwoods to break their fast and get to the fields to pulses per second. As objects in the sky that 249 species of birds needed. They feed. When they move and where they go is move, the signal changes over time, shown “fall out” of the sky and find respite in becoming clearer to science. as movement on a NEXRAD screen. The these Texas bottomland woods following technology also illustrates by color, the a grueling 400-mile non-stop trek across The next generation of wildlife biologists density of a flock of birds (or moisture the Gulf of Mexico. These birds refuel on is using a tool to help manage waterfowl, content in the air), and which way they are the refuge, then fan out to the eastern two- and migratory birds in general. It’s the traveling, and how fast they fly. thirds of the US and add color and music same tool you might rely on hoping to see to backyards, wetlands, and woodlots from tomorrow’s sky will be dark, blustery and It’s a coarse tool for biologists. They can’t Maine to Montana. gray. It’s NEXRAD Doppler radar. yet tell what species of birds are identified by NEXRAD imagery, but the sizes of NEXRAD offers utility in conservation by NEXRAD stands for “next generation birds do create different signals. The speed identifying the corridor that birds migrate. radar,” new and improved radar far more at which they fly also creates a different That gives land managers a tool in finding refined and sensitive than the original radar signal. Biologists can follow the nocturnal good places to locate communications put into common use almost 60 years ago. migrations. At any time of day, at least towers and wind-powered generators. when birds are in the air, biologists can get Its sensitivity to skyward objects makes it an instantaneous broad-scale look at what This waterfowl season, as your experiences useful to biologists and land managers. The birds are doing. add to the imagery pooled in your mind, same radar that produces imagery for your know too, the birds are also probably weather forecast, or helps direct jet airliner It has proven to be beneficial in land creating radar imagery—and data traffic, also picks up bird traffic. In fact, management. NEXRAD imagery reveals that scientists can put to good use for NEXRAD is so sensitive, it can even detect the linkage of the lands that surround conservation. grains of pollen wafting in the wind. wildlife refuges. It lets biologists see where waterfowl roost, and where they take flight Craig Springer is a fishery biologist in Here’s how it works. NEXRAD sends to feed, and where they light. It’s been Albuquerque, New Mexico microwaves into the sky. The waves strike extremely useful in that regard for land an object like rain drops, a plane, or duck. acquisition to conserve important habitat. 23 From Fish the Hill Tales
By Matt Huggler ■ Legislation appropriating $10 million to the Department of Energy to purchase Unraveling the Mystery The Division of Congressional and outstanding mineral rights at Rocky Flats of the Edmund Fitzgerald Legislative Affairs (CLA) in External National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado In the underwater search for the Affairs serves as the Service’s main subject of the 1976 pop tune of the same contact with congressional offices and is In addition, during the year a number of name—the Great Lakes ore boat Edmund responsible for coordinating the Service’s important bills were introduced and moved Fitzgerald—the Fish and Wildlife Service legislative agenda and congressional closer to becoming federal law. When played a minor, though memorable role, relations program. CLA also coordinates Congress returns for its second session 14 years after the mammoth ship plunged congressional and legislative activities in 2006, CLA will begin tracking these to the bottom of Lake Superior. with congressional liaisons headquartered bills and helping to further the Service’s in the Service’s regional offices. legislative agenda. Among the many bills that may move in 2006: As all who remember the haunting song by Canadian balladeer Gordon Lightfoot During 2005, Congress passed a number of ■ Reauthorization and amendment of can recall, the Fitzgerald and its crew of bills benefiting the Service. These included: the Endangered Species Act 29 perished on November 10, 1975, near ■ The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Whitefish Point, Michigan, while en route ■ Passage of the U.S.-Russia Polar Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 to Ohio, loaded with 26,000 tons of taconite Bear treaty (SAFETEA), which reauthorized federal in the midst of one of the worst November transportation programs, reauthorized ■ Legislation codifying the Partners for gales to hit the Great Lakes. the Clean Vessel Act, Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife program and increasing Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, and its authorization level to $75 million By 1989, the wreck located but its loss still expanded Service authority for visitor unexplained, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife interpretive enhancements. In addition, ■ Reauthorization of the Coastal Barrier Service research vessel Grayling, a the bill appropriated nearly $29 million per Resources Act 75-foot steel fisheries boat homeported year for the refuge roads program that ■ New authority for an electronic duck in Cheboygan, Michigan, served as the funds road construction and maintenance stamp, which would provide hunters with floating platform for a Michigan Sea Grant for public roads in the National Wildlife the ability to purchase duck stamps online investigation. The National Oceanic and Refuge System. Atmospheric Administration, the Army ■ Reauthorization of the Great Apes Corps of Engineers, and the National ■ The Junior Duck Stamp Reauthorization Conservation Act Geographic Society, among others agencies, Amendments Act of 2005, which participated in the dive. reauthorized the Junior Duck Stamp ■ Reauthorization of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, which Conservation and Design program “Television and newspaper reporters through 2010 and increased the amount authorizes the Service to establish fishery resource offices to assist the States, flocked to the scene, eager for new that is authorized to be appropriated for information on the Great Lakes’ most administrative expenses of the program. Great Lakes Commission, Indian Tribes, and other parties in conservation of the famous shipwreck,” author Michael ■ A bill to amend the Pittman-Robertson fish, wildlife and habitat of the Great Schumacher relates in his 2005 book, Wildlife Restoration Act to extend the Lakes Basin. Mighty Fitz—The Sinking of the Edmund date after which surplus funds in the Fitzgerald. “The suspense aboard the wildlife restoration fund become available Service employees are encouraged to Grayling heightened as the ROV (remote- for apportionment to states. contact their regional congressional and operated vehicle, an underwater robot) legislative liaisons or the Washington moved about the pilothouse, edging up ■ Legislation to correct a boundary issue to the smashed-out windows and peering at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge in congressional and legislative affairs office with questions or for information. inside. The pilothouse structure had been western Arizona extensively damaged, and items inside had Matt Huggler is legislative specialist in shifted and scattered when the Fitz plowed Washington, D.C. into the lake floor. Visibility in the water was excellent, and the images sent back to the Grayling revealed a grotesquely damaged ship virtually unchanged since the time of its sinking.”
Schumacher credits the expedition with producing “five hours of the best footage
Mystery, continued on page 16 24 Transitions Who’s coming and going
(Mystery) yet of the wreckage,” yet inconclusive Service Announces Slack named Deputy results in pinpointing the cause of the Management Changes Regional Director in catastrophe. “The footage added more The Service in January announced several frustration to those seeking answers changes in assignment for members of its Mountain-Prairie Region about the ship’s demise.” Senior Executive Service team. Jay Slack has been named Deputy Regional Director of the Mountain-Prairie Region. The Grayling continues its service as “The Fish and Wildlife Service is fortunate Slack has been with the Service for 14 a Great Lakes research vessel, now for to have a cadre of senior managers who years. He comes to the Mountain-Prairie the U.S. Geological Service’s Great Lakes are dedicated to our conservation mission Region after serving eight years as the Science Center (formerly managed and who have served in a variety of Field Supervisor of the South Florida by the Fish and Wildlife Service) in positions throughout the agency,” said Ecological Service Field Office in Vero Ann Arbor, Michigan. Service Director H. Dale Hall. “All of Beach, Florida, where he was in charge of these managers have served with great wildlife management activities involving This is the first in a series of short features distinction, and I am grateful to have their endangered species, habitat conservation, about little-known aspects of the U.S. Fish assistance as we move forward with the private lands, environmental contaminants, and Wildlife Service by David Klinger Service’s important work on behalf of fish and fisheries. of the National Conservation Training and wildlife conservation.” Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Prior to his time in Florida, Slack worked The new assignments are as follows: in Washington, D.C. as Chief of the Endangered Species Listing Program and Mitch King, formerly Assistant Director for as the national coordinator for endangered Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, has species section 7 consultation. He joined the Tips for Photo Submissions been named as the permanent Regional Service as a herpetologist in the Phoenix, Because many images submitted to Fish Director for the Mountain Prairie Region Arizona, Ecological Services Office. Prior to & Wildlife News are in digital format, in Denver, Colorado. The Mountain his Service experience, Slack coordinated here are a few guidelines that can help Prairie Region includes North Dakota, a fisheries research program. He earned you take better photos. A high-quality South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, a bachelors degree in botany in 1986 digital camera (preferably 4 megapixels or Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah. and a masters degree in ecology in 1988 higher) can produce a print-quality photo King replaces former Regional Director from Illinois State University, where he as long as you use the highest resolution Ralph O. Morgenweck who accepted a new also completed post-graduate work in and largest dimension settings. assignment with the Service as a senior vertebrate ecology. science advisor in December 2005. Settings will differ depending on the camera, but you should be able to easily Rowan Gould, Regional Director in Alaska, White Retires After select the right ones (high resolution is will move to Washington, D.C., to fill the sometimes labeled as “superfine”). If you position of Assistant Director for Wildlife 31 Years with Service are not sure whether your digital camera and Sport Fish Restoration. Wayne White, who led the largest U.S. can produce high-resolution images, Fish and Wildlife Service field office in the please use a conventional camera with Thomas O. Melius, Assistant Director for nation for the past 17 years, retired Feb. slide or print film. We will return your External Affairs, will become the Alaska 3 after a 31-year career with the Service. photos as soon as possible. Regional Director in Anchorage, Alaska. The Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office implements the Endangered Species Act Thanks for spreading the word to your Elizabeth Stevens, Deputy Assistant and other resource-management initiatives staff and for helping us maintain quality Director for Endangered Species, throughout Central California including FWS publications. succeeds Melius as Assistant Director for the Central Valley, the west slope of the External Affairs in Washington, D.C. Sierra Nevada and the Bay Area—one of the fastest growing and most ecologically diverse areas in the nation. White’s successor has not been named. 25
Besides leading the effort to conserve “It was a catalyst passion for the fish, wildlife, and habitat we and recover more than 140 threatened or for change and a are working to conserve,” said Nisqually endangered species, the Sacramento Office vehicle by which our Refuge’s Sheila McCartan, one of the plays a pivotal role in California water best performers in newsletter’s founders, when the publication issues, pollution prevention and cleanup, the outreach arena marked its first decade. monitoring of environmental contaminants, could share their accomplishments,” In tribute to Out’s record of service to the and restoration and protection of wildlife said Jeanne Clark, agency, David Allen and Steve Thompson, habitat. Under White’s leadership, the the newsletter’s Pacific region director and manager of Sacramento office pioneered efforts to editor. “Along the California/Nevada operations, respectively, develop new cooperative conservation way, Out taught commented, “We as an agency have strategies. White’s accomplishments folks a thing or recognized the importance of outreach include helping craft the CalFed Bay- two about what works and what doesn’t efforts and acknowledge effective measures Delta agreement, developing economically in communications.” for outreach must continue to evolve if our viable conservation banks that allow the vital conservation work is to succeed.” private sector to offset the adverse growth “In 10 years, hundreds of articles and impacts on species, fostering Safe Harbor resources have been featured with a focus Though there has been some talk of a Agreements for private landowners, on outreach, reminding us how far we have successor to Out & About, no firm plans developing legal safeguards for ranchers come in communicating, and how important have been announced. who protect endangered species, and it is to use effective outreach to engender fostering local Habitat Conservation Plans to better protect species in rapidly growing areas. Young Conservationists. Out & About Newsletter Students from TC Martin Elementary Ceases Publication school in Charles Out & About, the outreach newsletter of County, Maryland, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s participate in a Pacific region, ceased publication in two-day planting early January because of rising costs of native trees, and declining budgets. shrubs and herbaceous wetland The newsletter was founded in Portland, plants, creating a Oregon in 1992, when Service employees half-acre wetland. expressed their desire for a way of The Chesapeake communicating with fellow biologists their Bay Field Office “best practices” in effective outreach. Schoolyard Habitat Program helps Out was born at that regional conference teachers and and raised in the six-state Pacific region students create starting two years later. Its influence, wildlife habitat however, extended throughout the United on school grounds. States. Regarded as something of a pioneer Many schools throughout Maryland’s 23 counties have unused green space that can be in the field of outreach, it showcased restored to viable habitat through student action and outside partnerships. Through examples of the best techniques in a partnership with CBFO, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and communications, partnership-building, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), TC Martin Elementary school and developing relationships by field built the wetland on their campus with no cost to the school. The project was designed to employees themselves. filter stormwater runoff from the school’s parking lot and to provide a water source for local wildlife. The Schoolyard Habitat Program planned, designed, and completed 16 other projects at schools in five Maryland counties, teaching nearly 700 students about how their local watershed is connected to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and how their wetland project helps the bay. The wetland will continue to serve as an outdoor learning laboratory for students now and in the future as the project continues to grow. 2620 Honors
Oregon Coast Complex for 20 years, Russell Receives Gottschalk Partnership Award where he manages three marine refuges For his work on the historic Penobscot “Gordon has been and three estuarine refuges spread along River Restoration Agreement, the U.S. a critical player 320 miles of coastline. Lowe has placed Fish and Wildlife Service selected Gordon on the Fisheries a strong emphasis on visitor services Russell of Holden, Maine, as the 2005 Committee, and and outreach, partnering with the recipient of the Northeast Region’s John he has been a very state to provide highway pull-outs S. Gottschalk Partnership Award. Russell positive face for and overlooks that provide wildlife is the project leader for the Service’s field the U.S. Fish and viewing and interpretive opportunities. office in Old Town, Maine. Wildlife Service amongst project Another key to his success has been the The agreement is one of the largest and partners and in the nurturing of local community involvement most innovative river restoration projects local communities,” through volunteer programs and friends in the nation’s history and may be the said Andy Goode, groups. A 28-year veteran with the single most important action to recover executive director of Fish and Wildlife Service, Lowe also wild, endangered Atlantic salmon in the the Atlantic Salmon Gordon Russell won a Conservation Leadership Award United States, according to the Service’s Federation in Maine. from the Nature Conservancy in 2002 Mike Thabault, assistant regional director and was selected Refuge Manager of the for Ecological Services in the Northeast Russell is a 28-year Service employee with Year in 2005. Regional Office. a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Connecticut at Storrs and The agreement allows for removing two a master’s degree in fisheries from the dams; decommissioning and constructing University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Justice Department a fish bypass around a third dam; and Russell has been the Maine Field Office providing the opportunity to increase project leader since 1990. Honors Service hydropower generation at six existing Special Agent dams and to improve fish passage at The John S. Gottschalk Partnership Award Special Agent Sheila O’Connor, who works four more dams. recognizes Service employees or teams for the Office of Law Enforcement in St. who have developed and implemented Paul, Minnesota, was recognized by the River restoration mapped out in the natural resource partnerships. Gottschalk, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for her agreement will improve water quality and a fisheries biologist, served as the Service’s successful investigation of the husband and wildlife habitat; renew opportunities for director from 1964 to 1970. He was a wife owners of a now closed animal park sustenance fishing rights for the Penobscot leader in promoting professionalism in and six of their business associates. The Indian Nation; and create recreational fish and wildlife management. Racine, Minnesota, park, which promoted and economic opportunities. itself as an animal sanctuary, was the center of a criminal network engaged in the illegal Laura Rose Day, project director for the interstate sale of endangered species. Penobscot River Restoration Trust, said, Lowe among 50 Great “Gordon Russell played a vital role in Leaders for Oregon O’Connor was among those honored bringing together diverse parties, for contributions to protecting the resolving differences, and moving forward Roy Lowe, project leader for the Oregon Nation’s natural heritage at DOJ’s 2005 with the common goal of restoring the Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Environment and Natural Resources Penobscot River.” was named one of 50 Great Leaders for Oregon in the October 2005 issue of Division Awards Ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 2005. During the five-year process of developing Oregon Business magazine. O’Connor’s investigation, which sent the the agreement, Thabault said, Russell park’s owners to prison for terms of 18 represented the Service in negotiations Lowe was selected as one of “10 For and 15 months, exposed four years and with as many as 14 representatives the Public Good”—leaders who are more than $200,000 worth of black market from dam owner PPL Maine, the contributing to their communities to trafficking in such species as tigers, Penobscot Indian Nation, several make Oregon a better place to live and leopards, and grizzly bears. conservation organizations, and state do business. Lowe has been at the and federal agencies. 27 In Memoriam
Elaine Barnett, an employee at the Lake College in Maryland with a bachelor’s Service Employees Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, degree in fine arts and philosophy in 1990 Honored for Hurricane was killed December 6, 2005 in a vehicle and from American Military University accident on the refuge. Her fellow in 2003 with a master’s degree in criminal Relief Work employees described Barnett as an justice. Cloherty grew up in South Salem, Thirteen Fish and Wildlife Service “extremely capable, dedicated and caring New York, and graduated from John Jay employees were among 125 workers from maintenance professional” and said her High School in 1986. 14 Department of the Interior agencies loss has been felt deeply by her colleagues, honored in ceremonies January 25 for their family and the community. Cloherty leaves a wife and four children rescue and recovery efforts following the between 18 months and 8 years old. Gulf Coast hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Barnett was a native of Wilson’s Mills, Although his time with the Service was Maine, where she had been the postmaster short, Cloherty will be fondly remembered “Today, we celebrate our heroes,” said for a number of years prior to joining by his many friends and colleagues for Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who said the Service. She loved her family and the his zest for life and infectious enthusiasm the aftermath of both hurricanes moved outdoors, and enjoyed photography, hiking, for conservation law enforcement. agency employees to go “well beyond kayaking, boating, spending time at the Memorial donations may be sent to the the call of duty” as they worked to Maine coast, fly-fishing and making maple Thomas P. Cloherty Family Education rescue people, deliver supplies and syrup. She was married with two adult Fund, C/O M & T Bank, 428 Evans Street, medicine, provide security and employ children and was a proud grandmother. Williamsville, New York 14221. engineering skills. Her colleagues said Barnett “would not Janna Brimmer, Service employees honored included Russ want us to stop and mourn, but to continue a fish and wildlife Watson, Paul Yakupsack and Mark Parr, of to put in a good day’s work for nature, biologist at the Louisiana; Tom Crews, of North Carolina; enjoy our families, and look out for each Central Idaho Glen Stratton and William D. Wolfe, of other and our neighbors in the communities Field Office in Florida; Rick Huffines, William Ferguson we call home.” Salmon, Idaho, and Fred Wetzel, of Georgia; Paul Camp, of died unexpectedly Colorado; Curtis Heaton, of Arizona; Richard Office of Law Enforcement Special from an aneurysm Johnston, of Texas and LeaAnne Thorne of Agent Tom Cloherty died December 8 on January 9, 2006. Washington, D.C. at Acadia National Park in Maine while on Brimmer joined duty. His death was attributed to natural the Service in 2002, The Service contingent was introduced by causes. During his 18-month career with and was responsible narrator Ron Rull of the Secretary’s Office the Service, Cloherty, age 37, worked for staffing a one- of Communications, who said that Service throughout the Northeast Region from person sub-office involved in many aquatic employees “responded to hurricanes the Law Enforcement office in East resource conservation and Partners for Katrina and Rita with a wide range of vital Orland, Maine. He especially enjoyed a Fish and Wildlife issues. She is survived by assistance to hard-hit refugees and local migratory bird enforcement detail in her husband Arnie, her father, two sisters communities. They helped in the rescue Alaska this past fall. (Anna Iverson and Jerra Foster); and and evacuation of several thousand city one nephew (Mitchell Foster). Memorial residents trapped by rising water.” Cloherty graduated from the Federal Law contributions may be made to the Janna Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Brimmer Memorial fund at any US Bank Correction: The fish in the photo on page Ga., and successfully completed a one-year branch, account number 153352583212. 24 of the Fall 2005 issue is a coho, or silver, field training program. He served as a All funds will be donated to the Salmon salmon. It was incorrectly identified as a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard from Chamber Pops Orchestra. sockeye salmon. 2000 to 2003. He graduated from Loyola 28 28 Parting Shots
Historic Moment. Acting Southwest Regional Director Dr. Benjamin Tuggle releases an immature bald eagle into the Bah Kho-je Xla Chi (Grey Snow Eagle House). On January 12, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma dedicated their eagle facility, located near Perkins in north central Oklahoma. The facility is unique as the only one with the dual purpose of housing eagles whose feathers will be used for traditional ceremonies as well as rehabilitating sick and injured eagles. The aviary and rehabilitation center was created using a 2004 Tribal Wildlife Grant of $250,000. “I am personally touched to be part of this partnership between the Service and the Iowa Tribe in the conservation of the eagle,” Tuggle said. “The eagle has been important to our first Americans, long before it became our national symbol.” (USFWS/D.J. Monette)
Fish & Wildlife News Submit articles and photographs to: Deadline for future issue: Executive Editor: Megan Durham David Eisenhauer Fall Issue 2006, by: June 30 Editor: David Eisenhauer U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Room 3359 1849 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20240 202/208 5631 Fax: 202/219 9463 E-mail: [email protected]
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