USDA Forest Service WATERSHED - FISH - WILDLIFE - AIR - RARE PLANTS ::: WFW MONTHLY WFW STAFF NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2005 CONTENTS National in Scope * HOT BREAKING NEWS * Director's Discussion * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Coming Events - Conferences & Meetings * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Technical Information & Publications - New Technical Information that is broadly applicable * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Training - Tools - Interesting Information * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Regional Round Ups * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish (Region 9) * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Vacancies/Employment Opportunities Federal job announcements can be found at: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/agency_search.asp * General/Cross Area * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife * Other Catch of the Day (critters, botanical finds, and bizarre occurrences in the news) * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife Submit your information; Disclaimer & Non-Discrimination Statement National in Scope: * TES TES Plant Species Conservation In the United States there are about 750 federally listed vascular plant species, over 300 of which occur in Hawaii. Of the approximately 430 species that occur in the continental United States, 170 are on Forest Service lands. In FY 2004, the National Forests funded projects that contributed to recovery efforts for 38 of these species, and Forest Service partners contributed funding for 16 of these. Two very significant partnerships were: a recovery project for the rare shrub, southern spicebush (Lindera melissifolia), done with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Native Plant Society of South Carolina; and a recovery project for Platanthera praeclara, the beautiful Western Prairie Fringed Orchid of the Great Plains, done with North Dakota State University. Recovery work done through non-partner projects were completed to help Schwalbea americana, a southern snapdragon family member, Echinaceae laevigata, a rare southern coneflower, and Trifolium stoloniferum, a rare clover from the northeast and mid-west states. In addition, the Forest Service manages to conserve habitats for almost 2,200 sensitive plant species, which receive special protection and funding to prevent them from being federally listed species in the future. In FY 2004 the National Forest System funded projects to benefit over 500 sensitive plant species, and over 240 of these species also benefited from additional funding from our Forest Service partners. The WFW WFRP-MS database, which contains detailed information about such projects, will soon be on the Internet. Look to future newsletters to find out how to access and use this database. The database will be invaluable to our partners and the public to see which species we are actively managing, and to find future opportunities where we can partner together on future threatened, endangered, and sensitive species conservation projects. * WILDLIFE Wildlife, Hunters Benefit from Partnership Partnerships between the National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service have resulted in more hunting opportunities and increased wildlife habitat across the nation. Keeping with that tradition, the NWTF and USFS recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It is the third time the MOU has been signed between the two groups, and it will continue their partnership until 2010. The purpose of the MOU is to allow for joint planning on projects benefiting the wild turkey on National Forest System lands, such as habitat enhancement and wild turkey restoration. The USFS is responsible for managing National Forest System lands in 44 states covering 192 million acres. Through state and private forestry, the USFS provides informational, educational and technical assistance to an estimated 10 million private landowners who manage more than 42 percent of the nation's forested lands. The first MOU between the NWTF and the USFS was signed in 1986 and has been renewed three times. "The current MOU reflects the tremendous growth of our programs and provides a solid foundation to expand," Keck said. "As partners, we've learned from each other and will continue to learn throughout our partnership." For more information about the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF. Region 8 Wildlife Program Manager Named Kenneth "Rex" Ennis (Forest Wildlife Biologist on the Huron-Manistee NF) has accepted the Region 8 Wildlife Program Manager position. His reporting date is October 30, 2005. Rex has been the wildlife, threatened, endangered, and Regional Forester's Sensitive species, and range program manager on the Huron-Manistee National Forests since 1988. He has built a strong wildlife and rare resources program through partnerships with a diverse group of wildlife habitat partners. He has developed strong relationships with the State of Michigan, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, tribal governments, and universities. The Forests have been recognized for these efforts through several regional and national awards, including Birds Across the Americas, Making Tracks, and Taking Wings. Rex has been the Team Leader for the Kirtland's Warbler Recovery Teams since the early 1990s. These efforts have contributed to an increase in essential breeding habitat in Michigan and developed international relationships and partnerships with the Bahamas. Currently, this endangered songbird's census population is the highest ever recorded since the census began in 1951. He also has been a member of the Karner Blue Butterfly Recovery Team and helped develop this species recovery plan and has begun implementing barrens ecosystem restoration and monitoring. Coming Events - Conferences & Meetings: * AQUATIC/FISH Coastal Cutthroat Symposium September 29-Oct 1, 2005 The Coastal Cutthroat Symposium: Biology, Status, Management, and Conservation, Fort Worden State Park (near Port Townsend, Washington). http://www.orafs.org/cutthroat.html Editorial Note: The symposium came and went before our September WFW newsletter "went to press". If you attended the symposium and have interesting news to report we would love to hear it. 2005 Symposium: Science & Management of Headwater Streams November 17-18, 2005 Science and Management of Headwater Streams in the Pacific Northwest Symposium Corvallis, OR. Oregon Headwaters Research Cooperative. http://www.headwatersresearch.org * WILDLIFE "AMERICA'S RAIN FORESTS: A DISTANCE LEARNING ADVENTURE" October 14, 2005, 1:00 -2:30 p.m. ET Rain forests provide a haven for the largest diversity of plants and animals on Earth. Join experts in Puerto Rico and Alaska during a FREE, LIVE ELECTRONIC FIELD TRIP and explore America's tropical and temperate rain forests. ELECTRONIC FIELD TRIP Tune in on October 14, 2005 and join students, teachers, biologists and researchers on an electronic field trip to the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico and the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The program will be broadcast LIVE by satellite and webcast on the Internet at http://rainforests.pwnet.org. Tune in from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. WEB SITE Check out http://rainforests.pwnet.org for background information about rain forests, free lesson plans, and scheduled live chats. For more information and to register, go to http://rainforests.pwnet.org. Watchable Wildlife Conference Mark Your Calendar for the Watchable Wildlife Conference Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Virginia Beach, VA October 12-14, 2005 Comprehensive Sessions On: * Nature/Wildlife Tourism * Site Development and Management * Wildlife Conservation and Management * Marine Wildlife Viewing Management Complete information and online registration at: www.watchablewildlife.org Program Presented in Cooperation with: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau Wind Energy and Wildlife Workshop during the 71st North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference! Excerpted from Outdoor Bulletin News September 2005 Tuesday, March 21, 2006 During the 71st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Columbus, Ohio, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) is hosting a full-day workshop entitled "Wind Energy Development and Wildlife Management." Workshop attendees must pre-register for the 71st North American, but there is no additional charge for workshop participation. Conference pre-registration material will be available in early December at www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org. For more information on the workshop, contact Russ Mason, IAFWA, rmason@iafwa.org, or at 202-624-7890. Technical Information & Publications: * GENERAL/CROSS AREAS Bulletin: Protecting and Landscaping Homes in the Wildland/Urban Interface From Richard D. Schneider, USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Publications Protecting and Landscaping Homes in the Wildland/Urban Interface Barkeley, Yvonne C.; Schnepf, Chris; Cohen, Jack D. 2004. Station Bulletin # 67, January 2005. Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, Moscow, ID. University of Idaho Extension. 21 p. Minimize the risks of losing your home from wildfire. Learn the actions you can take in reducing your risks to wildfire. There is NO charge for RMRS publications and to order single copies: Email: rschneider@fs.fed.us (include full mailing address) Phone: (970) 498-1392 Mail: Send your name and address in block format (as if addressing an envelope) to: Publishing Services Rocky Mountain Research Station 240 West Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80526-2098 USA * WILDLIFE Cougar Management Guidelines - First Edition ORDER NOW Thirteen authors, with over 200 years of combined experience with cougars, collaborate to bring the best available science on cougar management and conservation under one cover. The continued loss of wildlife habitat, the diverse values and opinions of stakeholders, and increases in human- cougar interactions make the management of this species difficult. To maintain viable cougar populations and sustainable management strategies, the authors affirm that new tools, an adaptive management approach, and a greater investment in the science and sociology of cougar management must be made. Although specifically written for wildlife managers, this volume will be an extremely useful tool for field biologists, decision-makers, educators, private organizations, and other citizens interested in the management and conservation of this carnivore. Pricing: Single copy $21.95/$28.95 Canadian, shipping and handling included. Quantity Discounts: Flat discount rates apply to bookstores/libraries/and non-profit groups. Order fulfillment services provided by: Opal Creek Press, LLC, 1675 Fir Street South, Salem, OR 97302 Email: orders@opalcreekpress.com Phone: 866.375.9015 http://www.opalcreekpress.com/cougar .html Training - Tools - Interesting Information: * TES TRAINING: Scientific Principles and Techniques for Endangered Species Conservation (ECS3138) US Fish & Wildlife Service - National Conservation Training Center Course Dates: October 17 - 21, 2005 Location: Lakewood, CO (near Denver) Cost: There is no tuition fee for FWS personnel. Tuition is $850 for non-FWS participants. More information available at: http://training.fws.gov/ Search for ECS3138 Contact: Dave Lemarie, 304-876-7490 dave_lemarie@fws.gov Regional Round-Ups: * REGION 9 Submitted by Dr. Nick Schmal, USFS/Region 9: Regional Fish Program Leader Excerpted from USFS 'Success Story Reporting System' These complete stories and more can be found in the USFS 'Success Story Reporting System' (on the FSWeb; only available at this time to USFS computers): http://ssrs.r9.fs.fed.us/ Hutton Scholar on the Huron-Manistee By Kate Salm Benjamin Walkington, a senior this fall at White Cloud High School, was one of 63 students chosen to participate in the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program. During the past summer, Walkington has been working with his mentors, Jim Cline and Tom Walter at the Baldwin Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest, on a wide variety of projects related to fisheries biology. Walkington was chosen from 300 applicants to participate in the hands-on, summer program in fisheries science. Each of the students who participate is also awarded a $3,000 scholarship from the American Fisheries Society, which also sponsors the Hutton Program. The program helps students to explore conservation issues and the importance of healthy aquatic systems through habitat restoration, protection, and management. Two of the projects Walkington spent the summer working on epitomize this goal. Fish Tales 2005: Summer Camp By Wendy Cowsert The Shawnee National Forest had another successful month of June educating children on stewardship and good fun. In June, the Shawnee National Forest partnered with the * University of Illinois Extension * Shawnee Community College * Illinois Department of Natural Resources * Timberline * Saluki Kids Academy-Southern Illinois University * Illinois Coalition for Community Services, and * Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone presented the summer camp, Fish Tales, to underserved children of southern Illinois. Head Start, Wal-Mart and U.S. Fish & Wildlife-Cypress Creek Wildlife Refuge, and Johnson's Automotive also donated services or supplies needed to make the camp a success. Paul McKnight from University of Illinois Extension, along with Wendy Cowsert (Ms. Fanny Finn) and Marion Bunch from the Shawnee National Forest, visited schools in April to promote the program and distribute registration forms. The 8 two-day sessions were held at the Shawnee Community College pond and pavilion in Pulaski County, Illinois. Children were taught safety, nutrition, angler ethics, knot tying, say no to drugs, wildlife identification, fish anatomy, fish identification, fish handling, ecosystems, casting, fishing, water canaries, bait selection and service to others. This year aquaculture and dog retrieval demonstrations were added to the program to teach the children land stewardship. Ottawa YCC Completes Bluebill Creek Stream Restoration By Linda Sybeldon A group of five YCC students were part of a crew that worked on the Ottawa National Forest from June 13th to August 5th. One of the major projects they accomplished was to complete the Bluebill Creek Stream Restoration. The Ottawa's Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) accomplished a lot this past summer as they worked on projects across the Forest. A group of five students worked from June 13th through August 5th to complete the Bluebill Creek Stream Restoration. Students were put to work at the Bluebill Creek, north of Pomeroy Lake, to put in a gate, signs, and to seed and mulch the berms. They also put erosion control fabric in the stream and covered with rock to hold it down. They put in silt dams and leveled out the area where the soil from the culvert removal was put. To complete this project, the students put seed and mulch along the road and disturbed areas beside the stream. The Ottawa was fortunate to have such a great YCC crew to work with this year. The students worked hard and when finished, a sign was erected along the stream showing the date the crew completed this project. Eastern Region Specialists Attend Cooperative Eastern Region Specialists Attend Cooperative Conservation Convention By Nick Schmal Public and private leaders, average citizens descend on St. Louis for the White House Convention on Cooperative Conservation. Natural resources took center stage August 29-31 in St. Louis during the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation. The three-day symposium was sponsored by the Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Interior, Agriculture,Commerce, and Defense. The USDA Forest Service Eastern Region was represented at the Conference by Regional Forester Randy Moore. Other dignitaries in attendance included Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, and Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources Mark Rey. The intent of the conference was to broaden cooperative conservation efforts among state, communities, tribal and local governments, private for profit and non-profit organizations, and private citizens. Although the President was vacationing and unable to attend the conference, he sent a brief note telling participants he appreciated their contribution "to conservation efforts in their communities." Vacancies/Employment Opportunities: * OTHER Wildlife Conservation Society Director of the North American Program. Closing date for applications: October 14, 2005 http://www.wcs.org/getinvolved/careers/58127 Contact: Dr Kent Redford, kredford@wcs.org WFW Newsletter Contact Information - Disclaimer - Non Discrimination Statement: WFW Newsletter is a monthly newsletter without a clever name and is provided by the National Forest System Watershed-Fish-Wildlife-Air-Rare Plants staff (including Soils) of the USDA Forest Service. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted to Netta Grant at agrant@fs.fed.us or your favorite Program Leader no later than the 20th of each month. We reserve the right to edit contributions for clarity and brevity. Emphasis on brevity. Links to detailed URLs or documents are great - include them in your information contribution. If brevity and clarity are a struggle for you, we recommend the "Plain & Simple! Document Writing" workshop instructed by Dr. Jud Monroe. Positions listed are for outreach purposes only and are not full announcements. Interested individuals should contact the forests referenced or consult the USAJOBS website. "The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."