Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture WATERSHED - FISH - WILDLIFE - AIR - RARE PLANTS ::: WFW MONTHLY WFW STAFF NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2007 CONTENTS National in Scope * HOT BREAKING NEWS * Director's Discussion * General/Cross Areas * Air * Appeals & Litigation * Aquatic/Fish * NatureWatch * Planning * Partnerships * Soil * TES * Watershed * Wildlife * Other 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 * Other Regional Round Ups * Region 9 - Hoosier NF Vacancies/Employment Opportunities Federal job announcements can be found at: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/agency_search.asp * Other Catch of the Day (critters, botanical finds, and bizarre occurrences in the news) Submit your information Disclaimer & Non-Discrimination Statement National in Scope: * HOT BREAKING NEWS! Congratulations to Eugene DeGayner and David Schmid - Welcome to WFW/WO! Eugene DeGayner is the new USFS/WO/WFW National Wildlife Program Leader. David Schmid is the new USFS/WO/WFW National Fish Program Leader. Gene comes from the Eastern Region where he is the Regional Planning Biologist providing ecological guidance on 11 forest plan revisions. He also co-led the development of an oak-hickory ecological restoration strategy and was recently named regional program leader for stewardship contracting. Gene also served as the Regional Wildlife Ecologist in the Alaska Region and the Forest Wildlife Biologist for the Tongass National Forest. Dave comes from the Northern Region where he is the District Ranger for the Beartooth Ranger District, Custer National Forest. He has held this position since February 2005. Prior to this position he was District Ranger for the Thorne Bay Ranger District, Tongass National Forest. He has fourteen years of experience as a practicing fisheries biologist on the Chugach National Forest and two additional years as a fisheries technician. He has a strong record of accomplishing fish habitat restoration and enhancement projects, and has an extensive legacy of building successful internal and external partnerships both as a fish biologist and as a District Ranger. Please congratulate and welcome both Gene and Dave to our staff. Gene and Dave report to Washington DC on April 30. Submitted By: Anne Zimmermann, USFS, WO/WFW More Kids in the Woods - Grant Funding is up to $500,000! DUE DATE: March 16, 2007 Send in your applications now! Funding will be allocated in $10,000 increments. Use the funding for multiple years. WFW Professionals projects fit perfectly with this grant opportunity-- NatureWatch and other projects. Take advantage of your expertise - apply now! Copy and paste most the information from WFRP-MS. $500,000! Application form & Call Letter Send your Grant Application to: more_kids@fs.fed.us Submitted By: Rhonda Stewart, USFS/WO/WFW NEW! Landscape Ecology Course Limited registration for August 6-17, 2007 hosting. 5 open slots. $1700 tuition (costs might be lower pending overall registration). Contact: Shelly Witt to register by March 9, 2007. (switt01@fs.fed.us; 435-881-4203) * GENERAL/CROSS AREAS New Policy for Overhead Assessment with Partners The new Overhead Assessment policy was developed to facilitate partnerships, improve business practices, and meet agency legal requirements. The overhead assessment is referred to as the burden rate in other sections of the Forest Service manual. See FSH 1909.13, chapter 40. This new policy was effective September 11, 2006. There are some important changes in the overhead assessment policy. * Not charging an overhead assessment when FS receives funds from a non-federal partner for work that is authorized by law, consistent with the agency's annual appropriation, advances the agency's mission, and provides mutual benefits. * Not charging the overhead assessment when contributed funds from any source are $25,000 or less. * Will charge an overhead assessment when more than $25,000 is received from a cooperator where the Forest Service does not benefit in the same qualitative way from the objectives of the work. * If we receive funds from Federal agencies under the Economy Act or from Forest Service units funded from different appropriations an overhead assessment will be made. Contact: Rico Clarke, 703-605-4938, Financial Policy and Standards Jan Engert, 202-205-1072, National Partnership Office * AQUATIC/FISH Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture 17 Eastern States Announce Coordinated Strategy for Brook Trout Conservation Unprecedented New Plan Sets Firm Targets for 2025. On March 1 the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture released a first-of-its-kind conservation strategy to restore healthy, fishable populations of eastern brook trout throughout their eastern native range. The Conservation Strategy is based on the status and threats information contained in the Joint Venture's initial report, which was issued in May 2006. www.easternbrooktrout.org Eastern Brook Trout: Roadmap to Restoration - Conservation Strategy (3.9 MB pdf) Press Release (29.1 KB doc) Contacts: Gary Berti, 828-318-5052 or gberti@tu.org Steve Perry, 603-271-1745 or sperry@wildlife.state.nh.us Submitted By: Nick Schmal, USFS/R9/RR/F&A * TES FR Notice and Request for Comment This is the ninth in a series of surveys conducted since 1960. For both land and non-land management agencies, the collection and analysis of public demand data is vital to designing effective policies and programs for the management and use of water, forest, and wildlife resources. Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Download Survey (pdf) Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Sen. Crapo Readies New ESA Bill Allison Winter, Land Letter, E&E News Need Subscription to read article at E&E News/Not available in DigiTop Alternative posting Short Summary: Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) plans to introduce legislation giving tax incentives to landowners for helping endangered species. The most recent introduced version provides tax credits for landowners enhancing endangered species habitat and allow tax deductions for landowners who help implement species recovery plans. Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Astragalus desereticus (Deseret milkvetch) -Anticipated Delisting: Prudency Determination for Designation of Critical Habitat Interesting process on determining the conservation status of this species over the past 10 years: * January 1998 - proposed for listing as T. * Oct. 1999 - Listed T; no CH designated, FWS: "not prudent due to the lack of benefit to the species" * July 2005 - Complaint against FWS that CH should be designated * Nov. 2005 - Stipulated Settlement Agreement among FWS and plaintiffs that the FWS would submit for publication in the Federal Register a new critical habitat determination for the species by January 19, 2007. * Oct. 2006 - Conservation Agreement among FWS and various state agencies to apply conservation measures for the species. * Jan. 2007 - Proposed for delisting, and (obviously) a need to propose/designate CH is not considered (by FWS) to be needed. (Population increases since 2000 and 2006 Conservation Agreement were main factors.) Federal Register: Proposed Rule Center for Native Ecossystems - Press Release Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Grey Wolf Populations - Delisting News Release on grey wolf: W. Great Lakes pop. to be delisted (as had been previously proposed); N. Rockies pop. is proposed for delisting. FR rules to follow. FWS image library Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW * WILDLIFE International Migratory Bird Day - May 12, 2007 www.birdday.org International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates the incredible journeys of migratory birds between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America. The theme this year is "Birds in a Changing Climate". The event encourages bird conservation and increases awareness of birds through hikes, bird watching, information about birds and migration, public events and a variety of other education programs. IMBD will be celebrated this year on May 12th. There are a number of Forest Service field units that host annual events or participate in IMBD celebrations hosted by another federal agency or partner. We know this from viewing these projects in our WFRP-MS reporting system. We are grateful to those units for letting us have a glimpse of their wonderful events; and, encourage others to take a look or consider hosting an event at your unit. Even though May 12th is IMBD officially, plan your event to coincide with peak migrant return in your area; or, use the theme of this year's IMBD in other educational events throughout 2007. Register YOUR IMBD events at: www.birdday.org/event_registration.html Contact: MigratoryBirdDay@aol.com Submitted By: Jina Mariani, USFS/WO/WFW Zoo Fest 2007 The Smithsonian's Migratory Bird Center, and Friends of the National Zoo, kick-off IMBD this year on April 27th and 28th, 2007. Federal agencies and several non-profit organizations gather at the National Zoo to celebrate birds. With displays and activities for children (and adults), Zoo coordinators and partners promote bird conservation through the IMBD yearly theme. Thousands of Zoo visitors come to this event and the Forest Service will be there, as in past years, to help promote bird conservation. Visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu/BirdFest/sponsors.cfm for more information about Zoo Fest, 2007. Submitted By: Jina Mariani, USFS/WO/WFW New Bird and Bat Species Found By Barcoding DNA GUELPH, Ontario, Canada, February 19, 2007 : Article origin unknown. University of Guelph/Mathematics & Statistics Original Articles via DigiTop/: Molecular Ecology Notes "Early Online" 2007 : Barcode Or download at www.barcodinglife.com Scientists developed a new technique for species identification - a DNA barcode. Similar to the barcodes that identify consumer products, species barcodes identify unique animals or plants. An international scientists team reports assembling a barcoded genetic portrait of bird life in the United States and Canada - the prelude to a genetic portrait of all animal life on Earth. Based on DNA barcode identifiers, the scientists discovered 15 new genetically distinct species, nearly indistinguishable to human eyes and ears and thus overlooked in centuries of bird studies. DNA attributes of 87 bat species in the South American country of Guyana and reveal six new species, each characterized by its unique genetic make-up were also logged. "People have watched birds for so long we might think every different tweet has been heard, every different color form observed," says Dr. Paul Hebert of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at Guelph University, who co-authored both the bird and bat papers. "However, there are a number of cases of deep genetic divergences within what are currently called single species." * Barcode of Life Database: www.barcodinglife.org * Consortium for the Barcode of Life: barcoding.si.edu * All Birds Barcoding Initiative: www.barcodingbirds.org * Barcoding blog: http://phe.rockefeller.edu/barcode/blog Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Coming Events - Conferences & Meetings: * GENERAL/CROSS AREA North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference - 72nd March 20-24, 2007 Theme: The Changing Face of Conservation Hilton Portland & Executive Tower -- 921 Southwest Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon $360 Regular Registration Fee (2 or more days); $180 Daily Registration Fee Pre-registration for the 72nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference is closed. However, you can register on-site, at the Conference registration desk, in Portland. Conference Agenda Special Events * Aquatic Nuisance Species Workshop * Predator-Prey Workshop * Cooperative Sagebrush Initiative: Restoring the Sagebrush-steppe Biome * U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management Reception * Quail Unlimited-Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Group Achievement Awards Ceremony * U.S. Forest Service's Wings * Across the Americas Awards Ceremony and Reception Natural Resource Monitoring Partnership - OPEN HOUSE at North American Celebrate and learn how you can benefit from innovative new monitoring tools. Wednesday, March 21 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Broadway IV, Hilton hotel Contact: www.nbii.gov/nrmp Submitted By: Christina Vojta, USFS/WO/WFW/WEU 2nd National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration April 23-27, 2007. Kansas City, Missouri Conference Information Ecological Restoration - Journal Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW * WILDLIFE Registration Underway for USU-led Sage-Grouse Summit March 13-14, 2007 A Utah State University-led gathering March 13-14 in Salt Lake City will explore community-based sage-grouse conservation programs. The patchwork of state, federal and private land across Utah often makes it difficult to manage wildlife habitat. In response, the Utah Sage-Grouse Working Group Summit takes place in downtown Salt Lake City to explore the successes, trials and future of community-based sage-grouse conservation programs. Contact: Rae Ann Hart at 435-797-2556 www.cnr3.usu.edu/cbcp/ Technical Information & Publications: * GENERAL/CROSS AREA Environmental Law Institute's Open Space & Biodiversity Report is Available States are investing in the conservation of open space to protect wildlife habitat and biodiversity. The report concludes that if they are equipped with sufficient information and resources, they can be well positioned to make better land protection decisions and to maximize the conservation benefits that result from each dollar spent. The ELI report is available for free online at: www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11190 Individual summaries of the state programs examined in this study are available on ELI's website at: www2.eli.org/research/openspace.htm Contact: Ms. Roxanne Thomas at (202) 939-3827 or thomas@eli.org * WILDLIFE North American Elk: Ecology and Management is Back in Circulation The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is very pleased to announce that its awarding-winning book, North American Elk: Ecology and Management, is available for purchase. $42.50 (a 50-percent discount) plus $7.00 shipping (within North America), for as long as the first-edition, first-printing inventory remains. For orders of three or more, the cost per book is $39.50 plus at-cost shipping. To order, go to www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/Publications.cfm Contact: Jennifer Rahm at jrahm@wildlifemgt.org or write to WMI Publications, 1146 19th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036 Training - Tools - Interesting Information: Training * GENERAL/CROSS AREAS Ground Water Resource Management Brought to you by USFS Geology & Minerals Training Office May 14-18, 2007 in Rapid City, South Dakota Upon successful completion of the training, participants will: 1. Given a ground water issue, identify the legal and policy obligations, assess the problem, and design and implement a response in accordance with Forest Service standards and guidelines; 2. Given Forest Service policy and manual guidelines, identify ground water management needs and implement a ground water management strategy suitable for your home unit. NOMINATION DUE DATE: March 14, 2007 Must submit Nomination form and register in AgLearn by due date. Call Letter Agenda Minerals & Geology Course Information Nomination Form Submitted By: Chris Carlson, USFS/WO/WFW & MG Geomorphic & Ecological Fundamentals for River & Stream Restoration August 13-17, 2007 (with optional field training August 9-11) Sagehen Creek Field Station near Lake Tahoe, California http://landscape.ced.berkeley.edu/~kondolf/shortcourse/ For more information and registration form: http//:restoration.ced.berkeley.edu/shortcourse Course fee of $1,980 includes tuition, continuing education credits through UC Riverside Extension, field trip transportation, and course materials, including printed copies of lecture notes, CD with PDF files of additional papers and spreadsheets, and a copy of the reference work Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology. Contact: restoration_shortcourse@yahoo.com Submitted By: Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS, WO/WFW Geomorphic Field Methods August 9-11, 2007 Sagehen Creek Field Station near Lake Tahoe, Calif. Optional field training prior to the Geomorphic and Ecological Fundamentals for River and Stream Restoration course. The training will rely heavily on the methods presented in Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology (John Wiley & Sons 2003), and while interdisciplinary in context, will focus on geomorphic field methods. The field training is $1250 if taken alone, $1100 if taken in conjunction with the Geomorphic & Ecological Fundamentals shortcourse. Other Available Training - Most of the material presented in the 5-day shortcourse is presented by some of the same instructors in two comparable shortcourses, offered in Logan, Utah, and Baltimore, Maryland. Like the 5-day Sagehen (Tahoe) course, these assume a basic understanding of stream reach characterization (which may be acquired in the 3-day field training at Sagehen if you don't already have it from academic training or professional experience). Ecological and Geomorphic Principles of Stream Restoration June 4-8, 2007 Cromwell Valley Park, Baltimore Note - website update coming soon Principles and Practice of Stream Restoration July 16-20, 2007 Utah State University, Logan Principles and Practice of Stream Restoration, Part II (Design Problem) August 20-24, 2007 Utah State University, Logan, UT Submitted By: Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS, WO/WFW River Restoration Professional Certificate Program - 2007 Portland State University, Oregon www.epp.esr.pdx.edu/riverrest.html Professional series of five core and two elective courses leads to a university-level professional certificate and is designed for current professionals, or those beginning a river restoration career. The courses include both lecture and field components. Classes filled to capacity last year, so please register early! 2007 CORE COURSE SCHEDULE March 20th -- 22nd: Introduction to River Restoration Part I: Physical Processes (3 days, $495) May 15th -- 17th: Introduction to River Restoration Part II: Ecological Processes (3 days, $495) September 11th -- 14th: Stream Reconnaissance and Assessment Tools (3.5 days, $550) November 5th -- 9th: Restoration Design (4.5 days, $825) December 11th -- 13th: Restoration Project Management (3 days, $495) Contacts: Janine Castro (Janine_M_Castro@fws.gov) or Dick Dewey (deweyr@pdx.edu) Submitted By: Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS, WO/WFW Mandatory Training Web Site Find information on USFS Mandatory training at: http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/hrm/ct/ct_main.php Keep checking back for updates. Technical Issues with AgLearn Some employees are reporting technical issues while taking a course through AgLearn. USFS/HR/Training aka "Center of Learning" are working on some of the larger known issues, but suggest you might resolve many problems by making sure your computer settings are compatible with AgLearn. Check your computer settings at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/hrm/ct/aglearn_computer_settings_jobaid.doc on the USFS Mandatory Training Website. You should perform this check on all computers you use to access AgLearn. Employees - Identify Your Supervisor in AgLearn In order for a supervisor to record course completions or run reports on their employees, all employees must identify their supervisor in AgLearn. This includes employees who are also supervisors. Learn how to identify your supervisor at the Mandatory Training Website: http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/hrm/ct/ct_support_for_employees.php#dsuper Supervisors, before asking your employees to identify you, be sure that your AgLearn profile contains your correct email address. This will make it easier for your employees to identify you. SkillSoft Licenses are still Available - Get Free high-quality online training The Forest Service has launched an e-learning pilot program offering thousands of online courses from SkillSoft. The courses are available at no cost through May 2007 and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through AgLearn. Two curriculums are available. Interesting Info * WILDLIFE Quick Fix for Sign Posts Catching Birds of Prey The US Fish and Wildlife Service suggests taking care in the use of sign posts and placement of signs to prevent birds from getting trapped. We've had some reports of birds of prey getting their toes caught in the bolt holes on sign posts. Stations have found bird carcasses hanging on to some remote boundary sign posts. USFWS don't have guidance in the sign manual except boundary signs are to be on the top and the next sign down should allow an inch space between the signs. A solution for this problem, if there are too many signs to adjust, is to put plastic UV resistant hole plugs in the exposed holes, preventing bird toes from getting caught. Plastic UV resistant hole plugs are recommended to reduce cost and packing weight. They look like large thumbtacks made from flexible plastic and do not require tools for inserting. Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW New AFWA State Wildlife Action Plans Website www.wildlifeactionplans.org/index.html See news and press release on approval of ALL the "SWAPs". "One achievement we can all be proud of is the final approval of all 56 state wildlife action plans! In a joint press release from the Department of Interior and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies this morning, Secretary Dick Kempthorne announced the final approval of all remaining wildlife action plans, "marking the final phase of an important step in conservation history." FY07 funding for our state partners was approved at $67.5 million. Submitted By: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Monitoring Protocols & Locator Databases are Open & Ready for Business National Resource Monitoring Partnership. The Forest Service has been a strong participant in these efforts to make monitoring information more broadly available. Please support the interagency databases by taking the time to enter information about your monitoring projects or protocols. We have a lot to gain from this cooperative effort. If you plan to attend the North American, there will be an Open House to demonstrate the NRMP databases. Fact Sheet: http://biology.usgs.gov/status_trends/nrmp/overview_sheet_NRMP.pdf Submitted By: Christina Vojta, USFS/WO/WFW/WEU * OTHER - BOTANY/RANGE Beauty of It All - Iris Module is Now Posted This new module is about the genus Iris and the species occurring on the national forests and grasslands (occurring in all states except Hawaii and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico). Three new botany partners helped construct the page: * The American Iris Society * The Society for Louisiana Irises * The Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris These new partnerships will help educate the public about native flora conservation. Range staff would not have been able to build these pages without these partners. www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/iris/index.shtml Comments and corrections are always welcomed. Contact: Larry Stritch, 202-205-1279 or lstritch@fs.fed.us Submitted By: Lawrence R. Stritch, Ph.D., USFS/WO/Range Regional Round Up Share the events or achievements going on in your Region. * Region 9: Region 9's: Success Story Reporting System (open to all the USFS - submit your "Success Story") Submitted By: Nick Schmal, USFS, R9, Fish/Aquatic Ecology Program Leader These articles were edited for space and attention span limits - read the whole articles (and others) at "USFS Success Story Reporting System" on the FSWeb (FS computer system). Long-time partners contribute to successful projects By: Cathy Fox (R09_Cheq-Nic) 11/27/2006 Two Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest wetland impoundments on the Great Divide Ranger District have a new lease on life thanks to a little help from tribal partners through the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). Lynch Creek and Balsam Creek impoundments were built in the 1960's providing areas of shallow marsh and open water for waterfowl, shorebirds, amphibians, and other wetland species. Natural wetlands are generally plentiful in northern Wisconsin, but constructed impoundments allow water levels to be managed for maximum benefits. Like many things, Lynch and Balsam Creek impoundments were showing the effects of age. The metal outlet pipes and water control structures were corroding and faced ultimate failure if not replaced. Funding was not available within the Forest's budget to replace the pipes and that's when a long-standing partner came to the rescue. The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission worked with the Forest on many past projects. The impoundments were drained prior to the work and will gradually fill - ready for migrants' arrival this spring. The new structures' expected lifespan is over 50 years; the impoundments will continue providing quality wetland habitat for many years to come, thanks to another successful partnership. Shawnee National Forest Completes Bat Gates at Mine 30 By: Lisa Roper & Steve Widowski (R09_Shawnee) 11/20/2006 In 2006 the Shawnee National Forest with partners stabilized and gated two entrances to a non-working, underground silica mine in Alexander County, Illinois. This particular mine is summer habitat to over 2,000 male Indiana bats and winter hibernaculum for over 3,500 male and female Indiana bats. The mineral resources are owned by the Unimin Specialty Minerals Corporation. All partners worked together to build two, approximately 40 foot deep wooden and metal tunnels in both entrances to this non-working mine. These tunnels are similar to those used to stabilize working, underground coal mines. This is the third mine entrance stabilization and gating project for all partners in important mine roosts for Indiana bats. The first bat gate was installed in 1994 and we look forward to protecting similar habitats into the future. Partners with the Shawnee National Forest: * Zoology Department of Southern Illinois University (Drs. Tim Carter and George Feldhamer, Mammalogy) * Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Joe Kath, Endangered Species) * Unimin Specialty Minerals (Elco, Illinois Plant) * U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ottawa Specialists Take Students to the Field By: Linda Sybeldon (R09_Ottawa) 11/14/2006 Bessemer MI High school students, recently spent an afternoon at Powdermill Creek studying stream ecology with help from the U.S. Forest Service. Wildlife Biologist Brian Bogaczyk, Aquatic Ecologist Sean Dunlap and Fisheries Technician John Pagel, of the Ottawa National Forest, worked with the students helping them gain a better understanding about the Powdermill Creek watershed and factors that affect water quality, fish, aquatic insects and food webs. Teacher David Rowe, also enjoyed the fish shocking. "I was surprised and excited that we found seven different species of fish in one pool. I also found it interesting that when the Forest Service conducts population assessments that they are often looking for target species such as brook trout or sculpins." Bogaczyk explained, "These fish are good indicators of water quality because they are very sensitive to warm water, reduced oxygen levels and fine sediment such as silt." Commenting on the trip, everyone felt that it was a success; teaching students about stream ecology and the importance of water quality, the Forest Service fulfills part of its mission by protecting and preserving valuable wetlands and ecosystems. Volunteers Help Sustain the Botany Program By: Deb Le Blanc (R09_Hiawatha) 08/11/2006 Volunteers donated approximately 770 hours for a contribution of nearly $14,000 for various native plant program projects on the Munising RD of the Hiawatha NF during FY06. Volunteers from across the Country worked on various native plant restoration projects on the Munising Ranger District of the Hiawatha National Forest during the summer of 2006. Volunteers assisted with Non Native Invasive Species (NNIS) removal, and transplanting native plugs, raised at the Forest greenhouse, treated approximately 30 acres for NNIS removal; collected nearly $12,000 worth of native seed from harvesting locations; transplanted over 7,000 native plant plugs at restoration sites; provided professional photographs of two new Element Occurrences; and provided typing of field notes and survey reports for end of year reporting. The work and efforts contributed by these volunteers not only provided protection of unique ecosystems but, possibly even more importantly, provided an opportunity where citizens from across the country were able to work together and take ownership and connect to the lands we are entrusted to care for. Young Scholars Benefit From Forest Service Partnership By: Cathy Fox (R09_Cheq-Nic) 11/08/2006 Picture this - students engrossed in a video conference discussing a geology lesson preparing them for an upcoming site visit on northern Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It's all part of a collaborative effort between the Nicolet Distance Education Network (NDEN) and the Forest Service. "Forest Resources and Ecology: A Distance Education Model" was funded through Rhinelander's Nicolet College Northern Initiatives Program. The $36,000 grant runs through November and is administered by the Forest Service through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The project recently received a "Standing Up" award from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The award recognizes partnerships providing a strong, solid foundation for educating children and enriching rural communities throughout the state. "The good work being done in our small rural communities is shaping the lives of our children as well as the future of this great state," said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. All classroom project and field activities are designed to promote knowledge and awareness of forest resources, ecology, and forest management issues and to assist students in developing an environmental ethic so they can make informed decisions regarding the National Forest ecosystem. Green Mountain NF Finds Success with Fisheries and Watershed Based Programs By: Nick Schmal (R09_RO) 10/30/2006 The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont works hard maintaining a good Education/Outreach based fisheries and watershed program out of the Manchester District Office. One successful program is the "Adopt a Salmon" project. This is a classroom-based program in its 11th consecutive year. Biological Technician Chris Alexopoulus serves as the coordinator/educator representing the Forest Service/Fisheries Team. Alexopoulus travels to schools in the Manchester area, speaking about the Atlantic salmon Life Cycle, and how it inter-relates with the specific watershed that falls within their geographic zone. This program also includes students raising Atlantic salmon in the classroom from eggs to the fry stage, at which point they are released at a pre-determined site in a specific stream. Alexopoulus will also participate in the annual Rutland County Environmental Exposition, teaching and providing a seminar in fisheries habitat and fisheries science. This is a significant Forest Service partnership effort with many Vermont state agencies and private in-state based organizations. The group travels Southern Vermont college campus where elementary school student groups are taken for one-hour intervals over the course of a day and given an electrofishing methods demonstration for collecting fish. In addition, they discuss related subjects such as Benthic Invertebrates, Riparian Buffers, Water Quality, and Habitat improvements that benefit a wide assortment of fisheries needs and wildlife species. Both programs are excellent examples of connecting citizens to the land and protecting ecosystems across boundaries. Vacancies: * Outreach - Other Staffs USFS, State & Private Forestry, Office of Tribal Relations * Assistant Director, GS14 * Policy Analyst, GS13 * Program Manager, GS12 Contact: Fred Clark, Director, Office of Tribal Relations, fclark@fs.fed.us or 202-205- 1548 USFS, Range Conservationist: GS-454-12/13 Forest Service, Rangelands Management staff. Located in Washington DC. DUTIES: * Liaison between the USFS National Rangelands Management Staff and the Society for Range Management (SRM). * Provides advice to SRM in certification program administration for range specialists, and advising the SRM in carrying out their strategic plan. * Assists the Society in developing marketing and communication strategies to strengthen networks with external professional groups, and strengthen the organization's involvement in natural resources issues. * Provides support to the Assistant Director for activities related to Rangelands management, working with the regions to provide support in following current policy. Contact: Ralph Giffen (202-205-1455 or rgiffen@fs.fed.us) US NPS, Appalachian Trial Vital Signs Coordinator A permanent, full-time biologist position: GS 11/12 - $52,912 to $86,801 per year 1) DEU-07-014 (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=54199809) stationed at Harpers Ferry, WV. 2) DEU-07-015 (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=54202552) stationed at Woodstock, VT. 3) MP-07-001 (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=54201325) is stationed at Harpers Ferry, WV. 4) MP-07-002 (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=54203286) is stationed at Woodstock, VT. Closing Date: March 23, 2007 Contact: Dr. Brian R. Mitchell, Coordinator, Northeast Temperate Network, Brian_R_Mitchell@nps.gov 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 and Meteorology) 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 photos are included in your submission please provide alternative text with each photo. Alternative text should not repeat captions but describe the scene shown in the photo. If brevity and clarity are a struggle for you, we recommend the "Plain & Simple! Document Writing" workshop instructed by Dr. Jud Monroe. Vacancy Positions listed are for outreach purposes only and are not full announcements. Interested individuals should contact the units referenced or consult the USAJOBS website. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."