Refuge Update Sat Down with Fish His Political Party by Supporting the Beyond That, We Need to Look for More and Wildlife Service Director H

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System Inside RefugeUpdate September/October 2008 Vol 5, No 5 Rebuilding after Hurricane Ike, page 3 Texas and Louisiana refuges were severely damaged in mid-September. Independent Analysis Finds Refuge A Crane Species Rebounding, page 5 System Struggles to Meet Goals At a Mississippi refuge, the world’s longest-running crane reintroduction program is succeeding. Focus on. . . Refuge System Wetlands, pages 8-13 The Refuge System manages wetlands to enhance their value for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, threatened and endangered species and a myriad of native fish, wildlife, and plants. Fluttering Close to Extinction, page 17. Antioch Dunes Refuge is out to save the Lange’s metalmark butterfly.

A Leadership Reading List Now is a great time to pick up a volume or two that give us insights into conservation leaders: After an extensive study, Management Systems International (MSI) found the Refuge System at least • Dreamers & Defenders, American partially effective in nine of its 12 strategic goals. MSI rated the Refuge System as “highly effective” in Conservationists by Douglas H. Strong. one goal: facilitating partnerships and cooperative projects, including its volunteer program. (USFWS) Henry David Thoreau, Frederick Law Olmsted, John Muir: They’re all here as Strong recalled the triumphs and defeats of n independent evaluation has In its report, MSI rated the Refuge 12 conservationists. Afound that the Refuge System System as “ineffective” in meeting two • Women in the Field, America’s Pioneering experienced an 11 percent decline in strategic goals: Women Naturalists by Marcia Myers real purchasing power between FY 2003

Bonta. Published in 1991, this title contains and the FY 2008 requested budget. As • Protecting resources and visitors the biographies of 25 women, including a result, the Refuge System has been through law enforcement. many whose names have never become as well known as they should have. unable to maintain its level of operational • Strategically growing the System. activity, according to the report from • National Leaders of American Management Systems International Among its 11 principle recommendations, Conservation, compiled in 1985 by the (MSI), which conducted the evaluation MSI advises increasing the number of Natural Resources Council of America. full-time Refuge System law enforcement The book presents brief biographical between October 2006 and September sketches of people who made enduring 2007. officers from the current 200 to 400. contributions to conservation and While MSI noted that law enforcement professional resource management. The report, titled, “An Independent training is “sound and improving,” Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the the firm also noted a “critical lack of • Pioneer Conservationists of Eastern U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National America by Peter Wild, a journalist, a law enforcement coverage” at most backpacker and a poet of the American Wildlife Refuge System,” was delivered field stations. More than 70 percent of West. Here you will find John Burroughs, to Service Director H. Dale Hall on July refuge managers indicated they feel law George Bird Grinnell and Howard 11. The Service Directorate was briefed enforcement coverage is “insufficient” at Zahniser, among others. in early August. the refuge they manage. continued on pg 20 Title From the Director Sub Title Defining Leadership

In anticipation One crucial time and leader in the well for future. Hundreds of people may of Leadership Service stands out for me. That’s when never have realized their potential were Awareness Day (former Service Director) John Turner it not for such programs. H. Dale Hall on October 27, took a very unpopular stand within Refuge Update sat down with Fish his political party by supporting the Beyond that, we need to look for more and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale reintroduction of wolves. It took courage opportunities to discuss leadership with Hall to hear his viewpoints about and strength, and it cost him in his career rank and file employees. It is critical that leadership. in the next administration. It was a true when supervisors face tough decisions, example of leadership. He wasn’t out to we explain to employees our thought Q: Who are your conservation win a popularity contest; he followed his process. Share your insights and why leadership heroes? conscience, and did what he knew was you went in the direction you did. Not right. everyone will agree, but everyone A: Other than the traditional iconic needs to understand how you got to heroes, I have heroes throughout the Q: What more should the Service do to the decision. Leadership is the burden ranks of this organization and other groom leaders? of explaining a decision that took into organizations. I find leadership at every account conflicting viewpoints among level in the Fish and Wildlife Service. A A: First, we have to recognize our good people. biologist or a clerk in one of our offices outstanding development programs. We can be a leader because leadership is are doing a tremendous job at NCTC Q: The Service has often talked about influencing others to do great work (National Conservation Training about the need for Washington and to meet their maximum potential. Center), through courses like the experience as a prerequisite for a Leadership happens every day in the employees foundation class, Advanced Grade 15 promotion. What do you see Service. Today’s leaders are the ones Leadership Development Program as the unique value of Washington who are quietly getting the job done. (ALDP), Stepping Up to Leadership, experience? and the SES candidate development program. All are positioning us very A: Washington gives you vision – the continued on pg 14 Chief’s Corner RefugeUpdate Farewell and Thanks Dirk Kempthorne Address editorial As I pack to Refuge Caucus, with 146 members Secretary inquiries to: take my next representing 42 states and 228 national Department of the Refuge Update assignment as wildlife refuges. In October 2007, when Interior USFWS-NWRS 4401 North Fairfax Dr., th Geoff Haskett the Regional we celebrated the 10 anniversary of H. Dale Hall Room 634C Director in enactment of the National Wildlife Director – U.S. Fish and Arlington, VA Alaska, I leave Washington, D.C., with Refuge System Improvement Act, the Wildlife Service 22203-1610 Phone: 703-358-1858 real sadness – saying good-bye to so Capitol Hill room was overflowing with Geoffrey L. Haskett Fax: 703-358-2517 many enthusiastic, professional and fun members of Congress, their aides and Assistant Director – E-mail: National Wildlife Refuge people who work for and support the hundreds of our supporters and Friends. [email protected] National Wildlife Refuge System. I am The room was so full that Interior System This newsletter is also leaving with real pride in the good Secretary Dirk Kempthorne could Martha Nudel published on recycled Editor in Chief things that have taken place over the barely shoulder his way to the podium paper using soy-based two and a half years that I was Chief of to deliver remarks. Michael Wright ink. the Refuge System. We’ve seen a reinvigoration of our Managing Editor We’ve seen the establishment of the relationship with the National Wildlife C bipartisan Congressional Wildlife Refuge Association and the growing continued on pg 7

Pg 2 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Gulf Coast Refuges Rebuilding After Hurricane Ike subsequently rebuilt – were destroyed anew. As flood water receded, emergency response teams were on the scene at each refuge complex to, among duties, assist refuge staff members whose houses were destroyed or damaged. Trailers were made available and tarps stretched over damaged roofs. “It’s always gratifying to see how well we take care of our own,” said Southwest Louisiana Complex project leader Don Voros. The Friends of Aransas and Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuges established a FWS Hurricane Ike Fund to aid Service employees in Texas and Louisiana who have been impacted by Hurricane Ike. Donations are welcome. Checks should be made out to “FAMI” and mailed to FAMI, P.O. Box 100, Texas Chenier Plains National Refuge Complex caught the full force of Hurricane Ike. The mid- Austwell, TX 77950. September tropical storm impacted every standing structure on the complex, which at one point was covered with more than ten feet of sea water. (USFWS) Contractors and engineers were quickly on the scene to assess damages and ebuilding programs are in national wildlife refuges became part prepare estimates of damage-repair Rthe works at coastal refuges of the Gulf of Mexico,” said complex costs. Cleaning up Sabine Refuge – prized for the habitat they provide manager Tim Cooper. will be complicated by the presence of wintering waterfowl and other wildlife containers of hazardous material and oil – in Texas and Louisiana that were Just to the east, in Louisiana, Ike field debris that Ike scattered over the heavily damaged in mid-September by whipped through Sabine, Lacassine, refuge’s 125,000 acres of wetlands. ◆ Hurricane Ike. Cameron Prairie and Shell Keys The cost of cleaning up the field Refuges, all part stations and then replacing or of the Southwest repairing an array of administrative Louisiana and recreational facilities was initially Refuge pegged at more than $260 million. The Complex. Most costs of repairing Service facilities of the complex’s elsewhere that were flooded or 320,000 acres otherwise damaged by the remnants of wetlands of the tropical storm were still being were inundated tallied as Refuge Update went to press. by surging sea water. At Texas Chenier Plains Refuge Complex, Sabine Refuge, 110,000 acres of wetlands that stretch two bridges as along the upper Gulf Coast between well as visitor- Houston and the Louisiana border, caught comfort and the full force of the storm. Every standing recreational structure was impacted. Storm-generated facilities – winds covered much of the refuges with heavily damaged more than ten feet of sea water, which is The storm also rolled over Southwest Louisiana Wildlife Refuge Complex. At by Hurricane Sabine Refuge, recreational facilities and bridges damaged by Hurricane Rita in death to freshwater marshland vegetation. Rita in 2005 and “For about 24 hours, every foot of four 2005 and subsequently rebuilt were destroyed anew. (USFWS)

September/October 2008 | Pg 3 Refuge Update Preparing Iowa Firefighters for Prescribed Burns

pecialists from two national shrubs – as a public service and as way of Graceland University. Most of the Swildlife refuges in Iowa are helping raising money. Participating landowners departments were from the western and train volunteer fire departments to make voluntary donations to the southern portions of the state, where assist private landowners and wildlife department, which provides “suggested” grasslands are most concentrated. The managers maintain and improve habitat contribution rates based on acres, fuels, course was taught in part by prescribed conditions with prescribed fires. Many of terrain and fire breaks. fire specialists from Neal Smith and the landowners are enrolled in the U.S. Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuges. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for The Smithland department’s success The training, Pattison said, was “by the Fish and Wildlife Program. prompted Agren Inc., an Iowa-based book” – the same entry level instruction agricultural and environmental provided for Service employees. The “This project benefits critical wildlife consulting firm, to obtain a three-year training involved 40 hours of course work habitat in privately owned corridors Conservation Innovation Grant from and field exercises designed to allow the adjacent to federal lands,” said Gregg the U.S. Department of Agriculture firefighters to work safety with state Pattison, a biologist with the Service’s to expand the pool of Iowa firefighters and federal fire specialists. The trainees Iowa Private Lands Office in Lamoni. who could provide similar assistance were drilled on the basics of wildland “These habitats include grasslands and to private landowners and help out firefighting and the specifics of the fuels woodlands that need fire to maintain a with much larger wildfires. The and terrain found healthy plant community.” now-expanded training project also in Iowa. is supported by Iowa Resource The training program stemmed from Enhancement and Protection Program In part, the participating fire the experiences of northern Iowa’s funding, the Southern Iowa Oak Savanna departments were prompted to learn Smithland Volunteer Fire Department; Alliance and the Loess Hills Alliance. more about prescribed fires as a way several of its members previously had of raising money, Pattison said, but the been trained by Federal fire-response Drilled on the Basics units wanted to learn more about fighting teams. Five years ago, the department In early 2008, 10 fire departments grassfires, the most common kind of began promoting prescribed burning signed up for a basic wildland fire wildfire in Iowa. In parts of southern – mostly aimed at invasive trees and training course, which was held at Iowa’s Iowa, if the weather is especially dry, many departments are called on to control a dozen or more grass fires a year. As of May 2008, the freshly trained volunteer units had completed burns on more than 500 acres of public and private land. More burns are planned for the fall. Pattison said that another 30 or so firefighters want to take the training. “We hope to get many more volunteer departments up to a basic level of wildland fire training,” he said. “This kind of cooperative program would not be difficult to start in other states if there are good partners to help out. Our national wildlife refuges would certainly benefit.”◆ For more information on the Iowa training program, contact Gregg Pattison at 641-784-5356 or [email protected].

Specialists from two national wildlife refuges in Iowa are trainers in a program designed to equip volunteer fire departments with the skills needed to conduct prescribed fires. (USFWS)

Pg 4 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 How Mississippi Sandhill Cranes Are Rebounding by Emily Neidigh stablished in 1975, Mississippi ESandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge safeguards the last remaining population of its endangered namesake, as well as rare wet pine savanna habitat. By using fire and other habitat management techniques, the refuge has so significantly increased crane habitat that the population – which once hit a low of about 45 – is now up to more than 100 birds, the result of the world’s longest- running crane reintroduction program. Twenty juveniles are to be released this winter. Efforts to save the crane began in 1965. Eggs gathered from wild nests were used to build a captive breeding program at Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland as a distinct population then believed In a major advance in an on-going drive to enlarge the population of endangered Mississippi sandhill to be a part of the Florida sandhills. In cranes, a chick has been conceived with frozen sperm. (Tracy Garcia/USFWS) 1972, Mississippi cranes were recognized as a separate subspecies; the refuge teach them crane survival skills. Chicks season typically starts after nesting was established under the Endangered at White Oaks are all parent-reared. season has completed. The refuge is Species Act. well above the tidal surge zone, and the When winter rolls around, it’s time for In 1981, the first cranes were released cranes are not confined – they can, and acclimation and release on the refuge. onto the refuge to join 30-40 wild birds. do, fly out of harm’s way. The captive cohorts are banded and fitted In 1995, the Patuxent birds were moved with radio transmitters. The cranes also The real problem is a prolonged absence to the Audubon Institute’s Species are outfitted with wing restraints that of rain. During a drought, cranes Survival Center in Louisiana and to the will keep them grounded during their typically will not nest. Those that do White Oaks Conservation Center in acclimation period. often will give up in short order. Drought Florida. also makes roosting sites less safe. The refuge has several pens where the Cranes typically roost in open water “Cryochick” Conceived young cranes are released. The pens are Last year, in a major advance, a that separates them from approaching not covered, giving older cranes a chance Mississippi sandhill crane was for the predators. In a drought, that open to drop by and socialize. The acclimation first time conceived from frozen sperm water evaporates, leaving the cranes period usually lasts about 30 days, after at the Audubon center. The crane, vulnerable. which the cranes’ wing restraints are nicknamed “cryochick,” was released removed. Having never flown, the young This has been a banner year for our wild on the refuge in January. Successful cohorts follow the lead of the older cranes nests with two chicks fledged and another use of this technique means that genetic and soon begin stretching their wings. very close to doing so. bloodlines preserved over the past 40 years can be used to strengthen under­ Absence of Rain Cryochick I, by the way, is doing just represented family lines. Our Gulf Coast location has its fine. Full-sized and flying, he’s behaving advantages and disadvantages. On one no differently than the other young birds At the Audubon Institute, cranes are hand, the cranes don’t need to migrate. that were captive-reared. ◆ reared both by parents and by puppets. On the other hand, tropical storms can The young cranes see costumed workers pose threats. So far, not many birds have Emily Neidigh is an outdoor recreation as grey blobs, fixating on puppets that been lost to the storms. The hurricane planner at Mississippi Sandhill National Wildlife Refuge.

September/October 2008 | Pg 5 Refuge Update Saving Flavor of the Past on Kofa Refuge

is the last structure standing from the ghost town of Polaris, which had as many as 2,000 resident at the height of gold mining in Arizona. Kofa Cabin was built as an administrative building by a unit of the Arizona Conservation Corps, whose members were Native Americans from the nearby Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Reservation. Still standing strong, Kofa Cabin only needs an annual cleaning of its walls and concrete floor and some periodic repairs to the roof. Wilbanks Cabin was built by Jack Wilbanks in 1934, three years after he moved to the Kofa Mountains to raise cattle and a family. They were among the pioneering families that first brought cattle to western Arizona. Jack, his wife Martha and their daughters lived in the cabin until 1945. The roof joist of the Wilbanks Cabin – just two rooms, one Like many national wildlife refuges, Arizona’s Kofa Refuge recognizes the importance of preserving built around a large wood-burning stove history. In a partnership with Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, Kofa Refuge has restored – was reinforced in 2006 after it became several historic buildings and opened them to the public. (USFWS) apparent that the cabin had begun to sag. hen it’s a pleasant 65 degrees Mine Building, still being restored. In The Hoodoo Cabin, originally a line Wduring a winter day in western addition, Kofa Refuge has maintained the cabin for the Crowder/Weisser Cattle Arizona, as many as 400 people a month two-room Kofa Cabin, built of basalt and Company, had been built in the 1940s make the half-mile trek from the end of mortar in the 1930s. from a kit. In fact, in the kitchen, a 15-mile-long, four-wheel-drive road at visitors can still see the numbered brass “I met Gary at the Federal Law Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, just to medallions that helped people assemble Enforcement Training Center in 2001,” see the historic Big Eye Cabin and be their homes. reminded of days gone by. Kofa Refuge says Susanna Henry, Kofa Refuge – like so many national wildlife refuges – manager. “Gary stressed the importance Last year, staff from Imperial and Kofa has recognized the importance of saving of saving the Refuge System’s great Refuges and Titus repainted the cabin to its history. historic structures.” its original colors – inside and out – and replaced the wood-burning stove with The Kofa Refuge buildings recall a Today, thanks to a partnership with Kenai one donated by Kofa Refuge maintenance time when mining was a major force in National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, Big worker Glen Wilson. Eye Cabin is just one of several historic Arizona’s economy and lifestyle. Built buildings that Kofa Refuge has stabilized, sometime between 1912 and 1917, Big Throughout the restoration projects, restored and opened to the public. For Eye Cabin was part of the Big Eye Mine, Titus recommended that Kofa Refuge visitors who camp overnight – and most originally held by A.K. Ketcherside of work closely with regional archeologist don’t – the cabins are available on a first Yuma. It produced $33,185 in gold – a Dave Siegel and Bob Frankenberger of come, first served basis. hefty sum in the day. the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office to be certain that any repairs The Antares Mine Building, at 900 Kenai Refuge park ranger Gary Titus would not jeopardize the opportunity to square feet the largest building on the has visited Kofa Refuge annually since have the buildings listed on the National refuge, was built in the early 1900s, 2002 to oversee restoration not only of Register of Historic Places. Big Eye Cabin, but also the Wilbanks following discovery of the King of and Hoodoo cabins and the Antares Arizona Mine. The wooden building continued on pg 17

Pg 6 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Another Refuge Week to Remember

Refuge System’s acquire waterfowl production areas opportunities (WPAs). Close to one million acres for wildlife- of land acquired through the Small dependent Wetlands Program is open to hunting, recreation. wildlife watching and photography and other outdoor recreation. This year’s Refuge Week Events on Refuges celebration also Thirty-three refuges showed off their highlighted resident plumage by welcoming one and milestones for all to the Big Sit!, an increasing popular two programs: annual bird-watching event, sponsored The Duck by Bird Watchers Digest and held this Stamp Program year on October 12. marked its 75th anniversary, the Visitors to Lake Ilo National Wildlife Small Wetlands Refuge in North Dakota built bluebird Months of planning by refuge staff members, volunteers and Friends group Program its 50th nest boxes. Blackwater National members paid off as thousands of Americans took a running jump into the year. Wildlife Refuge in Maryland held its Refuge System’s rich diversity of resources during October’s National Wildlife 13th Refuge Open House with eagle Refuge Week. (USFWS) Ninety-eight prowls, live animal programs, a puppet housands of Americans young and cents of every show about invasive species and live Told enjoyed the Refuge System’s rich dollar generated by the sale of Duck animal exhibits. Elsewhere in Maryland, diversity of resources during National Stamps goes toward the purchase or Patuxent Research Refuge joined with Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18. lease of wetland habitat for the Refuge Smithsonian Resident Associates to Visitors participated in activities ranging System. Duck Stamp sales have helped offer a behind-the-scenes tour of captive from pier fishing to butterfly counts to purchase or protect more than 5.2 million breeding programs for whooping cranes walks to hunkering down in circles in a acres of wildlife habitat. For more and conservation-related research on ◆ unique (and fun) bird-watching program. information about Duck Stamps, go to kestrels and diving ducks. http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/. Months of planning by refuge staff members, volunteers and Friends group The Small Wetlands Program was members paid off in a big way as refuges created in 1958 to allow proceeds from all across America spotlighted the the sale of Duck Stamps to be used to

Chief’s Corner – continued from pg 2 strength of the 22-member CARE announcement, with the tag line “Get about 27,000 jobs. Those facts got huge (Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Some Nature into Your Kids,” airs on news coverage when we released them Enhancement) organization. We have more than 345 commercial and cable through our Banking on Nature report. an ever more powerful Refuge Friends television stations in about 170 media movement and a record number of markets. People have become aware I’ve traveled all across the country Friends organizations. I wish I could that the Refuge System is not just the during my time as Chief, and I’ve become be sure that I will attend the National world’s preeminent system of public acutely aware that none of this could Friends Conference in February 2009, lands devoted to the protection and have been done without the support of but I know it will be an outstanding conservation of fish and wildlife and their Refuge Friends and staff. It has been educational and networking event. habitats, but also an economic engine in truly an honor to be the Chief of Refuges, some communities. The Refuge System and I plan to continue my support from ◆ Public awareness of the Refuge generated more than $1.7 billion in Alaska. System has grown as our public service economic benefits in 2006 and created

September/October 2008 | Pg 7 Refuge Update . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

Restoring the Wild Heart of the South Bay by Mendel Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Stewart and Steve is out to turn back the clock. The public Ritchie process to design a restoration plan, started in 2003, involved a wide array ver time, of stakeholders, among them local and Olarge swaths national environmental organizations, of tidal wetlands recreation advocates, local elected that once ringed officials, homeowners associations and San Francisco business leaders. The final plan is slated Bay have been to receive regulatory approvals this year, diked and filled with the first phase of implementation for farming, commencing shortly thereafter. residential and commercial In the first phase of the South Bay Salt development Pond Restoration Project–the largest and salt tidal wetland restoration project on the production. As a West Coast–more than 15,000 acres of result, the Bay has salty ponds and crusted salt flats will be lost more than 85 transformed into a mix of tidal marsh, percent of its tidal mudflat and managed ponds. In time, the The largest tidal wetland restoration project on wetland habitats– restored wetlands will host migrating and the West Coast is now underway. In the first and local residents have lost a valuable resident shorebirds, fish and endangered phase of an undertaking managed in part Don wildlife and recreational resource. species such as the salt marsh harvest Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife mouse and California clapper rail. The Refuge, more than 15,000 acres of salty ponds Now, a massive restoration project, project will also improve water quality and crusted salt flats will be transformed into managed in part by Don Edwards San a mix of tidal marshes, mudflats and managed for fish and other species by restoring ponds. (USFWS) Turning a Mud Hole into a Wetland

by Margo Stahl been transformed by brackish water piped in by the utility. n Florida, Hobe Sound National IWildlife Refuge’s partnership with a Hobe Sound – an oasis located between local utility has turned a lifeless six-acre burgeoning Jacksonville and Miami – is tangle of mud and weeds located on a a coastal refuge bisected by the lagoon. corner of the refuge near the Indian One section is on Jupiter Island, the River Lagoon into a thriving wetland. other on the mainland. The wetland, located on the mainland section, is part of We had a unique opportunity to rescue a 300-acre patch of increasingly hard-to­ valuable habitat. Now we’ve got this little find pine scrub. jewel of a wetland! The utility, South Martin Regional Utility, Years ago, before the refuge was provides drinking water for about 20,000 established, the wetland’s natural customers. One station the utility uses connections with the lagoon–one of the for extracting potable water from wells is most biologically diverse estuaries in the located on a hill not far from the refuge’s United States–were blocked as marshes mainland tract – and the former mud were impounded as a part of mosquito- hole. As the station began withdrawing control efforts. Now the mud hole has large amounts of salt water from wells

Pg 8 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

San Francisco Bay’s natural filtering and breached levees in strategic locations everything from bird and fish counts in system. at different times of year to gradually the project area to the impact of trail use reduce the salinity of the ponds and re­ on wildlife behavior to the possible effects And Bay Area residents and visitors will connect the shoreline to the influence of of climate change. be able to experience the natural edge of tidal action. the South Bay through a greatly expanded The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration network of trails and viewing platforms. A set of three ponds – known as the Island Project is part of an ambitious 50-year This reconnection of people with the Bay Ponds – was opened to tidal action in plan eventually to transform a landscape is an essential component of the refuge’s March 2006 with dramatic results. Within the size of Manhattan to a thriving mission. a few weeks of the breach, thousands of wetland ecosystem. shorebirds and ducks settled down on the Spread over three distinct sub-regions ponds. As sediment built up on the newly For the first few years, the refuge and in the South Bay, 9,600 acres of the formed mudflats, researchers spotted other managers understand that all restoration project are managed by the native pickleweed beginning to colonize. elements of the restoration project are national wildlife refuge. The remaining essentially pilot projects – with “lessons acreage is managed by the California The next phase includes breaching learned” applied to each subsequent Department of Fish and Game. additional levees, constructing nesting advance. Will the work be challenging? and resting islands for migrating Yes, but it’s all a part of what is known as Purchased in 2003 shorebirds and removing invasive plant adaptive management. ◆ The South Bay Salt Ponds were purchased species. Between 2008 and 2012, the in 2003 from Cargill Inc. with funds project will begin actively restoring Mendel Stewart is project leader, San provided by federal and state resource 1,000 acres to tidal marsh, enhance Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge agencies and several private foundations. another 2,000 acres of pond habitat for Complex. Steve Ritchie is executive Even before restoration planning shorebirds and waterfowl and open project manager, South Bay Salt Pond began, the refuge had gotten a green about 7 miles of new trails with viewing Restoration Project. light to reverse the salt-making process platforms and interpretive signs. All of and prepare the ponds for full-scale this work will be guided by the project’s restoration. Managers opened culverts Adaptive Management Plan, which covers

that had been over-pumped by previous Margo Stahl owners, the utility asked if the refuge is manager of could use the water. Hobe Sound National We all saw it as a great opportunity. The Wildlife Refuge utility wanted to do something positive. in Florida. In short order, the re-hydration project got under way in 2002 and continues to Hobe Sound evolve as fish and birds are becoming National wildlife established. With help of gravity, the refuge’s partnership brackish water reaches the new wetland with a Florida in a steady flow through a buried six-inch utility has turned a six-acre tangle of pipe, which extends under railroad tracks mud and weeds into and a highway. a thriving wetland. (USFWS) The health of the wetland is monitored by an environmental consulting firm. Among other assistance provided to the refuge, the consulting firm has arranged for the removal of invasive plants from the new wetland. ◆

September/October 2008 | Pg 9 Refuge Update . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

Saving a Region’s Wetlands reated a half century ago to stem Cthe rapid loss of rich prairie habitat, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Small Wetlands Program has – with the help of thousands of private landowners – become a great American conservation success story. Thanks to the program, about three million acres are now permanently protected in the Prairie Pothole Region of the northern Great Plains. The wetlands and grasslands of the region – including countless seasonal wetland basins – produce nearly half of America’s ducks and provides habitat for many species of grassland birds. These lands also offer excellent places for bird watching, hunting, photography and environmental education. Voluntary partnerships with private landowners have been key to the Small

Created a half century ago to stem the rapid loss of rich prairie habitat that waterfowl and grassland birds need to survive, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Small Wetlands Keeping Green Tree Reservoirs Green Program is a great American conservation success story. (USFWS) esearchers have concluded that GTRs were first developed in the 1930s. Rmanagers of green tree reservoirs Until fairly recently, it was thought that (GTR) – concentrations of bottomland repeated flooding of these systems for hardwood that are flooded every year to long periods had no ill effects to the trees. provide food and shelter for wintering That’s not the case, researchers say. waterfowl – need to let their trees come up for air now and then. Accordingly, Over time, trees in a reservoir can begin Arkansas’ Felsenthal National showing signs of stress and then die. In Wildlife Refuge is now using “flexible addition, the growth of new trees often management” – varying the timing does not keep pace with the loss of older and depths of its floods – to ensure the trees. And, in many instances, the new long-term health of its GTR, the world’s trees are often less desirable species. largest. Researchers with the Corps of Engineers, The 65,000-acre refuge, which includes the U.S. Geological Survey’s National 15,000 acres of open water that backs Wetlands Research Center and other up behind a nearby U.S. Army Corps of governmental and private institutions Engineers dam, has the ability to flood concluded that to avoid continued tree an additional 21,000 acres. The refuge’s mortality, managers should vary the GTR provides acorns and vegetation for timing and depth of the floods from year waterfowl as well as for a wide variety to year. Additionally, scientists said that of other birds, fish, mammals and in some years the reservoirs should not be invertebrates. flooded to increase seedling survival and to allow the forests to recover.

Pg 10 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

Wetland Program’s success. “Without Jim Leach, a refuge supervisor in the encompasses 10 million acres in the them, we wouldn’t have much of a Midwest Region. region – the Department of Agriculture’s program,” said Eugene Williams, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). manager of Sand Lake National Wildlife President Bush’s fiscal year 2009 The program pays farmers to keep their Refuge (SD). budget called for increasing the cost of land in grass and wetland cover for 10-15 Federal Duck Stamps, whose sales help year periods. The Service has purchased some 700,000 underwrite the protection of migratory acres, but more than 2.3 million acres waterfowl habitat in the Prairie Pothole CRP contracts on some 3.5 million acres comprise permanent conservation Region and elsewhere. are set to expire by 2010. Unless prices easements – nearly 30,000 of them – for biofuel crops drop sharply, many purchased from private landowners. To An infusion of fresh funds might arrive landowners in the program may allow sustain the region’s bird populations, too late for some landowners. “Some their conservation contracts to expire the Service’s goal is to permanently people who have been waiting for years so that they can convert their land to protect an additional 12 million acres of to get an offer are tired of waiting,” agricultural production. high-priority grasslands and wetlands. says Larry Martin, manager of Waubay Reaching those goals may involve National Wildlife Refuge (SD). “For For the foreseeable future, though, overcoming stiff challenges. them, conserving grasslands and wetland there’s no shortage of landowners eager look less appealing in a time when grain to participate in the Small Wetlands “We have a long waiting list of prices are soaring.” Program. “We have a backlog of willing landowners waiting for easements, but sellers,” Sand Lake’s Eugene Williams we don’t have a big enough acquisition The rapidly increasing prices for noted. “About 500 farmers in eastern budget to meet the demand,” says grain-based biofuel crops could South Dakota alone would like to be undermine another Federal land- approached with an offer.” preservation program that now continued on pg 23

Wading In Unlimited endorsed flexible flooding The shift initially schedules, says Petersen, who has received mixed managed the South Arkansas National reviews from Wildlife Refuge Complex since June 2007. the influential During the 2007-2008 hunting season, waterfowl hunting Petersen and his staff sent out “dozens community. “Some of letters” explaining the new approach hunters who had and fielded scores of inquires. A more always hunted extensive public outreach program is in specific areas planned for this fall. complained – very loudly – that the “We want to hold a number of public lower flooding meetings that will include representatives level didn’t provide of the Forest Service, Arkansas Game enough water in and Fish Commission and Ducks the areas they Unlimited,” Petersen said. “I want to In Arkansas, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is using “flexible preferred,” said make it clear to the public that it’s not management” to ensure the health of its green tree reservoir. (USFWS) project leader some new guy at the refuge who wants to In the fall of 2007, Felsenthal Refuge Bernie Petersen. make all these changes.” ◆ initiated its new management regime. “But I also got calls from folks who said During the preceding 10 years, water had that raising the water only three feet been brought up a full five feet to flood made more areas available to dabbling the entire GTR; the new flood level was ducks. These folks also liked the fact three feet. that, if you didn’t have a boat, you could wade into the GTR to hunt.” Most of the complaints eased after Ducks

September/October 2008 | Pg 11 Refuge Update . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

Warm Springs and Much More In a Nevada Desert Oasis by Christina Nalen the refuge. Sandy dunes, rising up to 50 feet above the landscape, appear in the sh Meadows National Wildlife central portions of the refuge. Mesquite ARefuge, an extraordinary oasis and ash groves flourish near wetlands fed by ancient springs, is in the midst and spring outflows. of a long-term restoration project. In addition to managing extensive The refuge is a major discharge point restorations – the land was once for a vast underground aquifer system extensively farmed and otherwise stretching 100 miles to the northeast; developed – the staff is responsible for more than 10,000 gallons a minute flow safeguarding eight threatened and six year-round. The water arriving at Ash endangered species, among them the Meadows Refuge is called “fossil” water Devils Hole pupfish (which is managed by because it is believed to have entered the the National Park Service). groundwater system thousands of years ago. In December 1986, the Ramsar Ash Meadows Refuge, surrounded Convention recognized Ash Meadows by the Mojave Desert, is a surviving Not too far from the bright lights of Las Vegas, an for having Wetlands of International extraordinarily tranquil oasis of wetlands fed by example of the desert oases that are Importance. ancient warm springs – Ash Meadows National now extremely rare in the southwestern Wildlife Refuge – is in the midst of an extensive United States. Wetlands, springs and With its rich and complex variety of restoration project. (Christina Nalen/USFWS) spring outflows are scattered throughout habitats, the refuge – only 90 miles from

Marsh Restored at Nestucca Bay Refuge

by Roy W. Lowe waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds and raptors also has returned. fter 13 years of work – some spent Ain negotiating with landowners to The restored area withstood heavy buy five parcels of land within the project flooding and winds in excess of 100 mph area – Oregon Coast National Wildlife during a Pacific storm in December 2007. Refuge Complex and its partners have Some residents believe that the larger completed restoration of 82 acres of tidal floodplain area created by the restoration marsh on Nestucca Bay National Wildlife helped relieve pressure on adjacent dikes Refuge that will bring back the marsh’s that protect farmland. The restored natural functions. The restoration along tidal marsh is highly visible to the public the Little Nestucca River increased traveling the adjacent U.S. Highway 101 Nestucca Bay’s tidal marshes by about and Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. 30 percent. More than a century ago, settlers diked Response by wildlife has been immediate. and drained the area, converting the The Columbia River Fisheries Program productive tidal marshes of Nestucca Office and the Siletz Tribe, who Bay to dairy pastures. Lost in this monitored the area before and after process were not only numerous species restoration, are finding juvenile Coho and of fish and wildlife, but also the overall Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, Pacific estuarine health. lamprey and other estuarine-dependent fish. A diverse mix of migratory Among the refuge’s project partners were Ducks Unlimited

Pg 12 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 . . .Science in The Refuge System

. . .Wetlands

the bright lights of Las Vegas – is a haven farmed. During the 1960s and early and removing structures such as for wildlife. Ash Meadows supports at 1970s in particular, irrigated row crops, unnecessary roads, fences and power least 24 endemic plants and animals – the grazing and development took a heavy lines. To keep costs down, some of the greatest density of endemic species in toll on the area’s natural resources. work is being done by volunteers. We’re the country. The majority of the refuge’s Plants, fish and wildlife declined as also removing weeds and trapping exotic endangered and threatened species are pumping and diversion of spring waters aquatic species. found nowhere else in the world. More into concrete channels, development of than 239 different species of birds have roads, large scale earth moving and the Even as the restoration work continues, been recorded on the refuge introduction of more than 100 non-native more than 65,000 visitors a year are plants and animals occurred in the making their way to our 23,000 acres of Four of the seven species of fish present “blink” of evolutionary time. The Carson internationally-recognized wetlands and in refuge waters are endangered: The Slough, an area in the western portion alkaline desert uplands. The visitors Ash Meadows speckled dace, the Warm of the refuge that was historically the include a good many researchers – Springs pupfish and the Ash Meadows largest wetland in southern Nevada, was botanists, geologists and hydrologists Amargosa pupfish and the Devils Hole drained and mined for its peat in the – drawn to this unique remnant of the ◆ pupfish, one of the first species protected 1960’s. The removal of this peat layer has past. under the Endangered Species Act. The changed the water-holding capacity of population of Devils Hole pupfish, found Christina Nalen is visitor services the slough. The refuge is now planning a manager at Nevada’s Ash Meadows in a water-filled cavern cut into the side major restoration of the Carson Slough. of a hill, has been isolated for 10,000 to National Wildlife Refuge. 20,000 years. Among other restoration projects, we are re-directing spring outflows back Before the refuge was established, into former natural channels, restoring Ash Meadows was intensively native riparian and upland vegetation

Inc., the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Oregon Coastal Program, Pacific Coast Joint Venture, James H. Stanard Family Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and Tillamook People’s Utility District. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Washington sent a fire crew to William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge in the Willamette Valley of Oregon to bring down large conifers. The trees were removed to restore oak savanna habitat. The conifers were trucked to the Little Nestucca Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex and its partners have completed a restoration of 82 restoration site and placed in channels acres of tidal marsh on Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge that will restore the marsh’s natural and sloughs to serve as large woody functions. (USFWS) debris – important habitat and cover implementation to protect and enhance now have their sights set on Bandon for juvenile salmonids. Nearby Siuslaw fish habitat. This partner is now working Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, where National Forest also contributed a with an adjacent landowner to improve more than 430 acres of tidal marsh are truckload of conifers, with root wads still riparian habitat and a stream flowing scheduled to be restored in 2009-2010. ◆ attached. into the restoration area. The partners Roy W. Lowe is project leader at the The Oregon Department of Fish and are so pleased with the restoration that they are looking to new horizons. They Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife assisted with design and Complex.

September/October 2008 | Pg 13 Refuge Update Outstanding Leadership for the Land

en Clough, a realty specialist in Since 2001, the U.S. Fish and Richard L. Erdmann, executive vice Kthe Southeast Region, is the 2008 Wildlife Service has recognized the president and general counsel, The recipient of the Rudolph Dieffenbach accomplishments of individuals and Conservation Fund (TCF) was awarded Award, presented by the Refuge System groups through the National Realty the National Land Protection Award Division of Realty for his innovation Awards program. Other awards for his work in several challenging land in carbon sequestration. Clough has presented are: acquisitions, especially those at Canaan completed several projects that resulted Valley National Wildlife Refuge in in donations of reforested lands to the The Land Legacy Award recipient is West Virginia. There, TCF’s donation Refuge System. Thomas R. Tornow, project leader, – migratory bird habitat that is at Madison Wetland Management District the core of the refuge – was in itself a He also worked with the regional in South Dakota. He was selected significant accomplishment. During the solicitor’s office and partners in for his work in securing funds for past 14 years, TCF’s transactions have developing a memorandum of preserving grasslands and wetlands. accounted for nearly 14,000 acres of the understanding to replant wildlife refuges Thanks to his leadership, more than $2 16,000 acres protected at Canaan Valley in native hardwood that provide carbon million from non-profit organizations Refuge. ◆ credits and increase wildlife habitat. and private individuals helped create the Through Clough’s efforts, about 14,490 Harvey Dunn Grassland Preservation acres have been reforested. Project. More than 2,000 acres of grass and 300 acres of associated wetlands will be saved from conversion into cropland this year alone.

From the Director – continued from pg 2 ability to recognize and take into account the phenomenon of family. That means stage. I don’t care what level you are lots of viewpoints and conditions. I can employees are not just workers, but you working on, people are looking for you to talk for an hour with an employee in have to care about them as individuals. If teach them. A leader’s objective should the field and tell you whether they’ve people see themselves only as workers, be to replace ourselves with those who had Washington experience. We all they will not accept ownership. The are better than we are. have a strong desire to stay parochial, phenomenon of family is vivid in the but when you’re in Washington, you see Service. Service employees know we Lastly, never, ever get wrapped up in firsthand just how actively Congress care about them. When I went to see your title. Supervision is a privilege. has a role in our work, how actively the national wildlife refuges after Hurricane Remember that you have been given Administration has an impact on what Ike, I said that we had to take care of our an opportunity to influence people’s we do. You see the role of different employees first; then we’ll take care of lives. After I leave this job on January groups and their interests. I may get the land. 3, nobody will care on January 4 what 1,000 e-mails each week telling me what Dale Hall thinks. Right now, they care we should be doing. You can only see Second, every leader has to have vision about what the Director thinks because that when you serve in Washington. It and be able to articulate it. If employees I am responsible for an agency with doesn’t mean that someone can’t do a don’t know where you are going, how 9,000 employees and a huge conservation good job without Washington experience, can they follow? That’s why I spend so mission. When you forget that everyone but when there is competition for a job, much time on e-mails and broadcasts to is coming to see you because of the job someone will be a much better candidate employees. you have – the authority you have – then if they have had Washington experience – you are setting yourself up for making Third, leaders have to have honesty and bad decisions. and truly learned while they were here. integrity. It is critical, crucial. Leaders Q: What are the consistent qualities of have to stand up for what they think the Never stop listening. It’s more important great leaders? truth is. People value that. to listen than to talk. And when you talk, leaders have to remember that it means A: I talk about this every year at ALDP. Fourth, leaders need to understand something. You can be given authority, First, good leaders must understand that you are always a teacher, always on but you have to earn respect. ◆

Pg 14 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Lookout Ivy, Here Comes Bill! by Dawn Grafe ill Medlen, a quiet, hard-working Bvolunteer with a thing about English ivy, is making a big impact at Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Before joining the refuge as a volunteer, Bill was an attorney in Los Angeles. He was primed to leave California and hang out his shingle in his home state of Oregon, but decided to take a break before sitting behind another desk. It occurred to Bill one day that he might enjoy volunteering for a short spell. In the spring of 2007, he discovered the Volunteer.gov Web site, and before long he was standing on a viewing deck at Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, overlooking 5,000 blubbery seals and sea lions and sharing information about the animals with tourists. Bill has always had a keen interest in wildlife; indeed wildlife biology was his first declared major in college. He was a volunteer at Oregon Islands Bill Medlen, a quiet, hard-working volunteer with a thing about English ivy, has made a huge difference Refuge for two months. When the tourist at Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. (USFWS) season ended, Bill wasn’t ready to leave. “I was having too much fun to go back to and is spreading so fast, covering and and bright summer. One morning work” he says. choking out large Sitka spruce in the recently, from the kitchen window of most remote areas.” the bunkhouse he saw a red-breasted Last November, he moved 200 miles merganser leading a brood of newly north to live in a bunkhouse at Siletz So far, he has removed more than 7,000 hatched chicks. He thought to himself Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where pounds of trash and invasive plants living and working here on the refuge is he became our sole invasive species from about 20 acres. At the start, he like being inside an episode of National volunteer, spending his working hours says he felt like he wasn’t accomplishing Geographic. ◆ deep in the patches of English ivy, Scotch much. “I thought I was maybe saving broom and Himalayan blackberry that a particular tree from ivy for a year Dawn Grafe is visitor services manager have taken root – and expand rapidly – or so, but there was so much ivy in the for Oregon Coast Refuge Complex. on the 561-acre refuge. surrounding forest I didn’t think I was having a substantial impact.” The refuge was established in 1991 to protect salt marsh, tidal sloughs and Now that he has been at it for more mixed coniferous forest. It’s in the than 800 hours (most volunteers chip in forest and surrounding edges of the salt about 300 hours a year), he has changed marsh where Bill now goes to work each his mind. “I look around in the forest morning, equipped with thick gloves now and see that I have made a real and, depending on the invasives he’ll be difference.” taking on, a handsaw, loppers and a chain saw. From his childhood, Bill recalls the After weeks of working in the cold, wet blackberry and the broom, but the ivy and windy Pacific Northwest weather, was new to him. “It’s come in so recently Bill was looking forward to a warm

September/October 2008 | Pg 15 Refuge Update Restoring Habitat for Masked Bobwhites

bobwhite habitat, fewer than 300 in a matter of weeks. and efforts to The Phoenix Zoo gave Buenos Aires restore habitat Refuge staff a crash course in treating will get underway sick birds. Biologists from Kofa and on more than 800 Imperial National Wildlife Refuges also additional acres. pitched in. Once the crisis subsided, Hopefully, similar the flock rebounded. During the next agreements can nesting season, the numbers in captivity be reached with recovered to their current level. other private landowners Surveys conducted in Mexico in 2007 throughout the detected five to seven calling males. range of the Subsequent studies failed to detect any species. birds. But that does not mean they are gone; significant summer rains later Buenos Aires in the year greatly improved habitat Refuge, conditions. We theorize that birds may located on the have spread into new areas. A Mexican northernmost biologist is searching for new pockets of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge was established primarily for the purpose of masked fringe of the bobwhite’s range, was masked bobwhite in the central portion of bobwhite conservation. Habitat restoration was – established in 1985, primarily for the state of Sonora. ◆ and still is – a daunting challenge. (USFWS) the purpose of masked bobwhite Mary Hunnicutt is a wildlife biologist at by Mary Hunnicutt conservation. Habitat restoration was – and still is – a daunting challenge. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge y the late 1950s, the masked in Arizona. Bbobwhite, a subspecies of the The exotic Lehmann’s lovegrass has northern bobwhite, was thought to be invaded the refuge and grown too dense extinct in the United States and Mexico for the bobwhite. Large sacaton grass due to overgrazing and droughts. stands historically used by the birds In 1964, however, bobwhites were for hiding from predators have largely spotted along a highway in Sonora, a disappeared, replaced by yet another northwestern Mexico state that shares a non-native species, Johnson grass. To border with Arizona. Efforts to save the create bobwhite habitat, the refuge has species subsequently were launched in used prescribed fires and mechanical the United States and Mexico. treatments, including aeration and disking, mowing, building brush piles and The bird has been on the U.S. planting of appropriate food and cover Endangered Species list since 1967. plants. Fewer than 300 are believed to be living in the wild. A captive breeding facility at Turning to Captive Breeding Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge The refuge’s captive breeding facility in Arizona has succeeded in swelling the opened in 1996. Members of the flock, number of birds to 1,100. previously housed at Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland, are descendants of Because habitat conservation in Mexico Mexican birds captured in the 1960s, ’70s is so important to the continued life of the and ’80s. In addition to providing chicks species, the refuge has been cooperating for eventual release, the captive flock is in the search for suitable land there for regarded as a genetic repository in case potential releases. An agreement signed the wild population goes extinct. in September formalized a habitat-saving A near disaster occurred in summer partnership involving the U.S. Fish Non-native species such as Lehmann’s lovegrass and Wildlife Service and two Mexican 2007. A lethal mix of bacteria, viruses and Johnson grass have crowded out stands of ranches. Ranchers agreed to remove and intestinal disorders swept the sacaton (pictured above) where bobwhites hide from predators. (USFWS) cattle from 3,300 acres of prime masked facility, reducing a flock of 600 birds to

Pg 16 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Endangered Butterfly Gets New Start bout 30 endangered Lange’s Antioch Dunes Refuge has Ametalmark butterflies were been fighting the weed, returned in late August to their native which does not allow sands habitat on Antioch Dunes National to shift, mandatory for the Wildlife Refuge in California after being growth of the native plant on raised in a special breeding facility by which the butterfly depends. students and faculty at Moorpark College Refuge staff and more than as part of a concerted effort to save the 100 volunteers have been nearly extinct species. Antioch Dunes removing the exotic weeds Refuge is the nation’s only home for the by hand. So far, so good: butterfly that is fluttering dangerously buckwheat growth has close to extinction. increased. The goal of the release is to see if the Wildfires have also played a pregnant female Lange’s will lay eggs role in the butterfly’s decline. and if larvae released a few weeks earlier Fires that burn buckwheat Faced with the possible loss of Lange’s metalmark butterflies – will grow to reproduce in their natural down to just 45 adults in 2006 – Antioch Dunes National Wildlife will kill the butterfly in one of environment. Refuge in California launched an aggressive habitat conservation its phases. project and a special breeding program with Moorpark College. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Jerry Powell) About 185 Lange’s launched an aggressive effort to restore metalmarks were produced habitat at Antioch Dunes Refuge, even Metalmark butterflies – fragile and from four butterflies brought as it also sought to breed the species in brightly colored – are named for their to Moorpark College last year. So far, captivity until its wild population can grey, or metallic-colored, wing tips. there have been 16 confirmed matings, be stabilized. The number of Lange’s Unlike many other butterflies that can an impressive number since there’s never metalmark butterflies in the wild has produce several generations in a year, been a confirmed mating of the species in plummeted from a peak of 2,342 in the Lange’s metalmark breeds only one captivity. Small samples of the butterfly’s 1999 to just 45 adult butterflies in 2006. group of offspring per year. wings were also carefully clipped to Counts are conducted weekly on the One reason for the butterfly’s decline provide material for future genetic refuge during adult emergence period, has been the growth of exotic weeds research, the first time such research was ◆ from July through September each year. that are choking out the butterfly’s done on the species. host plant, the naked-stem buckwheat.

Saving Flavor of the Past on Kofa Refuge – continued from pg 6

“So, for example, we took a sample of Refuge staff helped the 24 members of Kofa Refuge visitors can record their the interior sheet rock from Big Eye the extended family make the trip. The impressions about the buildings in a Mine Cabin to John Wilson, a building staff not only arranged logistics, but also logbook. Said Robert Vaugh about Big restoration specialist at Foxworth- food, including a Dutch Oven lasagna Eye Cabin, “This is a place created by Galbraith Lumber Company in Yuma,” prepared by refuge volunteers LeRoy people with a will and determination as recalls Henry. “He identified it as one­ and Gloria Iverson. hard as the mountain they worked in.” quarter-inch gypsum sheet rock – not commonly used today, except when the Now in their 70s and 80s, the sisters “Congratulations on a job well done,” had last seen the cabin in 1999, during wrote Dwight G. Hodges of Garden City, builder plans to cover the sheet rock with th stucco or plaster. John helped us get the the 50 anniversary celebration of the Utah, “Myself along with eight senior quarter-inch sheet rock we needed to establishment of Kofa and Cabeza Prieta citizens spent the evening at Wilbanks make the appropriate repairs.” National Wildlife Refuges. Jacqueline Cabin on March 28, 2006. We had Wilbanks Schulz now lives in Duluth, GA, visited the cabin in 2004, so we have a In April 2007, the three daughters of Barbara Wilbanks Washum in Pahrump, good comparison on which to base our Martha and Jack Wilbanks visited the NV, and Carol Wilbanks Sanders in compliments. ◆ cabin as part of a family reunion. Kofa Dewey, AZ.

September/October 2008 | Pg 17 Refuge Update Around Alaska Florida Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge Some traffic relief may be on the way celebrated its first Dragonfly Day for J.N. “Ding” Darling National the Refuge with visits from John Hudson and Bob Wildlife Refuge, one of the most visited Armstrong, co-authors of the field stations in the Refuge System. Lee guide Dragonflies of Alaska. They County Transit has been awarded a System came to Alaska to teach the ecology $750,000 grant through the Federal of dragonflies, improve knowledge of Transit Administration under the species distribution and teach biologists Alternative Transportation in Parks California to identify and document species. Three and Public Lands Program to help the Richard J. Guadagno, the former dragonfly-collecting walks in Fairbanks refuge manage its crowds. manager of Humboldt Bay National attracted some 150 people. Dragonflies Wildlife Refuge who died on Flight can be caught, carefully handled and The program is designed to enhance 93 in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001, released unharmed, providing unique habitat protection and visitor is being honored with the creation of opportunities for close-up views. enjoyment, while attempting to better a college scholarship fund. Money manage congestion and pollution on for the fund was donated by people Kanuti Refuge holds an Alaska popular public lands. throughout the country and matched record for dragonfly species (20) and The refuge protects more 200 species of by the National Fish and Wildlife the Hudson/Armstrong team hopes Foundation in an effort to sustain the others will now begin surveying birds on its 6,400 acres (approximately 2,800 acres are designated as a legacy of Guadagno’s commitment to and documenting different types of resource conservation. dragonflies. Hudson and Armstrong wilderness area). The refuge, which also led a dragonfly walk and taught hosts more than 800,000 visitors a year, The scholarships are intended to identification skills at Tetlin National struggles to meet their needs while also support students studying natural Wildlife Refuge. Hudson who calls honoring the refuge’s mandated mission resources and sciences at both the interior Alaska “the frontier of – to protect wildlife and habitat. College of the Redwoods (CR) and dragonfly research,” hopes to return Lee Country Transit will conduct Humboldt State University (HSU). next summer to continue this citizen- a 22-month study of the refuge, its The scholarships provide $500 for one science effort to document dragonfly visitors and the ways humans interact student each year at CR and $1000 for diversity and distribution. with resources at the refuge. an undergraduate student and $2,000 for a graduate student at HSU each year. “We are very appreciative of the outpouring of support for Rich. This is a fitting way to keep his memory alive at a place and area he cared for a great deal and considered special,” the Guadagno family said in a statement. The family has donated $5,000 to the fund. Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship fund can do so through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Web site, at www.nfwf. org, or by contacting Krystyna Wolniakowski at 503-417-8700. Massachusetts Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has celebrated two important events with a “Day of Dedications.” These events were the completion of a bridge leading to the visitor center and the Dragonflies can be caught, carefully handled and released unharmed, providing this unique close- designation of the Great Marsh as up view at Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. (Joanna Fox)

Pg 18 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of regional importance. First, a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration was held for the completion of the visitor center entrance bridge. The bridge is an innovative design, completed through a partnership with the Federal Highways Administration. As part of The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program, Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas is turning 775 Most importantly, acres of retired farmland into a hardwood forest. (Jean LeMunyon Photography) it represented the final step in participated in an unveiling of the the largest projects undertaken so opening the refuge visitor center and designation site sign. A presentation far through the Go Zero program. In headquarters to the public. Speakers entitled “Shorebird Conservation addition to The Conservation Fund, from Federal Highways as well as on a Hemispheric Scale” was given the restoration received support from the Service and city of Newburyport by Charles Duncan, Director of the Allstate, Cambridge Systematics, Delta detailed the steps of the project and Shorebird Recovery Project and Air Lines and U-Haul International. WHSRN. their great excitement in seeing it come Established in 1992 to restore and to its fruition. Kansas conserve bottomland hardwood The refuge also celebrated the With the help of several partners, forest, the refuge is located along a inclusion of the Great Marsh, the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife transition zone that changes from largest contiguous salt marsh north Refuge, just 39 miles south of the southern hardwood forest to tallgrass of Long Island Sound (of which Kansas City metropolitan area, prairie. The refuge supports a mix the refuge protects about 3,000 has taken the first steps in turning of wetlands, bottomland and upland acres), as a WHSRN site of regional 775 acres of retired farmland into forest and tallgrass prairie habitats. importance. The Great Marsh, a bottomland hardwood forest as Nationally, bottomland hardwood which is used by more than 67,000 part of The Conservation Fund’s Go forest has been reduced by 80 percent shorebirds of varying species and Zero program, which seeks to reduce since Euro-American settlement, and other wildlife, is vital as migratory and offset carbon emissions. The tallgrass prairie has been reduced by habitat. The refuge, along with restoration will not only enhance 99 percent. partners Mass Audubon, the Trustees activities such as bird watching and of Reservations, Essex County photography but also trap more than Greenbelt Association and the Parker 230,000 tons of carbon dioxide as the River Clean Water Association, trees grow. The restoration is one of

September/October 2008 | Pg 19 Refuge Update Independent Analysis – continued from pg 1

MSI also noted that the rate at which Only about 20 percent of the Refuge land has been added to the Refuge System workforce is working as System had declined “significantly” over biologists. the past five years. A similar recommendation came out Land acquisition funding comes from of the Conservation in Action Summit, two sources: appropriations to the Land held in May 2006 as a means to map and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) out measurable strategic goals for the and revenues from the sale of Duck near future. The Refuge System has Stamps. Appropriations from LWCF not found the resources to implement have steadily and significantly fallen the recommendation. But the Refuge since their highest level of $121 million in System is developing a staffing model, FY 2001. In FY 08, the Refuge System which will identify how many people are received $28 million; in FY 09, the needed to work as biologists. The model request is approximately $10.2 million. is expected to be unveiled in coming Revenues from Duck Stamps have months. consistently averaged about $40 million per year. • The MSI report also recommended the Refuge System develop a water MSI rated the Refuge System as strategy to more effectively assess and “highly effective” in one strategic goal: address water management issues. facilitating partnerships and cooperative MSI advises the appointment of a A broad study by Management Systems projects. The consultant specifically International ranked the Refuge System’s efforts “water resources coordinator.” pointed to the Refuge System’s work to conserve, manage and restore wildlife resources The issues of water quality and quantity with volunteer and Friends organizations and habitats as “partially effective.” (USFWS) as well as state fish and wildlife agencies. are increasingly becoming issues of MSI calculated that in 2005 alone, concern within the Refuge System, at • Providing quality wildlife-dependent least partially due to population growth, partnerships contributed more than recreation $50 million to the Refuge System – with land development, climate change and more than $30 million in direct cash • Maintaining infrastructure and pollution. A Water Team Initiative has contributions. equipment been chartered within the Refuge System in recognition of the need to address the The independent analysis was • Completing high quality issue more comprehensively, on both the undertaken in fulfillment of the Comprehensive Conservation Plans national and regional levels. Program Assessment Rating Tool – • Reducing wildfire risks and improve part of the President’s Management • Finally, the MSI report recommended habitats. Agenda – and at the mandate of the development of a central means to foster information sharing across the Office of Management and Budget Among other recommendations, three Refuge System to help ensure that best (OMB). More than 250 interviews stand out: were conducted with Refuge System practices are more widely disseminated management in the headquarters office; • The report rated the Refuge System and adopted. as “partially effective” in conserving, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff in The MSI report has been shared with managing and restoring wildlife the field; stakeholders in Congress, the OMB, the Department of the Interior, resources and habitats. Forty-one Department of the Interior and OMB; the Service, appropriate Congressional percent of Refuge lands in states other national and local nonprofit partners; and committees, members and staff than Alaska were found to be in need staff from state fish and wildlife agencies. members who have asked to be briefed of management attention. Therefore, as well as with nonprofit conservation MSI rated the Refuge System as MSI recommended the Refuge System organizations, including the 22 nonprofit “effective” in four strategic goals: hire more biologists – although the members of the Cooperative Alliance for report does not specify how many. Refuge Enhancement Care (CARE). ◆

Pg 20 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Nature Is Where You Find It

action-packed • Don’t be afraid to get a little silly, day, they learned like making worm pudding together about wildlife (see the recipe below). My husband art, took part in calls it the ‘picket fence syndrome’– presentations on paint it and they will come, brushes hydrology and in hand. birds of prey, built a Web page, We recently attended the awards and got to touch ceremony for the 2008 Colorado Junior live snake and Duck Stamp competition. Every winner salamanders, wolf from across the state was there, with pelt, bison skull cheering family and friends. One girl in and more. a hip cast had her very proud Dad help her up to the stage to receive her award. The take-home The winners are living proof that wildlife lessons are can be interesting, accessible and, I dare Like four-year-old Laura Guertin (the author’s daughter), the two dozen invaluable, say, “cool.” or so children who attended this year’s Mountain Prairie Region’s “Bring especially at a Your Kids to Work Day” event got a good look at both nature and the natural time when Mom There is no magic formula to spark resource profession. In one action-packed day, they learned about wildlife Nature has so much lifelong interest in the outdoors, but art and birds of prey, built a Web page and got to touch a bison skull, a live competition. After you can’t go wrong by starting small– snake and salamanders. (Christy Bates) all, the outdoor world something we can see and something we can touch provide an ideal introduction. by Irene James Guertin isn’t in the picture- perfect Technicolor that colors our Regardless of where children’s interests omeone once told me that rural perceptions. lay or who they grow up to be, what South Florida, where I grew up, S We’ve learned that the siege starts early. they do early in life sticks with them and looks a lot like Vietnam. The comparison becomes part of who they are. If nothing seemed odd at first. Vietnam seemed so I took my children Laura, 4, and James, 2, to see dinosaur tracks and fossils right else, nature gives parents a good excuse exotic, so unlike my sleepy hometown, to be kids again. ◆ but we tend to forget that the exotic and after we moved to Colorado. This was unusual are often right in front of us. big for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off Worm Pudding of those perfect tracks, like those of a We like to think that we conquer nature giant, wayward dog running through Ingredients: with flood control, air conditioning and fresh cement – yet millions of years old. Chocolate Pudding fences. Yet, it is always pushing back– Laura, on the other hand, announced snakes, turtles and lizards crowding our that we would play princesses in the Crumbled Oreo or vanilla wafer cookies yard, giant spiders spinning webs the size observation tower. We all lived happily of trampolines, tadpoles filling ditches ever after, but I still felt a little defeated. Gummy Worms during the rainy season. What to do? Layer pudding, cookies, and plenty I didn’t always appreciate this world at Here are a few ideas from our of worms in bowls and eat (ok to use my doorstep. Now, we have to be more experience: fingers). creative about where to find it. These Irene James Guertin is a former Refuge days, most of the snakes and turtles we • Some say that success lies mostly in just showing up. So we keep doing System chief of budget. She is now living see are in zoos and nature centers, pet in Denver and still associated with the shops, even the office–if your family that, even when the kids don’t seem to be paying attention. Children Fish and Wildlife Service through her works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife husband, who is the Midwest regional Service. need repetition. Let’s make special natural places live forever in their director. About 25 children who attended this memories. year’s Mountain Prairie Region’s

“Bring Your Kids to Work Day” event • Notice what’s right in front of you. got a good look at both nature and the There are a ton of excellent wildlife natural resource profession. In one books for children of all ages, so read, read, read.

September/October 2008 | Pg 21 Refuge Update Becoming an Expert Volunteer in New Jersey college’s Continuing Studies year to maintain certification. While all division and refuge staff, the service does not have to take place on Keefe developed a Master the refuge, Webster expects to be able to Naturalist curriculum. offer seasonal guided walks on weekends, He chose elements from and, “I’d like to spread our activities existing programs in Texas beyond our headquarters. We stretch and Florida but made sure for 50 miles along the coast and there to keep the focus on the are numerous opportunities to connect natural resources of people with the refuge.” New Jersey. Importance of College Mastering the Both Keefe and Webster stress the value Ecosystems of strong partnerships when initiating The curriculum provided a Master Naturalist or CIG program. a mix of scientific Funding for the New Jersey program presentations and field came from a Challenge Cost Share Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and The Richard experiences. Grant, Stockton College and a grant Stockton College of New Jersey are collaborating to train Volunteer Students heard experts from Barnegat Bay National Estuary Master Naturalists (VMN) and Certified Interpretive Guides. from Stockton College, Program, since half the refuge is on (Tom Graf) the refuge, the New the shores of Barnegat Bay. Other new partnership between Edwin Jersey Division of Parks local, state and nonprofit organizations AB. Forsythe National Wildlife and Forestry, Ocean County Parks and and agencies participated in program Refuge and The Richard Stockton the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program development. College of New Jersey combines talk about coastal birds and mammals, Delaware State Parks was instrumental training for Volunteer Master plants and invasives as well as marine in providing a Certified Interpretive Naturalists (VMN) and Certified and estuarine habitats and the birds of Trainer. Interpretive Guides (CIG) as well Forsythe Refuge. There were day and as continuing education credits for weekend field trips, including a two-hour The partnership with Stockton College teachers all in a single program. The kayaking trip. was especially important. A college first class of 21 graduated in May Eight hours of the course were devoted connection not only provides expertise and included ten refuge Friends and to interpretive skills. The goal was but also a way for teacher participants to volunteers, several retirees and four to offer one course that would enable earn continuing education credits. Keefe active public school teachers. It is participants to become both Certified says one of the first teacher participants believed to be the first time a refuge Interpretive Guides (CIG) and Volunteer has already started bringing her inner has initiated a Master Naturalist Master Naturalists (VMN), although city students to refuge programs offered program before a state chapter has people could also choose to take only one by the Friends of Forsythe and she has been established. part or the other. received a grant to bring fourth graders to the refuge on a regular basis. The 40-hour certificate program is based As Forsythe Refuge’s supervisory park on a national model designed to develop ranger, Art Webster explains, “ultimately, All the involved partners hope this first volunteer naturalists and interpreters we wanted to be able to respond to the collaborative training effort will be a seed through science-based education, increasing demand for refuge tours. We that spreads throughout New Jersey, conservation and service programs. The are within view of Atlantic City. People possibly leading to a new state chapter of Refuge Update March-April 2005 and ◆ who come for extended visits have Master Naturalists. July-August 2007 issues carried articles expressed a need for something other about the Master Naturalist program For more information: than casinos. We wanted to offer more – which is where Forsythe Refuge staff than just a nature tour, but we couldn’t Master Naturalists – Alliance of National first became intrigued with the possibility accommodate the requests due to lack Resource and Outreach Programs of offering a program in New Jersey. of staff.” http://www.nralliance.org/ Barry Keefe, volunteer and Friends Graduates of the Naturalist/Guide Certified Interpretive Guides – National member at Forsythe Refuge, is also program must complete 40 hours of Association of Interpretation a retired social work professor from approved environmental service plus www.interpnet.com Stockton College. With the support of the eight hours of advanced training each

Pg 22 Refuge Update | September/October 2008 Coming Soon, a Big Anniversary in Key West

early 400,000 people a year visit The winners of an NKey West National Wildlife Refuge essay contest – whose in Florida, primarily to boat, fish and participants are students dive in the beautiful waters. Many leave at the local junior high without even knowing they have ever school and Florida Keys been near a national wildlife refuge. Community College assigned to write about Come November 15, almost everybody the importance of the within shouting range of the Key West refuge to Key West – will waterfront will know that a very special read their submissions. refuge is nearby. That day, tourists and Local eco-tour businesses residents alike will join the refuge staff, have offered to host members of the refuge Friends group snorkeling and kayaking and quite a few visiting luminaries for trips to Key West Refuge day-long festivities marking the refuge’s 100th anniversary. Key West Refuge, a designated wilderness Most of the action will be on the located about 140 miles waterfront, centered around the southwest of Miami, Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, includes 2,019 acres of the two-year-old, 6,400-square-foot land and 206,289 acres of environmental education facility operated state waters co-managed by the Florida Keys National Marine with the State of Florida Sanctuary. and Florida Keys National Planned events include the dedication Marine Sanctuary. Access of a plaque commemorating the refuge, to the refuge islands is by a costumed Theodore Roosevelt look- boat only. alike who will mingle with the crowd, President Theodore the reading of a proclamation by Key Roosevelt actually signed West Mayor Morgan McPherson and into law the establishment a number of guest lectures. The Key of the refuge on August 8. West Post Office will provide a special On November 15, on the southernmost tip of The celebration will fall in mid-November Florida, tourists and residents alike will join in a one-time cancellation commemorating for reasons of comfort and safety; day of festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the anniversary. Throughout the day, the weather is cooler and the annual Key West National Wildlife Refuge. (NOAA) representatives of the refuge Friends hurricane season is over. group – the Friends And Volunteers Of habitat for endangered marine turtles Refuges (FAVOR) – will be on hand to Key West Refuge provides critical and a large population of the rare Miami sign up new members. nesting, foraging and roosting habitat for blue butterfly.◆ more than 250 species of migratory birds. The refuge also protects critical nesting

Saving a Region’s Wetlands – continued from pg 11

For some landowners, like western almost every available patch of water,” Management District (MN). “Our Minnesota’s Woody Olson, it’s not just Olson said. “But we decided that setting challenge for the next 50 years will be a matter of money. In 2006, he, several aside our land for wildlife would be our continuing to work closely with others to members of his family and a friend – legacy for the future.”“Fifty years ago, turn today’s challenges into opportunities who together owned contiguous plots the pioneers of this program were able that will be enjoyed by generations to totaling 439 acres – sold easement rights to turn the challenges of the day into one come.” ◆ to the Service. “We could have made of the greatest landscape conservation a lot more money selling to developers programs of all time,” says Scott Kahan, who are eager to build houses around manager of Detroit Lakes Wetland

September/October 2008 | Pg 23 Refuge Update A Look Back . . . Tom Atkeson

om Atkeson’s first assignment as Atkeson as a first grader during a field to kids about wildlife. That day left a big Ta junior biologist was to map the trip to Wheeler Refuge. “He was fairly impression on me.” new Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in intimidating to a group of first graders. Alabama. Little did he know in 1939 how But he kept smiling these great big Atkeson brought in a starter population vital that experience would be. smiles, and you could tell he loved to talk of otters from the Okefenokee Swamp and added wild turkeys, muskrats, Atkeson joined the Army when the United raccoons, beavers and bobcats as well as States entered World War II. He was two endangered bat species and scores of blinded by an antitank mine explosion bird species. He also began the practice of at Fort Hood, TX; the blast also severed cooperative farming, through which local his hands and burned his face. Yet he farmers cultivated refuge lands to produce dreamed of returning to work at Wheeler crops that, after harvest, provided food Refuge, and eventually he did just that, on for migratory birds. A trail named in condition that he pay for his own personal Atkeson’s honor passes by some of this assistant. Later he would write, “I still farmland as well as a cypress swamp – had something to work with, even if at and it is universally accessible. times it seemed to consist largely of my ‘unconquerable soul.’ But I meant to do all Atkeson maintained an interest in the I could with it.” refuge even after he retired. He was twice recognized as Alabama Conservationist Focused on memorizing the refuge trails of the Year, and Birmingham, AL, once and layout, Atkeson’s knowledge of the proclaimed a Tom Atkeson Day. When refuge became so keen that he could tell he died in 1999, he was remembered as a exactly where he was by the number of man of incredible courage, determination turns taken by his vehicle and the sound and stamina…a dedicated lover of nature of the wheels on the roadway. In 1962 who loved the refuge and all the wildlife it ◆ he went one step further and became Tom Atkeson (USFWS) supported. refuge manager, a position he would hold for 25 years. Send Us Your Comments Larry Williams, chief of the Refuge Letters to the Editor or suggestions about Refuge Update can be e-mailed to System budget office, remembers seeing [email protected] or mailed to Refuge Update, USFWS-NWRS, 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Room 634C, Arlington, VA 22203-1610.

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