David Mauser was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the national Wildlife Refuge System in June when he received a regional director award. FWS Director Dale Hall (left), Deputy Regional Director Ken McDermond, David Mauser and Regional Director Steve Thompson at the award ceremony in Monterey, Calif. (photo by Scott Flaherty)

David Mauser of the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex was presented with a Regional Director’s Award June 24, 2008, for his unique and innovative approach to addressing issues facing Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge and its lease land farming program. The award was presented by Regional Director Steve Thompson during Region 8's All Project Leader meeting in Monterey, Calif.

Tule Lake NWR is the only refuge in the nation that permits intensive commercial agriculture within its boundaries. This unusual practice results from the Kuchel Act, legislation enacted in 1964. The law was originally written to maintain wildlife on the refuge while simultaneously maintaining 22,000 acres of lease land farming. Over the past several decades, the Kuchel Act became increasingly controversial and the focus of several lawsuits. The challenge was whether wetlands and agricultural lands could be integrated to maintain ecological integrity yet legally function as compatible with wildlife within a Reclamation Project.

Past strategies had focused millions of dollars and thousands of hours on exercising regulatory authority. This had provided little benefit to the landscape and even less toward fish and wildlife conservation. Mauser realized new strategies for managing these seemingly conflicting land uses needed to be developed. Ultimately, he helped develop “Walking Wetlands” a process of rotating wetlands and croplands, which has resulted in a noticeable increase in wildlife species diversity, both on the refuge and on private lands.

In addition to the rapid expansion of Walking Wetlands within the Klamath Basin, the Service has been working with partners from other areas of the western United States.  The rapid migration of Walking Wetlands onto private lands is, in part,  due to the program’s ability to help farmers become more sustainable and even enhance their entry into the emerging markets of organic farming. 

Mauser’s innovation has helped merge sound biological science with the power of agricultural economics. As a result, more than 7,000 acres of additional wetlands have been created within the refuge and on nearby private lands.  Through Mauser’s efforts, Tulelake NWR and the surrounding landscape function at a higher level of ecological integrity, demonstrating how one individual can make a difference.