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Ecology Units & Teams

Wildlife Ecology Unit

Fish & Aquatic Ecology Unit

Stream Systems Technology Center



Quick Links

NatureServe


Find A Photo



Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants

Program Leader:
Gene DeGayner

Regional Program Leaders:
pdf 22.0 KB
doc 29.0 KB

Program Initiatives:
Hunting


Get Wild!

NatureWatch (official)

  • Eyes on Wildlife (program description). Eyes on Wildlife is a sub program in NatureWatch.

Be Bear Aware & Wildlife Stewardship

Wildlife on Your National Forests
(2005) PDF 498 KB (Brochure)

Success Stories
Idaho Wildlife Habitat/Highway Connectivity - Recently Completed

Personnel
Wildlife/Fish/Botanists by Year
(2007; 28.9 KB PDF)

Related Topic Areas:

Bats: Masters of the Night's Sky
(TES Initiative)

MOUs

Threatened, Endangered & Sensitive Species Program (TES)

WFW Issue Update Papers

Birds of North America database

Partnerships - CCS

Breeding Bird Survey

Other Related Links

Wildlife Ecology Unit:
Dr. Christina Vojta
Lowell Suring

Wildlife Ecology Unit

'Wildlife' includes the National Wildlife Program and the National Wildlife Ecology Unit.

Photograph: Quail perched on a rock.  Blue sky background.  Photograph by Dr. Weihong Ji at Tahoe NF, Bear Trap Meadows.  Find A Photo.The National Wildlife Program assists field biologists in attaining the Chief's wildlife priorities and manage wildlife habitat resources from a healthy ecosystem perspective.

Program 'Initiatives' include "Get Wild!", "Making Tracks" and "Elk Country". See the complete listing on the left. 'Initiatives' are special topics to which we give added emphasis through projects, events, literature and funding. The intent of our varied Initiatives is to help us and our partners move forward to accomplish specific management goals for certain key issues.

The Wildlife Program covers terrestrial animal species not considered 'threatened, endangered or sensitive' species (TES). We have a specific TES program for species with this designation.

The Wildlife Ecology Unit (WEU) is a detached staff unit located in Flagstaff, Arizona. WEU's primary function is facilitating the transfer of technology and technical information from research to field biologist. The WEU staff serves on technical teams addressing terrestrial watershed management issues, including TES species.


Wildlife News:

Awards!
Visit our WFW Awards page for details...

Jack Adams Award – 2 Fabulous Winners!
This year, the 2008 Jack Adams Award was presented to two biologists, Mary Sue Fisher, Regional Budget and Long-term Planner, Pacific Southwest Regional Office and Thomas Skinner, Forest Fisheries/Wildlife Biologist of the Coronado National Forest.

Lloyd Swift, Sr. Award – Jim Clarr
This year’s award recipient, Jim Claar, National Carnivore Program Leader, selected for his national leadership role in carnivore conservation.

Conservation Partner and Conservation Project Awards
The Conservation Partner award was presented to Bat Conservation International for its outstanding work in bat conservation.

The Conservation Project award was presented to the West-slope Bighorn Mountains Cooperative Initiative for over 10 years of cooperative work in big game and riparian habitat restoration in northern Wyoming and southern Montana.
Presented at 2009 North American Wildlife & Natural Resource Conference.

Elk Country Awards from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

RMEF news release

U.S. Forest Service employees in California, Colorado and Oregon are earning special recognition for their work enhancing and conserving habitat for elk and other wildlife. Each has received a 2009 Elk Country Award presented by the Forest Service and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

  • Elk Country Award: Wildlife Habitat Management Achievement - Modoc National Forest
  • Elk Country Award: Individual Achievement - Melanie Woolever, R2, Wildlife Program Leader
  • Elk Country Award: Partnership Achievement - Mark Henjum, Umatilla National Forest

Making Tracks Awards - Nationa Wild Turkey Federation

  • Group Habitat Project award - Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest in Whitmire, S.C.
  • Individual Habitat Program award - Danny Waldon of Mayhill, N. M., received the 2009 Individual Habitat Project award for his habitat stamp program and other projects benefiting the Lincoln National Forest during the last 19 years.
  • Group Habitat Program award - Dave Zalunardo, Anne Roberts, Monty Gregg and the stewardship group of the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests in Oregon earned a Habitat Management Programs award.
  • Group Habitat Program award - Wildlife biologists Dave Newhouse, Heather Keogh, Chris M. Schumacher, Phillip Huber and Christopher L. Williams with Michigan's Huron-Manistee National Forests earned a Habitat Management Programs award.
  • 2009 Individual Project Achievement award - Rob Hoelscher with Vermont's Green Mountain and New York's Finger Lakes national forests received the 2009 Individual Project Achievement award.
  • 2009 Group Partnership Achievement award - Organizers of the Wheelin' Sportsmen Savannah River Site Mobility Impaired Hunt earned the 2009 Group Partnership Achievement award.
  • 2009 Conservation Education Award went to the Becky Ewing and Kari Kirschbaum of the Ironton Ranger District and Supervisor’s Office of Ohio's Wayne National Forest, which has partnered with the local chapter of the NWTF.
  • 2009 Heritage and Leadership award was presented to Corbin Newman, the Southwestern Regional Forester.

Mule Deer Conservation Award
Congratulations to Nate Yorgason, Devin Johnson, Ron Rodriguez, and Tyler Hoyle, of the Dixie National Forest, on receiving the 7th annual Mule Deer Conservation Award!


Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation Plan - December 2008
PDF 3.24 MB

Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation. The Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan as directed by Executive Order 13443. 10-year plan.
Developed in cooperation with the Sporting Conservation Council (a federal advisory committee), diverse volunteers from state agencies, conservation and sportsmen’s organizations, and participants in the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy.

Bat Conservation International signs MOU with USDA Forest Service
More information



2008 Bat Blitz on Bankhead National Forest
More information



New Bighorn Sheep/Goat Publications
Kudos to Melanie Woolever and Tim Schommer for doing this review and producing this product! It is huge and very significant effort.
A Review of Disease-related Conflicts Between Domestic Sheep and Goats and Bighorn Sheep;
Schommer, Timothy J.; Woolever, Melanie M. 2008; RMRS-GTR-209
Download pdf file 425 KB

Abstract:
Research shows that contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats can lead to respiratory disease and fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep. We reviewed experimental methods and evidence regarding respiratory disease in bighorn sheep relative to domestic sheep and goats based upon the contact hypothesis and categorized by experimental approach. Although efforts to identify organisms causing pneumonia in bighorn sheep following contact with domestic sheep have identified multiple bacteria species, the complete range of mechanisms/causal agents leading to epizootic disease events are not completely understood. However, based upon the effect of disease transmission, spatial and/or temporal separation between domestic sheep and goats and bighorn sheep is prudent when the management objective is to maintain bighorn sheep populations.



Climate Change Report for Hunters and Anglers
A new report outlining the potential impacts of climate change on North America’s fish and game species is released by a joint cooperation of nine leading conservation organizations.
More information
Link: www.seasonsend.org


Minorities in Birding
John C. Robinson's new book entitled 'Birding for Everyone' is available.
More information


Award Winners:

Answer the Call 2008 Award Winners - CONGRATULATIONS!

Photograph: Jim Bardwell (middle), Patoka Hills Chapter President accepting Answer the Call Volunteer award from Gail Tunberg, Answer the Call Program Coordinator (left) and Rocky Evans, Quail Unlimited President.Answer the Call” is a partnership program between the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Quail Unlimited and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program promotes quail and upland game bird habitat management nationwide through cooperative projects. This year's award winners were honored at Quail Unlimited’s National Convention in Springfield, MO.

Jay Cox, member of Patoka Hills (IN) Chapter of Quail Unlimited, was presented the 2008 “Answer the Call” Award for an outstanding volunteer.

Gary Rotta, Wildlife Biologist on the Plumas National Forest, was presented the National “Answer the Call” Award.

Dave Zalunardo, Pacific Northwest Regional Representative to the “Answer the Call” partnership was recognized for 14 years of exemplary service.
Congratulations Jay, Gary and Dave! Thank you for your dedication.

More information


Photograph:  Anne Zimmermann (USFS Director of WFW) poses with Norm Weiland and Tom Darden.  Norm and Tom display their awards.Jack Adams Award for 2008 - Norm Weiland
Congratulations to Norm Weiland. Norm’s entire career was marked by “lead by example”. With a quiet confidence, professional attitude, and strong personal commitment to wildlife conservation, Norm made all the programs and projects he touched a success worth emulating. In the words of one of his former supervisors, “Norm had a truly self-less determination to make the Forest Service be at its best.” Norm Weiland embodies the attributes that signify a Jack Adams award winner. We are grateful for his 30 year contribution to the Forest Service, natural resource conservation, and the wildlife program.

Lloyd Swift Sr. Award for 2008 - Tom L. Darden
Congratulations to Tom Darden. Following Pinchot’s admonishment to serve the public in fair and open ways, Tom has been resolute in supporting the application of science in the management of national forests, and highly effective at building diverse coalitions and collaborative approaches to natural resource conservation and management. Tom has multiplied his effectiveness many times over by coaching and mentoring young biologists and influencing Forest Service Leadership. As with Lloyd Swift, Sr., Tom’s leadership, commitment and innovative approaches to resource management has been a driving force for wildlife conservation across National Forest System lands and beyond.

FS-BLM Conservation Leadership Partner Award 2008: National Wild Turkey Federation
This year the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management jointly recognized the National Wild Turkey Federation during the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
More information...

6th Annual Mule Deer Conservation Award Recipient
Congratulations to Steve Blatt of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest! (2007)
More Information...

Elk Country Award (2007) Recipient - Land Protection
Congratulations to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands!
Ron Erickson of Forest Service Region 1 and Dave Pieper, Dakota Prairie Grasslands supervisor, accepted the award on behalf of their staffs.
More information...

Elk Country Award (2007) Recipient - Individual Achievement
Congratulations to Jeff Bohler of the Umpqua National Forest!
The award recognizes Bohler for his hard work and leadership in enhancing forage conditions for elk and other wildlife in Douglas County.
More information...

R6 Master Stewardship agreements with RMEF and the NWTF
This is an internal US Forest Service link.
http://fsweb.r6.fs.fed.us/aqm/ga/masteragreements/r6ga-masteragreements.shtml

EPA, National and Environmental Groups Launch "Green Infrastructure" Plan to Benefit Communities and the Environment
News for Release: Thursday, January 17, 2008
More information...

USDI Fish & Wildlife Service - Flyways Website
More information...

Radar Technologies - Interesting Applications for Bats, Birds and some Insects
More information...

Audubon Society Lauches "Together Green" - Conservation Leadership Program
Due June 27, 2008
More information...

National and Regional Contacts:

Beth Hahn - Acting
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Northern Region
Federal Building
P.O. Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59807
Phone: 406-329-3677

Melanie Woolever
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
740 Simms Street
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-275-5007

Gail Tunberg
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Southwestern Region
333 Broadway, SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505-842-3262

Danielle Chi
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Intermountain Region
324 25th Street
Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: 801-625-5667

Cheryl Carrothers
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region
1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
Phone: 707-562-8929

Bill Otani
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Region
333 Southwest First Avenue
Portland, OR 97208-3623
Phone: 503-808-2972

Kenneth 'Rex' Ennis
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Southeastern Region
1720 Peachtree Road, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30367
Phone: 404-347-4081

Bill Bartush
Wildlife Program Manager

USDA-Forest Service
Eastern Region
626 East Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 800
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-297-xxxx

Mike Goldstein
Wildlife Ecologist

USDA-Forest Service
Alaska Region
Federal Building
P.O. Box 21628
Juneau, AK 99802-1628
Phone: 907-586-7905

Jina Mariani
Assistant - National Wildlife Program Leader

USDA-Forest Service
WFW staff
1400 Independence Ave., SW,
Mail Stop -1121
Washington, DC 20250-1121

Phone: 406 329-3463
Cell: 406 360-7296

Gene DeGayner
National Wildlife Program Leader

USDA-Forest Service
WFW staff
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Mail Stop 1121
Washington, D.C.
20250-1121

Phone: 202-205-1281

Photograph: Deer family in the snow. Taken by Kreig Rasmussen.

Web Links:

Downloadable Publications:

Wildlife Publications

Wildlife on Your National Forests
(2005) PDF 498 KB (Brochure)




Disclaimers | Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) | Privacy Notice

Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants (WFW)
Washington, D.C. Office
Author: Shelly Witt, National Continuing Education Coordinator, WFW staff
Email: switt01@fs.fed.us
Phone: 435-881-4203
Publish_date:1/20/99
Expires: none

Photo Credits

USDA Forest Service
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090
(202) 205-8333