DA lauds Hayden's work with threatened and endangered species

Nov 2007 -- Champaign, Ill. -- Dr. Tim Hayden, program manager and research biologist at ERDC-CERL, received a cash award from the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (OACSIM) for his research success with threatened and endangered species (TES) at installations.  He also received a Certificate of Commendation Nov. 5 from CERL Director Dr. Ilker Adiguzel to acknowledge this recognition by a major customer.

TES and their habitats at training and testing installations can threaten readiness by forcing the military to curtail activities to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Increasing urban and industrial development on lands adjacent to many installations means that often the installation has the only remaining habitat for TES.

Hayden has led studies for the past 15 years to characterize and mitigate the impacts of military testing and training on these species.  According to Scott Belfit at OACSIM, Hayden’s “research incorporated his outstanding knowledge of conservation biology, ESA compliance, and military training in a manner that led to win-win outcomes for Soldier training and the environment.”

Highlights of Hayden’s leadership in TES research include:

• Reduction in TES-restricted lands at Fort Hood, Texas, due to the presence of the endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler from 51,500 acres in 2005 to 9,500 acres by 2006.
• Through Army consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, phased reduction of all training restrictions related to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker at Forts Bragg, N.C.; Stewart and Benning, Ga.; and Polk, La.
• Support to a Candidate Conservation Agreement for the gopher tortoise to avoid listing across the entire range (central to southeastern U.S.).

New technologies to inventory endangered Indiana bat populations.