Refuge Staff Update

4/19/2025

The Lower Suwannee & Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuges are now feeling the impact of the government-wide reduction in the federal workforce.

Andrew at a Friends Annual Meeting

Andrew with Cedar Key Junior Rangers spotting dolphins at Shell Mound

Thursday, April 17, was Andrew's last day in the office. He is taking his many accrued and unused days of annual leave and then probably going to retire a bit earlier than planned. Friends already greatly miss him!

John Stark with Junior Rangers

Forester Daniel Barrand teaching about plants

As of our last News Brief, in March, the Refuge had six staff members . . . Andrew, John, Daniel, Jason, George, and Johnny. Since then, all of them received a memo offering the "Deferred Retirement/Resignation 2.0." The memo said the agency is also planning for additional reductions in force in the future. They were given a very short time to accept the offer or take their chances with what the terms of the next workforce reduction might be. If they accept it, they are put on administrative leave until the end of the fiscal year on Sept 30, 2025. Between now and then they would be paid their salaries but not allowed to work or volunteer to do the job they resigned from.

Johnny Mendoza multi-tasking

Johnny accepted and has already been put on leave. The refuge now has no administrative officer. Andrew was planning to retire in the summer but has changed his plans as mentioned. The others are still with us, but they have to be realistic and weigh the current offer against the possibility of being fired outright in the next round of reducing government services.

Jason Coates taking care of the Refuge

George Pelt demonstrating fire equipment

As Friends of our Refuges, we are dismayed at the loss of professional knowledge and experience. We know these staff members are effective and committed stewards of our wildlife and lands where they thrive. Their passion for service, conservation, wildlife, and country is evident in all they do. Our refuges contribute so much to us and to our communities, they deserve the care and protection these professionals provide.

Jim Conner

4/19/2025 11:45:41 am

My thoughts about the impacts of these staff cuts is unprintable. Fire is coming out of my ears.

Peg

4/19/2025 12:17:36 pm

It is so good to hear your outrage, Jim. the refuges protect our waters, our economy, our rural way of life. The refuges can't protect themselves. They need dedicated, professional people to plant, burn, mow, and manage. Without the people, we will lose the refuges.

Perhaps we need a Save Our Refuges gathering.

Susan Conner

4/19/2025 02:11:58 pm

I certainly want to help where I can.

Greg Lang

4/19/2025 10:09:00 pm

April 19, 2025
I was kayak fishing today on McCormick creek and contemplating the short sighted stupidity that this administration has brought to our public lands. When these resources are neglected it amounts to a taking and the disgraceful manner that the stewards and caretakers of our wild lands have been cut, will and should leave a long lasting distrust of this administration and a largely cowardly congress. I will always be grateful to Andrew and his staff’s dedication.

Mark and Heidi Sterk

4/20/2025 03:26:14 am

Hope to come back one day to our friends and ... one of the most beautiful parts of the world and Florida. A true paradise.
But very sadly our beloved America has become rapidly Less America.

Bruce Morgan

4/20/2025 10:02:53 am

All the more reason for volunteer organizations like ours to take the lead in regard to our public lands.

Amy Gernhardt

4/22/2025 08:59:57 am

What can we do? I am up for suggestions.

Erik Anthes

5/20/2025 07:52:46 am

Andrew has been such a great asset to the Lower Suwannee Refuge. His many years serving gave him a unique perspective from which he helped all interests stay balanced. The bird watchers, butterfly fans, photographers, bat keepers, fishermen, hikers, bikers, boaters, airboaters, kayakers and hunters all co-existed. He was a steward of good and fair with all the refuge users.

Andrew was respected by all of the groups, he was an ambassador, a gentleman and displayed great integrity.

We are sad to see Andrew retire but celebrate his many years of service and his great accomplishment of a job well done.

Stay well sir and enjoy your retirement!

Respectfully,

Erik

Comments are closed.

Refuge Staff Update

Archives