2009 National Wildlife Refuge System Awards Announced!
The following awards will be presented at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director's Reception during the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, March 19 in Arlington, VA:
Refuge Manager of the Year (Kroegel award): Greg Siekaniec
Employee
of the Year: Baron Horiuchi
And at the Refuge System Awards Reception during the 2009 "Friends Unite!" National Friends Conference, February 22 in Washington, DC:
Volunteer of the Year: Marie Springer
Friends Group of the Year: Friends of Pool 9
Paul Kroegel - 2009 Refuge Manager of the Year Award
This
award is given in honor and memory of Paul Kroegel, the first manager
of the first refuge established in 1903 on Pelican Island, Florida.
His dedication and effectiveness set a high standard for those who
followed.
 |
| Refuge Manager of the Year, Greg Siekaniec |
Greg Siekaniec, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, AK
Greg Siekaniec, a twenty-four year veteran of the National Wildlife Refuge System, spent the past eight years as the refuge manager of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, a refuge comprised of over 2,500 islands and nearly five million acres. Beginning his career at refuges in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, Greg’s land stewardship and conservation ethic continued to land him increasingly challenging leadership positions around the country. He fought in support of Wilderness at Izembek NWR in Alaska and served in the Washington Office as Deputy Chief of Refuges.
Greg’s recent accomplishments at Alaska Maritime NWR include overseeing an internationally significant biological program and the development of the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. He developed restoration partnerships with national conservation organizations to restore island biodiversity and rid islands of destructive invasive species that had nearly eradicated native seabirds and other wildlife. The removal of rats on the 6,861-acre “Rat Island” was the third largest removal of rats in the world. The Ocean Visitor Center project also reveals Greg’s passion for partnerships. Encouraging input from the community during the decision making process, Greg oversaw the development of a center that now sees thousands of visitors including large groups of school children who come to learn about the region’s natural resources.
Greg has exhibited throughout his career the skill, passion, commitment and energy it takes to be a leader. He embraces challenges and supports those around him. For his achievements, Greg was recently named the new Assistant Director for the Refuge System.
NWRS 2009 Employee of the Year Award
The
Employee of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual
whose career has shown a commitment to the conservation of our natural
resources and superior effectiveness in advancing the cause of wildlife
conservation.
 |
| Employee of the Year, Baron Horiuchi, shows his greenhouse at Hakalau Forest NWR to then-Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett |
Baron Horiuchi , Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, HI
As the only Horticulturist in the Fish and Wildlife Service, Baron Horiuchi has spent the last thirteen years successfully developing and implementing propagation and out-planting methods for endangered Hawaiian plants at the Hakalau Forest NWR in Hawaii. He has created a unique program that engages many conservation partners and volunteer groups in the management of the Hakalau Forest greenhouse operation.
Through his exceptional effort and experience in plant propagation, Baron has aided in the recovery of seven species of endangered plants, including two species with fewer than three individuals remaining in the wild. Baron actively experiments with new ways to germinate, propagate, and out-plant endangered and common native plant species.
Baron has a wonderful ability to engage all age groups, with a special talent for interpreting the conservation challenge of the greenhouse and out-planting operation, and getting people involved in the recovery effort. Every year, hundreds of individuals under Baron’s direction experience the satisfaction of helping to restore Hawaiian forest habitats for the benefit of endangered birds and increasing the population of extremely rare endemic plant species at Hakalau NWR.
Thanks to Baron’s work, Hakalau serves as an inspiring model for how the restoration of Hawaiian forest plants may prevent many Hawaiian bird species from becoming extinct.
NWRS 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award
This
award was established to recognize the outstanding accomplishments
of volunteers. Each year volunteers make up a critical work force
that contributes over 1.5 million hours to the operation and management
of the Refuge System.
 |
| Volunteer of the Year, Marie Springer |
Marie Springer, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, NJ
In 2008 alone, Marie logged more than 2,000 hours of volunteer time for Wallkill River NWR and the Refuge System, the time and workload equivalent to that of a full time employee. A talented artist, she handmade 31 costumes of local nocturnal wildlife for the refuge’s annual Nocturnal Creature Night, held each Halloween, and hand painted a 275-foot maze accurately depicting Wallkill River and its wildlife. Also a skilled researcher and wildlife enthusiast, Marie collected and documented over 5,000 native bees and educated the public about the importance of Wallkill’s recently discovered endangered Indiana bat population. She has helped with bird counts, invasive species, and assisted with land acquisitions. Since its inception in 2006, Marie has served as the president of Friends of Wallkill River and helped to grow its membership to nearly 100.
Marie’s volunteerism extends beyond Wallkill River to surrounding refuges like Shawangunk Grasslands and Supawna Meadows NWRs as well as to the System as a whole. She coined the phrase, “Every Refuge Matters” and has played an integral role in forming and growing multiple Friends Groups and willingly shares her expertise in non-profit management with volunteers nationwide. Whether she is attending town meetings on proposed development adjacent to refuges or testifying before Congress in support of increased funding for the System, Marie is a bold advocate for refuges everywhere!
NWRS 2009 Friends Group of the Year Award
This
award recognizes a Friends group that has shown outstanding leadership
as a voice of the community and as an advocate for the protection,
conservation, and enhancement of local refuges and the National
Wildlife Refuge System overall.
 |
Friends of Pool 9 and volunteers gather for a River Clean-Up at the upper end of Pool 9, Upper Mississippi River NWFR
|
Friends of Pool 9, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - McGregor District, IA
Three years old and 400 members strong, the Friends of Pool 9 are making a difference along their 31-mile stretch of the 261-mile Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (NW&FR). Despite daunting obstacles such as severe flooding throughout Iowa this past year, the Friends of Pool 9 have made significant improvements to the quality of the refuge, earning praise from Refuge staff and cooperation from the local community.
The Friends of Pool 9 host many annual events to both preserve and showcase all the refuge has to offer. Their annual Pool Wide Clean-Up Day and the implementation of a “Leave-No-Trace” program serve to rid the refuge of trash left behind by visitors. Each fall, their Rivers and Bluffs Fall Birding Festival brings over 300 people to the area to enjoy and invest in the region and in the refuge. They also showcase the refuge to youth through environmental education programs such as The Mississippi River Adventure Day.
These high visibility programs and projects have improved the communities’ relationship with the Refuge and opened up new opportunities for friends groups all along the river. Four new groups have recently formed using the Friends of Pool 9’s grassroots approach as an example. By opening the communication lines between the refuge and the community through their quarterly newsletter "The Otter's Tale" and by reaching out to local newspapers, news networks, and radio shows, the Friends of Pool 9 have gained regional recognition for their efforts, and they’re just getting started!
See the ABC News 19 piece on the Friends of Pool 9 winning Friends Group of the Year: www.wxow.com.
To learn more, visit www.friendsofpool9.org.
See 2009 National Wildlife Refuge System Awards Press
Release.
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