Ken Stansell, Assistant Director for International Affairs and Chairman for the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), toured the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, August 23. 

Accompanying Stansell as interpretive guides on the tour were: Don Hultman, manager of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge; Richard Nelson, supervisor of the Rock Island Ecological Services Field Office; and Mark Steingraeber, fishery biologist at the La Crosse Fishery Resources Office. 

While en route to view several habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects in the refuge’s La Crosse District, the group discussed the Service’s role in collaborative management of the river and conservation of its native fauna and flora. 

They later stopped at the Genoa NFH, where manager Doug Aloisi and his staff guided the group on a tour of facilities where a variety of native fish and endangered mussels are propagated for restoration in the Midwest. 

The group also discussed the growing global demand for caviar and the need to ensure CITES protection for sturgeon populations throughout the Mississippi River basin. 

The opportunity for employees from diverse field offices to host a member of the Service Directorate on a tour like this enhances communication within the agency and helps all participants accomplish their common mission.