Outstanding Refuge System Employees, Volunteers, and Advocates Honored

The National Wildlife Refuge Association and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will once again present the Refuge System Awards to the exceptional people that dedicate their time and energies to furthering the goals and mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

These awards were created to recognize the exceptional contributions that certain individuals and groups make toward protecting the Refuge System. The recipients often make use of scarce funds and limited resources to get the job done. They have all demonstrated the ability to effectively deal with outside organizations and the public in furthering the goals and objectives of the Refuge System.

The following awards were presented at the NWRA's Advocacy and Media Training Bootcamp, March 6 - 7, 2004 in Washington, DC:

Volunteer of the year: Ken and Darlene Fiske
Friends Group of the year: Chincoteague Natural History Association

The following awards were presented at the 69th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on March 16 - 20, 2004 at the Doubletree Hotel and Spokane City Center in Spokane, WA:

Employee of the year: John Taylor, Bosque del Apache NWR
Manager of the year (Kroegel award): Michael Bryant, Alligator River NWRC

NWRS 2004 Volunteer of the Year Award

This award was established to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of volunteers. Each year volunteers make up a critical work force that contributes over 1.5 million hours to the operation and management of the Refuge System.

Ken and Darlene Fiske have volunteered thousands of hours to conservation efforts over the past 20 years, working to preserve and restore habitat for waterbirds and migratory species in Hawaii and in Florida. The Fiskes recognized that Florida's "Ding" Darling NWR and Hawaii's Maui NWRC were battling the same woody invasives (Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and Melaluca) and coordinated and monitored efforts to improve targeted chemical control of these plants. By covering a span of several years, their research into invasive species control enabled them to develop and implement projects with long-term significance. The Fiskes were instrumental in promoting the effective use of large scale aerial photographs to locate and identify avian habitat and non-native plant species, color-coding the maps to indicate the urgency of projects and help optimize the use of limited funds and manpower. Over time, they have incorporated GIS input to further strengthen habitat mapping techniques. They have also collected extensive bird survey and census data over the years. (Click on image for a larger view)

Ken and Darlene have developed and maintained an ongoing atmosphere of cooperation between the local communities and the Refuge staff, while drawing the focus of public attention to important Refuge needs. Their dedication, thoroughness, and vision continue to produce significant contributions to habitat monitoring and restoration techniques that have impact even beyond their years of service in Hawaii and Florida refuges.

NWRS 2004 Friends Group of the Year Award

This award recognizes a Friends group that has shown outstanding leadership as a voice of the community and as an advocate for the protection, conservation, and enhancement of local refuges and the National Wildlife Refuge System overall.

Chincoteague Natural History Association, incorporated in 1986, provides varied and valuable support to both the Chincoteague NWR and the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR. Members of the group have donated thousands of hours and helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide high quality interpretive and educational opportunities for refuge visitors as well as biological programs to protect and enhance wildlife habitat. The Friends have partnered with the Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers to provide refuge visitors with bus tours that combine historical background with wildlife interpretation, showing the variety of species and habitat and the importance of responsible management. (Click on image for a larger view)

Chincoteague Natural History Association (CNHA) is well known for their Theodore Bear, whose fans include refuge supporters was well as teddy bear enthusiasts. But their most striking accomplishment has been their dedicated support throughout all stages of the development of the new Hertbert H. Batemen Educational and Administrative Center at Chincoteague NWR. The new Center demonstrates environmentally responsible design, construction, and operation practices, features appealing exhibits and provides educational space for visiting school groups. CNHA's ongoing efforts draw together the local community, chambers of commerce, local and state governments, private institutions, academia, other friends groups, and a host of individuals in appreciation of the wildlife and habitat of their local refuges and beyond.

NWRS 2004 Employee of the Year Award

The Employee of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual whose career has shown a commitment to the conservation of our natural resources and superior effectiveness in advancing the cause of wildlife conservation.

John Taylor, wildlife biologist for the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM, is the first Land Management Research and Demonstration site biologist in the country. He has researched, pioneered and implemented innovative techniques for conserving river water during severe drought while managing the conversion of salt cedar monocultures back to native vegetation. He has fine-tuned the management of sandhill crane and other migratory bird populations and feeding resources to minimize damage to neighboring private croplands. In the process, he has become an expert in the application of moist soil management techniques. (Click on image for a larger view)

John has obtained grants for wetland preservations and restoration projects; he writes journal articles, delivers talks to interested groups, gives tours, and has participated in several film and documentary projects. He works extensively and effectively with other refuges, with conservation organizations, land management agencies, universities throughout the southwest and in Mexico. John Taylor is widely known and respected for his depth of expertise and unwavering commitment to habitat conservation and restoration. He is a leader in his field and exemplifies the professional wildlife biologists that the refuge system needs to flourish in the future.

Paul Kroegel Award - Refuge Manager of the Year Award

The award is given in honor and memory of Paul Kroegel, the first manager of the first refuge established in 1903 on Pelican Island, Florida. His dedication and effectiveness set a high standard for those who followed.

Mike Bryant is Refuge Manager of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, NC. As a key natural resources manager in eastern North Carolina, he represents Refuge System interests in a variety of challenging and controversial issues. He is widely respected for his dedication, his depth of knowledge, his respect for competing interests and priorities and his diplomatic skill in building a stable consensus. All these attributes were essential in his successful navigation of the Bonner Bridge controversy. The Bonner Bridge crosses Pea Island NWR, serves as a crucial connector for Hatteras Island, and is due for replacement. After years of patient negotiation and persuasion, Mike Bryant promoted and secured approval for alternative placement of a new bridge that will provide the necessary access for hurricane evacuation as well as routine travel, while protecting Pea Island's fragile habitat. (Click on image for a larger view)

Mike Bryant has demonstrated exemplary public relations skills; he recognizes the importance of refuge staff earning the community's respect and establishing sincere and open interaction with the community as a means of maintaining a positive working relationship, even when implementing potentially contentious refuge projects. In recognition of his many accomplishments, he was awarded the Department of the Interior 2003 Environmental Achievement Award in the area of Environmental Stewardship.

These award recipients have contributed greatly to the National Wildlife Refuge System and we commend their accomplishments. Their efforts have truly gone beyond the call of duty and should serve as an inspiration to us all. They richly deserve this recognition.

Read about all the award nominees.