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The Most Inspiring Day of the Year
“Spent,” “exhausted,” “just plain wiped out.” These are comments I heard on a cold, wet Monday morning following the two-and-a-half-day Friends for the Future Conference. Yet, despite information overload and minimal sleep, more than 150 refuge Friends group leaders that morning dragged themselves and their gear through a steady drizzle to meetings with their elected representatives on Capitol Hill. They were determined to send a unified message from across America that the Refuge System and the wildlife it protects matters.
It is a testimonial to the compassionate human spirit that in an era of cynicism about politics and an avalanche of bad environmental news, private citizens will put aside professional and personal obligations for several days to make their voices heard with decision-makers on behalf of wildlife. At a time when K Street lobbying firms rule the roost in Washington, it is nothing short of exhilarating to hear a seasoned Congressional staffer exclaim in a meeting with a few Friends group representatives, “wait, there are how many of you on the Hill today?!”
In fact, the April 7 contingent to Washington, D.C., was a record, and when they organized themselves for a photo in front of the Capitol, the Friends’ sense of pride was palpable. Looking at the many faces in the photo, I’m struck by the joy, intensity and sense of purpose in their expressions. In spite of their fatigue, it was clear that they wouldn’t quit until their job was done.
While the Refuge System has its fair share of woes, not the least of which are the budget crisis and an urgent need to plan for a changing climate, it should be heartening to all those who devote their professional lives to refuges and wildlife that there is a rapidly growing army of private citizens who are willing to give a voice to these remarkable nature treasures. Indeed, it is that which inspires me to keep up the fight day after day, year after year. To all those who recently visited Capitol Hill, and to those who make a difference every day for our National Wildlife Refuges, I offer my sincere thanks for all you do.
Onward and upward!
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More than 270 refuge supporters energized by National “Friends for the Future” Conference
Friends volunteers and FWS personnel from across the country convened at the 2008 National Friends Conference held April 4th through 6th at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV for a variety of training workshops, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities geared toward equipping citizens with the tools to make their refuges and the broader Refuge System stronger for the future. The more than 270 participants represented 170 refuges spanning 46 states.
Hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the “Friends for the Future” Conference featured sessions covering how climate change impacts refuges: ways in which refuge supporters can address threats from beyond refuge boundaries; and how refuges can help connect children with nature.
Plenary speakers included dignitaries and topic experts ranging from a welcome from Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NWRA President, Evan Hirsche, and the Keynote by Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, to presentations by Dr. Virginia Burkett, Chief Scientist for Global Change Research, U.S. Geological Survey, and Dr. Cheryl Charles, President and CEO, Children and Nature Network, culminating with a question and answer period with Geoffrey L. Haskett, Chief, NWRS and Evan Hirsche.
NWRA led a special “Beyond the Boundaries” track that provided more than 65 participants representing over 20 Friends groups with the tools and knowledge they need to engage their local communities, effectively negotiate conservation strategies with private landowners, and communicate conservation needs through the media.
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NWRS Awards Recipients Recognized at North American and Friends Conference
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FWS Director Dale Hall and NWRA President Evan Hirsche present Kevin Brennan with the Refuge Manager of the Year Award at the 2008 North American Conference © FWS |
This spring NWRA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) presented the 2008 National Wildlife Refuge System Award recipients with awards for outstanding achievement.
Kevin Brennan of Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, MN and Clyde Morris of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, CA received the Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of the Year and Refuge System Employee of the Year Awards respectively on March 27 at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s Reception in conjunction with the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Phoenix, AZ.
John Bertrand of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM and
Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge of Sherburne NWR, MN received the Volunteer of the Year and Friends Group of the Year Awards respectively on April 5 at the NWRA/NFWF Awards Reception held in conjunction with the Friends for the Future Conference in Shepherdstown, WV.
These awards recognize exceptional contributions made by refuge employees and volunteers toward protecting the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of more than 545 refuges conserving 100 million acres of land and water set aside to conserve America’s wildlife.
For more about the 2008 NWRS Award Recipients, please visit: http://www.refugeassociation.org/Awards.html
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Photo Contest Results Announced - Louisiana’s Mack Barham, M.D. wins with “Egrets in Fog”
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"Egrets in Fog" © Mack Barham, M.D. |
On March 25, the winners of the 2008 NationalWildlife Refuge Digital Photography Contest were announced. The top prize, a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid generously provided by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., went to Mack Barham, M.D., for a spectacular photograph of great egrets taking flight in the morning fog at Black Bayou Lake NWR, LA.
An active member of Friends of Black Bayou Lake NWR, Mack was recognized at the 2008 Awards Reception on April 5 in conjunction with the Friends for the Future Conference at NCTC in Shepherdstown, WV. He will receive the Highlander at a local event later this spring to take place on Black Bayou Lake NWR. Of his skill and good fortune of capturing his winning shot, Mack wisely noted, “Timing is everything.”
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© (clockwise from top left) Steve Byland, Robert Baker, Ray Foster, Jim Burns |
The other four spectacular winning images in order were Steve Byland’s “Garter Snake” taken at Great Swamp NWR, NJ; Robert Baker’s “Marsh Wren” taken at Camas NWR, ID; Ray Foster’s “Badger” taken at Malheur NWR, OR; and Jim Burns’s “Black-bellied Whistling Ducks” taken at Santa Ana NWR, TX.
All winning images can be viewed on our Contest Pages.
More than 2,000 images from over 150 refuges from 45 states and territories were submitted to this third annual Refuge Photo Contest, undeniable evidence that refuges are outstanding places to view wildlife and experience America’s diverse heritage.
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Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Friends from 37 States Call on Congress
To Increase Refuge System Funding
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Nearly 150 Friends Visit 'Stormed the Hill' to promote increased funding for Refuges © Evan Hirsche |
Nearly 150 "Friends Group" volunteers supporting more than 108 national wildlife refuges in 37 states across the country met in early April with their legislators on Capitol Hill to promote an annual budget of $514 million, or roughly $5.14 per acre for the nearly 100,000 million acre Refuge System in fiscal year 2009. These refuge advocates met with decision-makers from their home states and with Congressional committee members and staff, seeking to expand Congressional support and draw attention to the Refuge System's crippling $3.6-billion funding backlog.
The Capitol Hill rally, organized by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, was preceded by advocacy training emphasizing the important role concerned citizens have in educating elected officials about the importance of conserving wildlife and habitats, and the value that it extends to local communities.
Twenty Friends, representing refuges in all 8 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regions, met with staff from the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. A group of 16 Friends from refuges across the country attended a special meeting with Congressman Norm Dicks, Chairman of the House Subcommittee. As indicated in the March edition of the Flyer, Friends were not allocated time to appear before the subcommittee on Public Witness Day due to time constraints. Consequently NWRA worked to arrange this meeting with Chairman Dicks to ensure that Friends had the opportunity to speak directly with the Chairman and express their concerns regarding their refuges and the refuge system.
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Deadline Approaching for Submitting Testimony on FY09 Refuge System Funding Needs
NWRA and 17 Friends groups were among those detailing the need for increased Refuge System funding through testimony submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies on March 13th. The deadline for submitting testimony to the Senate Subcommittee is April 25.
NWRA President Evan Hirsche presented testimony before the House Subcommittee on Public Witness Day on March 13th, thanking Congress for its support of FY08 Refuge System funding increases and urging members to renew that commitment for FY09 by supporting an $80 million increase in stewardship funding. “Our national wildlife refuges represent the best hope for the future of America’s wildlife heritage,” said Hirsche. “Unless we fund refuges at a level that will allow them to fully meet their wildlife conservation mission and public outreach objectives, our nation’s wildlife faces a grave future.” See press release and testimony.
Although time constraints prevented the Subcommittee from scheduling Public Witness day appearances by groups with less than a national scope, 17 Friends groups did submit written testimony expressing their support for a Refuge System budget of $514 million for FY09, which would put refuges on the path to receive base line funding of $765 million by FY2013, the amount the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) estimates the Refuge System needs annually to meet its core mission. As reported above (assuming the story on the Hill day is above this one?), NWRA arranged for a group of 16 refuge Friends met separately with House Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks on April 9th.
NWRA urges every Friends group to submit written testimony to the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee by the April 25 deadline. Details can be found on this pdf or the Subcommittee’s website (http://appropriations.senate.gov/interior.cfm under “Quick Links”). Or contact Desiree Sorenson-Groves at dgroves@refugeassociation.org or 202-333-9075 x23.
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New Action on a Proposed Road through Izembek NWR in Alaska
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The proposed road through Izembek NWR would have treacherous driving conditions and high maintenance costs as opposed to the more efficient hovercraft already in use. ©FWS |
In a hearing this past Wednesday, April 15, the Senate’s Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee heard from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) whose bill, S. 1680, would authorize the transfer of over 200 acres of land across the Izembek refuge to the state to construct a road connecting the villages of King Cove and Cold Bay. The House Resources Committee held their hearing on the issue last October and is expected to vote on the measure this week.
The Izembek NWR, located on the Alaskan peninsula, is under threat from mirror bills in the House and Senate that would authorize a road through the biological heart of the refuge. Road proponents argue they need a road between the community of King Cove (pop 800) and Cold Bay (pop 80) for medical evacuations, however King Cove was granted $38.5 million in 1998 to provide upgrades to King Cove’s medical clinic and airport, construct a road-hovercraft link, and purchase the Suna-X, a 98 foot hovercraft that has performed more than 27 successful medevacs since entering service.
Izembek National Wildlife Range was established in 1960 and was designated a NWR in 1980 to safeguard the extraordinary ecological values and to protect waterfowl, shorebirds, and wetlands of national and international significance. The Reagan Administration in 1987 recognized Izembek as the first site named by the United States under the Convention on Wetlands of International Significance, a RAMSAR site. Numerous migratory birds depend on the Refuge, including the Steller’s eider, which is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and Pacific black brant, emperor goose, and dunlin, all of which are listed as declining and vulnerable in Alaska on Audubon’s 2005 WatchList.
Friends Groups across the country have signed a letter to Chairman Rahall to express their appreciation for his opposition to H.R. 2801, legislation introduced by Representative Don Young that would authorize a land exchange and road corridor through the very heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and its Congressionally-designated Wilderness.
Click here to read NWRA's report, The Road to Nowhere, and updated fact sheet on the issue.
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Friends of Supawna Meadows NWR Host Workday/Press Conference to Spotlight Fundging Crisis
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Friends of Supawna Meadows NWR hold press event to raise awareness about funding shortages at their refuge. ©Tony Leger |
Southern New Jersey government and statewide congressional leaders, including Representative Frank LoBiondo (R02) joined with the Friends of Supawna Meadows, NWRA, and other Friends groups, conservationists and local business leaders at a press conference in Pennsville, New Jersey on March 15th to call on Congress to solve the federal funding crisis facing the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Due to federal budget cuts, Supawna lost its entire staff in 2007 but the Friends of Supawna Meadows, is trying to keep the refuge afloat.
The Supawna Meadows NWR, 35 miles south of Philadelphia along the Delaware River estuary, is a critical migratory stopover for waterfowl and shorebirds and protects Mill Creek – a tidal estuary that serves as a critical feeding area for nearly 6,000 pairs of colonial wading birds, the largest such congregation on the Atlantic Flyway north of Florida. The refuge was established in 1974 but has been recognized for its importance to wildlife since 1934 when President Franklin Roosevelt designated it as the Killcohook Migratory Bird Refuge.
“Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is being abandoned as a result of meager federal budgets,” said John Steiner, President of the Friends of Supawna Meadows NWR. Congressman Scott Garrett echoed Friends’ concern by commending those in attendance for their efforts to support the refuge system. In a statement prepared for the event, he noted, “As you can see today, the degradation of one refuge negatively affects the entire system. We must remember that each refuge matters.”
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April 22 - Earth Day
April 25 - Senate deadline for Testimony
May 10 - International Migratory Bird Day
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