2000 Volunteer Report Volunteers conserve and interpret fish and wildlife and their habitat for present and future generations

              2000 Volunteer Report
Volunteers conserve and
interpret fish and wildlife and
their habitat for present and
future generations
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
A Special Message from the Director
Dear Volunteers,
With great appreciation, I thank you and celebrate your many successes
for this year! Your accomplishments are testament to the many hours of
hard work you have selflessly dedicated to conserving America’s public
lands for wildlife and people. You truly are making a difference!
Similar to the diversity of lands conserved by the Service, from
deserts, forests, swamps, mountains, prairies, and beaches, we find
great diversity among you, our volunteers. From your diversity, the
Service has gained a wealth of talents and skills that continue to help
it move toward fulfilling its mission to conserve, protect and enhance
fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the
American people.
Volunteers, you provide endless support for a variety of projects. For
instance, students from Currituck County High School volunteered
their time and constructed five hunting blinds at Currituck NWR in
North Carolina. In New Mexico, volunteer assistance at Mora National
Fish Hatchery contributed to its selection by the Department of Energy
for the Water Conservation Award. In addition, volunteers at Nisqually
NWR in Washington aided in public environmental education efforts
by staffing the new visitor center five days a week. These contributions
are just a few of many made by volunteers across the nation.
As volunteers, you serve as ambassadors for the Service within your
communities by heightening awareness and support. The circle of
support volunteers create continues to widen and strengthen with
nearly 36,000 of you donating over one million hours last year.
You are an integral piece of the puzzle that helps make America’s
vast network of natural treasures complete. Thank you for keeping
the volunteer spirit alive!
“Never doubt that a small,
thoughtful group of concerned
citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing
that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Key
AARP American Association of Retired Persons
ESO Ecological Services Office
FRO Fisheries Resource Office
LEO Law Enforcement Office
NCTC National Conservation Training Center
NFH National Fish Hatchery
NWFR National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
NWR National Wildlife Refuge
NWRS National Wildlife Refuge System
SCA Student Conservation Association
USFWS U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
WMD Wetland Management District
WO Washington, D.C. Office
1
Volunteers Make It Happen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Volunteer Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Growth of The Volunteer Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What Is the Volunteer Program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Who Are Our Volunteers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Volunteer Program Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Special Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Partnerships and Support Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Recognition of Outstanding Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Volunteers’ Conservation Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Habitat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
People. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Innovative Approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Challenges and Concerns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Our Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Table of Contents
For nearly 100 years, individual
citizens, groups, and organizations
have significantly contributed to
protecting and enhancing America’s
vast network of wild places. With
the beginning of a new century,
we salute nearly 36,000 volunteers
who continue to make a difference
for wildlife, habitat and people.
The annual Volunteer Report is
our way of focusing on the many
accomplishments of volunteer
programs across the nation,
highlighting innovative approaches,
and listing challenges and concerns
for the future. With this report, we
strive to promote the volunteers that
make it happen and acknowledge all
those who give with their hearts,
minds and hands.
What Gives Us the Authority to
Accept Volunteer Services?
The Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956
(16 U.S.C. 742a-j), as amended by
the Fish and Wildlife Improvement
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 7421) and the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Volunteer and Community
Partnership Enhancement Act of
1998 (Pub.L.105-242) authorizes us
to accept volunteer services.
It is our goal to engage the public in
fulfilling our mission of…“working
with others, to conserve, protect and
enhance fish, wildlife and plants and
their habitats for the continuing
benefit of the American people.”
Volunteers are vital to this effort.
They work in the field and in visitor
centers, at refuges and hatcheries,
and in all programs and levels of our
organization. They play an essential
role in education and promote a
better understanding of the natural
world, contributing to its
conservation.
For more information visit our
website at www.fws.gov or write to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Headquarters, National Wildlife
Refuge System, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Room 670, Arlington, VA
22203. Contact the Regional
Volunteer Coordinator in your area
to learn more about our volunteer
opportunities (addresses and phone
numbers are listed on the inside
back cover).
Volunteers
Make It Happen
2
Patuxent Research Refuge (MD) volunteers are always ready to provide
courteous visitor services with a smile!
3
Since the beginning of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, volunteers
have been an integral part of efforts
to protect the heritage of America’s
wild places. It all began with a small
island, Pelican Island, and one man,
Paul Kroegel. In 1903, Pelican
Island, located in the shallow
Indian River near Sebastian,
Florida, was the last breeding
ground for brown pelicans along
the entire east coast of Florida.
At the same time, brown pelicans
were hunted for feathers to adorn
hats and quills for pens.
Instead of continuing to watch
the slaughter of thousands of
pelicans and other wading birds,
Paul Kroegel took an active role
in protecting Pelican Island and
its wildlife by raising awareness
among his peers and spending
time patrolling the island on a
volunteer basis.
In 1903, President Theodore
Roosevelt established Pelican
Island as the first Federal Bird
Reservation. It is now recognized as
the first refuge of the NWRS.
The Volunteer
Legacy
2000 Program Highlights
■ Volunteers contributed more than 1.3 million hours of ser vice in
FY 2000, a 4.4% increase from last year at an estimated value of
$14 million!
■ The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service volunteer program saw a 24%
increase in the number of volunteers in FY 2000!
■ Congress allocated $1,043,000 in FY 2000 to support programs
included in the NWRS Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of
1998, specifically volunteer coordinator pilot positions, environmental
education, and the Friends initiative.
■ The NWRS Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act
Promise Team is updating and improving policies for the volunteer
program. The team is working to establish guidelines for working with
partners and volunteers that are compatible with the mission of the
USFWS and NWRS.
■ In the age of the information superhighway, we continue to expand
our web-based information. A Federal Interagency Team is working
to establish a consolidated web site, “volunteer.gov,” where potential
volunteers can match their skills and interests with opportunities
across the nation.
■ In FY 2000, volunteers accomplished 20% of staff work completed
in the NWRS. Their contributions to the USFWS equate to 639 full-time
employees.
Paul Kroegel on Pelican Island
USFWS
4
Fiscal Number of Hours Dollar
Year Volunteers Donated Value
1982 4,251 128,440 $854,000
1983 8,638 479,319 $3,187,000
1984 11,447 527,150 $3,632,000
1985 9,103 441,820 $3,532,000
1986 7,892 386,934 $3,094,000
1987 8,891 383,983 $3,157,000
1988 12,416 478,568 $3,871,000
1989 9,036 575,695 $4,427,095
1990 14,382 713,441 $5,593,377
1991 16,895 768,820 $6,273,571
1992 18,103 968,401 $8,231,409
1993 19,460 993,681 $8,734,447
1994 21,186 880,999* $8,069,951
1995 23,034 909,072 $8,590,729
1996 25,840 1,108,208 $10,860,439
1997 29,734 1,335,738 $13,090,232
1998 28,780 1,505,222 $14,841,489
1999 28,757 1,277,207 $13,078,599
2000 35,684 1,332,875 $14,021,845
*In FY 1994 Region 8 Volunteer Program transferred from FWS to National Biological Survey.
Growth of the
Volunteer Program
Number of Volunteers
In Thousands
0
10
20
30
40
1982 1988 1994 2000
Hours Donated
In Millions
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
1982 1988 1994 2000
Dollar Value
In Millions
0
5
10
15
20
1982 1988 1994 2000
5
In a world where we find ourselves
occupied with work, school, family,
and extracurricular activities, it is
inspiring to know that some citizens
continue to find time to volunteer for
meaningful causes. As volunteers,
they believe in and actively
contribute to our mission.
The volunteer programs within
the USFWS are as diverse as the
individuals who comprise them.
One refuge might have two
dedicated volunteers who conduct
weekly songbird counts, while
another refuge has one hundred
volunteers who work to keep the
visitor center open every day of
the week. Whether we find
volunteers working at national
wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries,
wetland management districts,
regional offices, or ecological
services offices, we know they are
helping to make a difference.
What Is the
Volunteer Program?
Volunteers of all ages assisted
Sherburne NWR (MN) with their
pest plant program by digging and
potting 300 purple loosestrife plants
for use in beetle production.
Don and Linda Barrows greet
visitors at the Trustom Pond NWR
(RI) Visitor Contact Station every
Wednesday, rain or shine!
Volunteer Spotlight
Jim Niner
Leadville National Fish Hatchery
Leadville, Colorado
Leadville National Fish Hatchery in Colorado found itself
without a manager, assistant manager and maintenance
officer all within a short period of time. As a result, the
facility was drastically short handed. Fortunately, Jim Niner
a volunteer in his third year at the hatchery stepped in and
performed virtually all the duties of a full-time maintenance
officer. In a six-week period, Jim spent 280 hours operating
heavy equipment, changing oil, repairing pumps and motors,
designing and installing an alarm for low water levels,
maintaining grounds and facility, and contributing to
countless other projects. In addition, Jim assisted the fishery
biologist with fish culture projects and paper work.
Just as Paul Kroegel took it upon himself to volunteer and
protect the wildlife of Pelican Island, we find that same
volunteer spirit in Jim Niner. Thank you Jim for making a
difference at Leadville National Fish Hatchery!
Volunteer Charles Nash organizes
Federal Junior Duck Stamp
artwork entries for the Rhode Island
competition, which is coordinated
by the Friends of the Rhode Island
NWRs.
6
By asking volunteers “why” they
want to volunteer, we discover a
little bit about who they are. Our
volunteers are people who want to
give back to their communities,
parents who want to be good
stewards of the land and set
examples for their children, retired
people willing to share their wealth of
knowledge, concerned citizens of all
ages who want to learn more about
conservation, and passionate people
who enjoy the outdoors and want to
spread the word about America’s
greatest natural treasures.
Take a moment to meet some of our
dedicated volunteers:
Daniel Rizzolo dedicated the
months of May through August to a
western sandpiper study taking
place at Yukon Delta NWR (AK). He
arrived on the study area when
snowdrifts reached the peak of the
cabin in which he stayed. By the
time he left, the sandpipers had
nested and fledged their young.
Dan’s efforts were instrumental in
the success of the study.
Senior volunteer Darwin Barnes
has been volunteering at the
Leadville NFH (CO) for seven
years. Darwin is responsible for
keeping the public fishing area safe
and attractive for visitors. He greets
hatchery visitors and provides
courteous service through his
interpretation of the facilities.
Douglas High School biology staff
and students are up to their ears in
rare frogs. Teachers and students
are working together to raise rare
Chiricahua leopard frogs at their
classroom facility for reintroduction
efforts on San Bernardino NWR
(AZ). But, they are not the only ones
dealing with tadpoles. Volunteer
scouts rebuilt a refuge greenhouse
and pond which is now being used to
raise rare Mexican Tarahumara
frogs for reintroduction into native
habitats in Arizona.
Kirsten Carlin-Rosin has been
volunteering at Rocky Mountain
Arsenal NWR (CO) since the age of
13. While she is now in her third
year as a full-time student at the
University of Colorado at Denver,
she continues to support the refuge
by conducting Saturday Wild Treks
Naturalist activities, working in the
refuge bookstore, assisting with
volunteer recruitment, coordinating
volunteer training and being editor
of the monthly volunteer newsletter.
Who Are Our Volunteers?
Age Range of Volunteers
Region Under 18 18-35 36-61 Over 61 Total
1 2,061 2,397 2,898 659 8,015
2 4,535 576 1,150 395 6,656
3 2,013 1,856 1,752 685 6,306
4 1,078 1,000 997 671 3,746
5 2,458 1,268 1,936 910 6,572
6 1,670 1,111 955 278 4,014
7 38 123 146 22 329
HQ 1 1 2
NCTC 10 21 4 9 44
Totals 13,863 8,352 9,839 3,630 35,684
Age Range of Volunteers
Under 18
Over 61
18–35
36–61
Senior volunteer Darwin Barnes
shows off a stringer full of cutthroat
trout he caught at the Leadville
NFH (CO).
Members of the Friends of the Kenai
NWR (AK) look for spring bird
migrants while enjoying the view
from atop Skilak Lookout Trail.
7
Volunteer Program Values
Volunteer Hours/Value
Region Volunteers Hours Value*
1 8,015 268,934 $2,829,185
2 6,656 209,642 $2,205,434
3 6,306 203,560 $2,141,451
4 3,746 243,996 $2,566,838
5 6,572 226,448 $2,382,233
6 4,014 128,127 $1,347,896
7 329 49,902 $524,969
HQ 2 201 $2,115
NCTC 44 2,065 $21,724
Totals 35,684 1,332,875 $14,021,845
*Value is derived using the U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1999 General Pay Schedule of
a GS 5-1.
**Historically, Alaska (Region 7) has the fewest number of volunteers. However, these
volunteers work long hours to accomplish their goals within the short, demanding summer
season.
Volunteer Program Operating Costs
Region Operations Costs Staff Hours
1 $379,400 208,162
2 $342,147 191,849
3 $198,295 171,392
4 $81,263 231,394
5 $678,900 203,778
6 $213,600 87,044
7 $203,760 49,902
HQ 40
NCTC $5,000
Totals $2,102,365 1,143,561
Number of Volunteers
By Region
Volunteer Program Operating Costs
By Region
1
2
4
5
6
7
3
1
2
4
5
6
7
3
8
Student Conservation
Association (SCA)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and the Student Conservation
Association, partners for 19 years,
provide students an opportunity to
volunteer while gaining valuable
work experience in their field of
study. SCA students are extremely
motivated and perform at the
highest level. Field stations benefit
from their quality work while the
students develop good management
and leadership skills. This valuable
partnership has sparked many
lifelong mentor-style relationships
and a camaraderie among fellow
SCA students who have shared in
the same vision of “learning through
serving.” SCA recruited, placed and
supported more than 80 Service
volunteers and interns across the
country through four programs: the
Resource Assistant Program, the
Conservation Associates Program,
the Conservation Work Crew
Program, and the Conservation
Career Development Program.
Resource Assistant Program
This year 67 college-age students
were placed in USFWS positions.
Many students were able to earn
college credit for their volunteer
service, making it one of the most
popular programs offered by SCA.
Working under the guidance of
professionals, students conducted
surveys, censuses, investigations
and studies, developed and
conducted environmental education
programs, provided visitor services,
and much more.
Conservation Associates Program
The Conservation Associates
Program was established in
1996 to allow students long-term
appointments. Students have
the opportunity to work on
communication skills, develop peer
relationships, master skills, and
experience the joy that comes with
completing a project. From Kenai
NWR in Alaska to National Key
Deer Refuge in the Florida Keys,
22 interns gave their skills and time
to 11 field stations in return for an
opportunity to participate in current
wildlife research and explore natural
resource issues facing our field
stations.
Conservation Work Crew Program
ConservationWork Crews are co-educational
groups that team six to
ten students from across the United
States under the direction of skilled
SCA crew leaders. Crew members
are responsible for completing
specific conservation improvement
projects, such as trail construction
and maintenance, site restoration
and revegetation, and bridge
construction. One crew of 8 students
was placed at Kenai NWR in Alaska
during 2000.
The Diversity Internship Program
The Diversity Internship Program,
formerly the Conservation Career
Development Program, offers
minorities and women in college
paid, seasonal conservation
internships throughout the United
States in a variety of stimulating
disciplines. In 2000, three students
were placed with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service through the
Diversity Internship Program —
one at the National Conservation
Training Center in West Virginia,
another at the Fish Genetics
Laboratory in Arkansas, and the
final intern with the Service’s
Division of Fish and Wildlife
Management and Habitat
Restoration in Arlington, Virginia.
For more information about the
Student Conservation Association,
please contact:
Wallace Elton, Director
Resource Assistant Program
The Student Conservation
Association
P.O. Box 550
Charlestown, NH 03603
603/543 1700
American Association of Retired
Persons Volunteer Talent Bank
The Volunteer Talent Bank is a
national volunteer referral service
managed by the American
Association of Retired Persons
(AARP). Members of the AARP and
others, age 50 and over, interested in
volunteer opportunities can register
with the Talent Bank. This is a
valuable resource and an excellent
method to attract and recruit
experienced individuals who have a
wealth of knowledge and a
willingness to share. Potential
volunteers are matched with
positions that best suit their
interests, skills, time commitment,
and geographic location.
For more information about the
Talent Bank or to see if there is a
potential volunteer for your needs,
contact:
Cynthia Langley
AARP Volunteer Talent Bank
601 E Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20049
202/434 3211
Special Programs
Jennifer Brownless, SCA student,
learns to operate a Coulter Counter
(a specialized piece of equipment
used to analyze fish blood samples)
under the guidance of Brian
Hickson, fisheries biologist, at the
Warm Springs regional Fisheries
Center (GA).
9
Support Groups
Citizens have been involved in
supporting their hometown refuges
for many years through the
establishment of small nonprofit
organizations. In 1996, we
established the “Friends Initiative”
to encourage and organize efforts to
promote community involvement in
activities associated with the NWRS.
With this program, support groups
(often referred to as “Friends”)
began to spring up across the nation.
Through the formation of over 120
support groups, citizens across the
nation have told us that they are
passionate and concerned about
their local refuges. Thanks to their
support, we’ve already surpassed
our goal to establish 100 groups by
the NWRS 100th anniversary in
2003. In FY 2000, 13 new groups
“hopped on board” and are helping
us “sail” into our next 100 years!
It is important to the USFWS to
give support back to our Friends
groups. We provide support through
the development of training courses,
mentoring, and financial assistance
in cooperation with the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation.*
The Service is working with the
National Wildlife Refuge Association
to host a Friends conference in early
2002, which will provide the
opportunity to network and get
energized from sharing one
another’s accomplishments.
Audubon Refuge Keepers (ARK)
In 1996, the National Audubon
Society launched a nationwide
initiative to build and encourage
community appreciation and support
for the National Wildlife Refuge
System. Local support groups, called
Audubon Refuge Keepers (ARK),
are involved in a variety of projects
associated with their local refuges.
In FY 2000, ARK established 6 new
groups, raising the total number of
ARK groups to 81.
Cooperating Associations
During FY 2000, 53 Cooperating
Associations operated to support 82
field stations, compared to 38
Cooperating Associations on 60 field
stations in FY 1998. Cooperating
Partnerships and Support Groups
Partnerships and Support Group Highlights
Friends of Anahuac Refuge helped sponsor the BioBlitz
2000 at Anahuac NWR (TX). Fr iends and volunteers worked
to identify over 2,000 species of flora and fauna throughout
the year.
Friends of Squaw Creek NWR (MO) received a grant from
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to build a new
handicapped accessible trail. Refuge staff and volunteers
completed the Mike Callow Memorial Trail in honor of a
USFWS employee who died in the line of duty.
Volunteers from the Friends of the Shiawassee NWR (MI)
and the Saginaw Bay Field and Stream Club assisted with a
project to assess northern pike reproduction in various
wetlands on the refuge. The biweekly study was labor
intensive and required hiking and canoeing to set and check
nets in remote areas. Refuge staff states, “The volunteers
were valuable assets to the project and gave 100% of their
energy to make the project a success!”
The Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society at Alligator River NWR
(NC) received the Governor’s Award for Conservation
Organization of the Year.
The Nisqually Refuge Cooperating Association was
established this year and operates the sales outlet in the new
visitor center at Nisqually NWR (WA).
Dawn Failing and Cathy Martin,
members of Friends of Bombay
Hook, Inc., conduct a snow goose
cooking demonstration at the
Waterfowl Festival at Bombay
Hook NWR (DE).
*See general notes.
10
associations are nonprofit partner
corporations which receive
authorization to create revenue on
public lands. The National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966 and the Refuge Recreation
Act of 1962, as amended, outline
this approval.
Cooperating Associations work
with us to create, produce, and
sell educational publications, maps,
natural resource-related items,
and services. Educational materials
and services are offered to heighten
the visitors’ understanding of the
natural, cultural, and recreation
resources of the area while
supporting the mission of the
Service. They provide additional
assistance by donating to various
projects and programs. In FY 2000,
gross sales exceeded $3.4 million
with $1.07 million returned directly
to respective stations.
Cooperative Alliance for Refuge
Enhancement (C.A.R.E.)
The Cooperative Alliance for Refuge
Enhancement, or C.A.R.E., is a
coalition of 20 diverse conservation
and environmental groups. C.A.R.E.
formed in 1996 to raise the profile of
the NWRS. The coalition’s
foundation rests on the premise that
if the NWRS is going to be
successful in the next century, it
must have the operational and
maintenance capabilities to allow it
to meet its “wildlife first” mission.
The coalition defines itself by setting
guidelines that restrict C.A.R.E.
activities and discussions to issues of
operational and maintenance
funding only. NWRS policy, land
acquisition, and other issues are left
for individual groups to tackle,
knowing that all of these issues will
be better addressed if the NWRS
has adequate funding.
Partnerships and Support Groups
National Public Lands Day 2000
National Public Lands Day is a
program of the National
Environmental Education &
Training Foundation (NEETF)
in partnership with multiple
federal agencies, state, and local
governments and private
partners. The event strives to
enlighten citizens of the value of
our natural resources, but is
designed as a “work day.”
In FY 2000, 30 U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service sites coordinated
projects that involved 1,200
volunteers contributing
6,000 hours!
The USFWS accounted for
10% of all sites nationwide.
We applaud the individual sites,
coordinators, support groups,
and volunteers for making a
difference and raising awareness
of our nation’s beautiful wild
places.
C.A.R.E. (Cooperative Alliance for
Refuge Enhancement) Members
American Birding Association
American Fisheries Society
American Sportfishing
Association
Assateague Coastal Trust
Congressional Sportsmen’s
Foundation
Defenders of Wildlife
Ducks Unlimited
International Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies
Izaak Walton League of America
National Audubon Society
National Rifle Association of
America
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Refuge
Association
Safari Club International
The Wildlife Society
The Wilderness Society
Trout Unlimited
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Legislative Fund of
America
Wildlife Management Institute
11
This year the National Wildlife
Refuge Association and the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation
sponsored the National Wildlife
Refuge System Awards. Among
them are the Volunteer of the Year
Award and the Support Group of the
Year Award. These awards are
considered the most prestigious
honors in the Refuge System and
are presented at an awards
ceremony held during the annual
North American Wildlife and
Natural Resources Conference.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Harry Sanders, long-time volunteer
at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
NWR in California, was presented
the prestigious Volunteer of the Year
Award by the National Wildlife
Refuge Association. Harry is the
mastermind behind the San
Francisco Bay Native Plant Nursery
at the refuge. He has donated
thousands of hours managing the
nursery along with cultivating more
than 12,000 plants of 250 different
native species. His work played a
key role in the USFWS’s native
habitat restoration efforts in the San
Francisco Bay area. His expert
knowledge in horticulture has been
used to organize plant sales and
native plant symposia, each raising
thousands of dollars. Sanders has
raised awareness for habitat
restoration within the community
and has enlisted the help of several
nonprofit horticultural
organizations. Thank you Harry for
your incredible dedication and for
making Don Edwards San Francisco
Bay NWR grow and bloom!
Support Group of the Year Award
The National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation joined the National
Wildlife Refuge Association in
honoring the Friends of the Upper
Mississippi River Refuges with the
Support Group of the Year Award.
The group was instrumental in
securing funds and providing
volunteer services for three refuges
along the Mississippi River in
Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Because this group consists of four
chapters that span across 260 miles
of the Mississippi River, they are a
wonderful model of how teamwork,
energy and dedication can produce
great results. The four chapters
have pulled together to raise
thousands of dollars and organize a
variety of activities, including tree
and shrub planting, an annual
photography contest, and fishing
events for children and adults with
disabilities.
The Friends of the Upper
Mississippi River Refuges served as
strong advocates for the resources of
the refuges and the National
Wildlife Refuge System as a whole.
Last year, the group’s activities led
to funding for the Environmental
Management Program, designed to
improve the ecological health of the
Upper Mississippi River. George and
Dorothy Hoffman, president and
treasurer of the group, accepted the
award. We are honored to recognize
the work of the Friends of the Upper
Mississippi and congratulate their
many successes.
Other Outstanding Volunteers
Bob Green, a volunteer at Bear
River Migratory Bird Refuge (UT),
has contributed over 1,800 hours
since 1995 to secure over forty water
rights that are attached to existing
and newly acquired refuge lands.
The refuge water supply would be
seriously jeopardized without Bob’s
legal knowledge and expertise.
Katie Sollohub dedicated many
volunteer hours to St. MarksNWR
(FL). Sollohub, a retired teacher, was
honored with the Governor’s Points
of Light Award for her 13 years of
service to the refuge. Governor Jeb
Bush presented her with the award.
Ms. Sollohub created an environ-mental
education program that has
reached hundreds of students.
Buenos Aires NWR (AZ) benefitted
tremendously from the work of
multi-talented volunteer Bob
Recognition of
Outstanding Volunteers
Shown from left to right: David Jamiel (Refuge Employee of the Year),
Marshall Jones (USFWS Acting Director), Molly Krival (National Wildlife
Refuge Association Board Member), Al Trout (Refuge Manager of the
Year), George Hoffman (Support Group of the Year Award, President), John
Berry (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), Dorothy Hoffman
(Support Group of the Year Award, Treasurer), and Harry Sanders
(Volunteer of the Year Award).
12
Sargent. Bob’s electrical skills,
along with his passion for birding,
were put to good use as he
completed many electrical projects
throughout the refuge. On
weekends, he enlightens visitors
with his knowledge of birds by
leading walks in Brown Canyon.
Bald Knob NWR (AR) is grateful to
have the support of volunteers
Kenny and LaDonna Nichols. The
Nichols’ are a dynamic team that
contribute tremendously to the
refuge’s biological program. They
conducted daily shore and wading
bird surveys, along with breeding
bird surveys in late summer and
early fall. Due to time and staff
constraints, the refuge was unable to
conduct these much needed surveys.
However, thanks to the Nichols’, this
newly established refuge was
provided with valuable baseline data.
Senior Master Sergeant Lloyd
French, a volunteer for the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service, was nominated
by the Northeast Regional Office
(Hadley, MA) and received the
Conservation Service Award from
the Department of the Interior.
Mr. French’s efforts resulted in the
acquisition and distribution of $3.2
million worth of excess equipment to
field stations nationwide.
Frederick Ruhe, a volunteer at
the Chesapeake Bay Ecological
Services Field Office (MD), provided
extraordinary volunteer work on
the Tuckahoe Fishway Monitoring
Study. He collected data at the
fishway and assisted biologists with
other field operations. Mr. Ruhe is a
conservation minded angler, and his
understanding of the fish migration
in Tuckahoe and adjoining watersheds
was a valuable addition to the
successful completion of the study.
As President of the Friends of
Craig Brook, Inc. for the past two
years, Bob Ramsdell has provided
exemplary leadership in the
organization of the Friends group
and in their work of educating
thousands of visitors about the
watershed ecosystem approach.
Bob’s efforts are unfailing and
constant in the Friends’ sponsorship
of the annual Penobscot River
Festival and Spawning Spectacular.
With his woodworking talent, Bob
has produced many signs in support
of educational outreach. He has seen
the Friends group and the hatchery
complex through a two-year
construction project, along with the
opening of the new facilities.
Christina Manville, a volunteer
with the Ecological Services
Contaminants Regional Office (CO),
helped compile the regional oil spill
response plan. Due to heavy work
loads by the staff, this very
important document had not been
completed. Christina’s work enabled
the region to comply with national
requirements.
Bob Jennings, a college student
majoring in political science (but
passionate about amphibians),
volunteers at the Sybille Research
Unit of the Wyoming Ecological
Field Office. Jennings assists with
the hands-on care of Wyoming toads,
which are currently being bred in
captivity. He feeds and medicates
the animals, cleans cages, conducts
plumbing and electrical repairs, and
transports animals to and from the
reintroduction sites. Mr. Jennings
assisted in the care and monitoring of
reintroduced animals at Mortenson
Lake NWR (WY) and took the lead
in an amphibian study.
Recognition of
Outstanding Volunteers
St. Marks NWR (FL) volunteer,
Katie Sollohub, being honored for
her volunteer service by Florida
Governor Jeb Bush.
Bob Ramsdell, past President of the Friends of Craig Brook, Inc., receives a
plaque from Outdoor Recreation Planner, Peter Steenstra, honoring him as
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery (ME) Volunteer of the Year.
Marsha Mushrall, Friends of Craig Brook, Inc.
13
Wildlife
Marion and Russell Frobe
contributed a total of 580 hours this
year at Turnbull NWR (WA). This
dedicated couple assisted biological
staff with songbird point counts and
waterfowl, marsh bird, MAPS
(Monitoring Avian Productivity and
Survival), and breeding bird
surveys.
Mr. Kenneth Seyffert provides
monthly bird counts to the Buffalo
Lake NWR (TX). He has been
visiting the refuge for over 37 years
and is known for his bird
identification skills and knowledge.
The information he provides to the
refuge is priceless!
Volunteers at St. Marks NWR (FL)
donated 489 hours towards the
Monarch Butterfly Migration
Research Program. Volunteers
educated visitors on the natural
history of the monarch butterfly,
and, thanks to the coordination and
training efforts of lead volunteer
Richard RuBino, 3,203 monarchs
were counted and 1,553 were tagged.
At Charles M. Russell NWR
(MT), volunteers assist with the
black-footed ferret reintroduction
program by conducting spotlight
surveys and capturing wild-born
ferret kits.
Volunteers at Dexter NFH (NM)
designed and built water
recirculating systems that are
used to maintain and reproduce
various endangered and threatened
fish species.
Sandy Upson, a volunteer at Leslie
Canyon NWR and San Bernardino
NWR (AZ), is documenting the
species richness of dragonflies and
damselflies found on the refuges.
A highlight of her study has been
the finding of an endemic species
on the refuge.
At Tishomingo NFH (OK),
volunteers assisted in rearing and
tagging over 10,000 paddlefish for
re-establishing the population in the
Red River of Texas and Oklahoma.
Volunteers at Lake Champlain Fish
and Wildlife Resources Office (VT)
monitored state listed Eastern spiny
softshell turtles and conducted
native mussel surveys in Vermont
and New York. Also, they provided
assistance with the Atlantic salmon
fry stocking program for Lake
Champlain.
Habitat
Volunteers at Lacassine NWR (LA)
saved hundreds of native prairie
plants from areas scheduled to be
developed for urban expansion.
Volunteers at Madison WMD (SD)
collected 170,000 flea beetles to be
used for control of leafy spurge. Flea
beetles were released on refuge and
private lands.
Hakalau Forest NWR (HI) received
assistance from 25 different
weekend volunteer groups.
Volunteers assisted with seed
collection, tree nursery maintenance
and tree planting. Volunteers
planted a total of 21,555 native and
endangered trees!
Mark Twain NWR (IA) developed a
partnership with the U.S. Army
Reserve Center in Muscatine, Iowa
at the Wapello District. This
partnership led to reservist
volunteers donating over 700 hours
towards restoring habitat and
facilities.
People
Jamie Knoedler, a volunteer at
Wertheim NWR (NY), assisted the
refuge complex in developing a
brochure entitled “Prescribed Fire
on Long Island.” Several agencies
on Long Island used the brochure to
garner public support for prescribed
fire programs.
Volunteers’ Conservation
Achievements
Marion and Russell Frobe, volunteers at Turnbull NWR (WA), remove a
songbird from a mist net while conducting surveys on the refuge.
14
Volunteers at Arthur R. Marshall
Loxahatchee NWR (FL) organized
the first annual Everglades Day
Festival on the refuge, which
included exhibits, tours, interpretive
programs and entertainment. The
event attracted over 3,000 people!
At Piedmont NWR (GA) 39
volunteers contributed 892 hours of
service during the ninth annual deer
hunt for participants in wheelchairs.
Scout Troop 512 constructed three
universally accessible platforms that
were used during this event.
At Seedskadee NWR (WY),
volunteers constructed and installed
signs and brochure boxes at primary
river access points to inform visitors
of recreational opportunities.
Members of the North Platte Valley
Sportsman’s Association, in
cooperation with Crescent Lake
NWR (NE), used their own boats to
take local children fishing as part of
National Fishing Week.
Chincoteague NWR (VA) hosted
several Elderhostels. The
Elderhostel program provides
retired and semi-retired seniors the
opportunity to use their valuable
skills and talents toward hands-on
service projects. This year,
participants removed a portion of
the Marsh Trail dike and built an
elevated boardwalk in its place. They
planted trees and built several
information kiosks on the refuge.
The John H. Chafee NWR at
Pettaquamscutt Cove (RI) was
dedicated to former Senator John H.
Chafee in a beautiful ceremony on
the Narrow River. Volunteers
contributed by assisting with a
variety of activities that made the
day a memorable event for
everyone.
Facilities
Pete Fisher, a volunteer at Reelfoot
NWR (TN) and Okeefenokee NWR
(GA), has donated more than 10,000
hours! He stays busy keeping the
refuges wild and beautiful by
contributing towards reducing their
many maintenance needs.
Volunteers at Ruby Lake NWR (NV)
constructed two photo blinds with
funds donated by the North
American Nature Photography
Association.
Six volunteers from various colleges
provided support for the Grays Lake
NWR (ID) grassland management
study. Even though we like to
consider volunteers as priceless, the
value of their labor was estimated to
be $60,000!
Marina volunteer hosts at Crab
Orchard NWR (IL) contributed over
3,000 hours maintaining the grounds
and facilities so visitors had a safe
and enjoyable visit.
The Western Wisconsin Technical
College, Industrial Technologies
Division volunteered their time to
build a new bookstore for Upper
Mississippi River Wildlife & Fish
Refuge/ La Crosse (WI). The
students and instructors contributed
over 1,200 hours building and
assembling the units. Funds for
supplies were provided by a grant
received from the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation.
Volunteers at Black Bayou Lake
NWR (LA) supervised and
participated in the renovation of a
100-year-old planters house, which
will be used as an environmental
education center.
Oliver Chapman, volunteer for the
Vermont LEO, uses his mechanical
skills to maintain government boats,
motors, trailers, vehicles and other
field equipment.
Volunteers’ Conservation
Achievements
15
For the past three summers,
USFWS biologists at Koyukuk/
Nowitna NWR Complex (AK) have
invited environmental science
students from the Universities of
Tamaulipas and Chihuahua in
Mexico to volunteer and assist with
cooperative studies of white-fronted
geese, which migrate across
international borders. At the end of
the summer, students returned to
Mexico armed with new experiences,
research materials and sufficient
funding to begin their own wildlife
studies. They helped inform wildlife
professionals, other students and the
public about the problems of
declining geese and the methods
used by the Service to study and
conserve habitat in the United
States. Ms. Fabiola Yepez, the first
student volunteer to participate in
the program, wrote back to her
colleagues in the United States, “I
hope that this student volunteer
program that began with me can
continue giving opportunities to
more Mexican students who day-to-day
work towards the research and
conservation of wildlife in our
country.”
The Alpena FRO (MI) completed
several projects this year with the
aid of partners and volunteers. The
highlight of the field season was the
restoration of Hardwood Creek on
the Black River Watershed. In
September 2000, one plastic culvert
was replaced with a 25 ft. long
wooden box culvert made of
Michigan grown red pine and
assembled in Michigan. Eight
federal, state and local partners
contributed $60,000 in funds, labor,
materials and equipment to
restoring this road and stream
crossing. The restoration opened a
fish passage to twelve river miles of
brook trout spawning habitat.
Volunteers met for one year to plan
and coordinate funding for this
restoration project. Alpena FRO
believes that utilizing volunteers is
an excellent way to control costs on
projects and the experience of
volunteers is “extremely beneficial.”
Volunteers working with the
Savannah NWR Friends Group of
Savannah Coastal Refuges (GA)
conceived the plan to partner
with Savannah College of Art and
Design to develop brief video
advertisements for use as public
service announcements by local
TV stations. They coordinated
production and distribution of the
announcements, which are currently
aired on three cable stations. The
response to these videos has been
overwhelming. They have generated
interest in the refuges and support
for Savannah NWR.
Innovative Approaches
Volunteers from the Michigan United Conservation Club, Montmorency
County Conservation Club and Thunder Bay River Watershed Restoration
Committee assist Alpena FRO and other partners in bank stabilization at a
bank erosion site on the Thunder Bay River in northeastern Michigan.
16
Each year the number of volunteers
within the USFWS increases,
despite the fact that many of the
USFWS sites that have volunteer
programs are understaffed and
underfunded. This proves just how
essential volunteers are to our
mission. We will continue to work to
improve the volunteer program at
the station, regional and national
levels. Recommendations are one
example of how the USFWS
facilitates program improvements.
Annually, we ask field stations for
recommendations on how to improve
the volunteer program. Listed here
are some frequent recommendations
from field stations.
■ Revise reporting procedures to
accurately reflect all volunteer
activities. Include fish hatcheries,
ecological services offices and
others.
■ Increase funding to support
volunteer programs (housing,
equipment, awards, training,
uniforms, vehicles, and supplies).
■ Establish additional Volunteer
Coordinator positions to keep
pace with the rapidly growing
volunteer programs.
■ Schedule an annual Volunteer
Coordinator Conference for all
station, regional and national
coordinators, as a way to ensure
that current policy on managing
volunteers is accurately
distributed.
■ Create a standardized award
program throughout the NWRS
to establish consistency in our
appreciation of volunteer efforts.
Although managing a volunteer
program can be challenging, the
awards are endless!
The future of the volunteer program
depends on our commitment to
investing in every volunteer. We
must allow the programs to grow
and adapt to the changes this brings.
With shared vision and a common
goal, our partners and volunteers
help preserve wild places for future
generations of Americans. As we
approach the NWRS Centennial in
2003, volunteers and partners will
play a pivotal role in celebrations
and, more importantly, in preparing
for our second century of
conservation. With their help we
face our future with a sense of
accomplishment and excitement
about what the future may hold.
Challenges and Concerns Our Future
17
Opportunities are available to
contribute to the conservation of
wildlife on national wildlife refuges,
fish facilities, ecological services
offices, and numerous other offices
from Hawaii to Maine and from
Alaska to Puerto Rico. The USFWS
encompasses more than 93 million
acres of wildlife habitat within its
boundaries. The diversity of these
habitats range from deserts in the
southwest to urban wetlands in
Philadelphia and from forests of the
Pacific northwest to swamps in
Georgia. We need volunteers for
biological and archaeological
inventories, outdoor recreation
planning, population censussing,
maintenance of habitats and
facilities, natural resource planning,
clerical assistance, environmental
education, and public outreach.
For complete details, contact the
Volunteer Coordinator at the office
nearest you:
Region 1: CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
911 N.E. 11th Avenue
Eastside Federal Complex
Portland, OR 97232-4181
503/231 6177
Region 2: AZ, NM, OK, TX
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505/248 6635
Region 3: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN,
MO, OH, WI
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 Federal Dr., Federal Building
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
612/713 5444
Region 4: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY,
LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, PR
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1875 Century Blvd., NW
Atlanta, GA 30345
404/679 7178
Region 5: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH,
NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035
413/253 8303
Region 6: CO, KS, MT, NE, ND,
SD, UT, WY
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25486
Denver, CO 80225
303/236 8145, x 606
Region 7: Alaska (AK)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1011 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99503
907/786 3391
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Headquarters National Wildlife
Refuge System
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 670
Arlington, VA 22203
703/358 2303
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Regional Contacts
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
August 2001