Connecticut Wildlife March/April 2014 Meet DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee
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March/April 2014 CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISIONS OF WILDLIFE, INLAND & MARINE FISHERIES, AND FORESTRY March/April 2014 Connecticut Wildlife 1 ● From the Volume 34, Number 2 March/April 2014 Commissioner’s Published bimonthly by Desk Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources Rob Klee, Commissioner, CT Department of Wildlife Division Energy and Environmental Protection www.ct.gov/deep Commissioner Robert F. Klee As someone drawn to the outdoors, I have always enjoyed hiking Connecticut’s Deputy Commissioner trails, kayaking our waterways, and observing the diversity of our wildlife. Susan Whalen Chief, Bureau of Natural Resources Now, as the new Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental William Hyatt Protection (DEEP), I head a state agency with a wide range of responsibilities, Director, Wildlife Division including protection of our open spaces, natural resources, and wildlife. This is Rick Jacobson something that DEEP takes very seriously. Magazine Staff Our state is small and heavily populated in many places. Yet, few other states can Managing Editor Kathy Herz match us for scenic beauty, open spaces, and opportunities for fi rst-rate outdoor Production Editor Paul Fusco experiences, such as hiking, boating, observing birds and other wildlife, fi shing, Contributing Editors: Mike Beauchene (Inland Fisheries) and hunting. We have 107 state parks, 106 wildlife management areas, and 32 Penny Howell (Marine Fisheries) state forests, as well as thousands of acres of land protected by municipalities Christopher Martin (Forestry) and local land trusts. This means “the great outdoors” is just a short and Circulation Trish Cernik convenient drive away from anywhere. Wildlife Division One of the biggest challenges facing our agency is how to protect all that we 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 (860-424-3011) have – not just for us but for future generations as well. To accomplish this we Offi ce of the Director, Recreation Management, Technical Assistance, aim to reach into the future and engage young people in the world of nature to Natural History Survey foster the development of the next generation of environmental stewards. Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013 (860-675-8130) To meet this challenge, DEEP has innovative programs to lure families back Wildlife Diversity, Birds, Furbearers, Outreach and Education, Habitat Management, Conservation Education/Firearms Safety, Connecticut outside - and away from all of today’s electronic gear. As the father of two young Wildlife magazine boys ages six and four, I know just how hard that can be – and how diffi cult it is Franklin Wildlife Management Area to break through the busy schedule many families keep. 391 Route 32, N. Franklin, CT 06254 (860-642-7239) Migratory Birds, Deer/Moose, Wild Turkey, Small Game, Wetlands Here is a look at just two of the programs we have for families. We hope you will Habitat and Mosquito Management, Conservation Education/Firearms make it a point to participate and get your children outside – and please be sure Safety to take some of their friends along with you when you do: Eastern District Area Headquarters ● 209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT 06447 (860-295-9523) The Great Park Pursuit is part of our nationally recognized No Child Left State Land and Private Land Habitat Management Inside® initiative. The Great Park Pursuit kicks-off on Saturday, May 10, at Connecticut Wildlife magazine (ISSN 1087-7525) is published bimonthly Chatfi eld Hollow State Park, Killingworth, and will end with a day of activities by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and a family campout on June 21 at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Wildlife Division. Send all subscription orders and address changes to There also will be activities at a different state park on the fi ve Saturdays Connecticut Wildlife, Sessions Woods WMA, P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013. Subscription rates are $8 for one year, $15 for two years, and in between. More details and registration information is available at www. $20 for three years. No refunds. Periodical postage paid at Bristol, CT. NoChildLeftInside.org. Postmaster: Please send all address changes to Connecticut Wildlife, P.O. Box 1550, Burlington, CT 06013. ● The “Youth Fishing Passport” program introduces young people to a lifetime www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife of excellent fi shing opportunities across Connecticut. The “Youth Fishing E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 860-675-8130 Passport” is available free-of-charge and is a ticket for youngsters to access The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program was initiated by sportsmen fi shing information and fi shing related activities, as well as promoting a sense of and conservationists to provide states with funding for wildlife management environmental stewardship at an early age. Information about the benefi ts of the and research programs, habitat acquisition, wildlife management area Passport program can be found at www.ct.gov/deep/YFP. development, and hunter education programs. Connecticut Wildlife contains articles reporting on Wildlife Division projects funded entirely or in part In addition, don’t forget that Connecticut has a network of “greenways” that with federal aid monies. provide an attractive place in virtually every city and town for families to get out for a stroll, hike, or bike ride. DEEP also has some fun and educational The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an nature centers, such as the ones at Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison), Affi rmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us Sherwood Island (Westport), and Sessions Woods (Burlington). at 860-418-5910 or [email protected] if you: have a disability and As an avid reader of Connecticut Wildlife, I know that you value the outdoors. need a communication aid or service; have limited profi ciency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to fi le an ADA or Title Please do all you can to pass that on to young people in your life. VI discrimination complaint. Cover: Copyright 2014 by the Connecticut Wildlife Division. The Wildlife Division grants permission to reprint text, not artwork or photos, provided the Wildlife Division is The American woodcock is known for its aerial courtship displays in spring and loud, credited. Artwork and photographs printed in this publication are copyrighted by the CT DEEP Wildlife Division. Any unauthorized use of artwork and photos is prohibited. nasal “peent” calls. Connecticut’s population has been declining. Look for a quick Please contact the managing editor at the Sessions Woods offi ce to obtain permission update on woodcock research and habitat management on page 22. for reprinting articles. Photo courtesy of Paul J. Fusco Printed on recycled paper 2 Connecticut Wildlife March/April 2014 Meet DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee n March 12, O2014, Rob Klee offi cially became Commis- sioner of the Con- necticut Depart- ment of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Commissioner Klee previously served as Chief of INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION M. BEAUCHENE, DEEP Staff for former Commissioner Dan Esty, who, after almost three years at the helm of DEEP, resumed his tenured position at Yale Law School in New Haven in early 2014. As Chief of Staff, Commis- sioner Klee was involved in the in- ner workings of the department – from DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee (left) and students from Helen Street School and Ridge Hill School in Hamden Human Resources, stock trout at one of our designated Community Fishing Waters – Lake Wintergreen in Hamden. budgeting, and technology, to setting policy and direc- of nature – Connecticut’s forests, parks, Flow Analysis of the Industrial Systems tion for environmental regulation and the beaches, and marshes along Long Island in Antarctica.” As a result, some have operation of our state parks and forests. Sound have always been special to him. dubbed him “Dr. Trash.” This nickname He was also directly involved in the inte- Commissioner Klee carried that may be appropriate because Commis- gration of the energy and environmental passion through his education. He has sioner Klee believes that transforming sides of the department and the buildout an undergraduate degree in geology and Connecticut’s waste management system of a new cheaper, cleaner, and more environmental science from Princeton, in order to capture more of the economic reliable energy agenda when Governor and he studied both science and law at value of materials in our waste stream is Malloy and this General Assembly took Yale. In 1997, he enrolled as a gradu- a major challenge facing our state, but action to create the new Department of ate student at the School of Forestry, also a great opportunity for improvement, Energy and Environmental Protection or and, after receiving a master’s degree in innovation, and leadership. “DEEP.” environmental studies, went on to pursue Working together, Commissioner During his position as Chief of Staff, a graduate degree, concentrating in indus- Klee feels confi dent that Connecticut Commissioner Klee developed a real trial ecology. While enrolled as a doctoral can build on the successes enjoyed so understanding of the department, and an student, Klee decided to pursue a law far by putting the state’s environmental, appreciation for the importance of work degree. He took a few years off from his conservation, and energy agendas under being conducted by the DEEP staff. He Ph.D. program to enroll in the Yale Law one roof – an approach that has made has welcomed the chance to work with School. His PhD research explored how Connecticut a national model. a staff that he believes is a collection of our human industrial systems can better A Connecticut native, who was raised smart, motivated, and passionate people interact with natural systems.