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Excerpt from the Winter 2005 Avocet

President’s Message ~ Tim Armstrong

Fall 2004 was busy for our Friends Group! In September, we painted Elmer Olson's house. During the past summer, Linda Cozart and JoCarroll Hann conducted a series of interviews with Elmer Olson about his experiences growing up ranching in the San Luis Valley. During those interviews, Elmer expressed concern about the condition of his former house, which the Monte Vista Refuge purchased several years ago. We decided that sprucing up Elmer's house would be a great project for a Friend's workday, so in September a large group of Friends and four students from Adams State College painted one half of the house. We plan to finish the painting and work on the roof and chimney next summer. In October, we held our annual Friends and Neighbor's picnic at the Alamosa headquarters. We moved the picnic to the fall during National Wildlife Refuge Week in an attempt to avoid the summer storms that have plagued us the last couple of years, but we were still chased inside by the cold and wind! Despite the weather, the picnic was a great time with great food and company. We gave Elmer a lifetime membership to the Friends and the Refuge staff gave awards to several of the Friends in recognition of their contributions and hard work.

I have also been busy with advocacy this fall. On behalf of the Friends, I wrote a letter to the Department of Interior expressing our concerns about a draft agreement that would turn over many of the operations at the National Bison Range in Montana to the local Native American tribe. We are very concerned about the precedent this action would set because it could increase the cost of refuge operations and turn over critical refuge operations to untrained personnel. Special thanks to individual members that also wrote letters concerning this issue. Some of the refuge staff and myself have also met with Senator Allard's staff to let them know about this issue. Some of the refuge staff and myself have also met with Senator Allard's staff to let them know about the additional needs the purchase of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge has placed on the existing Refuge staff.

This fall, the Friends received a $5000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a Nature of Learning Startup Grant. Along with matching funds and in-kind contributions, the grant will provide funds to design and test an integrated wetlands curriculum centered at the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. The curriculum was designed by the refuge's Outdoor Recreation Planner, Kristen Gilbert Unfortunately, at our November meeting Kristen announced that she will be leaving to take a new job at the Teton Science Center near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Much of the work for the grant has already been completed, and a Refuge Intern will complete the proposed work. We wish Kristen the very best, but everyone who has worked with Kristen is deeply saddened to see her go. During her two years at the refuge, she has contributed beyond measure tot eh refuge's and our efforts to increase educational opportunities for K-12 teachers and students at the refuges. She will be sorely missed.

Results of 47th Monte Vista NWR Christmas Bird Count

by Lisa Clements

The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge once again held their annual Christmas Bird Count on December 18, 2004 in the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado. Ten people spent a total of 22 party hours and covered over 225 miles on the count. Weather conditions during the day were favorable with clear skies and no wind. Temperatures ranged from a brisk 5°F to a balmy 30°F. Coverage of the count circle was thorough and all habitat types were surveyed.

This year's numbers were low, most likely due to the dry conditions in the valley. A total of 42 species were documented and 3,642 individuals. This is the third year diversity numbers have remained low, especially compared to the record high 63 species in 2001. We are down 6 species from last year, but thanks to the Blendens, we found the elusive pink plastic flamingo!

This year we sent our information to the National Audubon Society to be included in the National Christmas Bird Count. This is the first time since 1994 we have done this. The website is easy to access and you can see how we have done in years past as far as numbers go. They wanted $5 for all participant to be listed, so not all of our names are on it. I'd like to continue to participate in the NCBC, so we'll have to have our Christmas count between Dec. 14-Jan 5. Thank you to all of you who helped with this year's count, see you next year on December 17, 2005! And encourage all your backyard feeder watchers to participate!