Fish &Wildlife News
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News
Special Rachel Carson Centennial Anniversary Issue what’s inside
Departments News Briefs / 2 Our People / 36 Transitions / 36 Faces in the Field / 32 Honors / 40 Fish Tales / 33 In Memoriam / 43
Features Nature’s Public Servant / 8 Rachel Carson was our century’s most articulate voice for a harmonious balance between humans and nature. By Mark Madison
Sounding the Alarm / 12 The seeds of the Service’s Environmental Contaminants program were planted with Silent Spring. By Bruce Woods, Philip Johnson and Valerie Fellows
‘One of Us’ / 14 Rachel Carson’s conservation legacy continues to influence the Service today.
On Eagle’s Wings / 20 The Service’s Endangered Species program conserves imperiled wildlife and protects the “web of life.” By Valerie Fellows
Conservation in Action / 22 By Martha Nudel Returning to the Water / 26 On the cover: Rachel Carson By Valerie Fellows and Joshua Winchell near her home in Silver Spring, Maryland, 1962. Focusing on Nature / 30 ALFRED EISENSTADT / GETTY IMAGES By Terri Edwards (ILLUSTRATION) TIM KNEPP
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Remembering Rachel I suspect most of you have seen the famous photo of As Service employees, we continue to embrace the Rachel Carson leaning against a tree, resting during principles she championed—sound science, respect a hike near her summer home in Southport, Maine. for all living things and the need to connect people, It was taken in 1962, the same year Silent Spring was especially children, with nature. But perhaps the published. Though her face looks weary, she seems greatest gift she left us is the notion that one person, at peace in nature—more like a weekend birder working with passion and a strong sense of purpose, than the “mother” of the modern environmental can indeed make a difference. movement. But if you look closely, you can see eyes burning with a sense of purpose. This issue of Fish & Wildlife News is dedicated to Rachel Carson’s work and legacy: her ability to Silent Spring not only sounded the alarm about the transform scientific facts into plain language that effects of chemical pesticides in our environment and spoke to generations of conservationists; her lifelong the “web of life,” it also ushered in a new era of dedication to instilling a “sense of wonder” in children environmental awareness. The book eventually led and all people; and how she continues to inspire to a ban on DDT—which enabled species such as the Service employees to do the right thing even under bald eagle to come back from the brink of extinction— the most difficult circumstances. These pages reflect and spurred the creation of the Environmental who Rachel Carson was and who we are—a family of Protection Agency in 1970. After she died of breast people dedicated to the resource, respectful of those cancer in 1964, Rachel was posthumously awarded who went before us and committed to carrying out the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor our trust responsibilities. the U.S. government can bestow upon a civilian. In honor of this centennial, the Service is hosting events around the country and developing special environmental education programs and exhibits. Perhaps the greatest gift Rachel Carson For a complete list of programs and events, visit
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 1 news briefs
Literary Legacy Natural Laboratory global warming, and will extend In her book, Silent Spring, Rachel to personal attitudes toward the Carson called attention to the natural world. harmful effects of the pesticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl- Titles in the schedule range from trichloroethane) on the natural Carson’s first book, Under the Sea world. The Channel Islands off Wind, in which she reveals her the southern California coast unique ability to present intricate provide an ideal laboratory in scientific material in clear poetic which to study the effects of DDT language that captivates readers; on wildlife, learn from our past to Courage for the Earth: mistakes and restore the delicate Writers, Scientists, and Activists balance of nature. Celebrate the Life and Writing of Rachel Carson, an anthology The Channel Islands, sometimes edited by Peter Matthiessen referred to as the Galapagos of that was released in April. North America, are composed of eight islands located within Silent Spring, Carson’s most one of the richest marine and well known book which alerted terrestrial environments in the the public to the dangers of world. Home to many endemic pesticides and sparked a plants and animals, these rcbookclub.blogspot.com firestorm of controversy in its islands offer an insight into the wake, will be showcased as magnifying effects of DDT The Fish and Wildlife Service Service historian Mark Madison; well as some of her lesser through the food web. The story and Friends of the National Houghton Mifflin Executive known texts on the sea, and of the bald eagle on the Channel Conservation Training Center Editor Deanne Urmy; author the truly inspirational Islands offers one of the best have launched the Rachel Carson and professor of Environmental The Sense of Wonder. illustrations of DDT’s profound Online Book Club to honor the life, Studies at Middlebury College, impact on wildlife. legacy and literary genius of the John Elder. The Rachel Carson Online Book Service’s most famous employee. Club is sponsored by the Friends Historically, there were more than “This online discussion will be of the National Conservation 35 bald eagle nesting areas on Beginning in March and such a fabulous way to engage Training Center. Participation in the Channel Islands, making it continuing through November and bring together people from the online book club is open to a stronghold for the species in 2007, the online book club many different communities to everyone. For more information, southern California. Beginning focuses on the life and work of focus on the life and legacy of please contact Anne Roy, in the late 1940s and continuing Rachel Carson including her role Rachel Carson,” said Anne Post National Conservation Training through the early 1970s, as a female leader in science Roy, NCTC conservation librarian. Center at:
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disappeared from the Channel Catalina Island. In 1987, the first agencies that includes the “The fact that two bald eagle Islands due to human impacts, bald eagle eggs were laid on Service, is responsible for using chicks hatched without the help primarily the introduction of DDT Catalina Island, but they soon these funds to restore the natural of humans on the northern and other contaminants into the broke in the nest. It became resources (including bald eagles) Channel Islands represents a environment. apparent that DDTs and PCBs injured by the pollutants. significant milestone in the continued to contaminate the recovery efforts for the entire The disappearance of bald eagles marine food web. Since 1989, the As part of the Montrose Channel Island ecosystem,” says contributed to the ecological reintroduced population of bald Settlements Restoration Program, Kate Faulkner of the National imbalance on the islands. Over eagles on Catalina Island has the Trustee Council initiated Park Service. time, the absence of territorial been maintained only through a feasibility study in 2002, bald eagles provided an intensive through human to determine if bald eagles Shortly following the first opportunity for the non-native intervention, including the reintroduced to some of the hatching, a live web cam was golden eagle to colonize the artificial incubation of eggs. northern Channel Islands that are set up to allow the public to northern Channel Islands. Golden farther away from the source of experience the historic moment. eagles became established on In 1990, the Service’s contamination might have greater A loyal fan base quickly emerged the northern islands by the 1990s Environmental Contaminants reproductive success than the on an Internet discussion forum where they routinely preyed upon Program undertook an extensive birds on Catalina Island. The that included play-by-play the diminutive native island fox. Natural Resource Damage feasibility study has two aspects: accounts of the activities of the Largely as a result of predation, Assessment. Through this effort 1) releasing captive-bred and parents and chick. Known to the Fish and Wildlife Service Montrose Chemical Corporation translocated wild nestling bald biologists as A-49, this chick was emergency listed the island fox and the other polluters eagles on Santa Cruz Island, and affectionately called “Cruz” and as endangered in 2004. responsible for discharging the 2) monitoring contaminants in the “Junior” by the web cam crowd. DDTs and PCBs into southern released birds, their eggs, and “We are thrilled to have been Seeking to undo the damage California’s marine environment their food to determine DDT able to share the excitement of caused by DDT and restore were held accountable. After 10 concentrations. As of January watching A-49 grow and fledge ecological balance to the Channel years of negotiations a settlement 2007, 61 birds have been released with viewers from all over,” said Islands, a multi-agency effort was was reached, and Montrose and and there are approximately Dave Rempel, a biologist for the launched in 1980 to restore bald the other defendants agreed to 30 bald eagles remaining on the Institute for Wildlife Studies who eagles on Catalina Island. pay a total of $140 million to the northern Channel Islands. Each monitored the nest. Both of Between 1980 and 1986, 33 eagles government. The Montrose eagle is equipped with satellite chicks fledged successfully and taken from wild nests on the Settlements Trustee Council, telemetry equipment that allows are now exploring the northern mainland were introduced to a group of state and federal the biologists to track movements Channel Islands. within the Channel Islands and along the mainland. Biologists The Santa Cruz Island live bald have tracked birds released on eagle nest web cam can be found Santa Cruz Island as far north as on-line at:
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 3 4 learning activities.Local and participateinexperiential as theyexploretheisland meadow andmaritimeforest the rockyshore,sandbeach, varied lifefoundinandaround Schoolchildren discoverthe around thestate. students andteachersfrom exceptional outdoorschoolfor and fall,theislandservesasan conservation. Duringthespring ecology, marinefisheriesand maritime heritage,coastal on topicsrelatingtoMaine’s educational curriculumfocused local teacherstodevelopan classroom teacher, workedwith a biologymajorandformer Education DirectorElaineJones, people ofMaine. and recreationalfacilityforthe turn theislandintoaneducational restore thekeeper’s houseand and hundredsofvolunteersto worked withlocalcontractors of course,thesea.TheDMR schooners andlobsterboats;and, and lighthouses;passingsloops, of themainland;nearbyislands island isajewelthatoffersviews Boothbay Harbor, the5-acre lighthouses. Locatedjustoutside ownership ofcertainMaine the U.S.CoastGuardtransferred Island LightStationin1998when The agencyacquiredtheBurnt Maine schoolchildren. a uniqueislandexperiencefor education programthatincludes to provideadiversemarine Fish Restorationprogramfunds DMR usesaportionofitsSport Federal Assistancegrant.The by aFishandWildlifeService Resources (DMR),fundedinpart the MaineDepartmentofMarine lives onintheeducationworkof Part ofRachelCarson’s legacy Lessons bytheSea news briefs
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Winter 2007 go exploring. safely aroundthetidepools,theytaketheirplastictraysand studentsaregivensometipsonhowtowalkgentlyand After of biologist andwriterauthor Carson, theformerService name fromaquotebyRachel Recognition Programtakesits The Service’s “SenseofWonder” Rekindling aSenseofWonder on theisland. three daysandtwonightsliving school studentsspendupto trips totheisland,whilemiddle elementary schoolsenjoyday showing visionaryleadershipin designing, implementing,or employees arerecognizedfor environmental education.Service in thefieldofinterpretationand outstanding Servicecontributions Education Outreach—recognizes Training Center’s Divisionof and NationalConservation Services andCommunications System DivisionofVisitor by theNationalWildlifeRefuge in2000 The program—initiated with nature. children— people—especially the importanceofconnecting Silent Spring The DevilsHolepupfish. whorecognized set freetoexplorethetidepools, their plasticcollectingpansand day, oncethestudentsaregiven is “tidepooling.”Evenonafoggy One ofthemostpopularactivities eighth annualSense ofWonder asked tosubmitnomineesforthe In June2007,regionswillbe organizations andcommunities. partnership withvarious education programsin implementing innovative advocating, developing,and Recognition forherwork seventh annualSenseofWonder Wildlife Refuge,receivedthe Rocky MountainArsenalNational public programsupervisorforthe November, SherryJames,the Interpretation conference.Last annual NationalAssociationof recognized eachyearatthe One nationalrecipientis of ourwildlifeheritage. and enhancespublicstewardship that fostersa“senseofwonder” an interpretiveprogramorproject
LIBBY HOPKINS / USFWS the fieldtrip. stay withthechildrenlongafter the smiles,storiesanddelight begins toreclaimthepools.But to highgroundastherisingtide into thetidepoolsandclimbback children releasetheanimalsback animals they’vefound.Later, the adaptations oftheplantsand describes thelifehistoryand an artificialtidepoolwhereshe the childrenbringtheirfindsto lobster. Afterwards,Joneshas someone findsacraboryoung are squealsofdelightwhen around tidepoolrocksandthere hanging rockweedandpoking in peeringunderclumpsof They areimmediatelyabsorbed you canfeeltheexcitement. Shepherdstown, West Virginia Conservation Training Center, Training Specialist, National Matt Gay, Visitor Services Hadley, Massachusetts of FederalAssistance, Libby Hopkins,Division Specialist, at304/8767654. Visitor ServicesTraining information, contactMattGay, Recognition. Formore ■ ■
STEVE HILLEBRAND / USFWS A+ for Habitat Waterfowl use-days are stay.” When Reid finished her calculated by taking the average calculations there were more Last fall, a record number of number of birds counted between than 1.2 million swan use-days tundra swans used the Upper two counts multiplied by the on the refuge—many more than Mississippi River National CINDY SAMPLES / USFWS number of days between those previous years. Wildlife and Fish Refuge as a counts. For example, if the first stop-over point during migration. count has 1,000 birds, and In the case of tundra swans, On one day in November, the second count eight days later peak counts increased 50 percent refuge held 52,070 swans— has 2,000 birds there would from 2005 to 2006, while swan 31,000 in the Wisconsin Islands be 12,000 use-days (average use-days increased 150 percent. Closed Area in Pool 8 near count =1,500 x 8 days). The bottom line: not only were Brownsville, Minnesota. there more birds but they stayed The number of use-days for all longer in 2006. The previous record was 34,730 ducks, swans, and geese using swans in November 2005. Counts the refuge this fall exceeded “The birds act like a report card since the mid-1990s ranged 19 million. and this year waterfowl seem to from 15,000 to 32,000 birds. be giving the refuge an A+ for “It’s a huge number because habitat in Pool 8,” said Refuge The Upper Mississippi River “We learn from the birds how the refuge is a major component Manager Don Hultman. ■ National Wildlife and Fish Refuge we’re doing,” said refuge of the Mississippi Flyway,” is the most visited refuge in the biologist Eric Nelson. “The more said Winona District biologist United States. The refuge extends days they stay, the better the food Lisa Reid. “For example, the Cindy Samples, Upper Mississippi 261 miles along the Upper source. The birds wouldn’t stay arrowhead bed in the Wisconsin National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Mississippi River from Wabasha, as long if the food and security Islands Closed Area was fabulous Winona, Minnesota Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois, weren’t here.” this year, so they had a reason to protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. The 240,000 acre refuge was Awakening Nature’s Voice established in 1924. Kids, Carson, and conservation all The Cape Cod location was Juriga of Elmira, New York, intersect in 2007 at the Cape Cod chosen for the Service’s largest serves as guest curator. The refuge plays a crucial role in Museum of Natural History, as contribution to the Rachel Carson providing abundant habitat for the U.S. Fish and centennial because of its In keeping with the Fish and migrating waterfowl along the Wildlife Service proximity to the Boston and New Wildlife Service’s renewed Mississippi Flyway. One way of unveils the most York City markets and the influx of emphasis on “children and evaluating the habitat is to comprehensive visitors to the popular vacation nature,” the Carson program at monitor bird use during weekly exhibition in the destination each summer. The the Cape Cod Museum between aerial surveys. In 2006, surveys nation on the life museum draws 30,000 attendees May and November will include began in October and continued and times of a year. various educational programs for through early December, near the scientist and young people, guest lecturers end of duck hunting and before author Rachel The added benefit of partnering and speakers for parents, and at open water on the refuge froze Carson in with a venue whose focus is least two performances of the up entirely. Brewster, introducing children and parents Kaiulani Lee stage play, “A Sense Massachusetts. to the natural world was a further of Wonder.” Biologists use the survey data to reason to locate the Carson document peak numbers and The public display of original exhibition on Cape Cod, Additional information about calculate waterfowl use-days. artifacts, photographs, and according to Service historian “Awakening Nature’s Voice/ Peak counts are comparable, but memorabilia from Carson’s work Mark Madison, who conceived Rachel Carson/Centennial” they do not tell the whole story. as a Fish and Wildlife Service the partnership venture with local appears on the museum’s Web Use-days reflect how many days employee and her career as museum officials. The exhibition site at
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 5 news briefs
Shortnose Surprise habitats occur and where Refuges ‘Go Zero’ potential spawning may take No one knows for certain, but the place. Minkkinen’s work has also U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shortnose sturgeon may simply shown where shortnose spend Director H. Dale Hall joined Larry have been a victim of the Selzer, The Conservation Fund’s
their time; that will help pinpoint / USFWS TOM MACKENZIE company it kept. Never a primary future sampling in hope of tagging president, and John Frampton, target of the 18th century fishing more fish. director of South Carolina’s industry, it was swept up anyway, Department of Natural often with schools of its larger This is a fish, after all, that came Resources, at Santee National cousin, the Atlantic sturgeon. And into great demand decades ago Wildlife Refuge in eastern South while the shortnose sturgeon both for its eggs, marketed as Carolina last March to unveil a managed to survive in several caviar, as well as its smoked national agreement to restore other waterways, scientists have meat. As happened with many wildlife habitat and offset carbon long since concluded that it early fisheries, the more sturgeon emissions by planting native trees disappeared from the Potomac were caught the more demand on national wildlife refuge lands. River about 100 years ago. increased for still more fish. That level of fishing, coupled with dam “This is a significant step toward That makes it easy to understand construction and the dumping of forest restoration for the Refuge why U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sewage and other pollutants, took System nationwide,” said Hall. biologist Steve Minkkinen was a fast toll. “Having a partner like The Service Director Dale Hall excited last April when a female Conservation Fund provide trees participates in the Go ZeroSM shortnose sturgeon in the Now there is at least a glimmer of and funding is a benefit for the tree planting ceremony with Potomac was captured in a hope that the shortnose sturgeon environment and wildlife and a Jordan Bleasedale, a senior at gillnet, full of eggs and probably could be reclaiming one of its great service for the American Laurence Manning Academy on a spawning run. Since then, early homes. “They are obviously people. Everybody wins.” in Manning, South Carolina. the female was radio tagged and not abundant, but there are “Through this kind of innovative tracked and a second egg-laden enough to provide hope,” said From the Santee NWR in South work, we have added roughly female has been tagged. Minkkinen. “I think they have a Carolina to the San Joaquin NWR in California, all 547 of the 40,000 acres of land to the refuge fighting chance.” ■ That, said Minkkinen, is Service’s national wildlife refuges system in the Southeast and significant. Little information on can now receive a new source reforested a total of 80,000 acres with roughly 22 million trees,” shortnose sturgeon existed Ken Burton, Public Affairs, of conservation funding from Hall said. “Those tree-planting before Minkkinen’s project took Washington, DC the Fund’s Go ZeroSM program, place. Tracking has revealed an initiative that helps companies efforts have made a great impact where essential seasonal and individuals calculate and on those refuges.” ■ then offset their carbon dioxide footprint by planting native trees in protected areas across Tom MacKenzie, External Affairs, the country. Atlanta, Georgia USFWS
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Crane Program Moves Forward Despite Loss The lone survivor, number A Southwest Florida Water 15-06 apparently left the Management District employee The Whooping Crane Eastern The eighteenth member of the Chassahowitzka pensite before found 15-06 dead after its radio Partnership (WCEP) is moving Class of 2006, a male crane that the storms. Biologists with the signal had become increasingly forward with the 2007 managed to escape the pen International Crane Foundation weak during the last few weeks reintroduction of juvenile cranes during the storm, lived for two discovered the crane’s radio of April. ■ despite the loss of the entire months at a wildlife preserve signal near the pensite the day ultralight-reintroduced “Class of nearby before being found dead after the storms. On February 4, 2006” this winter. on April 30. Veterinarians at the they tracked the survivor to a Elsie Davis, External Affairs, University of Florida will perform remote area of Citrus County, Atlanta, Georgia One juvenile whooping crane a necropsy to determine the several miles from the pensite, from the Class of 2006 initially cause of death. where the juvenile bird was survived the devastating storms spotted with two sandhill cranes. that struck central Florida in John Christian, co-chair of the February. The remaining 17 Whooping Crane Eastern cranes that migrated this past fall Partnership, said that while this is from Necedah National Wildlife a setback for the whooping crane Refuge in Wisconsin to the reintroduction project, WCEP has Where Energy and Conservation Meet Chassahowitzka National Wildlife faced challenges in the past and Service employees joined nearly natural resources—not just listed Refuge perished in their enclosed will move forward with its effort 200 federal and state agency species—as part of efforts to pen. The birds drowned in rising to return this highly imperiled managers and staff at the first manage energy production. waters, likely after being stunned species to its historic range in annual Interagency Oil and Gas by a lightning strike. eastern North America. Pilot Office workshop in Denver, “The Pilot Office Project gives us Colorado last November. a unique opportunity to creatively work together as state, federal
WCEP The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) and industry partners to make a identifies seven BLM field difference in energy development offices to serve as Pilot and conservation,” Hall said. Offices for efforts to streamline environmental review and Follow-up work from the session processing of oil and gas includes developing a set of permits on federal lands, recommendations for agency while ensuring conservation directors on how each Pilot of wildlife resources. Office and the Pilot Project in general could function better; The EPAct also authorizes developing a Pilot Office Web funding for staff for the Fish site that could be accessed and Wildlife Service, Bureau of by all agencies for sharing Indian Affairs, Forest Service, information and ideas; Environmental Protection establishing an electronic Agency, U.S Army Corps of mail “list-serve” for timely Engineers and the states of communication between offices Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and agencies; and developing Utah, and New Mexico to assist an award program to encourage in environmental compliance. and reward innovation. ■ WCEP plans to move forward with its efforts to return the whooping crane to its historic range. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall, who attended the Nancy Lee, Advanced Planning workshop, urged participants to and Habitat Conservation, address the conservation of all Washington, DC
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 7 nature’s public ser
8 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 Rachel Carson was our century’s most articulate voice for a harmonious By Mark Madison vant balance between humans and nature.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 9 CARSON FAMILY PHOTO / COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL INC. CARSON FAMILY
Carson, approximately age 5, reading to her dog Candy. Official Service portrait.
This year the Fish and Wildlife Service will celebrate the centennial Service, the new entity created in 1940 by birthday of one of its most notable employees, Rachel Carson. combining the Bureau of Fisheries with Carson (1907–1964) is best remembered for her pioneering indictment the Biological Survey. Within this new agency Carson rose quickly. Her writing of pesticides, Silent Spring, which inspired the modern environmental and editing skills allowed her to become movement. Carson’s 16 years with the Service (1936–1952) are now largely chief editor of all publications by 1949, forgotten. This is unfortunate because many of her ideas and writing an important position as the Service skills originated while working for the nation’s principal federal wildlife attempted to explain wildlife conservation for the first time to the broader American conservation agency. public. As part of this effort, Carson was put in charge of an ambitious series arson had not intended to work for called “Conservation In Action”— Rachel Carson writings Cthe government, but her hopes of an an attempt to explain the work of the can be found at academic career were derailed by the Service through an overarching theme of
ALFRED EISENSTAEDT / GETTY IMAGES
10 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 USFWS VINCENT A. FINNEGAN / COURTESY OF THE LEAR/CARSON COLLECTION, CONNECTICUT COLLEGE CONNECTICUT THE LEAR/CARSON COLLECTION,
Carson and national wildlife artist Bob Hines conduct Carson testifying before a Senate marine biology research in Florida, 1955. subcommittee, 1963.
Carson eventually returned to Although Carson gained prominence for Perhaps her most enduring legacy is the the germ of an idea, about the role of her work outside federal service, all of generations of civil servants she mobilized pesticides in the environment, 10 years her work benefited from her important for conservation. There may be no better after she left the Service. The final result early initiation into public writing, role model for federal conservationists was a pioneering book that ushered in the wildlife conservation, and environmental than Rachel Carson. Not only did she modern environmental movement, Silent contaminants. Carson gently led her overcome significant obstacles facing Spring (1962). Carson’s book would not audience through the complexities of women in science, but she became our have been possible without the nearly two natural systems and the need for balance century’s most articulate voice for a decades of field and laboratory research in all her federal and popular writings. harmonious balance between humans carried out by Service biologists. Amidst Her legacy can be found in the work of and nature. Carson’s life and legacy are Silent Spring’s voluminous endnotes are the Environmental Protection Agency, an inspiration to public servants who references to the work of her scientist the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Branch seek to protect our natural resources colleagues at Patuxent and refuge of Environmental Contaminants, in perpetuity, and a stinging rebuke to managers in places Carson had profiled the Endangered Species Act, and an those who would diminish and degrade for her “Conservation In Action” series. increasingly more knowledgeable our children’s natural inheritance. The skills Carson had developed in her American public concerned about the She outlined a path for all of us to 16 years as a government writer allowed health of their local environment. conduct our work with integrity and her to take a complex scientific argument ethics and to devote our lives to and make a compelling case to the general conservation in action. ■ public in the chemical indictment that was Silent Spring. Mark Madison is a historian at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life...Those who contemplate LIN C the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. Rachel Carson, “Help Your Child to Wonder,” 1956 (BLACK DUCK) FLICKR / HENRY M
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 11 The seeds of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Contaminants program were planted with the publication of Silent Spring.
By Bruce Woods, Philip Johnson and Valerie Fellows Sounding the
The spring of 1962 was anything but silent. In fact, the publication of sections of specialize in detecting toxic contaminants Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking study of the widespread effects of indiscriminate in fish, wildlife and environmental pesticide use in the June issue of The New Yorker sounded an alarm that was heard samples; understanding and countering the harmful effects associated with across the nation. these contaminants; and recommending innovative solutions for the restoration t can fairly be said that the seeds of environment from the hazards of of habitats damaged by contamination. Ithe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s environmental contaminants. They are experts on the effects of oil and Environmental Contaminants Program chemical spills, pesticides, water quality were planted with the publication of “The beauty of the living world I was impairment, hazardous materials disposal, Carson’s Silent Spring, but it is also true trying to save,” she wrote in a letter and other aspects of contaminant biology. that the book itself owed its existence to to a friend in 1962, “has always been The challenges they face can perhaps the years its author spent working for uppermost in my mind—that, and anger best be summarized in Rachel Carson’s the agency and interacting with federal at the senseless, brutish things that were own words, from a 1963 interview on scientists studying the effects of being done. I have felt bound by a solemn CBS television: pesticides on wildlife. obligation to do what I could—if I didn’t at least try I could never be happy again “It is the public that is being asked to It was at the end of the Second World War, in nature. But now I can believe that I assume the risks….The public must decide while still working for the U.S. Fish and have at least helped a little. It would be whether it wishes to continue on the Wildlife Service, that Rachel Carson first unrealistic to believe one book could present road, and it can do so only when became concerned about the increased bring a complete change.” in full possession of the facts. use of chemical pesticides. “The more I learned about the use of pesticides, the Rachel Carson died of breast cancer in “We still talk in terms of conquest. We more appalled I became,” she would 1964 and was posthumously awarded the haven’t become mature enough to think of later write. “What I discovered was that Presidential Medal of Freedom, the ourselves as only a tiny part of a vast and everything which meant most to me as highest honor the U.S. government can incredible universe. Man’s attitude toward a naturalist was being threatened, and award to a civilian. Her legacy lives on in nature is today critically important simply that nothing I could do would be more the recovery of species such as the bald because we have now acquired a fateful important.” She set herself to the task eagle and peregrine falcon, and in the power to alter and destroy nature. COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL INC. of accumulating information on the ongoing work of Service Environmental subject and, in 1957, began working on Contaminants biologists. Today, more than “Now, I truly believe that we in this the project that would be published in four decades after Silent Spring sounded generation must come to terms with 1962 as Silent Spring. the alarm, these men and women are nature, and I think we’re challenged as increasing our understanding of the long- mankind has never been challenged before It was, without exaggeration, a literary term impacts of pesticides and other to prove our maturity and our mastery, not bombshell. Carson was attacked by contaminants, and working to minimize of nature, but of ourselves.” ■ industry and some in government, and the problems that we might, without such saw her science belittled and her politics knowledge, inflict upon future generations. questioned. She refused to be cowed, Bruce Woods is a public affairs specialist however, and testified before Congress In the post-Silent Spring era, our need in Anchorage, Alaska. Phillip Johnson is in 1963, calling for new government to understand the impact of environmental Environmental Contaminants Coordinator in initiatives to protect people and the contaminants on the natural world Anchorage, Alaska. Valerie Fellows is a public has not diminished. Biologists in the affairs specialist in Washington, DC. Environmental Contaminants Program
12 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 An advertisement for DDT as insecticide against household pests from the Tallahassee Democrat, ca. 1946. FLORIDA STATE ARCHIVES FLORIDA STATE (MICROSCOPE) BROOKS STUDIO / RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL, INC. Alarm ...Synthetic pesticides have been so thoroughly distributed throughout the animate and inanimate world that they occur virtually everywhere. They have been recovered from most Dust cover of Silent Spring. of the major river systems and even from streams of groundwater flowing unseen through the earth. Residues of these chemicals linger in soil to which they may have been applied a dozen years before....They have been found in fish in remote mountain lakes, in earthworms burrowing in soil, in the eggs of birds—and in man himself.” Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Carson (far left) at meeting of the President’s Science Advisory Committee in 1963, addressing pesticide policy in federal government.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 13 ‘One‘One ofof Us’Us’
would be the Potomac River. And my measure depth. We were almost A Defining Experience role-model in this endeavor would be finished with our first pass across the Rachel Carson Rachel Carson. river when dark clouds starting building almost did me in the skies above. in. Oh, the death To be honest, I’d never really read any of certificate likely Rachel Carson’s books. The Sea Around The tension between my scientific would have read Us sat on my bookshelf at home, courtesy principles, which demanded a second lightning strike or of my librarian mother. I’d occasionally series of water tests and depth drowning, but the flipped through the pictures of breaking measurements, and my fear of the truth is that my waves and fluorescent starfish but I didn’t impending thunderstorm lasted only near demise rests feel particularly motivated to read any as long as it took to find my paddle in squarely on her shoulders. text that wasn’t subject to a pop quiz. the bottom of the boat. By then the However, I was familiar with Rachel wind was beginning to rise and I could On the shores of the Potomac River, 20 Carson, author of Silent Spring and hear rumbling in the distance. The miles south of Washington D.C., nature mother of the modern environmental bright afternoon turned grayish-green, appears most frequently in the form of a movement. So lacking a consistent net and heavy raindrops begin to fall. I well-manicured lawn. Even back in the game (my other role model being can’t say that, paddling frantically for early 1980s when I was attending high Martina Navratilova), I vowed to be shore, I felt particularly Rachel Carson- school in Alexandria, Virginia, suburbia like Rachel, fighting the scourge of like. I suspect that she would have had already spread like an invasive environmental degradation. managed to whip out the eyedropper weed along the shores of the Potomac. for a couple more coliform tests on the With these high-minded thoughts, I way home. But upon safely reaching Seeking respite from the Tudor style trooped off to Sherwood Regional Library the riverbank, (relieved that I was no split levels, my attention naturally to read microfiche. What I learned from longer sitting in a small metal canoe), gravitated to the nearby river. From a squinting at old Washington Post articles I enjoyed a returned enthusiasm for distance its lazy waters, reflecting was that, thanks to the Clean Water Act my new-found mission. pastel-colored sunrises and twilight and indirectly to Rachel Carson, the hues, were a soothing sight. Potomac River was actually in better Looking back after 25 years, I realize Up close, however, the Potomac showed health than it had been in years. It no that my 10th grade Potomac River a different side. Littered with plastic longer served as a sewer for the nation’s science project was a defining milk jugs and giving off a foul odor on capital and, as a result, various fish and experience for me. Perched in that tiny hot, humid summer days, the river was bird species were returning to the area. boat with the thunder growing louder, an ugly urban dumping ground. Filled I filled a spiral notebook with quotes and I shed any romantic notions about with the righteous indignation of youth, figures then headed home to plan phase field work and ultimately opted for the I was outraged on its behalf. two of my science fair project. comfort and safety of the law library. In that well-lit, climate-controlled It was at this crucial juncture that This was, of course, the field work. Unlike environment, however, the inspiration of Mr. Patrick, whose monotone voice many of my current Service colleagues, Rachel Carson stuck with me. Even a had lulled me through the entire first my field experience history is singular and subsequent assortment of relocations semester of high school biology, brief. It consists of a single canoe trip and job changes could not squelch her announced the theme of the 1981 across a mile-wide stretch of the Potomac. call to do good by the environment. Northern Virginia Science Fair: With a high school friend paddling in the I think we bonded over the lightning. ■ environmental health. My eyes quickly stern, I alternated between fumbling narrowed with purpose. My project with the water test kit I’d borrowed from Jenifer Kohout, Regional Natural Resource Mr. Patrick and dunking a soggy string Damage Assessment Coordinator, tied with knots at 10-foot increments to Anchorage, Alaska
14 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 RACHEL CARSON: ERICH HARTMANN / MAGNUM PHOTOS
Service employees reflect on Rachel Carson’s conservation legacy and how she continues to influence the agency today.
Rachel Carson, Southport Maine, 1962. on contaminants’ effects on fish and still have a lot to do. I believe we ‘Everything Is Connected’ wildlife over half a century ago. Today, must heed Rachel Carson’s advice for When I first read Rachel Carson’s I feel privileged to carry on her work those that follow: “The road we have Silent Spring in high school, her with my peers. been traveling is deceptively easy, a message struck a chord. Little did smooth superhighway on which we I realize then, I would be carrying Since becoming a father, my work has progress with great speed, but at its on her work 20 years later as a Fish taken on a more personal significance. end lies disaster. The other fork of / GAILF548 RIVER NWR) FLICKR (PARKER and Wildlife Service Environmental Last summer, during a family camping the road—the one ‘less traveled by’— Contaminants (EC) Specialist. trip, I watched my kids using fishing line offers our last only chance to reach and bait to catch crawfish. They were soon a destination that assures the Carson’s prophetic warning that joined by other kids who also tried their preservation of our earth.” ■ contaminants are “the most alarming luck. Crawfish unlucky enough to be of all man’s assaults upon the caught were placed in a small bucket and Pedro ‘Pete’ Ramirez, Jr., Environmental environment” continues to resonate with duly scrutinized by the gawking children Contaminants, Cheyenne, Wyoming me as I see the effects of contaminants only to be tossed back into the lake and on migratory birds. One of my starkest caught again. This simple drama of memories of these effects comes from innocent wonder and joy illustrates what my second year as an EC Specialist. it’s all about and why we do what we do. I was stunned after dissecting an American avocet egg for a selenium Silent Spring emphasized the study. The misshapen head, missing interconnectedness of all living things and toes and wings and crossed bill gave working in the EC program has reinforced the bird embryo a grotesque, almost this as my overarching approach to my alien appearance. Were it not for our career and life. Everything is connected. investigation, the embryo’s deformed Thanks to the work of Rachel Carson and body would go undocumented and those that followed, the wild creatures that unwitnessed, joining the countless capture my children’s curiosity have not animals poisoned by contaminants that been silenced. Although we have made a die in the shadows. Rachel Carson and good deal of progress in conservation, we Ramirez’s daughter Rita removes a others in the Service pioneered the work crawfish from a net and into a bucket.
haying, however, is pretty much a thing A Timeless Place of the past, although a few individuals Carson in In 1947, Rachel Carson wrote about the still harvest it nearby. Florida, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in ca. 1950. her “Conservation in Action” series. The Each year, more than 250,000 people Massachusetts refuge she wrote about visit the refuge, one of the most popular 60 years ago remains mostly unchanged bird-watching destinations in the and would look familiar if she were to visit Northeast. The road down the refuge is today. The land is still vitally important for greatly improved and not the adventure the American black duck and many other it was when Rachel Carson visited 60 species of waterfowl during migration, years ago. Refuge improvements enable particularly as the surrounding landscape birdwatchers and many other visitors has changed from a primarily rural and the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a agricultural setting to one more urban. snowy owl in winter and many other species. Carson wrote about a rare Since the refuge was established in 1942, Hudsonian Godwit seen at the refuge in the Service’s role has increased so that it 1946 and in 2006, the sighting of a rare now manages for many other species of European black-tailed godwit drew bird LEAR/CARSON COLLECTION, CONNECTICUT COLLEGE COURTESY OF THE SHIRLEY A. BRIGGS, wildlife, including the threatened piping watchers from all over the region to plover. Parker River was also recently Parker River. designated a Western Hemisphere Reserve Network Site, reflecting the The landscape of Parker River may not greater role it plays in protecting change much over the next 60 years, but shorebirds. I believe its importance to migratory birds and other wildlife will increase Some of the economic and recreational much as it has since Rachel Carson activities that Carson observed at Parker visited in 1947. ■ River continue today. Visitors still go clamming. People still pick beach plums in Graham Taylor, Refuge Manager, late summer when the fruit ripens. Salt Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Newburyport, Massachusetts
16 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 Beyond Passion I’m a biologist in the Service’s Environmental Contaminants program, and I’ve never read Silent Spring. For more Rachel Carson reflections, visit There. I’ve said it. Never read the book, even though I’ve had a copy in my office,
Angela Matz, Environmental Contaminants, Brian Braudis, Deputy Project Leader, Fairbanks, Alaska Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Oceanville, New Jersey
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 17 “ The beauty of the living world I was trying to save,” Carson wrote in a letter to a friend Carson in 1962, “has always been uppermost in my at Hawk Mountain mind…I have felt bound by a solemn obligation Pennsylvania, ca. 1945. to do what I could—if I didn’t at least try I could never be happy again in nature.…” SHIRLEY A. BRIGGS / COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL INC.
she said, “Richard, if you really care A Quiet Leader The Namesake about all the creatures you catch and Like so many My grandmother the forests and fields you like to play in employees who lived in Coventry, then you need to remember what entered the Connecticut. She Rachel Carson wrote and do something
Service back in was a teacher, about what is happening and try to JANE PELLICCIOTTO (BACKGROUND) the 60s and 70s, I school principal, make a difference.” I can remember was a product of and a voracious that conversation like it was yesterday. my hunting and reader. As a child, fishing family’s my family would I am not sure that I can claim that background. typically travel to I have made a difference but I have Hunting and fishing with my family see grandpa and had the great fortune of working in were activities that helped me realize grandma each conservation for nearly 30 years, first that I felt comfortable being “out summer and spend weeks with them with the State of Kentucky and for the there” and that I loved spending time enjoying the woods and fields of then last 15 years with the Fish and Wildlife with the critters more than anything rural Connecticut. I would fish in the Service. I have worked with a great else. I learned to observe and to old mill pond, catch frogs, snakes and many people who have displayed appreciate the struggles of our dragonflies, and spend nearly every enormous passion in their efforts to wildlife resources and was taught waking moment outside. protect our fish and wildlife heritage. to respect them and to be sensitive When I worked in the Washington to their needs. I believe it was the summer of 1963 Office Division of Endangered Species when I was 10 years old when again several years ago, I actually worked out I grew up in a small town in South we made our annual summer trek to of Rachel Carson’s old office in the Main Dakota near a wildlife refuge. Every Connecticut. As a child, I had significant Interior Building from time to time and morning one of the refuge employees speech articulation problems and I always felt humbled and honored to be would drive by my house in a shiny, reading was not easy for me. In part of the dedicated team of Service green pickup, with a blue goose on the addition to my outdoor activities my employees trying every day to advance side of the door. I was impressed by grandmother would help me with fish and wildlife conservation. the professional nature of the people reading each day. That summer she said who worked at the refuge—I still am. she had a very special book that we were In 1980, when our first child was born going to read. She would make me read I asked my wife to consider naming our Rachel Carson was a quiet leader, and each day and she would help me with daughter, Rachel, in honor of Rachel through her mere presence inspired the big words, after a paragraph or two Carson because of who she was and many who knew her. Quiet but we would discuss what we had read. what she did. I told her that we could effective leadership is—or should Sometimes she would read to me when only hope that our daughter would be be—a mantra of the present-day I was tired or the words were just as dedicated and committed to making Fish and Wildlife Service. Rachel too hard to pronounce. We would sit the world a better place as Rachel never took herself too seriously, but together with me snuggling in her ample Carson did in whatever path she took. considered her contribution in more lap in a big wooden Adirondack chair subtle forms. She did, however, carry overlooking the pond and read. The book Today, our Rachel is a speech and the needs of the environment deep we read that summer was Silent Spring language pathologist living in within her soul. We need to remember by Rachel Carson, which had only Washington State helping children to this as we move ahead in our mission, recently been published. By the end of speak more clearly and to learn how and to urge our newer employees to our summer visit, we had completed the to read books that just someday may be more effective by simply adapting book. As we were getting ready to leave, challenge them to strive to make this the Rachel Carson model of being a she and I spent the last evening sitting world, our only world, a better place quiet leader. ■ together watching the dragonflies dance for all life. ■ above the pond and listening to the Jerry Novotny, Grants Specialist and croaking frogs as the sun started to dip Richard Hannan, Assistant Regional Fisheries Section Chief, Portland, Oregon below the horizon. As the day came to a Director for Budget and Administration, close my grandmother challenged me, Anchorage, Alaska
18 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 endangered species readers of the book had felt decades A True Believer work. What before, when it was first released. And I spent the first part of my career I did not expect was, now, I am doing something. I am part with the Fish and Wildlife Service as in some ways, my job of the living legacy of Silent Spring, an endangered species biologist in in the contaminants the EC program. California. I was responsible for several program would of California’s reptiles and amphibians, be even more Since I joined EC, I have become a some of which, like the San Francisco daunting. At least in true believer in the importance of this garter snake, are our Nation’s most endangered species, program. In fact, there is nothing more endangered species. There were many we were only responsible for the survival important. It doesn’t matter how many nights when I could not sleep. I would of a limited number of creatures. In acres you protect or restore, how many lay in the dark knowing that there was contaminants, we are addressing the species you list as endangered or always more work than I could ever health and safety of every living thing. threatened, or fish or wildlife you breed do and that, if I failed at my job, these in captivity and release into the wild, if unique creatures might become extinct One of the first things I did when I joined these creatures don’t have a clean water, on my watch. It was a burdensome the EC program was to read Silent land, and air, there continued existence, responsibility. I have always believed Spring. I had heard of the work and and ours, is questionable. I don’t know that all creatures, no matter how ugly, knew that it was an inspiration to many if I can ever leave the under-funded, unlikable, or small, have a reason for of our EC biologists, and I wanted a under-appreciated, contaminants being on this planet. We may not always better understanding of their issues and program. I have developed a love of know what it is, but they each have a motivations. I was not prepared for what its people and an understanding and role to play and sometimes those roles I read. Her work was moving and her respect for everything they do. I am are pivotal. argument sound. It was easy to see truly proud to be in their midst and why her work had been the catalyst for I only hope that what I do for the Eight years ago, I accepted a job the environmental movement. She had program and, thus, for every living with the Service’s Environmental an ability to explain such a complicated thing, makes some small difference. ■ Contaminants program (EC). I was subject in a manner that could be relieved to move on and let the next understood by all and to impress upon the Kelly Geer, Environmental Contaminants, generation of young wildlife biologists reader the need for action. After reading Washington, DC take on the high-stress, high-stakes it, I felt I had to do something, just as
and staked a rock-solid claim for wildlife true wildlife conservation and Heroes Among Us and future generations of Americans. environmental protection. Since then, Every organization Similarly, Carson would, through her we have made much progress. But then needs heroes, those who writings, awaken the conscience of an again, perhaps our current organization, inspire, those who lead, entire nation and forever change the way mired in a devilish battle between and those who energize. we interact with our environment. politics and biology, is simply incapable We are fortunate to of producing and nurturing such heroes. have a host of true Leopold was my guy. I realize now a conservation heroes in borrowed copy of A Sand County Today, I draw inspiration and our past, people who became dirty, wet Almanac in 1974 provided the context for encouragement from the small and tired working afield. Rachel Carson the rest of my life; to be spent developing incremental gains we recognize as was one of those—she was one of us. a curiosity for and an appreciation of all progress. A snip of red tape here, a new things wild. That I could actually fashion a collaboration there—nothing really When thinking back on the trials and career along these lines remains a source earth-shaking, but progress nonetheless. accomplishments of conservation icons of deep satisfaction. When times are really tough I’ll pull out like Carson, J. Clark Salyer and Aldo a copy of the Keystone Conference Leopold, I am left with a question which, But I often wonder who will be the next speech delivered by former Service for me, has great relevance. Who will be Aldo Leopold or Rachel Carson? Is that Director and current grand old our next conservation hero? person walking among us today? gentleman Lynn Greenwalt. Not familiar Is it someone working in the Director’s with his tenure as Director, I can judge In my mind’s eye everything earlier corridor in Main Interior? A project leader him now only on his wry wit, obvious than 1960 is sepia-toned, yet I know on some remote patch of endangered passion for the resource and his fervent the threats and frustrations in motion habitat? A bureaucrat slashing away at exhortations to continue to fight the during the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s were just processes larded with red tape? good fight with all due speed. as real as the minefield we know as “conservation” today. Conservation heroes are in short supply It was, and is, just what I needed to today. I have concluded there will never be hear. Perhaps there are heroes walking In an era when prairie sod succumbed to another Aldo Leopold, perhaps because among us still. ■ mechanized agriculture and a nation’s his work, like Carson’s, gave us the tools desire to feed the world, far-sighted we sorely needed at those junctures in Dan Sobieck, Partnerships and conservation pioneers like Salyer laid time and enabled us to overcome our Challenge Cost-Share Grant Coordinator, the cornerstones of wetland protection chronic (and at times willful) ignorance of Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 19 On Eagle’s OF RESOURCES / MARYLAND DEPARTMENT SCOTT SMITH (FEATHER) TIM KNEPP (FEATHER) The Service’s Wings Endangered Species program continues to conserve imperiled wildlife and protect the “web of life.”
By Valerie Fellows
Rachel Carson believed that all living things, including humans, are connected to Carson decided to write Silent Spring each other in a web of life. Consequently, when the bald eagle became endangered after years of collecting research across in the lower 48 states because of the use of the dangerous pesticide DDT, it set off the United States and Europe. When excerpts of the book were published in alarms for the American public. The New Yorker magazine, Carson became the focus of a storm of controversy and or years after World War II, the During the 1940s through the1960s, suffered from numerous attacks on Fgovernment sprayed DDT (dichloro- approximately 675,000 tons of DDT were her professional integrity. President diphenyl-trichloroethane) to control applied to U.S. soil. The peak year for Kennedy created a commission to review mosquitoes in coastal areas and farmers use in the United States was 1959— the government’s pesticide policy and used DDT to control agricultural pests. nearly 80 million pounds were applied. Carson was asked to testify before a When it rained, DDT would wash off the Congressional committee along with soil and into the waterways. There, it was Rachel Carson had long been aware of the other witnesses. absorbed by aquatic plants and animals. dangers of chemical pesticides but also Fish ate the plants and animals, and then understood the agricultural community’s Six years after Carson’s death in 1964, eagles ate the fish. reliance on these pesticides to support Congress created the Environmental crop production. According to the New Protection Agency, which banned the When DDT broke down, the primary York Times, “one of the sparks that caused use of DDT on December 31, 1972. The product DDE built up in the fatty Miss Carson to undertake the task of Endangered Species Act was passed in tissues of female eagles, preventing the writing the book was a letter she had 1973, and the bald eagle was listed as an formulation of calcium release necessary received from old friends Stuart and Olga endangered species in most of the lower to produce strong eggshells. Consequently, Hutchins. It told of the destruction that 48 states, with the exception of Minnesota, eggshells were thin and cracked when aerial spraying has caused to their two- Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon and an adult tried to incubate the eggs. acre private sanctuary at Powder Point, Washington, where it was listed as a Widespread reproductive failure followed, in Duxbury, Mass.” threatened species. causing the eagle population to plunge.
20 / Fish & Wildlife News Winter 2007 GARY KRAMER / USFWS
Service biologist Maricela Constantino holds a bog turtle while conducting When the bald eagle became endangered in the lower surveys in connection with the recovery plan for the threatened species. 48 states because of the use of the dangerous pesticide DDT, it set off alarms for the American public.
The Endangered Species Act provided In addition, the brown pelican, Guam Because chemical compounds and the springboard for the Fish and Wildlife broadbill, Guam Micronesian kingfisher, pesticides can be highly toxic and long Service and its partners to work together Guam rail, Mariana crow, northern lasting, the Fish and Wildlife Service and help the eagle recover. Through aplomado falcon, Mariana gray swiflet, conducts an extensive program of captive breeding programs, reintroduction California condor, Wood stork and marbled research, education, interagency of eagles into their historic habitat, murrelet have all benefited from the ban consultation, and careful management of protecting nest sites during the breeding on use of DDT/DDE. pesticide use for the conservation of many season, conserving roosting habitat for threatened and endangered species. food and shelter and enforcing the law Besides DDT, a myriad of chemical against those people who illegally killed compounds and pesticides can affect Many species face population decline from eagles, the Endangered Species Act endangered species. Endangered animals habitat loss and degradation, competition provided significant protection for our can ingest pesticides via contaminated with non-native species, disease and nation’s symbol. vegetation, seeds or prey. Aquatic species historical over-hunting, environmental including frogs and salamanders are contaminants and pollution in the The banning of DDT, combined with particularly vulnerable to contaminants environment could be the stressor that the habitat protections afforded by the because they live some or all of their life pushes them towards extinction. Endangered Species Act set the stage cycle in water, making them susceptible for bald eagle populations to make a to any changes in the environment. That’s why biologists with the Service’s remarkable comeback. That is the direct Aquatic organisms can be exposed to Endangered Species program continue legacy of Silent Spring. pesticides entering the waterway from to conserve imperiled wildlife across the urban runoff, and through groundwater country. From manatees and panthers But bald eagles weren’t the only sources. Herbicides are particularly to mussels and plants, the Endangered endangered species harmed by DDT. detrimental to pollinators, lethal to Species program builds on Carson’s legacy Peregrine falcons also teetered on the butterflies and dragonflies upon contact by protecting the “web of life.” ■ brink of extinction due to eggshell or its primary food source. As a thinning caused by use of the pesticide. consequence, an insecticide can indirectly Only 25 years after the government harm an endangered plant that may Valerie Fellows is a public affairs specialist banned DDT, the peregrine falcon depend upon a specific insect pollinator. in Washington, DC recovered and was removed from the list of threatened and endangered species.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 21 As Rachel Carson eloquently expressed in her classic literary series, national wildlife refuges are ADAMS, SR. FLICKR / LYN living ‘classrooms’ that today are actively managed to provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife species.
By Martha Nudel Conservation in
“Environmental education programs in a classroom are wonderful,” says Mary Timm, Managing for Species and the Ages winner of the 2003 Sense of Wonder Award and environmental educator at Tetlin In 1936, when Carson took her first full- time government position as a junior National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. “But when you can get a youngster out on a aquatic biologist with the Bureau of refuge, or just to wander in the woods, then they start to appreciate the land. That’s Fisheries, the nation was in the midst how you develop stewardship.” of a devastating drought that created a “dust bowl” across much of the country. imm’s environmental education Minnesota, integrates the 5th grade Fortunately, the wildlife profession was Tprogram has concentrated on the seven curriculum with environmental education, beginning to emerge with new scientific schools that make up the Alaska Gateway making math, science and writing approaches to managing and restoring School District, spanning an area twice as instruction come alive right in the field. land for wildlife. Just three years large as New Hampshire. For more than a earlier, Aldo Leopold published Game decade, Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Rachel Carson wanted people to Management, the nation’s first real has had a full curriculum for high appreciate nature with a childlike sense textbook on wildlife management. / ANDY PURVIANCE (REFUGE SIGN) FLICKR schoolers, including summer classes in of wonder. National wildlife refuges have fire science and ornithology for which taken that approach to heart as they refine Indeed, Carson’s “Conservation in Action” students can get academic credit. and redouble programs that are education series (see sidebar), in which she wrote and interpretive. Today, the National about certain national wildlife refuges, Tetlin Refuge is not alone in its Wildlife Refuge System—spanning was a revolutionary public information environmental education reach. Examples 547 refuges over nearly 97 million acres— document calling on the American people on national wildlife refuges abound. reaches more than 775,000 students and to recognize that the environment is teachers annually, bringing to life the the very foundation of our nation’s The Eastern Massachusetts Refuge philosophy that Carson embodied as preeminence. But it was more than simply Urban Education Program teaches author of Sense of Wonder, the book a public information document that called youngsters to identify organisms and from which the National Association citizens to action. It was a recognition that understand ecosystems and animal for Interpretation took the name of the national wildlife refuges cannot be left adaptations. Maryland’s Patuxent award so often won by National Wildlife unattended, but often must be actively Research Refuge holds its popular Refuge System employees. managed to provide habitat for a diversity Geo-Camp at Smothers Elementary of wildlife species. >> School in Washington, DC, bringing the Environmental education is just one place wonders of science to students in the where Rachel Carson’s philosophy is seen nation’s capital. The Prairie Wetlands firsthand on national wildlife refuges. Learning Center in Fergus Falls, Land management is another.
22 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 Lake Mattamuskeet in Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.
Action
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 23 (ILLUSTRATION) TIM KNEPP (ILLUSTRATION)
(Conservation, continued) Smith National Wildlife Refuge in one of The urbanization of America is a the nation’s largest tallgrass prairie seemingly continuous process. Where National wildlife refuges provide habitat reconstruction projects. Laysan albatross or when it will stop can be debated by for at least 700 species of birds, 220 chicks have been flown a thousand miles demographers, urban planners and a mammals, 250 reptiles and amphibians, from Midway Atoll National Wildlife host of other organizations and individuals. more than 1,000 fish and countless species Refuge and released in the wild of Kilauea In the real world of habitat conservation, of invertebrates and plants. More than Point National Wildlife Refuge to national wildlife refuges are facing 280 of the nation’s 1,311endangered or encourage the bird to re-establish its challenges—and opportunities—in a threatened species find a home on national population in the Hawaiian Islands that nation that grew from 200 million people wildlife refuges. Fifty-nine national were their historic home. to 300 million in less than 40 years. wildlife refuges were established specifically to help imperiled species. As the National Wildlife Refuge System For now, more than 39 million visitors has grown during its 104 years of each year find the mountains, valleys, Simple preservation was the earliest form existence, the concepts of biodiversity, deserts, meadows and wetlands of national of wildlife management. In the Refuge ecosystems, landscapes, waterbeds and wildlife refuges to be some of the most System’s first years, wildlife management conservation biology have more and more scenic places in America. For those living consisted mostly of posting boundary become part of the everyday vocabulary of in big cities—and in smaller cities that signs, law enforcement and periodic researchers, professors and refuge staff. are growing bigger all the time—national counts of wildlife. Some thought it would An evolution in habitat management has wildlife refuges are places of solitude and be sufficient just to secure habitat at taken place—from managing for a few serenity amid the noise and bustle of renowned places such as Wichita species to management for hundreds of routine life. Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, species by using more natural procedures. National Bison Range, National Elk Prescribed fires were thought to destroy But national wildlife refuges are more Refuge, Malheur National Wildlife habitat. Today, we know that well-planned than oases in a sea of land use change. Refuge, Bear River Migratory Bird burning is life-giving, and so more than They do more than just welcome those Refuge, Sheldon National Wildlife half of all refuge lands outside of Alaska who want to hunt, to fish or simply to FLICKR / GERALD AZENARO Refuges and Upper Mississippi National are fire-adapted ecosystems. National watch wildlife. They also teach Americans Wildlife and Fish Refuges. The nation wildlife refuges work closely with to become conservation constituents by learned only too soon that simple surrounding communities to make sure fostering an understanding of the central preservation was not enough as wetlands residents understand the value of role of wildlife and wildlife habitat in our were drained, pristine forests cleared prescribed fire. daily lives and our nation’s traditions. That and prairies plowed under. is one message of Carson’s “Conservation Ultimately, Carson’s “Conservation in in Action” series, and a clear message in Today, hundreds of refuges are involved in Action” concepts embody all those the National Wildlife Refuge System the restoration or reconstruction of rare evolutionary ideas. Improvement Act of 1997. habitats, enabling species to come back from the brink of extinction. For example, Impact of Urbanization Perhaps what Rachel Carson most by building dikes and water control Rachel Carson understood the cumulative exemplified is that conservation is not a structures, the staffs of Agassiz, Horicon, effects of pollutants. What she may not spectator sport. It takes the combined Necedah, Okefenokee and Seney National have envisioned is just how quickly cities commitment of government agencies, Wildlife Refuges have brought back the and suburbs have merged into urban conservation organizations, local nation’s great marshes and swamps. corridors—and not just along the East communities and America’s people to Lands that grew corn and soybeans for and West Coasts. ensure that our natural resources will be 150 years are being restored on Neal preserved and protected today and for generations to come.
24 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 The Refuge System’s 200-plus nonprofit Conservation Classics Friends organizations—created by communities who want value the national By Terri Edwards wildlife refuges that are their neighbors— show that Rachel Carson’s message has As a marine biologist who believed that translating science permeated the America’s soul. So do the into publications for the general public would encourage 34,000 volunteers who last year donated about 1.2 million hours to the U.S. Fish conservation, Rachel Carson devised the “Conservation in and Wildlife Service—most of those hours Action” series in which she and other writers described on national wildlife refuges. individual national wildlife refuges as well as the mission of the Refuge System. Today the series still stands as a One of those volunteers is former chemical model of nature writing and an eloquent commentary on industry executive Anthony F. Freda, who the value and purpose of these treasured places. has volunteered at 10 national wildlife refuges, and has a list of another 100 Carson authored five of the booklets, including four where he would like to work. “The terrain focusing on individual national wildlife refuges. She is varied, and sometimes there is nothing wrote about three East Coast refuges within the Atlantic obvious at the end of the road,” he wrote migratory bird flyway along the East Coast—Parker about his time at Ash Meadows National River in Massachusetts, Chincoteague in Virginia, and Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. “Nevertheless, Mattamuskeet in North Carolina—as well as Bear River, a walk is invigorating—exciting even—for a migratory bird refuge in Utah located at the convergence you might be startled by a fat Chuckwalla of the Central and Pacific flyways. or a jackrabbit, or a bunch of Desert Bighorn sheep high in the mountain. Much more than informational guides, the series provides detailed descriptions of each refuge’s landscape, “As the sun begins to set over the conservation challenges and value to wildlife, Panamint Mountains, the sky becomes a economic and recreational uses, and cultural history. showcase of colors. Blue gives way to orange and then to a brilliant red. The nearest town is 12 miles away. The sky is Carson’s fifth booklet in the series, “Guarding our clear and bright,” he continues. “A hush Wildlife Resources,” offers a broad historic and ecological settles over the desert, the silence broken perspective on wildlife resources in the United States only by the yip of a coyote now and then. and beyond its borders. In the piece, she makes a strong The real reward of our wanderings was case for protection of migratory birds, game animals, the beauty and tranquility of the desert.” ■ and fisheries.
“…Like the resource it seeks to protect,” she wrote, Martha Nudel is Chief of the NWRS “wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing Branch of Communications as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective.”
From 1946 to 1947, Carson traveled extensively to gather Parker River information and conduct interviews for the series. She National Wildlife was accompanied by Kay Howe, Shirley Briggs, or Bob Refuge in Hines—Service artists who designed, illustrated, and Massachusetts. took photographs for the booklets. In an excerpt from Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature, biographer Linda Lear observed that “the two and a half years that Carson worked on the series were her happiest and most fulfilling time in the service. Certainly the trip to the western refuges was one of the highlights of her government career and added immeasurably to her overall ecological perspective.”
To download the Conservation in Action series, visit
Terri Edwards is a public affairs specialist, in Hadley, Massachusetts
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 25 Rachel Carson reminded us that water, life’s most (BEACH) JANE PELLICCIOTTO essential element, is the bond between human health and returning nature’s health. to the water
By Valerie Fellows and Joshua Winchell
Although Rachel Carson grew up landlocked in Pennsylvania, she fantasized about Her second book, The Sea Around Us, the ocean as a child. Her family had a conch shell on their fireplace mantle, and she was published in 1951 and remained on would hold it to her ear and imagine what happens when the sand meets the sea. the New York Times’ bestseller list for 81 weeks. With more than 200,000 copies Carson first saw the ocean during a summer fellowship at the U.S. Marine Laboratory sold, Carson won the National Book
in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Curiosity about the ocean and its underwater galaxy Award in 1952. This book is steeped in / COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL INC. EDWIN GRAY of plants and animals would remain with her throughout her life. biological and geographical information about the earth, moon and tides, but her writing style was rhythmical and poetic— hen she was originally hired by the During her free time, Carson wrote books said to mimic the surge and flow of the WU.S. Bureau of Fisheries (now the about her government work. Her first tides while charming readers with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Carson book, titled Under the Sea Wind was magic of the ocean. created a series of 7-minute radio spots published in 1941, and highlighted her on marine life, called “Romance Under unique ability to present scientific material The success from The Sea Around Us the Waters.” She submitted articles on about biological processes and life forms gave Carson the economic freedom to conservation and nature to newspapers in the ocean, and use poetic language to resign from her position with the and magazines, urging people to consider captivate readers by painting a verbal government and devote herself full-time always the welfare of the “fish as well as canvas of nature’s underwater fury. In to writing. She began summering on that of the fisherman.” 1943, Carson was promoted to aquatic Southport Island off the Maine coast. biologist in the newly formed U.S. Fish She spent her days studying the Maine In 1936, Carson was appointed as junior and Wildlife Service where she created coast and tidal pools and collected aquatic biologist, and was one of only two informational bulletins designed for the information for her third book published women employed by the Bureau at a American public. in 1956. The Edge of the Sea was a professional level. During the early years naturalist’s guide to identifying the of her career, her work took her to visit One of the most well-known series, titled organisms and creatures of the ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, where she spoke “Conservation in Action” was devoted to tidal marshes, shallows and tide pools. >> to watermen and toured commercial exploring wildlife and ecology on national fish processing plants to understand the wildlife refuges, and focused primarily on economics and culture of the area. the Atlantic coast. Another series was titled “Food from the Sea” and offered information on proper preparation as well as the advantages of a diet including fish and shellfish to a public unused to eating freshwater fish.
26 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 Carson at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, ca. 1951.
If there is poetry in my book about the sea, it is not because I deliberately put it there, but because no one could write truthfully about the sea and leave out poetry. From Rachel Carson’s speech accepting the National Book Award for The Sea Around Us
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 27 FLICKR / NORMAN MAYNARD
(Water, continued) Some of FHC’s connections with Carson are obvious: the Service’s experts on It was only after spending a lifetime contaminants and pesticides are members
focusing on fisheries and coastal of the FHC team. They work closely, (HERON) TIM KNEPP ecosystems that Carson decided to write and aggressively, with industry to the book that is credited with sparking the ensure compliance with laws and best environmental movement, Silent Spring. management practices. In addition, FHC staff has been tracking wetlands losses Her books are read, her words quoted, and and gains since before Silent Spring was her call to action heeded to a remarkable published. They know that wetlands serve degree. But in the year of what would have many critical roles ensuring the health of been her 100th birthday we ask ourselves, people and the larger environment. “How are we still carrying on Rachel Carson’s legacy?” Carson wrote at length about the inherent beauty and value in our native species. Rachel Carson’s career began in fisheries, And in that same spirit, FHC’s invasive and today the Service’s Fisheries and species biologists are working to conserve Habitat Conservation Program (FHC) native wildlife—they identify potential works to conserve the intricate ecosystems threats to our nation’s native ecosystems of our coasts and wetlands, and the fish and work to control them through and wildlife that depend on them. management, education and policy.
Carson reserved a special place in her heart for the beauty of our waters and its Brook trout. inhabitants. Service staff in fish hatcheries and fishery resource offices around the country are committed to producing healthy fish for placement into wild populations, creating habitat for important spawning and rearing grounds and working with partners to monitor native fish populations.
These efforts to preserve and protect our aquatic resources are inspired by Rachel Carson’s legacy and belief that water, life’s most essential element, is the bond between human health and nature’s health.
“To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thousands of year, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.” ■
Valerie Fellows and Joshua Winchell are
ERIC ENGBRETSON / USFWS ERIC ENGBRETSON public affairs specialists in Washington, DC
28 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland. USFWS
For all at last returns to the sea— to Oceanus, the ocean river, like the everflowing stream of time, the beginning and the end. Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
Carson and national wildlife artist Bob Hines conduct marine biology research in Florida, 1955.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 29 Focusing on Nature COURTESY KRISTIN CRONON
Rachel Carson is the subject of high school junior Kristin Cronon’s documentary film and the inspiration behind her insatiable curiosity about the natural world.
By Terri Edwards
Kristin Cronin
Kristen Cronon is a high school junior in Winchester, Massachusetts, who describes How would you describe your connection herself as an environmentalist and naturalist. Rachel Carson has been her inspiration to Carson and her work? since the third grade. My strongest connection to Carson is my love for the natural world and my drive to immerse myself in it, observe it, and learn ronon’s documentary, “Taking a The summer following third grade, I took as much about it as I can. C Stand in History: Rachel Carson’s a science summer camp at Waquoit Bay on
Silent Spring,” was premiered in the Cape Cod. My class was wading in the I think my childhood could be compared to student category during the National estuary when we noticed there was thick, Carson’s on her family farm, characterized Conservation Film Festival at NCTC black, mossy-looking vegetation spanning by playful exploration and curiosity. I’ve in November. Incorporating archival a branch of a marshy stream. grown up spending summers on Cape Cod, footage and interviews with contemporary taking classes at the Children’s School of environmentalists and historians, Our teacher explained that the unnatural Science in Woods Hole. Every day of the the film tells the story of Carson’s seaweed growth occurred because of summer, I walk by the Marine Biological pioneering role in creating the modern pesticide run-off from the adjacent golf Laboratory in Woods Hole where environmental movement. course. It prevented fish from living in Carson worked. the stream. We asked her all sorts of Fish & Wildlife News recently questions: “Is this the same stuff that Ichthyology, botany, marine biology, interviewed Cronon about her film, people with yellow warning signs put on entomology—I’ve taken all of the life Carson’s influence on her life and her their lawns? Why isn’t it illegal for golf science courses the school offers. During own passion for conservation. courses to use such strong pesticides?” every class, I got out there with nets, She told us about Rachel Carson’s battle binoculars, magnifying glasses; it was really How were you first inspired by against pesticides in the 1960s when our hands-on learning. I just loved it. Rachel Carson? parents were children, and how Carson had made progress toward making some When I was younger, I wondered about Carson and I both share a particular of the strongest pesticides illegal. those yellow warning signs about affinity for the sea. It’s more than a pesticides that people post on their lawns. scientific interest. I love to catch fish in the I was very affected by my experience at My grandmother used to spray pesticides, shallows and dig for mole crabs in the surf, summer camp that day. When I got home, and I would ask her what she put on her but even more I love to sit at a distance and I asked my grandmother to stop using lawn that made it unsafe for us and the just watch waves crash and take in the pesticides. I went on to read and write dog to play on it. She told me that she used mystery of the sea. I can tell Carson did about Rachel Carson for a book report strong chemicals to kill the weeds. that, too. Carson captures the intricacy and project in the fourth grade. passion of nature so well in her writing, even when she’s describing scientific concepts. Like her, I love to write and communicate ideas. I’ve seen books she wrote, bound and illustrated as a child. I used to do the same. 30 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COLLECTION, COLLEGE ARCHIVES, CHATHAM COLLEGE COLLEGE ARCHIVES, CHATHAM COURTESY RACHEL CARSON COLLECTION, (SUNSET) FLICKR / JOE BARTLETT
Portrait of Rachel Carson by Minnette D. Swans in the icy surf at Woods Hole, Bickel in Honor of the 25th Anniversary Massachusetts. of Silent Spring.
My strongest connection to Rachel Carson is my love for the natural world and my drive to immerse myself in it, observe it, and learn as much about it as I can. Kristen Cronon
Do you have a favorite among responses, I was fortunate to hear back If you had a chance to talk with Rachel Carson’s books? from Mark Madison, the Fish and Wildlife Carson, is there anything that you’d like to ask her? The Sense of Wonder—my favorite quote Service’s historian. He was the person comes from it: “Those who dwell…among who encouraged me to enter my film I would ask her if she would take me on the beauties and mysteries of the earth in the student category of the National a nature walk. I’d want to spend time are never alone or weary of life.” Conservation Film Festival. I was very with her and see what she would choose excited when it was selected! to tell me. Describe how you made your film. What was it like for you to attend the film If she was alive today, what do you Making the film was one of the most festival at NCTC last fall? think Carson would write about? challenging and exciting things I’ve ever done. It actually started out on a very It was an incredible experience. I met I am almost certain that she’d write many professional and amateur film small scale as a school history project. about global warming. ■ Like the book report in fourth grade, makers who genuinely care about the I chose Rachel Carson as my topic and environment. I was approached by a Terri Edwards is a public affairs specialist decided to make a documentary because couple of people who asked if I would send in Hadley, Masschusetts I’ve always enjoyed making short films. them copies of my film. I am honored that it will be shown as part of the celebration Once I started gathering footage and of the centennial of Carson’s birth. writing the script, it quickly grew into Kristen Cronon’s 11-minute film can more than a school project. I sent away Having the opportunity to see the be downloaded from the Rachel for most of my footage from the Rachel Service’s library and archives was one Carson centennial Web site at Carson Council, and some from the of the high points of the trip for me.
Ray Vizgirdas Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office, Boise, Idaho
Ray Vizgirdas, a fish and wildlife biologist with the Service’s Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office in Boise, Idaho, has studied mountain environments in the West for more than 25 years.
As a professional Vizgirdas’ dedication to fish, wildlife Vizgirdas (right) demonstrating burrow biologist, he has and plant conservation transcends the camera technology at the NCTC Nongame worked with mountains of paper, a backpack, and an Wildlife Survey Techniques course in numerous imperiled occasional can of tuna in his field office June 2006. species, including cubicle. Whether he is working on a gray wolves, ground National Forest biological opinion or squirrels, and rare meeting with county commissioners and Then, there’s the “book work.” In the wee plants. The courses developers about the northern Idaho hours, Vizgardas reviews articles for the reflect not only ground squirrel, his respect for the Journal of Mammology, and writes for Vizgirdas’ vast body resource and people is first and foremost. Wilderness Way magazine. In 2003, he of knowledge, but wrote two books, Useful Plants of the his ability to educate Vizgirdas balances biology and sociology Southern California Mountains (San multitudes of people—ranging from the and values open communication among all Bernardino Natural History Museum most eager of young learners to the most partners. He is a strong advocate for Association) and Useful Plants of Idaho experienced naturalists and scientists. public environmental education and citizen (Idaho State University Press). The involvement, noting that natural resource University of Nevada Press published During a year when the Service is agencies cannot “do it all” in these Vizgardas’ Wild Plants of the Sierra celebrating Rachel Carson’s centennial challenging times. Nevada in 2006, which won an award from birthday and remembering her the Association of American University contributions to conservation education, In addition to his regular duties as a Presses in the reference category. Several Vizgirdas is a natural example of how the biologist, Vizgirdas also finds time to run months later, Idaho State University agency is carrying on Carson’s legacy. ski patrol at Bogus Basin Ski Resort in the Press released Discovering Sawtooth’s winter and lead spring wildflower walks Butterflies. Vizgirdas leads more than 30 courses. For in the Boise Foothills. He also conducts the past 15 years, academic institutions presentations for the Sawtooth Botanical University of Utah Press is currently such as University of California Riverside, Garden, Ketchum Environmental publishing the soon-to-be-released Boise State University, the Sawtooth Resource Center, local Boy Scout Troops, Plants of the Yellowstone and Grand Science Institute in Sun Valley, Idaho, and outdoor retailers including REI and Teton National Parks. and the Service’s National Conservation Benchmark on survival techniques, Training Center have taken advantage tracking, and medicinal plants. Vizgardas’ most important educational of his expertise in the fields of ecology, endeavor, however, is being a parent to his small mammology, botany, and Vizgirdas has conducted more than 50,000 six-year-old son, Tomas. He is hopeful that wilderness survival. “trap nights” for live small mammal one day, Tomas will embrace the Fish and trapping including kangaroo rats and Wildlife Service’s mission of working “It’s no wonder students are inspired ground squirrels and has trained more with others to conserve and protect fish, by Vizgirdas’ courses—his work is his than 200 people in small mammal wildlife and plants. After all, he’s had passion,” said Chris Gertschen, director detection and trapping techniques, a great teacher. ■ of the Sawtooth Science Institute. He is also a certified master bird bander. “It’s impossible not to be touched by his enthusiasm.” Meggan Laxalt Mackey, External Affairs, Boise, Idaho
32 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 fish tales DAVE HOPPER / USFWS DAVE and Wildlife Service. Banakos saved a few choice Rachel Carson’s morsels for posterity, one of which—a March 8, 1951, Hidden Treasures memorandum from Carson to the agency’s chief of habitat management. The single-page, two-paragraph memo recounts progress on a manuscript outline By David Klinger about trumpeter swans that Carson was editing with a cryptically-referenced “Miss Beard.” The memo was Call her our patron saint—without portfolio. typed on blue government stationery and signed in Carson’s careful, finely-crafted penmanship. While she left behind four major works of nonfiction and an abundance of magazine articles, essays, and “This sounds good,” Carson wrote in the memo. personal correspondence, the record of Rachel “Even in the outline, there are encouraging signs Carson’s 15 years within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife that Miss Beard will be able to translate the Service is remarkably slim. “There’s no legacy of field language of the reports into readable English. notebooks, specimens, the things we tend to collect,” I feel that an important aim in writing it is to hold says Service historian Mark Madison. “Carson didn’t the interest of people who are not management retire from the agency, but left in mid-career. Since specialists—the people whose support of our personal records didn’t qualify as permanent records, program is very important.” there was no place to put many of her agency papers. And Carson suffers from not having had an immediate While Carson in 1951 had one book under her family, to which many of her personal things could belt and was on the verge of literary superstardom be passed. later that year with her publication of The Sea Around Us, a mammoth bestseller, who was the “Most of her career, before she became famous, was elusive “Miss Beard”? In 2003, upon rediscovery of as an editor, editing other people’s work. Her work the original memo, “Miss Beard” reemerged at a Fish is hidden—literally—in the thousands of other and Wildlife Service Retirees Association conclave in scientific papers she edited for others.” Florida, in the personage of Elizabeth Browne Beard Losey of Germfask, Michigan—a 90-year-old woman Though Rachel Carson’s spiritual legacy endures, very much with her own story to tell. It was Losey’s physical reminders of the woman at her centennial reworking of some classic ornithological texts at observance remain lamentably few. Her famed Red Rock Lakes Refuge that rose to Rachel Carson’s “Conservation in Action” pamphlet series... editorial review in the early 1950s. photocopies of her wartime press releases on budget- stretching seafood meals menhaden landings...her Losey was first hired into the Fish and Wildlife wobbly magnifying glass lovingly preserved and Service as a waterfowl research biologist in 1947 by passed along by noted long-time Service editor Bill agency luminary J. Clark Salyer. She became its first Dryer...a Main Interior office jealously guarded, until female field research biologist. Well into her ninth dispossessed a few years ago, by the public affairs decade, she served as a waterfowl survey volunteer employees who were her bureaucratic successors. and resident historian at Michigan’s Seney Refuge, inspiring several generations of young women to But perhaps the most interesting relic is a forlorn make their own mark in biology. “Our 20-year-old memo salvaged from the waste bin many years ago interns flocked to her like bees to a fragrant flower,” that surfaced just recently and, through a twist of reported Seney manager Tracy Casselman when fate, reacquainted two of the Fish and Wildlife Losey died in 2005 at the age of 92. Service’s most storied female employees. The Losey memo—rescued from a trash can— It began one afternoon in 1970 when a third female remains the agency’s only original piece of employee, program analyst Claire Banakos, was government paper on which Rachel Carson signed her told to dispose of old correspondence and memos name and that is known to have survived from a her superiors had culled from refuge division files. tenure in the Fish and Wildlife Service we celebrate Banakos, 79, now retired and living in Bowie, this centennial year. ■ Maryland, remembers that even as a greenhorn staffer, she recognized the value in what she was being asked to toss. Intermingled in the tissue-thin This is the fourth in a series of short features copies of office memoranda and detritus by obscure about little-known aspects of the U.S. Fish and and long-forgotten employees were letters composed Wildlife Service by David Klinger of the National and signed by Rachel Carson, who, at that time, was Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, six years dead and 18 years resigned from the Fish West Virginia.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 33 in their own words
I first read Rachel Carson’s work before Silent The Poetry of Truth Spring catapulted her to fame for some—and criticism by others. The controversy surrounding By Lynn Scarlett Silent Spring was, in many ways, unfair. Ever poignant, Carson penned in Silent Spring an impassioned plea that the nation consider the effects of chemicals on the world around us. But Carson herself did not embrace the mantle of policy maker.
The policy debate that ensued over DDT anticipated many subsequent environmental policy debates over these past 40 years. How clean is clean enough? How do we evaluate competing risks—risks associated with medical cures, or pesticides, or other technologies that bring benefits to human communities yet, at the same time, carry risks and impacts on waters, lands, and wildlife? These questions today deserve serious deliberation as they did when Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring.
Today, Carson’s role in triggering these debates dominates her reputation. Yet my own recollections of Rachel Carson stand apart from those debates. Her poetry enticed me with its rhythms and imagery. But there was truth in her poetry, too. “On all these shores,” she wrote, “there are echoes of past and future; of the flow of time, obliterating yet containing I remember, as a child, learning from my mother to all that has gone before—of the stream of life, discern the crest of the tufted titmouse, the rasping flowing as inexorably as any ocean current, from chatter of a house wren, or the pendent nest of an past to unknown future.” Ours is a dynamic world— oriole. Nature, to my mother, unfolded not as an from season to season, from year to year, from undifferentiated blur of trees, flowers, birds, and epoch to epoch. bugs, but as a cascade of details. These details intrigued her for their effusion of shapes and colors. Rachel Carson, through her writings, helps us to They intrigued her, too, for what they imparted of know this dynamic world—and to care for it. She the complexity of life itself. helps us see what we might otherwise overlook. What, she asks, “is the meaning of so tiny a being as the Rachel Carson’s writings convey this duality—this transparent wisp of protoplasm that is a sea lace…?” love of nature both as art and function. She writes at once as poet and scientist. Through this blend made Perhaps we cannot plumb its meaning, but we can familiar to me by my own mother’s teachings, come to marvel at its place in the universe and lend a Rachel Carson’s writings enchanted me growing up. caring hand to our lands and waters that it—and a thousand other creatures—might flourish. ■ In Edge of the Sea, the coast and seas materialized like an artist’s depiction on a canvas. “A moon edging all the waves with silver”—these are the words of a Lynn Scarlett is Deputy Secretary for the poet. Yet Rachel Carson was an observer of form, Department of the Interior function, and physical process, too. Her powers of observation imparted knowledge and insight.
34 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 in their own words
Working at the refuge has brought me in close A Living Trust association with Rachel Carson for 11 years. It’s a testament to her integrity that familiarity does not By Ward Feurt breed contempt. I have followed my interest in her as a writer to the papers of her publisher, Paul Brooks housed in the Thoreau Institute near Walden Pond, It is an honor to be associated with greatness. Massachusetts. This year, I will visit New Haven and see the manuscripts, notebooks, letters, newspaper In many ways, Rachel Carson’s teachings illuminate clippings, photos, and printed material relating to my conservation beliefs. Importantly, albeit the life and career of Rachel Carson residing at mundanely, working at a refuge named for Rachel Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book Library. I buy her books Carson means that I hear, say or write her name a at second-hand sales and give them away to some hundred times a week. curious visitors. I reread her works and stories about her work. Much of my personal commitment to The most immediate, compelling reminders of Rachel working with others to conserve natural resources Carson come from the public. Each of our visitors and comes from her teachings. correspondents has his or her own expectations. Sometimes visitors put the person of Rachel Carson Rachel Carson’s life has yielded much to be together with the Carson NWR, but more frequently admired. At various periods I have focused on her they concentrate on who she is to them. A visitor circumspection concerning pesticides, her pioneering was displeased and saddened that the refuge visitor role for women in science, her gifted skill to translate center did not have more information on Rachel science into readable books and articles, and always Carson, that there were no documents or her message about the interconnectedness of life. memorabilia. Conversely, a visitor from California As my years pass, I am more and more impressed by was convinced our interpretative material was her courage in defending the research behind Silent incorrect. He remembered changing his college Spring. Unhealthy much of her life, Rachel Carson selection after reading the book Silent Spring had been diagnosed with cancer shortly before so he was sure it was published in 1958. the maelstrom of criticism struck. The chemical companies attacked her personally, as well as The most frequent information request is from attacking her work. The cancer was progressing by young girls who are completing an assignment on the time she participated in national broadcasts and someone they admire in history. One recent Sunday, when she testified before Congress. Although she was a seventh-grade competitor in this year’s History neither naive nor immune to the pleasures of praise, Day contest, “Communication in History: the Key she had not been a public figure. Vilified by chemical to Understanding,” came to the refuge to gather companies and much of the agricultural community, information on Rachel Carson. She plans to present she did not waiver in defense of her research. both sides of the decision to ban DDT and partnered Resolute personal courage in the face of sweeping with an exchange student from Tanzania to present a condemnation became a fulcrum to leverage a third world point of view. The girl was 13 years old; movement. She started the modern environmental her enthusiasm for the project reaffirmed my movement. Most powerfully, she presented the conservation interest. science in such a manner that it spoke for itself.
During the past 20 some years, I have become used to Rachel Carson is the most famous person who has strangers’ reactions when I say I work on a national worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. wildlife refuge. When they learn that I work at Rachel In 1970 this refuge was renamed in her honor. Carson NWR, they talk about Rachel Carson—not A quote from Rachel Carson on the dedication the wildlife work. Often the mention of her name plaque influences and inspires me and all of our manifests as an invitation to expound on her, on Silent work at the refuge: Spring, or her other writings. Many people have a story, a memory, or a question. Most people who know “…All the life of the planet is interrelated…each something seem to want to know more. species has its own ties to others. And…all are related to the earth.…” ■
Ward Feurt is Refuge Manager at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in southern coastal Maine.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 35 our people
Dr. John computer support/programming Pilot/ Cornely resource for the Center in the 1970s. biologist Rod transitions retired after He returned to graduate school for King began more than a computer science degree and his wildlife 400 Years of Experience 33 years then transferred to the Service’s career as Migrates to Retirement of federal migratory bird management program a refuge During the past few months, service, more at the Patuxent Wildlife Research manager 10 employees retired from the than 26 of Center in 1982. As manager of trainee at Service’s Migratory Bird Program. which were Systems Design and Programming, Salyer with the he programmed analyses and National “More than 400 years of experience Service. From 1978 to 1988, he was tabulations of bird banding data Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota in migratory birds retired this a refuge biologist in Oregon—first and was the first to create a after completing a bachelor’s winter,” said Paul Schmidt, at Malheur NWR, then at Western computerized banding schedule degree in wildlife management/ Assistant Director for Migratory Oregon Refuges. As the Regional program for direct input of banding biology at Utah State University in Birds. “We will miss them and their Migratory Bird Chief in Denver since data. Davenport pioneered the Logan, Utah. After four years invaluable perspectives and work 1988, he managed a diverse program computerization and data collection working at several refuges and ethic, but we with them long and that included Migratory Game Birds, procedures for the annual delineating wetlands for the Fish successful retirements.” Migratory Nongame Birds and the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Wildlife Service in Montana, Regional Migratory Bird Permit and Production Surveys. King migrated north to Alaska in Recent retirees from the Office. He also served as the 1976 when he accepted a wildlife Washington-based Division of primary regional liaison to the Since 1973, Ken Gamble served biologist position in Cordova with Migratory Bird Management are Headquarters Region Division of as the Mississippi Flyway the U.S. Forest Service. He Administrative Officer Sharon Clark, Migratory Bird Management and Representative, functioning as the transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Flyway Representatives Jerry Serie the Pacific and Central Flyway primary liaison for migratory bird Service’s Alaska Region a year later and Ken Gamble, Pilot/biologist Councils. Cornely helped establish research and and initiated many surveys that Rod King and biologists D. Alan five North American Waterfowl management today provide the basis for much of Davenport and John Trapp. Management Plan joint ventures programs the waterfowl database that exists The Division of Bird Habitat and may be the only biologist to between for the state of Alaska. After more Conservation lost Secretary serve simultaneously on four the Service than two decades in Alaska, King Margaret Willis and Division Chief different joint venture technical and the joined a group of flyway biologists in David A. Smith. Regional Migratory committees. He represented the states and the Waterfowl Population Survey Bird Chiefs Bob Leedy (Alaska) Service on trips to China in 1996 provinces Section in 1999. Based in California, and Dr. John Cornely (Denver) and 2000 and Russia in 2001. within the he flew the Southern Manitoba and also retired. Since April 2006, Cornely has been Mississippi Southeastern Saskatchewan areas acting Assistant Regional Director Flyway. Longstanding regional of the continent wide Waterfowl Sharon Clark for Migratory Birds and State differences in managing waterfowl Breeding Pair and Productivity retired with Programs. He has authored more harvests existed when he began Surveys. He also flew mid winter more than than 40 peer-reviewed scientific as Flyway Representative and surveys in the Sacramento Valley, 41 years publications, including a study of jeopardized the Flyway approach banded ducks on the Mackenzie of federal dusky Canada geese, whose to waterfowl management. Delta, and assisted with swan service, populations were critically low in Differences in harvest philosophies surveys and telemetry flights in the 39 with the the 1980s. and interstate battles over the Northwest Territories and Alaska. Service. allocation of harvest of the During his career with the Fish and Her Service D. Alan Mississippi Valley Population Wildlife Service, King flew more career began Davenport’s Canada geese threatened to split than 10,000 hours conducting in 1967 with the Division of Wildlife 40 years with the Flyway. Gamble’s skills as a aerial migratory bird surveys. Services-Cooperative Research the Service mediator were instrumental in He retired in January 2007 after Units. She then worked for the began as a reaching solutions acceptable to almost 40 years of service. Division of Management and biological all parties, preserving the integrity Enforcement (which later became technician at of the Flyway. During his tenure, he As an undergraduate at Cornell the offices of Migratory Bird Crescent helped initiate critically important University, Management and Law Enforcement) Lake NWR in monitoring programs for several Bob Leedy in 1968–69, the Division of Program Nebraska birds of management concern, found a Plans for 10 years, International and progressed to a full-time career including Eastern Prairie Population summer Affairs for 9 years, and finally at the Northern Prairie Wildlife Canada geese, Southern James job and the Division of Migratory Bird Research Center in the physiology Bay Population Canada geese, began a Management since 1990. lab. Because of his computer and wood ducks. federal programming skills, Davenport career in gradually became the major 1967 as a Forestry Aide with the U.S. Forest Service in Florida. By the next summer, he was with the Corps of Engineers in Alaska. 36 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 our people
He came back for another summer ecology studies on the Upper Co-chair and the Coordinator for the Steve Wilds of survey work in 1969 and became Mississippi River in Wisconsin North American Wetlands began his hooked on Alaska at that point. After and Illinois. These efforts helped Conservation Council. Smith was career in completing his graduate studies, he fill substantial gaps in our recently recognized with the first- the fish took his first full-time permanent job understanding of the ecology of this ever conservation award presented and wildlife as an Environmental Specialist with species and directly influenced to an individual from the North management the Bureau of Reclamation in Salem, national management programs for American Bird Conservation field in 1967 Oregon. In 1976, Leedy returned to canvasbacks. In 1984, he accepted Initiative for his decades of as a fisheries Alaska and joined the Service’s the position of the Atlantic Flyway successful work in this field. aid for the Western Alaska Ecological Services Representative, functioning as the Indiana Office. In 1977, Leedy moved to primary liaison for migratory bird After Department of Natural Resources. Refuges. In 1979, he became a research and management programs graduating in In his first permanent position, Supervisory Ascertainment between the Service and the wildlife Wilds served as a wildlife biologist Biologist with Wildlife Operations states and provinces within the biology from for the Indiana Department of (later Division of Wildlife Atlantic Flyway. He worked on Michigan Natural Resources from 1971- Assistance), evaluating migratory issues such as closing of Canada State 1978. In that role, his duties ranged bird habitats and developing habitat goose hunting seasons, severe University, from overseeing state fish and protection plans. In 1983, he was restrictions on the harvest of black and wildlife management areas to reclassified as a Subsistence ducks, and the establishment of completing a serving as statewide waterfowl Specialist and devoted his full time tundra swan hunting season in four-year tour management biologist. He accepted to compliance with subsistence mid-Atlantic states. with the U.S. Navy, John Trapp a position with the U. S. Fish and provisions of the Alaska National began a 33-year career with the Wildlife Service in 1978 in the Interest Lands Conservation Act. David A. Smith spent nearly his Service. At the Aleutian Islands Atlanta Regional Office as Assistant In 1987, Leedy moved to Migratory entire career in wetlands National Wildlife Refuge in 1973, he Migratory Bird Coordinator. Wilds Bird Management as a Waterfowl conservation, beginning as a was involved in early efforts to moved to the Midwest Regional Subsistence Specialist when the biologist with the Baltimore District restore nesting populations of the Office in the fall of 1979 to serve Regional Office reorganized. In 1989, Corps of Engineers, where he helped then-endangered Aleutian Canada as Chief of Ascertainment. He he became Chief of the Division of to enforce the then-fledgling Clean goose and initiated avifaunal later served as Assistant Refuge Migratory Bird Management in Water Act’s regulatory program for surveys of the western Aleutians. Supervisor and Regional Refuge Alaska. Leedy brought the North three years. In 1974, Smith joined Trapp became Assistant Refuge Biologist for the northern portion of American Waterfowl Management the Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Manager at the Kodiak National the Region from 1982-1988. Wilds Plan to Alaska by helping to create Maryland to review wetland permits Wildlife Refuge in 1976, where he returned to the Regional Office in the Arctic Goose, Sea Duck and the and acid-mine drainage issues. conducted aerial surveys of Kodiak 1988 as the Regional Migratory Bird Pacific Coast Joint Ventures. Most In 1981, he moved to Vero brown bears, bald eagles, and Coordinator. He has been Chief of recently, he helped organize the Beach, Florida to work on ESA waterbirds. As Alaska Regional the Division of Migratory Birds since early detection work for avian consultations on wetland- Assistant Migratory Bird its formation in 1991. influenza in Alaska and participated associated species. In 1986, Smith Coordinator in 1978, he completed in field activities associated with moved to Washington, DC to concept plans for the conservation Margaret Willis started in 1985 at this effort. coordinate the Partners for Fish and of priority migratory bird habitats the Public Use Office in Washington, Wildlife Program. There he helped and developed a marine bird DC. A year later, she moved to the In 1971, Jerry draft the National Wetlands Priority management project. In 1986 Trapp Federal Duck Stamp Office to be the Serie started Conservation Plan under the moved to Washington, DC, where secretary/administrative assistant. as a seasonal Emergency Wetlands Resources Act he assumed responsibility for When the North American biological of 1987; assisted in the National expanding Birds of Conservation Waterfowl and Wetlands Office technician Wetlands Inventory; and served Concern, helped to implement the moved to Washington from with the as staff to Senator Robert Kasten. Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act , Minneapolis in 1991, Willis was its Service. In On the Hill, Smith worked on developed biological background for first administrative assistant. During 1973, he took provisions of the 1990 Farm Bill. a successful effort to deny Federal the years, she was the “institutional a job as a In 1991, he was hired as a wetlands protection to introduced mute common thread” that helped the waterfowl habitat specialist by the North swans, revised the list of migratory office and its staff move more research biologist at the Northern American Waterfowl and Wetlands birds, and assessed and resolved seamlessly through significant Prairie Wildlife Research Center. Office to serve primarily as the conflicts between double-crested transitions, such as changes in During the mid-1970s, many were national liaison for joint ventures cormorants, aquaculture and Executive Directors (from Harvey concerned about the status of forming under the North American natural resources. Nelson, to Bob Streeter, to Ken canvasbacks, a species of duck Waterfowl Management Plan. As Williams, to David Smith), physical highly prized by the hunting Division Chief, Smith held leadership locations, and even its name— community. Serie was responsible positions on the councils and to the Division of Bird Habitat for several important studies of committees that oversee the Conservation. Throughout her canvasback breeding biology in Division’s programs, which included 23 years in the Service, a phrase Manitoba and of fall migration his role as the U.S. Plan Committee often heard in the office was, “I don’t know. Go ask Margaret.” ■
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 37 our people
Headquarters Region Paul Padding and Jim Kelley Blohm will also oversee the Prior to joining RBFF, Peterson recently were selected as Atlantic Service’s leadership role in Partners was a vice president and general Ken Stansell Named Flyway Representative and In Flight, the U.S. Shorebird manager for Marketing General Service Deputy Director Mississippi Flyway Representative, Conservation Plan, and the North Incorporated (MGI) — one of North respectively (replacing Jerry Serie American Waterbird Conservation America’s largest marketing and Ken Stansell, a 28-year veteran of and Ken Gamble). Padding has been Plan; and will lead the Service’s role direct response agencies—where the Fish and Wildlife Service, has with the Fish and Wildlife Service in the implementation of agreements he provided strategic planning, been named deputy director of the since 1991. He has worked primarily with more than 20 federal agencies vision, leadership and business agency by Director H. Dale Hall. with harvest surveys and headed to protect migratory birds. He also development for MGI’s Media Sales the development and growth of the will guide the Service’s many Division, including list management “Ken brings a rich and valuable Harvest Information Program. Most cooperative activities with state and brokerage, advertising and background to this position. He is recently, Padding has served as wildlife agencies in the management media sales. He has been the going to be tremendously helpful to the Chief of Branch of Harvest of migratory birds. founder and president of Catalyst me and to the Service,” Hall said. Information in the Division. Kelley Communications, Inc. and The “He will be helping steer this also began has career with the “As we continue and further Peterson Group. He also worked agency through some challenging Service in 1991. His responsibilities develop the Service’s mission to at ExxonMobil, where he held a and rewarding times.” as a staff biologist in the Division protect migratory birds, I look variety of management positions, have focused on a number of key forward to working with biologists from managing a sales force to Stansell began his career as a issues and activities, including wood in the Service, States and our developing new products and research biologist with the South ducks and the wood duck population conservation partners to fulfill services for customers. He holds Carolina Wildlife and Marine monitoring initiative and the this mission,” Blohm said. a master’s degree in business Resources Department, where he development of an environmental administration from Pepperdine established one of the first State impact statement for management A native of Michigan, Blohm University and a bachelor’s degree endangered species conservation of light goose populations. He received a bachelor’s degree from in history and education from programs in the country. recently served as the Service’s Michigan State University in 1968. Mercy College. Peterson succeeds Eastern Webless Migratory Following service in the U.S. Army, Bruce Matthews, who joined RBFF He first joined the Service in 1979, Game Bird Specialist and helped he completed Master of Science and in 1999 as the organization’s working in the Federal Aid and develop a national conservation Ph.D. Degrees in Wildlife Ecology at founding President and CEO. Endangered Species programs in plan for woodcock. the University of Wisconsin. Since the Southeast Regional office in 1979, he has worked for the Service Mark Musaus, Refuge Manager Atlanta. In 1987 he entered the The Service recently named 27-year in the Division of Migratory Bird at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Interior Department’s Manager Service veteran Dr. Robert Blohm Management. During his career, National Wildlife Refuge in Training Program and transferred as the new chief of the Division he has been honored with a number South Florida, is the new chief to Washington. of Migratory Bird Management, of significant national awards for the Refuge System according to Assistant Director including the Conservation Division of Visitor Services and Following a series of management for Migratory Birds Paul Schmidt. Achievement Award from Ducks Communications. Musaus has positions, Stansell began working Unlimited, and has authored helped lead the Refuge Friends in the international conservation “The Service is pleased to have numerous professional papers on movement, is a former Refuge arena, administering the African Dr. Blohm assume this critical different topics related to migratory Manager of the Year, and a key Elephant Conservation Act in 1990. position in Service management,” bird research and management. leader in the restoration of the That program was so successful it Schmidt said. “His extensive Florida Everglades. He replaces became a model for similarprograms background in migratory bird The Allyson Rowell, who retired designed to aid rhinoceros, tigers, research, monitoring and Recreational March 3. Asian elephants, great apes and management, as well as his Boating and netropical migratory birds. considerable experience working Fishing George Keller is the new chief of the with the Flyway Councils, will be Foundation Division of Financial Management. Stansell eventually became chief a great asset to the Service.” (RBFF) in As Deputy Chief Financial Officer, of the Division of Management January Keller is also responsible for Authority and then the Deputy As chief of the Migratory Bird announced managing and overseeing the Assistant Director for International Management Division, Blohm will Frank Service’s key financial management Affairs. In 2002, he was selected work with the various Flyway Peterson, Jr. and audit processes. Keller has for the government’s Senior Councils to establish annual as the organization’s new President previous experience with various Executive Service program and federal migratory bird hunting and Chief Executive Officer. In his DOI bureaus and served as the Chief promoted to Assistant Director regulations and will be responsible new role, Peterson manages all Finance Officer for the Minerals for International Affairs. for other significant migratory aspects of RBFF operations and Management Service. He has also bird management issues, such assumes responsibility for meeting participated and led department- Stansell holds a bachelor of science as managing snow geese and the strategic goals set by wide efforts across Interior to degree in wildlife biology from North resident Canada geese, cormorant RBFF leadership. improve financial management, Carolina State University and a impacts on fisheries, and the including serving as the Chairman master of science degree in wildlife effects of powerlines and wind of Interior’s Financial Officer’s biology from Clemson University. ■ turbines on birds. Partnership.
38 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 our people
A Meeting of the Minds Northeast Region Prior to serving at Canaan Valley, During his career with the Service, The Fish and Wildlife Service held a Skutek was formerly the manager Brady was the manager of several workshop for Assistant and Regional Dave Dobias, of Petit Manan National Wildlife national wildlife refuges in the Directors’ Assistants at NCTC chief of the Refuge, recently renamed Maine Pacific, including Campbell, Pearl (pictured below) last fall that proved permits Coastal Islands National Wildlife Harbor, Kakahaia, Hanalei, Huleia, to be a productive and inspirational branch in the Refuge. He joined the Service as and Kauai, where he helped to experience for the hard-working Division of an outdoor recreation planner recover endangered birds. He then professionals who help keep all of Migratory and law enforcement officer at managed the unique desert habitats our offices running. Birds in the Chincoteague National Wildlife of the Pahranagat National Wildlife Northeast Refuge in Virginia. Refuge in Nevada. Brady returned During the workshop, the group Region, to Virginia in the late 1980s to worked on streamlining processes retired in During his Service career, he also help establish the James River and and sharing guidance in order to January 2007 after 14 years with worked at Shiawassee National Rappahannock River Valley national create efficiencies and consistency the Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife Refuge, the Madison, wildlife refuges. He oversaw the throughout the Service in their As permits chief, Dobias was an Wisconsin, Wetland Management wildlife law enforcement, public policies and procedures. One enthusiastic ambassador for District, and the Northeast Regional use, research and facilities product of this effort will be an migratory birds and wildlife Office in Hadley, Massachusetts. maintenance programs at the administrative Web page on the conservation. He began his Service He held positions in animal two refuges, as well as Presquile Internet that will host information career as a permit examiner in 1992. damage control, environmental and Plum Tree Island national on Service and departmental education and interpretation, wildlife refuges. guidance. The planned site will Stan Skutek, law enforcement, wetland include instructions, examples, a 30-year management, and administration. Mountain-Prairie Region and links to additional resource veteran of Skutek’s diverse experience made information on a variety of the Fish and him an exceptionally well-rounded Ann Carlson has accepted the administrative topics, and will be Wildlife and capable manager of national position of Listing Coordinator in the accessible to all Service employees. Service, wildlife refuge resources and staff. Mountain-Prairie Region and will be In short, it will be a one-stop retired in heading to Denver sometime in early shopping center for information, January after Barry Brady retired in January after April. During her stints in the listing with links to related Web sites serving for a 30-year career with the National and recovery branches in the Pacific where possible, and should speed the last three Wildlife Refuge System. Since 2000, Region, Carlson was involved with up the production of accurate years as manager of the Canaan Brady has served as the senior several high-profile issues, including and consistent work throughout Valley National Wildlife Refuge in refuge policy specialist and the marbled murrelet. She also the Service. West Virginia. wilderness coordinator for the spent 21 years with the Forest Northeast Region. In this capacity Service in varied positions from he has guided the development of western snowy plovers field comprehensive conservation plans, researcher to NEPA coordinator. refuge compatibility and appropriate use reviews, wilderness Amelia Orton-Palmer will soon join determinations, and other complex the Mountain Prairie Region national wildlife refuge issues. Ecological Services team serving as Brady received the national 2006 the regional technical authority for Outstanding Planning Staff award the Northern Rocky Mountain in recognition of his outstanding gray wolf recovery program and contributions. providing support for other regional ESA activities. Orton-Palmer A military veteran, Brady served for currently works in the region’s two years in the U.S. Navy during Federal Assistance Branch, where the Vietnam War and was awarded she coordinates the State Wildlife the Purple Heart. He received his Grants program. Before coming to biology degree from Virginia’s Old Denver, she spent 10 years in the Dominion University, and started Ventura Office of the CNO and the his career with the Service working Chicago ESFO, gaining a strong ESA on migratory bird management and background working on a variety of research at Montezuma National ESA activities. Wildlife Refuge in New York. Assistant and Regional Directors’ assistants at NCTC
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 39 our people
Seth Willey has accepted the Since coming to the Department Knauer moved to Alaska in 1981, Chief, Production Division, National position of Recovery Coordinator. of the Interior in 1999, he has never dreaming he would stay Conservation Training Center in Willey has been part of the continued to demonstrate strong almost 26 years. Initially, he assisted Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Mountain-Prairie Region since 2003, leadership working to improve with the refuge planning process, Larry Mallard, Project Leader at working on high-profile issues such delivery of “on the ground holding public hearings around the the White River National Wildlife as grizzly bear delisting, wolf conservation” in his role as the State and developing refuge Refuge, near St. Charles, Arkansas; recovery, and Preble’s meadow Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chief regulations, as well as serving as Laura Rogers, Ecological Services jumping mouse genetics. In his new Learning Officer at the National the Regional Youth Conservation Field Office, Asheville, North position, Willey will work with Conservation Training Center. In this Corps Coordinator and the Regional Carolina; and Phillip Street, for regional field offices, state, federal capacity he has been instrumental Volunteer Coordinator. When the his service to the National Wildlife and local agencies, landowners, and in shaping the future of the Service issue of federal subsistence Refuge System. private organizations to implement and conservation by expanding management appeared on the radar and coordinate recovery activities the scientific and leadership screen, he was asked to assist with Four Service teams received the for threatened and endangered competencies of employees across that effort and the Office of Cooperative Conservation Award, species. A graduate of Tulane the agency. Subsistence Management in Region which recognizes achievements University, Willey came to the 7 has been his home for the last that involve “collaborative activity Service by way of the Presidential Mark Ramsey, Division of Budget 17 years. He and his wife will among a diverse range of entities Management Fellows Program. and Finance, retired In March 2007. reside near their daughter and that may include federal, state, Ramsey had 18 years of federal grandchildren in the Fort Wayne, local and tribal governments, Southwest Region service beginning with a tour of duty Indiana area. non-government organizations with the U.S. Army, then logging in or individuals.” Dr. Christopher T. Jones is Deputy many years at the Denver Finance Regional Director for the Southwest Center—where Regional finance This year’s recipients included the Region. Jones received his Bachelor types knew him as “Mr. IPAC”. Florida Keys Invasive Exotics Task of Science degree in Health The Intra-Governmental Payment honors Force, composed of the Service Sciences from Fairmont State and Collection Branch processes and 26 partners that worked to College and Master of Science all the interagency billings and Service Teams, Employees eradicate invasives on both public Degree in Occupation and reimbursables. Ramsey transferred Honored at DOI Convocation and private land; Nicole Kamins, Environmental Health from West to the Southwest Region in 2000 as Ceremony who leads a team of federal, state, Virginia University. He holds an a Budget Analyst in the Division of industry and non-governmental MBA from Florida Institute of Budget and Finance. Four Fish and Wildlife Service teams organizations in the protection Technology and received his and 14 individuals received honor and restoration of Hegewisch Doctorate of Education from George Alaska Region awards at the Department of the Marsh, a coastal wetland; Terry Washington University’s Executive Interior’s 64th annual convocation and Mary Kohler and the Windway Leadership Program. He has served After almost 35 years of federal ceremony held May 9th in Capital Corporation Flight team, in key environmental leadership service, Bill Knauer retired from the Washington, DC. dedicated to reintroducing wild positions in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Service this year. flocks of endangered migratory Defense executing environmental Charles K. Baxter, of the Lower birds to Wisconsin and the eastern and public health missions of the As a teenager in high school, he was Mississippi Joint Venture Center in United States and to international Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense given a copy of Durward Allen’s Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Dennis crane conservation; and Ronald for Environmental Security and book, Our Wildlife Legacy. From that J. Widner, who has worked to L. Refsnider, who represented the the U.S. Army Surgeon General. point on he wanted to be a wildlife conserve wild lands and wildlife on Service in the Eastern Timber Wolf In addition, he worked in the biologist and work for the Fish and national wildlife refuges throughout Recovery Plan, which allowed wolf Department of Energy’s Office Wildlife Service. He eventually the southwestern United States, populations in the Western Great of the Assistant Secretary of reached his goal after first teaching both received Distinguished Service Lakes area to increase from 750 in Environmental Management. science in a junior high school, Awards, the highest recognition Minnesota to 4,000 in Minnesota, He has led environmental spending three years on active duty an employee may receive within Wisconsin and Michigan. management activities related to with the Navy (eventually serving the Department. military base realignment and 26 years), and working as a fish and Michael Rucinski, of Ocean Springs, closures restoration actions, wildlife biologist for a research The Meritorious Service Award, Mississippi, was awarded the decommissioning of nuclear company in Missouri and then the the second highest honor given to Department’s Citizen’s Award for facilities, environmental restoration Corps of Engineers. In 1977, he Interior employees, was presented Bravery, given to “private citizens of cold war legacy wastes, and joined the Service in Region 6 to seven Service employees: Gail for heroic acts of unusual bravery evaluation of public health impacts (Denver) as a wildlife biologist Carmody, Ecological Services and in the face of danger.” Rucinski associated with environmental working on environmental and Fisheries Resources Field Office, was fishing with his family in March contamination. regulatory issues. Panama City, Florida; Robert 2006 when he spotted two young Currie, Ecological Services Field children playing in the spillway of Office, Asheville, North Carolina; Bluff Lake on Noxubee National Megan Durham, Deputy Assistant Wildlife Refuge, near Brooksville, Director for External Affairs, Mississippi. Both children suddenly Washington, DC; Steve Hillebrand, slipped and were carried by a strong
40 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 our people
current to a spot where the water Marshall P. Jones, former deputy benefit for the lynx while providing was about 26 feet deep, and were director of the Fish and Wildlife landowner protections, according followed by their mother, who was Service, received the Wildlife to Natural Resources Conservation attempting to save them. Rucinski Management Institute’s 2007 Service, and his continuing dove in the water and pulled George Bird Grinnell Memorial involvement will ensure successful both boys and the mother back Award for Distinguished Service to delivery of the program and provide to safety. ■ Natural Resources Conservation. review of habitat restoration plans. Jones retired from the service Headquarters Region in January 2007, ending a 31- William year career that included major Giese, a fire Kevin Adams, who served as chief accomplishments to conserve the control officer of the Service’s Office of Law world’s most imperiled wildlife. at Blackwater National Enforcement (OLE) from October Craig Stihler, left, receives the 1997 through October 2006, Jones was honored on March 21 Wildlife during the 72nd North American Refuge in National Recovery Champion received the 2007 Guy Bradley award from Tom Chapman, Award from the National Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources Maryland, right, project leader of the U.S. Wildlife Foundation. The award, Conference in Portland, Oregon. received the named after the first wildlife law The Grinnell Award is WMI’s highest 2006 Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service’s enforcement officer to die in the line honor for individual contributions System Employee of the Year award West Virginia Field office in of duty, recognized Adams for his to conservation in North America. from the National Wildlife Refuge Elkins, West Virginia. outstanding lifetime contributions As one of the nation’s leading Association and National Fish to wildlife law enforcement and naturalists, Grinnell founded the and Wildlife Foundation. As Fire For more than 20 years, Stihler has the conservation of U.S. and global National Audubon Society, was Control Officer, Giese’s extensive worked to protect and conserve wildlife resources. instrumental in developing the knowledge and technical expertise endangered species. Stihler is early national park system, and from his 34 years of service to recognized as an expert on several Adams was cited for his leadership mentored Theodore Roosevelt Blackwater National Wildlife species including the Cheat of the Service’s law enforcement on conservation issues. Refuge have led to the protection Mountain salamander, the flat- program and for improving its of Little Blackwater River and the spired three-toothed land snail management through strategic and “George Bird Grinnell’s Refuge through the mobilization and the West Virginia northern workforce planning. As chief, he conservation philosophy endures of more than 35,000 community flying squirrel. focused enforcement efforts on with Marshall Jones,” says Steven members to sign a petition opposing the most potentially devastating A. Williams, WMI president. “This mega-development in the region. “Craig’s technical expertise and threats to wildlife; expanded the award goes to a man whose career Giese also works effectively as a endless enthusiasm for wildlife have Service’s support to international exemplifies integrity, leadership, biologist, law enforcement officer, made the WVDNR an invaluable wildlife protection; secured foresight and a remarkable work equipment operator, and manager. partner to the Service in our effort additional funding for Service ethic. He has been responsible for a Highly instrumental in developing to protect endangered species. We Law Enforcement; and improved host of successful natural resource partnerships with both Maryland were privileged to nominate Craig officer access to forensic and management programs dating Nutria and the Chesapeake Bay for this award,” said Tom Chapman, intelligence support. back to the 1970s. His unselfish Foundation, Giese works to manage project leader for the Service’s West commitment shines brightly within wetlands using prescribed fire, Virginia Field Office. The Foundation also honored the Service and throughout the protect endangered squirrels and conservation community.” eagles, and eradicate nutria on Adams for his contributions as Southeast Region a law enforcement manager, the refuge. field supervisor, and criminal Northeast Region Passion for bats drives Jim Valade of the Service’s investigator. His accomplishments Jacksonville, Florida Ecological recovery champion in these areas include directing The USDA Natural Resources Services Field Office received a Service law enforcement operations Conservation Service in Maine Craig Stihler’s passion is bats, 2006 National Recovery Champions in the Southwest Region in the early presented Mark McCollough, especially the Indiana bat and the award. For more than 20 years, 90s and supervising investigations endangered species biologist in Virginia big-eared bat. A biologist Valade has spearheaded manatee and inspections in Minnesota and the Maine Field Office, with its for the West Virginia Division recovery efforts, doing everything Wisconsin in the late 80s. As a 2006 Cooperative Conservation of Natural Resources in Elkins, from establishing interagency covert operative with the OLE’s Award. The award recognizes West Virginia, Stihler is one of partnerships and developing Special Operations unit and field McCollough’s work on the Healthy 16 recipients of the U.S. Fish and effective regulations to rescuing agent in Illinois and Iowa, he Forests Reserve Program, citing his Wildlife Service’s 2006 National injured animals from entanglement exposed black market trafficking in effective conservation partnerships. Recovery Champions award, or watercraft-related injury. He striped bass and completed cases McCollough’s work on Canada which recognizes outstanding also has performed necropsies on that helped protect waterfowl, lynx management guidelines and contributions of Service employees hundreds of animals that succumbed mussels, and game resources from a biological assessment provided and their partners toward efforts to red tide brevitoxin. unlawful commercialization. the foundation for Maine’s Healthy aimed at recovering threatened Forests Reserve Program. His and endangered species in the work ensures a net conservation United States. Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 41 our people
Midwest Region
Don Hultman, (also pictured at right)
manager of / USFWS WALTON LAVONDA the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Minnesota, Staff of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and received the Paul Kroegel Refuge Fish Refuge. Service Director H. Dale Hall Manager of the Year Award from (second from right) poses with “Project Leader of the the National Wildlife Refuge conservation and sporting groups. The award recognizes people Association and National Fish Year” award winners (left to The refuge also received and and organizations that have made right) Craig Czarnecki, East and Wildlife Foundation. With considered 3,230 written comments contributions to conservation and management responsibilities Lansing Ecological Services on management alternatives management. The Silver Eagle Field Office; Gail Carmody, for eleven refuges along the 261 described in draft plans. Award is the highest honor given Panama City, Florida, miles of the Upper Mississippi by the Midwest Region. River, Hultman is a passionate Ecological Services Field Midwest Region Honors communicator and a talented leader. Office; and Doug Aloisi, Genoa Ohio State Professor During his 30-year career at The During the past four years, he led Ohio State University, Stein has National Fish Hatchery. a public involvement planning On January 25, the Midwest Region promoted science-based resource process, hosting 46 public meetings awarded Dr. Roy Stein, a Professor management through a unique Czarnecki and Aloisi were honored and workshops that resulted in the College of Biological Sciences combination of applied ecological for their leadership in the Service’s in the completion of the Upper and the Director of the Aquatic research, a successful research efforts to conserve imperiled Mississippi River National Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at The Ohio partnership with the Ohio Division species and their habitats. and Fish Refuge’s Comprehensive State University, the prestigious of Wildlife, mentoring students, Conservation Plan (CCP) in Silver Eagle award. Regional and service to the Great Lakes As project leader of the East August 2006. Director Robyn Thorson and Deputy Fishery Commission. Lansing ES Field Office, Czarnecki Regional Director Charlie Wooley has supported efforts by the Staff of the Upper Mississippi presented Stein with the award Roger Gordon, Assistant Hatchery Michigan Department of Natural River National Wildlife and Fish during a joint fisheries research Manager at the Service’s Genoa Resources to develop a state-wide Refuge was recognized by the forum at OSU attended by fisheries National Fish Hatchery in Habitat Conservation Plan for the Service and Director H. Dale Hall and conservation professionals and Wisconsin, received a 2006 National endangered Karner blue butterfly, for “exceptional contributions made academics from around Ohio. Recovery Champions award. Gordon and spearheaded development of in support of refuge planning,” was honored for his work with two a landscape-level prescription for according to Thomas Larson, chief endangered freshwater mussels, habitat restoration for copperbelly of planning for the Midwest Region. the Higgins eye pearlymussel and water snake recovery. Through the winged mapleleaf mussel. Czarnecki’s initiative, project Under the leadership of Refuge leaders in Michigan now hold Manager Don Hultman recently Two field managers (pictured recurring meetings to enhance completed a planning process that below) from the Fish and Wildlife collaboration among agency lasted for more than four years Service’s Midwest Region were program areas. and resulted in a Comprehensive honored March 1 in Washington, Conservation Plan that will guide DC, during Fisheries and Habitat Under Aloisi’s leadership, the refuge management for the next Conservation’s “Hill Week.” Craig Higginseye recovery program 15 years. Czarnecki, head of the East Lansing, has put more than 5.5 million Mich., Ecological Services Field animals into six rivers in the upper During the planning process the Dr. Roy Stein (left) receives Office and Doug Aloisi, manager of Mississippi River watershed. More refuge hosted 46 public meetings a Silver Eagle award from the Genoa National Fish Hatchery in than 300,000 juvenile endangered and workshops that were attended Midwest Regional Director Genoa, Wis., were each presented winged mapleleaf mussels have by 4,500 people in Minnesota, Robyn Thorson and Deputy with a “Project Leader of the Year” been released into the St. Croix Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. Regional Director Charlie award by Director H. Dale Hall at a River, and propagation programs The staff also had numerous Wooley. (Ohio DNR photo) reception at the Library of Congress. have begun for four other mussel meetings with the states’ species of concern. conservation agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers and several
42 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 our people
Mountain-Prairie Region health of both game and nongame Pacific Region Bank. In the Ecosystem and fish species in the Dakotas. He Watershed category, Matt Brown Rob Holm, Project Leader at has worked on numerous private Joanne Stellini, a grants program of the Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife the Garrison Dam National Fish lands projects benefiting Dakota’s coordinator with the Service in Office was recognized for his Hatchery, near Riverdale, North fisheries, including the Topeka Lacey, Washington, received a partnership efforts with the Lower Dakota, received a 2006 Recovery Shiner, a state and federally listed 2006 National Recovery Champions Clear Creek Restoration Team. Champions award. Holm was endangered species. Madson was award. Stellini has worked since recognized for his contributions to also recognized for his volunteer 2000 to coordinate efforts between The Colton Dunes Conservation pallid sturgeon recovery. Through and outreach/education efforts to the Washington Department of Bank, established in July 2006, his leadership and expertise, nonprofit groups and schools. Natural Resources, the Washington conserves 150 acres of habitat significant steps have been made Department of Fish and Wildlife for the critically endangered in the development of propagation Southwest Region and other partners to obtain Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and methods that have contributed to conservation grants for species represents the most significant the knowledge of pallid sturgeons Steve Hensley, manager/biologist in the area. Her efforts led to conservation measure taken for and significantly increased the at Ozark Plateau National Wildlife unprecedented funding for land this species since it was listed under chances for its recovery. Refuge in northeastern Oklahoma, acquisition programs and will help the Endangered Species Act received a 2006 Recovery meet the recovery needs of species in 1993. The creation of the Dr. Chris Servheen, the Service’s Champions award. Hensley’s career such as the Columbia Basin pygmy conservation bank provides an Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator, has been marked by his special rabbit and the Columbian white- economically viable use of received a 2006 Recovery ability to work effectively with tailed deer. Vulcan’s land while affording Champions award. Servheen’s agencies and individuals of varying the surrounding communities an recovery responsibilities include all backgrounds and interests to further California-Nevada Operations opportunity to more easily mitigate five occupied recovery ecosystems the conservation and recovery impacts to the species from across the northern Rockies. of rare and endangered species Service employees from the proposed development. Working with State agencies, and habitats in the Ozark uplift of Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office federal agencies, state and county Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. and the Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife The Lower Clear Creek Restoration along with Shasta County and governments, Native American “The Ozark Plateau National Office were selected as recipients Team tribes, private citizens, landowners, Wildlife Refuge is a direct result of of California’s 2006 Environmental the Bureau of Land Management. and nongovernmental organizations, Steve’s ability to coalesce efforts,” and Economic Leadership Awards. Team participants guided the Servheen has effectively promoted said Benjamin N. Tuggle, PhD, The Service employees and their recovery of naturally reproducing a sound vision for recovery of Regional Director of the Service’s partners received their awards at a salmon and steelhead populations grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Southwest Region. formal ceremony on December 5 in and restored riparian plant and ecosystem. On March 22, the Sacramento, California. animal communities on the Lower Service announced that it is Fire Management Officer Chris Clear Creek floodplain. removing the Yellowstone Wilcox is one of three recipients of The Governor’s Environmental population of grizzly bears from the prestigious Paul Gleason Lead and Economic Leadership Awards Alaska Region its status of “threatened” on the by Example Award. The recipients Program is the State of California’s U.S. list of threatened and were selected for demonstrating highest and most prestigious Judy Jacobs received a 2006 endangered species. valued leadership traits during or in environmental honor. This year’s Recovery Champions award for support of wildland fire operations program recognized 14 individuals, her work with albatross, including Rich Madson, and management for which Gleason organizations, and businesses in five her efforts as the primary author a private was widely known prior to his categories operating in California of the Draft Short-tailed Albatross lands death. Wilcox was selected for that demonstrated outstanding Recovery Plan. Perhaps the biologist with his motivational and visionary environmental leadership. The most important recovery action the Service in influences on the Service’s fire Service was recognized in two identified in that document is the Pierre, South community. Wilcox manages the categories: Environmental and establishment of new short-tailed Dakota, Service’s New Mexico Fire District Economic Partnerships and albatross colonies within its recently from Bosque del Apache National Ecosystem and Watershed formerly-occupied range in Japan. received the Wildlife Refuge. Stewardship. Working toward that goal, Jacobs Distinguished coordinated an experimental Professional Service Award The award is sponsored by As a winner in the Environmental translocation effort for a surrogate from the Dakota Chapter of the the Wildland Fire Leadership and Economic Partnership category, species “Laysan albatross” American Fishery Society. Madson development Committee under Karen Goebel, Nancy Ferguson, between Midway Atoll National was recognized as one of the the National Wildfire Coordinating Eric Porter, and Jane Hendron Wildlife Refuge and Kilauea Point first biologists to identify the Group, an interagency, of the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai. connection between wetlands, intergovernmental group that works Office, along with Vulcan Materials The knowledge gained from sloughs, land use practices, and to improve policy, standards and Company and the Riverside Land this process will accelerate the water quality and quantity as safety in wildland and prescribed Conservancy, were recognized for establishment of new colonies of the critical to overall production and fire management. their cooperative effort to establish endangered short-tailed albatross the Colton Dunes Conservation by many years.
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 43 our people
He was a member of Ducks 1986. Most of his Service career Following the publication of Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain was spent in the Division of Refuges, Silent Spring, the Service began in memoriam Elk Foundation, the Mandan- though he also served as Area substantial efforts to test the Bismarck Elks Club, the National Manager in Jacksonville, Florida and effectiveness of animal control Arthur Turkey Federation, the Coastal Deputy ARD for Ecological Services agents and to examine the hazards Robert Conservation Association and the in Atlanta. Hankla was involved that pesticides posed to fish Brazda, 83, American Legion. in the establishment of numerous and wildlife in general. Martin a pioneering refuges in the Southeast. Toward helped pioneer the development pilot- Andrea Lee Gaski, 56, chief of the end of his Service career, of lab protocols and new control biologist international affairs in the Service’s he was a driving force behind chemicals, and reviewed and with the Management Authority Division, partnerships in the Cache River tested the toxicity of chemicals Service, died died January 7, 2007 in Arlington, watershed in Southern Illinois and on wildlife. Under Martin’s February Virginia. was an active volunteer at Cypress direction, the Service initiated a 3, 2007, in Creek NWR. wildlife monitoring program that Layfayette, Louisiana. Gaski, a longtime advocate of led to substantial revisions in all wildlife conservation, worked for the Alison the predator and rodent control Brazda was born March 30, 1923, Fish and Wildlife Service for about Haskell, guidance; new Service manuals in Mandan, North Dakota During seven years, beginning as a general 49, former on pesticide use; the analysis World War II, he served in the biologist in early 1999. By the end of national and removal of inappropriate U.S. Navy as a carrier pilot in the that year, she became acting chief of federal animal control chemicals; and the Pacific. He remained active in the the permits branch in international agencies creation of pesticide containment U.S. Naval Reserves, retiring as affairs. Gaski then worked in nearly coordinator investigations and review. Commander. a half dozen other posts, including for the chief of the operations branch in the Partnerships A Colorado native, Martin received He attended Montana State Management Authority Division; in Amphibian and Reptile a bachelor’s degree in wildlife University where he earned a acting chief of the Recovery and Conservation (PARC), died biology and a master’s degree in bachelor’s degree in Biology Delistings Branch in the Division December 2006. natural resources management and a master’s degree in wildlife of Habitat Conservation Planning, from Colorado State University. management. After graduation in Recovery and State Grants; and Haskell joined the Service in 1993 as He began his career with the 1951, Brazda worked as a big game acting special assistant to the a wildlife research specialist with Colorado Department of Wildlife as biologist in both Nevada and North assistant director of Fisheries and the Division of Federal Assistance a research biologist, later taking a Dakota, the latter of which saw him Habitat Conservation. and administered a wide variety of position with the U.S. Department play a key role in the reintroduction grant programs within the Northeast of Agriculture in Maryland and of bighorn sheep and antelope. She helped shape wildlife Region. As was the case in all in Washington, DC, working on conservation policy while serving aspects of her life, Haskell brought pesticide regulation. Bill joined the In 1957, Brazda began a 38 year as a member and, occasionally, to her work a passion for wildlife Service in 1967 as branch chief of association with the Service, as head of U.S. delegations and the environment, and a natural pesticide appraisal and monitoring, studying wolves in Alaska and at international meetings of ability to relate to others. establishing and administering the migratory waterfowl in Minnesota Convention of International Trade newly created pesticide operations and the Dakotas. In 1962 he in Endangered Species. Thomas Kleppe, who served as program in headquarters. In 1972, he moved to Lafayette and as a pilot secretary of the Interior under moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and flyway biologist. He soon A native of Indiana, Gaski earned President Ford and approved the as regional supervisor of river basin became one of the nation’s leading a biology from Purdue University sale of oil and gas drilling rights studies and was later was named authorities on ducks and geese in and served as a research intern off the Southern California coast, assistant regional director for that the Mississippi Flyway, a region and fellow at the World Bird died March 9, 2007 at his home in same office. In 1979, Martin moved extending from the prairie provinces Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, Bethesda, Maryland. He was 87. to the Mountain-Prairie Region of Canada to Texas, Louisiana and the Oklahoma City Zoo and the to become the assistant regional Mississippi. He also conducted Field Museum of Natural History Bill Martin, 73, died in Salem, director for environment and habitat special projects involving extensive in Chicago. In 1986, she joined the Oregon, after a long battle with resources. In 1987, Bill accepted the study of the Whooping Crane in World Wildlife Fund, where she pulmonary fibrosis. Bill joined the position as that region’s assistant Canada and Snow Geese in the rose from research assistant to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in regional director for fisheries and lower Mississippi Flyway. director of research. 1967, leading the agency’s initial federal aid. efforts to evaluate and regulate After his retirement in 1995, Mr. Don Hankla died April 15 in Anna, pesticides detrimental to fish As the Deputy Regional Director Brazda spent the next six years Illinois. Hankla was a conservation and wildlife. A stellar career with for the Pacific Region, Martin’s supervising a federal and state professional for 35 years, first with the Service eventually led to his knowledge and background in central flyway banding project the State of North Carolina and then appointment in 1989 as the deputy endangered species management, in North Dakota, South Dakota, with the Fish and Wildlife Service regional director, Pacific Region, and environmental and water quality Montana and Wyoming. from 1961 until his retirement in which he held until his retirement were valuable attributes. Marv in 1994.
44 / Fish & Wildlife News Spring 2007 our people
Plenert, Regional Director from Kate O’Connor, 71, died in February Younger birders found Randall a use of diagnostic tissue residues 1989 to 1994, credits Martin for 2007 after a brief illness. Until her valuable source of information. “He of contaminants represents one his many accomplishments, his retirement in 1998, she worked as was one of the few people who was of the major accomplishments in leadership abilities, management travel coordinator in the Northeast birding in the ’40s and ’50s,” said the history of wildlife toxicology. skills, as well as his wit and sense Region, helping many employees Ron Martin, former president of the They demonstrated that it was of humor in helping tackle the issues in the regional office and in the North Dakota Birding Society. “He the concentrations of many the region faced. field. She was one of the few people who had organochlorine pesticides in the worked in a historical perspective.” brain of dead birds that could be Deborah the regional used to determine whether those Melvin, office while Randall was born in Georgetown, chemicals were responsible for wildlife it was in Colorado in 1915, and began the deaths. Under her leadership, biologist at Newton birding as a teenager. He received Patuxent scientists provided the Parker River Corner, a degree in forestry from what is laboratory proof that DDE, the National now Colorado State University, metabolite of DDT, was the Wildlife and worked for state and federal chemical that caused eggshell Refuge in Massachusetts, and after the 1992 agencies in Colorado before thinning in birds. Massachusetts, died in September move to Hadley, Massachusetts. enlisting in the Army Corps of after a brief battle with lung cancer. Prior to her employment with the Engineers during World War II. He Dr. Stickel’s research interests She was 45 years old. Service, O’Connor worked for the joined the Fish and Wildlife Service in the plants and animals of the National Park Service. Her delightful after his discharge. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center After serving in Costa Rica with Irish brogue accompanied a quick extended far beyond contaminants. the Peace Corps, Melvin joined the sense of humor and a lively spirit. As field supervisor of what was Her research on box turtle Service in 1987 as a management then the River Basins Office of the populations on the center spanned trainee at Parker River. Her career When Bob Randall died January Fish and Wildlife Service, Randall several decades, as did her work over the next 17 years took her 30 in Bismarck, N.D. at age 91, developed the original mitigation with her husband on black rat to three other national wildlife the Fish and Wildlife Service lost plan for the giant Garrison Diversion snakes. She also wrote many refuges in the Northeast Region— a friend and valued colleague Project in central North Dakota. papers on the population biology Chincoteague, Great Swamp, and and the birding community lost Part of that plan called for the of small mammals. Mason Neck. Melvin returned to a pioneer. establishment of present-day Parker River as a wildlife biologist Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. In 1967, Dr. Stickel was awarded the in the summer of 1996. Randall supervised Service water Federal Woman’s Award. She also projects in the Dakotas from the Dr. Lucille received the Interior Department’s Melvin served for several seasons late 1940s until his retirement in Stickel, Distinguished Service Award (1973) as a crew leader at the Quill 1973, but he was best known for former and the Wildlife Society’s Aldo Lakes banding station as part of his birding. director of Leopold Award (1974). She was the Service’s Waterfowl Survey the USGS the first woman to direct a major and Banding Program in Canada. He is credited with organizing the Patuxent Federal laboratory, serving as Jim Voelzer, chief and a 40-year first Bismarck-Mandan Christmas Wildlife Patuxent’s director from 1973 until veteran of the program, spoke to Bird Count in 1948, and compiling Research her retirement in March 1982. In her dedication and professionalism. the records of those counts for 59 Center 1998, more than 50 years after her “Debbie, in her time as a participant years. Randall was also one of the whose pioneering studies of wildlife first publication on contaminants, in the program, set the gold founders of the Bismarck-Mandan toxicology helped form the basis of the Society of Environmental standard for an example of Bird Club in 1953. Among his many Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, Toxicology and Chemistry presented what a bander, crew leader and birding accomplishments: in l979, died February 22, 2007. its prestigious Rachel Carson international ambassador for the he made the first recorded sighting Award to her. Service should be.” In addition to of a house finch in North Dakota. In Dr. Stickel published her first her leadership skills, Melvin set a l998 interview with the Bismarck contaminant paper, a study with the Stickel’s life and work will be banding records that still stand in Tribune, Randall recalled the pesticide DDT, in 1946, and went on profiled in more detail in an Saskatchewan, Canada. incident. “I saw that bird right here to publish 44 scientific papers on the upcoming issue of Fish & in my backyard,” he said. “I had to effects of contaminants on wildlife. Wildlife News. go to the book to make sure I was Her research, in collaboration with right. It was a female.” her husband, Bill Stickel, on the
Spring 2007 Fish & Wildlife News / 45 parting shots
A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision,
STEVE HILLEBRAND / USFWS that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength.
Rachel Carson, from The Sense of Wonder, 1965
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