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The Avocet |
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Excerpt from the Spring 2005 Avocet President’s Message ~ Tim Armstrong Spring has arrived in the San Luis Valley in all its glory. We had good snow falls this winter and have had a cool, wet spring that has been a wonderful change of pace from the recent drought years. The migrant passerines are returning from their wintering grounds and the air is alive with their songs. A lot of things have happened since our last newsletter so I will try to update everyone on what is going on locally and nationally. We have been busy locally with a variety of issues. In our last newsletter, I wrote about the Knowledge of learning grant we received from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the loss of the refuge's Outdoor Recreation Planner (ORP). I'm pleased to report that we are in the process of contracting with a former science teacher, Judy Lopez, to finish the work proposed in the grant. Judy and "our" former ORP Kristen Gilbertt, are working closely to complete the grant. We also accepted a memorial donation in the name of Patrick Maes, the father of a US Fish and Wildlife Service employee in the Denver Regional Office. At our May meeting, we chose the Saturday workdays for the summer, and I encourage everyone to come out and contribute to "their" refuges. Working together to improve our local refuges is a great way to meet like-minded friends and it provides a great sense of satisfaction. In February, our refuge manager, Mike Blenden, and I attended the national Friends Conference in Washington, DC. We visited with refuge staff and Friends from around the country to discuss ideas on how we can support the refuge system more effectively. One of the most rewarding parts of the national conferences is the chance to visit with Friends groups that Mike and I have helped start as US Fish and Wildlife's Mentors. As part of a larger team of mentors, Mike and I help new Friends groups form and help existing groups with different challenges. While we were in Washington, we met with our Congressional staffs and Kit Kimball at the Department of Interior to discuss local and regional refuge issues. As a federal employee, Mike cannot lobby, so I did the lobbying and Mike answered questions. Our goal was to raise awareness of issues facing the new Baca National Wildlife Refuge. The Baca has been officially designated as a refuge, but no money has been appropriated to staff or maintain the Baca and the US Fish and Wildlife Service's budget has been stretched to the point where they don't have money to staff the refuge either. Working closely with Senator Allard's staff, the Friends submitted an appropriations request for a one-time appropriation of $325,000 for maintenance, invasive weed control and baseline research on the biology and hydrology of the Baca. We have not yet heard whether the request has been funded, but I will keep everyone updated. On the national level, the refuge system continues to expand (despite of its budgetary limitations). In 2004, the system protected over 177,000 acres of additional lands, for a total of over 96 million acres, making the National Wildlife Refuge System the world's largest system of lands devoted primarily for wildlife conservation. In addition to the growth in area, the number of Friends groups increased by six percent to 246. More importantly, the influence of Friends groups continues to increase at the local and national levels. James Cummins, the President of the Theodore Roosevelt Society, recently observed that "refuges with strong Friends groups have better infrastructures... are better off financially and are more able to meet local needs." One direct benefit of Friends groups working with their congressional representatives a $13 million increase in the operations and maintenance budget for fiscal year 2006 for the refuge system by the House Appropriations committee. The committee also designated $1 million "for cooperative projects with (F)riends groups on invasive species control". The increase in funding is particularly significant considering the current budget climate in Washington, and indicates that the collective voices of Friends groups are making a difference for wildlife!
15th Annual San Luis Valley Spring Bird Count Results The count was held on Saturday, May 14, 2005 as part of the International Migratory Bird Day celebration. The count tallied a total of 140 species, which represents average numbers compared to other years. A Brown Thrasher, Eastern Kingbird, and a Townsend's Warbler were seen for only the second time in 15 years of spring counts. These are migrant species that are stopping in the Valley habitats to recharge their energy reserves. Two Black-and-white Warblers and a Northern Goshawk accounted for only the 3rd time these species have been documented in 15 years of spring counts. A Northern Waterthrush and a Lazuli Bunting found during the count are seen every 3 to 4 years.
Friends Represented at Earth Day The refuges and the Friends were well represented at the annual Earth Day celebration in Cole Park in Alamosa Saturday, April 23, 2005. Jessica Dathe of the refuge staff and Sherry Hayes and
Linda Cozart from the Friends group staffed a booth that offered hands
on experiences for children and adults. |