Left to Right: Bill Radke, Steve Spangle, Dr. Tuggle, Wendy and Warner Glenn

Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle joined Field Supervisor Steve Spangle and his staff  to visit with conservation partners in southern Arizona.  The group met with the Garrison Commander of Fort Huachuca, which is engaged in  section 7 consultation with FWS regarding the effects of the Fort's activities on listed species, including those dependent on the San Pedro River.  The Fort is implementing substantial mitigation measures to offset their effects of water withdrawal on the San Pedro River.  The group also met with members of the Upper San Pedro Partnership, including Mayer Bob Strain, County Supervisor Pat Call, and Holly Richter of The Nature Conservancy.  Discussions included the accomplishments and goals of the Partnership.  At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Tuggle signed an MOU renewing FWS' participation in the Partnership.  The group then met with Bill Childress, Manager of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, and discussed the significant resources of the river for migratory birds and other species.  The group then toured San Bernardino and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges with Refuge Manager Bill Radke.  Finally, the group attended a board meeting of the Malpai Borderlands Group and discussed the numerous conservation activities in which they are involved with Ecological Services and the Refuge, including a draft habitat conservation plan, implementation of a safe harbor agreement for Chiricahua leopard frog, and conservation of the jaguar.  During the Board Meeting, Dr. Tuggle signed a document concurring with a zero baseline, adding 21,600 acres of Matt Magoffin's ranch to the safe harbor agreement for 20 years.