Summer 2001

Where Are We Going
Mike Blenden-Refuge Manager

Every now and then it helps to slow down and look as far down the road as you can see. I know that for the last three years my work has been flooded at times with tasks, problems and questions concerning the impending acquisition of the Baca Ranch and establishment of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. Other issues (such as concern over food supply and roosting habitat for Sandhill cranes, planning and implementing a well-thought-out habitat management program using all the tools, somehow conquering invasive species, and better managing water during a drought) have kept all refuge staff incredibly focused and "off the streets".

Now is a good time to pause and ponder the future. We are at a point of transition. For the last 51 years, there has been a National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley. There have been two refuges for 41 years. Monte Vista and Alamosa NWR's have many similarities. They both focus on wetland and water management for the benefit of migratory birds. Although not small they are still special islands of habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Service has maintained a local staff to run these refuges of roughly the same size for 40 years to deal with a steadily growing list of management issues. With the passage of the Great Sand Dunes Park and Preserve Act of 2000, the establishment of the large Baca National Wildlife Refuge, and the eventual acquisition of the Baca Ranch, the Fish and Wildlife Service is about to be jolted into a new era.

I have always found change to be exciting and a source of new opportunities. This time is a great example In a few short years, the San Luis Valley will be the home of three vibrant National Wildlife Refuges. This is more than rhetoric from an optimistic manager. Not only will the refuge land base grow by several fold in the Valley but the local staff has had years of discussion, research and planning regarding how best to apply and evaluate land management practices to achieve habitat objectives. The time is legally and intellectually right for this staff to apply this wisdom and renewed ability to the management of the Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs and to make good decisions in building a foundation for management of the Baca NWR. The Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges will play a fundamental role in garnering local support in the mission of the refuge system. You will continue and expand education efforts. You will provide new avenues for public involvement and awareness of both the exciting things provided on refuges and also the problems and challenges that refuges face. With the addition of the Baca NWR comes the interests of the Crestone community-a large active and imaginative group of people who can enrich your board, membership, and menu of pursuits and activities.

There are substantial hurdles we must leap to make this vision reality. We will look for them, assess them and deal with them as true partners.

	The Avocet
Back	Where Are We Going Mike Blenden-Refuge Manager Every now and then it helps to slow down and look as far down the road as you can see. I know that for the last three years my work has been flooded at times with tasks, problems and questions concerning the impending acquisition of the Baca Ranch and establishment of the Baca National Wildlife Refuge. Other issues (such as concern over food supply and roosting habitat for Sandhill cranes, planning and implementing a well-thought-out habitat management program using all the tools, somehow conquering invasive species, and better managing water during a drought) have kept all refuge staff incredibly focused and "off the streets". Now is a good time to pause and ponder the future. We are at a point of transition. For the last 51 years, there has been a National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley. There have been two refuges for 41 years. Monte Vista and Alamosa NWR's have many similarities. They both focus on wetland and water management for the benefit of migratory birds. Although not small they are still special islands of habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Service has maintained a local staff to run these refuges of roughly the same size for 40 years to deal with a steadily growing list of management issues. With the passage of the Great Sand Dunes Park and Preserve Act of 2000, the establishment of the large Baca National Wildlife Refuge, and the eventual acquisition of the Baca Ranch, the Fish and Wildlife Service is about to be jolted into a new era. I have always found change to be exciting and a source of new opportunities. This time is a great example In a few short years, the San Luis Valley will be the home of three vibrant National Wildlife Refuges. This is more than rhetoric from an optimistic manager. Not only will the refuge land base grow by several fold in the Valley but the local staff has had years of discussion, research and planning regarding how best to apply and evaluate land management practices to achieve habitat objectives. The time is legally and intellectually right for this staff to apply this wisdom and renewed ability to the management of the Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs and to make good decisions in building a foundation for management of the Baca NWR. The Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges will play a fundamental role in garnering local support in the mission of the refuge system. You will continue and expand education efforts. You will provide new avenues for public involvement and awareness of both the exciting things provided on refuges and also the problems and challenges that refuges face. With the addition of the Baca NWR comes the interests of the Crestone community-a large active and imaginative group of people who can enrich your board, membership, and menu of pursuits and activities. There are substantial hurdles we must leap to make this vision reality. We will look for them, assess them and deal with them as true partners.