From January 31 to February 2, the Northeast Region hosted a meeting of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fire Outreach Team at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Md.  Ten members of the team, representing all regions of the Service, attended the facilitated meeting to review recent national fire outreach activities and coordinate implementation of the Fire Management Strategic Communications Plan. 

Glenn Carowan, Maryland Eastern Shore Refuge Complex Project Leader, welcomed and oriented the group, Regional Fire Coordinator Allen Carter gave them an overview of the region's fire program, and Blackwater Fire Management Officer Joe Krish led them on a refuge tour, which included a stop to observe an active prescribed burn.  In turn, the team coached Krish on how to conduct outreach in regard to a recent rash of arson fires in marshes around the refuge.  During the meeting, the team also learned about management of nutria from biologist Steve Kendrot of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The National Fire Outreach Team is a cross-programmatic team from all regions and includes expertise in fire and refuge management and external affairs.  It was formed in response to a review of the Service's Fire Mangagement Program in 2003, which identified a need to increase visibility of the program among decisionmakers. 

The team is led by National Fire Outreach Coordinator Karen Miranda Gleason.