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Regional Director Tom Melius. Photo by USFWS.
December 2016
Rounding out a year of accomplishments
The last warmth of fall has left us and we’ve turned the corner to winter and the activities we enjoy. This time of year brings many of our duties indoors with a focus on maintenance of the equipment and facilities that will prepare us for next year’s field season.
With that in mind I give a shout out to our many maintenance workers who exert the elbow grease and get down and dirty to complete our repairs, tune ups and more. These seemingly thankless duties are truly appreciated and are so vital to keeping the mission moving. This region is blessed with dedicated maintenance staff who get the job done day in and day out. I appreciate and salute your efforts!
Migrating birds have again flown south to their wintering havens after another successful year thanks to the vital habitat we maintain for their spring and summer stays. This month we’ve highlighted a number of these efforts and the great partnerships that blossomed along the way. They include students in New Richmond, Wisconsin expanding important pollinator habitats (Learn More), restoration work that will benefit the endangered Topeka shiner (Learn More) and great friends doing great things along the Great Lakes restoring bird habitat on Lake Michigan (Learn More). Speaking of pollinator habitat, I’m extremely proud of your efforts to restore and enhance more than 71,000 acres of habitat in the Midwest Region this year – a 43% increase from last year (Learn More)!
With winter arriving it’s also a time for many of us to take part in our favorite seasonal past times during our free time. Be it ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing or some other winter passion, I ask you to keep in mind the dangers of being ill prepared. Keep this winter another safe one. You remain our most treasured resource.
The election is over and we’re now awaiting the announcements of our new leadership teams for both the Service and the Department of the Interior. Having been through transitions before, I look forward to the opportunity to share with them the great work and successes we have in our region. I can tell you that from past experiences, especially if those individuals are new to our agency’s conservation work, it’s heartwarming to see their reactions to the great things each of you do for the resource.
And last, but not least, a shout out to our staff from Great River and Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuges who are highlighted in this month’s “Meet The Staff” section (Learn More).
As you gather with family and friends to celebrate during this holiday season, I wish you all the best and look forward as we work together to accomplish more things in the year to come. Stay safe and enjoy your holidays.
T.O.M.
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