Congratulations to Our 2006 Recovery Champions!

Joanne Stellini
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Western Washington FWO

Joanne Stellini's Recovery Champion award is the result of her accomplishments in managing the nontraditional section 6 program in the state of Washington. She has been instrumental in obtaining needed funds to acquire lands that will provide permanent habitat protection for several listed species. Under the Recovery Land Acquisition Grants program, Stellini’s activities have secured funds that have enabled state partners to acquire key parcels critical to meeting recovery goals for the golden paintbrush, Columbian white-tailed deer, and Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit. Her success in developing collaborative relationships among diverse partners has leveraged the contributions of each to advance recovery efforts.

Paul Scheerer
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Paul Scheerer has made important contributions to the recovery of the Oregon chub and other endangered fish species, including the Hutton tui chub, Borax Lake chub, Foskett speckled dace, and Warner sucker. As a leader in Oregon chub recovery efforts and key member of Oregon’s native fishes recovery and working groups, Scheerer’s efforts to increase public awareness of the species’ needs and his ability to engage private landowners in their recovery has significantly improved the conservation status of the species.

Steven L. Hensley
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ozark Plateau NWR and Oklahoma ES Office

Steven Hensley’s Recovery Champion award is based on his contributions to the recovery of the Ozark big-eared bat, Indiana bat, and Ozark cavefish, and other state and globally imperiled cave species. His leadership, dedication, and personal commitment to conservation have helped local caving clubs, cave biologists, the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, private landowners, Tribes, and others to become allies in cave species conservation in the Ozark uplift of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. As a result of Hensley’s efforts, the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge, which he manages, was established for the protection of endangered bats and their habitats.

Patrick Burchfield, Ph.D.
Gladys Porter Zoo

For over 25 years, Dr. Patrick Burchfield has served as the primary coordinator for all logistical details, legal issues, nest protection protocols, and technology transfers between Mexico and the United States for the conservation of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. It is in large part through his ability to attain this level of cooperation among stakeholders that the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is coming back from the brink of extinction. Between 1985 and 2006, the numbers of Kemp’s ridley nests have gone from an all-time low of 702 to over 12,000 nests. During the 2006 season, over 777,000 hatchlings were released into the Gulf of Mexico.

Roger R. Gordon, Jr.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Genoa National Fish Hatchery

Roger Gordon is recognized for his contributions to the recovery of the Higgins eye pearlymussel and winged mapleleaf mussel. His efforts to propagate the Higgins eye pearlymussel and to successfully produce winged mapleleaf mussels are outstanding accomplishments. Gordon’s leadership, personal dedication, and participation on the Freshwater Mussel Coordination Team and the Winged Mapleleaf Recovery Team have helped multiple Federal, State, and non-governmental organizations work more effectively for the conservation of all freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.

Jim Valade
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jacksonville Ecological Services Office

Jim Valade’s work with Florida manatees, a species with particularly challenging recovery issues, has ranged from capturing and tagging for critical research needs, rescuing injured animals from entanglements or watercraft-related injuries, to providing public outreach and education. His accomplishments in developing partnerships with both the scientific community and highly diverse groups of stakeholders have significantly leveraged the contributions of each to further recovery progress for the species. Valade’s contributions as Recovery Liaison to the Manatee Recovery and Implementation Team's Steering Committee, as Co-Chair of the Protection Working Group and the Warm Water Task Force, and as a participant in the Manatee Population Status Working Group, and Florida’s Springs Task Force were also significant factors in honoring him as a 2006 Recovery Champion.

Steve Seiber
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

The Okaloosa darter is known in only six small coastal watersheds in Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Florida, and over 95 percent of the species’ range is within the boundaries of Eglin Air Force Base. Under Steve Seiber’s leadership, significant improvements in watershed management and habitat restoration have been achieved. His advocacy for the species both on and off Eglin Air Force Base has resulted in substantial progress in reducing threats and expanding basin populations. These efforts have involved State and Federal agencies as well as private entities and helped establish new approaches to habitat management. Seiber’s conservation efforts for the Okaloosa darter have also successfully integrated watershed management into military activities. The ongoing stewardship of aquatic resources under his leadership will continue to be essential to the recovery of the Okaloosa darter.

Michelle Eversen
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office

Michelle Eversen is recognized for her contributions to the recovery of the bog turtle and other listed species and for her accomplishments in developing, implementing, and tracking cross-programmatic habitat restoration projects. Her development of the Comprehensive Habitat Assessment and Restoration Team has allowed the Chesapeake Bay Field Office (CBFO) to draw on the expertise of each program to help identify individual programmatic roles within what are often complex restoration projects. The development of new methods to approach endangered species habitat restoration led to improved implementation and development of significant partnerships between the Service, Environmental Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and others. Despite significant challenges, Eversen’s management of the funding framework and partnerships supporting the conservation and recovery efforts of the CBFO has ensured that coordination with landowners and partners continues without interruption.

Craig Stihler
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Craig Stihler is recognized for his contributions to the recovery of the Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat, and other federally-listed species. As an employee of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, his tireless work ethic, technical expertise, outstanding interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm have made the Division an invaluable partner to the Service. Stihler’s participation in the Service’s section 6 grants to states and section 7 consultation process has contributed to the improved status of Virginia big-eared bats in West Virginia maternity caves and in the population growth of hibernating Indiana bats. His efforts in bat-related outreach and education have had a highly positive impact on the recovery of these species. The partnerships he has developed with landowners, cave conservancies, members of the National Speleological Society, local caving groups, and others have effectively leveraged resources for the continuing conservation success of these species.

Rob Holm
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery

Over the past 10 years, the leadership and expertise of Robert Holm has contributed significantly to the recovery of the critically endangered pallid sturgeon. Through the development of propagation methods and cryopreservation techniques, Holm has contributed to our knowledge of this ancient species and significantly increased the chances for its recovery. In addition, he has significantly influenced public support and cooperation for pallid sturgeon recovery and promoted the development of strong partnerships to leverage resources for recovery of the species.

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee,
Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee, Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, and the Service’s Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator are recognized for their contributions to the conservation and recovery of the grizzly bear. Since its listing in 1975, the Yellowstone ecosystem population of grizzly bears has increased from a low of 200 to 300 individuals to its current estimate of approximately 600. The range of this population continues to increase dramatically as evidenced by a 48 percent increase in occupied habitat since the 1970s. Recovery of this iconic species has required cooperation among numerous Federal and State agencies, non-governmental organizations, local governments, and citizens. Collectively, these efforts represent one of the most compelling success stories since the inception of the Endangered Species Act.

Judy Jacobs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office

As the primary author of the Draft Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Plan, Judy Jacobs is guiding international efforts to conserve the short-tailed albatross. Most notable among her many conservation endeavors is the identification of additional colonies within the species’ formerly occupied range in Japan. Jacobs’ coordination of an experimental translocation for a surrogate species, the Laysan albatross, between Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai, has developed knowledge that will accelerate the establishment of new colonies. In addition, her work with commercial fishery partners continues to promote conservation of this wide-ranging oceanic species.

Brian Collins
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge

In 1980, as few as 203 pairs of light-footed clapper rails were found in 11 marshes throughout coastal areas of California and Baja California, Mexico. Since the start of the captive breeding and translocation program, over 150 rails have been released into southern California’s coastal salt marshes. In 2005, 361 pairs were noted exhibiting breeding behavior in 17 marshes, and the 2006 results identified the largest breeding population since the counts began. Brian Collins’ accomplishments in developing partnerships have combined the expertise and resources of several organizations for the successful captive breeding and population augmentation of this species.

Jon Sjoberg
Nevada Department of Wildlife

Jon Sjoberg has successfully led the development of both site-specific and landscape-level efforts to conserve and recover unique oasis spring-dependent species throughout Nevada, including the Railroad Valley springfish, White River springfish, Pahranagat roundtail chub, Big Springs spinedace, White River spinedace, Moapa dace, and others. Through land acquisitions, Safe Harbor Agreements, and other means, Sjoberg has measurably improved the conservation status of a unique component of our nation’s biodiversity. His contributions to the conservation and recovery of Nevada’s desert fishes are an outstanding combination of science, leadership, and resource advocacy.

Marshall P. Jones, Jr. (Retired)
Washington, D.C. Office

Marshall Jones’ career with the Service began in 1975 as a biologist and technical writer in the Office of Endangered Species in Washington, D.C. He served as the first Editor of the Endangered Species Technical Bulletin, first published in July 1976 and now in its 31st year! He held key Endangered Species management positions in both the Denver and Atlanta Regional Offices, and upon returning to Washington in 1987 served as Acting Chief of the Division of Ecological Services, Chief of the CITES Management Authority, and Assistant Director for International Affairs, positions dedicated to native and foreign species conservation and recovery. Since October 2000 in his roles as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Service, Jones continued to guide the Service’s efforts in species conservation and recovery, most notably by strengthening partnerships with Federal agencies and foreign governments, States, Tribes, non-governmental agencies, and the private sector.