Overview Of the USFWS, NWRS, And Friends Program
Department of the Interior The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future. There are 10 agencies under DOI. There are 7 Divisions under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Reclamation Office of Insular Affairs National Park Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement Bureau of Land Management U.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement Endangered Species Office of Law Enforcement Migratory Birds National Wildlife Refuge System Fisheries International Conservation Congressional & Legislative Affairs Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8
Sally Jewell, Secretary of Interior
Dan Ashe, Director, USFWS Department of the Interior U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Cynthia Martinez, Chief of NWRS Department of the Interior U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System
Martha Nudel, Communications Chief, NWRS Department of the Interior U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System
Joanna Webb, National Friends & Partnership Coordinator, NWRS
FWS Regional Offices
Tom Melius, Director, Region 3, USFWS Region 3
Charlie Blair, Region 3 Regional Chief, NWRS
Tom Worthington, Region 3 Deputy Regional Chief, NWRS
Jim Leach, Region 3, Refuge Supervisor
Maggie O Connell, Region 3 Chief, Visitor Services and Outreach
Megan Wandag, Region 3 Friends Coordinator
Steve Karel, Project Leader Sherburne Complex Sherburne NWR includes Crane Meadows NWR Mille Lacs NWR Rice Lake NWR Sherburne NWR Complex Sherburne NWR
Michelle (Garcia) Bengson, Visitor Services Manager and Service Liaison for Sherburne Complex
Participating Friends Groups International Wildlife Refuge Alliance Detroit River IWR Friends Hamden Slough NWR Friends Minnesota Valley NWR Friends Neal Smith NWR Friends Necedah NWR Friends Neosho National Fish Hatchery Friends Ottawa NWR Friends Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery Friends Port Louisa NWR Friends Hosted by the Friends of Sherburne NWR Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Friends - Fergus Falls WMD Seney Natural History Association (Seney NWR Friends) Tamarac NWR Friends Upper Mississippi NWFR Friends: LaCrosse, McGregor (Friends of Pool 9), Winona (Friends of the Refuge Headwaters)
From Service Leadership to Friends While our fundamental mission is wildlife conservation, the Fish and Wildlife Service can succeed only if we inspire the American people to connect with their wildlife heritage. Our Refuge Friends are our not only our inspiration, but also our partners in energizing our neighbors and communities to work for an enduring wildlife legacy. -- Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The growth of the Refuge Friends movement over the past 30 years has been a remarkable achievement of public stewardship. Working side by side with Fish and Wildlife Service staff, Friends organizations have many different names, but they all share our passion for wildlife and our love of wild places. They are a refuge s best ambassadors and epitomize the ideal that all conservation is local. -- Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Who Do you Go to For Support? Project Leader/Refuge Manager Other Friends Service Liaison Community Partners Regional Friends Coordinator National Wildlife Refuge Association National Friends Coordinator
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How Does a Typical Refuge Function? Wildlife Management Habitat Restoration Fire Water Management Hunting/Fishing Volunteers/Friends Visitor Services Environmental Education Refuge Manager REFUGE COMPLEX Project Leader Refuge Manager Assistant Refuge Manager/ Wildlife Refuge Specialist Administrative Officer Law Enforcement Officer Park Ranger/ Visitor Service Specialist / Outdoor Recreation Planner Wildlife Biologist Maintenance Mechanic/ Equipment Operator
Chain of Command Communication FWS Director Oversees the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Based in Headquarters. Deputy Director of Operations Deputy Director of Policy Based in Headquarters. Chief of Refuges Oversees the FWS s National Wildlife Refuge System. Based in Headquarters. Regional Director Oversees all FWS programs within a Region, including National Wildlife Refuges. Based in a Regional Office. Regional Chief of Refuges Oversees National Wildlife Refuges within a Region. Based in a Regional Office. Refuge Supervisors Oversees National Wildlife Refuges of a state(s) within a Region. Typically based in a Regional Office. Project Leaders Oversees management of a National Wildlife Refuge or Refuge Complex. Based at a Refuge. Refuge Managers Manages a National Wildlife Refuge. Based at a Refuge. Friends Liaison Serves as liaison between the Refuge and Friends. Based at a Refuge.
Congressional Authorities for working with Partners NWRS Improvement Act of 1997 o o o Fulfilling the Promise Work with community partners Service Mission changed to working with others
Volunteer & Community Partnership Enhancement Act Streamlined requirements for establishing community partners Simplified rules governing financial donations Permitted Friends to serve as liaisons between a refuge and community Added 20 Volunteer Coordinator positions
Policy Definition of Friends Organizations 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations Formed and managed by citizen volunteers Primary mission of supporting a Service site(s) or program Friends Partnership Agreement
Friends Policy Highlights Friends Organizations Defined New Partnership Agreement Service staff roles Restriction on Staff/Volunteers Friends vs. Volunteers Liability Insurance Considerations Fundraising and Gambling Nature Store Management
From Service Leadership to Friends While our fundamental mission is wildlife conservation, the Fish and Wildlife Service can succeed only if we inspire the American people to connect with their wildlife heritage. Our Refuge Friends are our not only our inspiration, but also our partners in energizing our neighbors and communities to work for an enduring wildlife legacy. -- Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The growth of the Refuge Friends movement over the past 30 years has been a remarkable achievement of public stewardship. Working side by side with Fish and Wildlife Service staff, Friends organizations have many different names, but they all share our passion for wildlife and our love of wild places. They are a refuge s best ambassadors and epitomize the ideal that all conservation is local. -- Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System