In
the still air of a sunny May morning, with dew still clinging to the newly
greened vegetation, I moved stealthily through the marsh training my eyes
to the tops of the purple loosestrife plants that had invaded this treeless
wetland habitat. My quarry, no more that 7mm long, are the Galerucella
beetles that have survived the harsh Maine winter. These beetles were introduced
to the site 10 years ago as a biological control agent for the invasive
purple loosestrife. My job is to collect, rear, and distribute for release,
thousands of beetles as part of a program that works with local conservation
groups throughout coastal southern Maine. Before the beetle introduction,
purple loosestrife was the dominant vegetation species at this site and
through monitoring of test plots, we have been able to asses the impact
the beetles have made at reducing these plants. I will visit many other
sited throughout the field season to determine beetle populations and migrations
to neighboring wetlands. Maintaining a data base and mapping the data in
a GIS system has provided us with the statistical and visual efficacy of
the overall project.
Here at the refuge, working with the Conservation Partners enabled us to accomplish more, gives us a link to the communities around us, and builds rewarding and lasting relationships of mutual benefits. This program gave me the opportunity to teach the partners about the beetles, the impact of invasive plants, and share with them the results of the project. Last August, while talking with a long time resident in a nearby town about what I do at the refuge, he said, “Oh yes, I know that purple flower you’re talking about, but I don’t see it blooming anymore by the brook in my backyard.” I checked our maps and found he lives 2 miles from the nearest beetle release site.
Part of the success of this program has been a result of information sharing with others in the Fish and Wildlife Service who are also working with Galerucella beetles. Being able to contact other FWS personnel who are working with the same species instills that sense of working together.
I've been a Fish and Wildlife employee for over 18 years and I often reflect on why I stayed with this agency. I believe the Service truly respects its employees and it savors our diverse, often-unique and distinctive natures, behaviors, and attitudes. As these differences surface during each workday, it takes a great management group to form us into a cohesive unit to ensure we focus together on mission objectives. And as we all can imagine, that may probably be the most challenging aspect of pulling any team together -- that ability to accomplish goals with amazing individuals with vast differences in style and strengths.
Besides having a great job, I stay for many reasons. As an employee, I am an active participant in changes that will continue to keep the Service a good agency. I stay because I know that I can voice my opinions, however diverse my viewpoints may become. All of my coworkers are my extended family (whether at my station or other field stations) because we all respect each other's differences. And finally, I am confident knowing that when I may have flaunted an overbearing attitude, an overly-effervescent personality, or when I am wrong, I am and will always be a valued Service employee.
How does someone with degrees in biology and ecosystem management become the manager of a multi-million dollar grants program? Well, that’s one of the great things about working for the FWS, you are limited only by your imagination and drive.
As the manager for the Endangered Species grant programs in the national office, each day I come to the office knowing that the work I am responsible for directly benefits the nation’s most imperiled species.
Conserving endangered and threatened species is an immense task that the FWS cannot do alone. We work in partnership with other federal and state agencies, landowners, and conservation organizations. One way we support their efforts is by providing financial assistance in the form of grants.
A typical day for me may involve working on the grants program budget, a request for grant proposals, and recommendations on which proposals should receive funding. I may also prepare statements for the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Secretary of the Interior, meet with the Office of Management and Budget staff, and brief members of Congress (and their staff) and representatives of non-governmental land trust organizations. All of this work is accomplished through coordination with regional and field staff. It requires a working knowledge of the current federal statutes, regulations and policy relating to federal assistance.
Working in the shadow of the Capitol as part of a nation-wide team of experts, I am afforded a unique perspective on wildlife conservation needs across the country. Through the solicitation and evaluation of project proposals, one of the challenges I am faced with is ensuring that only the most meritorious projects from across the country are selected for funding from a pool of numerous worthy projects submitted for consideration.
I am fortunate that my work involves coordinating with a wide range of governmental and private partners on collaborative efforts to benefit imperiled species. My job gives me the opportunity to play an important role in projects that have protected the endangered fanshell, a freshwater mussel, in Kentucky; acquired property in Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery of leatherback sea turtles; assisted in creation of the Bull River Wildlife Management Area in Montana that benefits bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, grizzly bears, lynxes, bald eagles, gray wolves, and other wide-ranging wildlife; and conserved pygmy rabbits and their habitat in Washington State, to name a few. Site visits to some of these project locations have shown me first hand that you really can make a difference toward achieving on-the-ground conservation if you work for the FWS.
I am a STEP Student. During breaks from school, I come in to work full time. I get to work around 8 in the morning and ask my supervisors if there are things they need me to do, or I continue the work from the day before. My typical day includes different types of work for people in my department, socializing and learning new things from the specialists who hang around my cubicle.
I took Earth Space Science in 10th grade and fell in love with the subject. My teacher for Earth Space Science convinced me to take IB Environmental Systems my junior year. Being able to go outside and do experiments with nature got me even more interested in working with the environment and conservation. During the school year, a representative from HR came to speak to my class about working for the FWS. I was really excited but could not apply right away because of family issues. Some friends of mine were able to apply and got jobs with the FWS, they love the program. In January 2007 I was hired by the Federal Duck Stamp Office.
Besides my two years in Earth Space Science and IB Environmental Systems, I have not had much work experience with environmental issues and nature, but I can say that these two years changed my views about our Earth and its need for protection.
Working for the Service provides a lot of experience. Every day I learn new things about working for the environment, conservation, and the government bureaucracy and all. The Service offers jobs in many different fields covering many different aspects of conservation. It provides a chance for younger employees to grow in knowledge and confidence, and is a good way of establishing oneself in the workforce.
  
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