Casey W Johnson

Land Manager Technician, The National Conservation Training Center
Shepherdstown, West Virginia

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

How Casey W Johnson got involved with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
After serving four years in Japan, I got out of the U.S. Navy and I moved to West Virginia to pursue a degree in Natural Resource Management at Shepherd University. While attending my junior year, I first heard about the STEP program through one of my instructors and that a nearby training facility for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was looking for an intern. Upon finding out that the job duties were right in line with the degree I was pursuing, I knew I wanted to make this my career. After applying for, interviewing, and being offered the position, the rest is, well . . . history! : )

Experience
One of the main reasons I chose this career path was to promote, enhance, and preserve habitat for native plants and animals. One experience in particular will always stand out to me involving a prescribed fire here at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). The NCTC is the flagship training facility for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the Department of the Interior and is the virtual and physical home of the Service. Using controlled fire on warm season grass fields at NCTC has always been talked about but never seen through fruition. Prescribed burning has been found to be the most effective way to maintain and promote the native prairie grasses, which include switchgrass, little bluestem, broomsedge, Indiangrass, and big bluestem. These grasses, which used to be common in the Eastern Panhandle, thrive on fire, according to Phil Pannill, NCTC's Land Manager. Because of my involvement, I was able to help make NCTC's first ever prescribed burning of 14.9 acres a success. Now, In 2012, I have been assigned the lead role in all of the planning, preparation, permitting, and implementation of 33.2 acres of warm season grass fields adjacent to the initial burn area. I am proud to be making a difference in conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people in accordance with the mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Casey W Johnson's accomplishments
I have had the honor and priviledge to serve, yet again, working for something bigger than just myself. I have been able to work with so many great people, partners and organizations to accomplish the mission of the FWS - everything from working on prescribed fires, to managing controlled deer hunts, to combating invasive/exotic plant and animal species, to working with other youths such as the YCC to educate and engage them about what we do as an organization.

Casey W Johnson's next steps
I see myself staying with the Fish & Wildlife Service as a career. I expect to not only have much more to learn but also much more to offer this already great organization. I know I have a long way to go but I especially look forward to adding to its legacy and passing on to other future generations what I have come to learn and love so much about the Service.

Hometown: San Dimas, California
School: Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Major: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources with a Concentration in Resource Management