Refuge Update from Ranger Pam Darty – Spring 2011

Refuge Update – Spring 2011

In April, Friends member, volunteer and former Ranger, John Lohde joined Pam for Career Day at Chiefland High School. Our booth has never been so crowded! Everyone came to shoot the breeze with Mr. Lohde, their favorite substitute teacher.  Having thorough knowledge of our work and the federal employment site, usajobs.gov, he could field all their questions. Hearing we had no student Youth Conservation Corps jobs for the summer, resulted in my getting several students calling to volunteer. We’ll see this summer if any of them show up for work days when it’s 94 degrees and way too much humidity.

The Refuge will be working with Cedar Key School Science teacher, Dennis Voyles to provide Learning In Florida’s Environment (LIFE), a Florida state grant program.  Until the school year begins, we are providing exposure to our prescribed fire (Vic) and forestry (Daniel) programs via hayrides and lessons through the Refuge. In July, Pam will provide a history and heritage lesson at Shell Mound for the CKS students with a workday to follow.

Any teachers, scout leaders, 4-H, or FFA kids who love pollinators, we have the posters for you.  Give Pam a call at 493-0238, x223 and we’ll save one of each for you.  We also have a slide show about our perfect pollinators, native bees. Pam can visit any classroom with lessons or just posters.

The Hunter Working Group met to review last year’s hunting seasons, hear policy changes, and express their opinions of the Refuge hunting program.  Pam welcomed the crowd and introduced Acting Manager, Paul Gideon, from Pond Creek NWR, Arkansas, here for a 30-day detail. Kenny, highly regarded by all in the audience, informed and entertained the group with his good advice and anecdotes from years in the woods. Next year’s meeting will have permanent managers in attendance.

Acting Managers are Action People

Since the Refuges are without a management team, 30-day details brought managers from other Refuges.  All who met Acting Manager Karen Hillier, from Key Deer found her very knowledgeable and a real problem-solver. We thought very highly of her management style and ability to make decisions and get things done. And she donated her free time to join us at the Friends booth at Suwannee’s Stone Crab Festival.  Her soft voice belies her strength of character and the fact that she is a go-getter who never stops.  The Refuge Staff thoroughly enjoyed working with her.

Paul Gideon, manager at Pond Creek NWR has arrived for his 30-day detail.  He was very well received at the Hunter Working Group this week and by the Refuge staff.  A native of Arkansas, he has worked law enforcement, wildlife research and recovery, as well as management for decades. The Refuge staff is looking forward to his perspective on how best to achieve our goals here at the refuge.   Despite his seemingly laid back attitude, he has hit the ground running, already familiarizing himself with research being done by other agencies and entities within the Refuges, containing non-native species, and taking care or environmental health and safety issues at Refuge headquarters.  Come by and introduce yourself.