John Paul Taylor, Jr.

Living Memory Web Page

Dedicated to Pablo, Elena y Maggie

Photos: please click on a photo to view

John receiving FWS Employee of the Year Award, March 2004; Information about the award

Gina Dello Russo: John with a mulcher, The Mitchells, John and a reveg plot, John and staff in a tree, John and company checking out a dozer

Nancy Umbreit: John reviewing City of Albuquerque pole planting in 1992, John giving the high "4" signal. Pictured with John are Rex Funk, Mark Sifuentes, and Ed Swenson(08/07/92), John talking about the "secrets of the trade"...out measuring soil conductivities (08/07/92)

Rich LaCasse: John on Salt Cedar tour for BLM

Billy Leonard: John in ABQ Bosque "This photograph was taken in the Bosque in Albuquerque at one of our study sites. John and other cooperators were helping us with a Technical Advisory Visit from our Washington Office. In this photo John is explaining the benefits of fuels removal in the Bosque, and Rocky Mountain Research Station's benefits from monitoring the effect of fuels removal. John was very generous with his time."

Mark Jacobson: Bosque Del Apache #1, Bosque Del Apache #2 "I, and all the members of the GIS Steering Committee staff, got a refuge tour by John about two years ago. He was eager to 'tell the refuge tale' and spend extra time with us and allow us to see such sights as these."

Shaun Sanchez: John, smart weed #1, smart weed #2

Paul Tashjian: John in audience at Upper-Middle Rio Grande Ecoteam meeting in Monte Vista, Colorado: John was an avid supporter of the Ecoteam process and the need for communication within the Service and with our partners. Presenting in the photograph is John Vradenburg from Ducks Unlimited talking on "Emulating Natural Hydrologic Regimes at Russel Lakes Colorado State Wildlife Refuge". Amongst the many notable figures in the audience are included Jim Savery and Leigh Fredrickson (6/23/04). Right after I clicked this photo, John looked at me and said with a grin "Did I look studious?". Restored bosque at Bosque Del Apache NWR

Stories:

"Thank You, Friend" a poem by Grace Noli Crowell. This poem was read by Leroy Saavedra as part of his stirring and heart-felt tribute to his dear friend John during the memorial service at Bosque Del Apache NWR on October 3, 2004.

Albuqueruqe Journal Obituary, Socorro Chieftan Article about John and Nyleen , E-mails about about Nyleen Troxel_Stowe

Jerry French: I first met John in December 1885 when he moved from Puerto Rico to Bosque del Apache where I was the Assistant Manager. John always impressed me, because he was the most intense biologist I had ever met. He could ignore issues of administration, personnel, maintenance, and occasionally safety, just to concentrate on biology. If one looks at Bosque now they could never believe the dense stand of salt cedar that used to exist between the tour route and the Low Flow channel. Once he and I were trying to survey where to cut a break through the stand and became separated and completely disoriented. I could hear John in the brush off to one side, but I could not see him. We both continued to stumble about through the brush until he found a place where he could look out and see M mountain near Socorro. I was able to join him, but was not tall enough to see over the brush. Using his bearings we were able to plot a course out of the salt cedar. If I had been with a shorter person we might still be wandering about through the salt cedar. We remained good friends through all the years. This is for you my friend (poem by Henry Scott Holland)

Fritz Knopf: In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again because there is not effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worth cause; who at he best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement..." I first met my friend, John, somewhere back in the mid 1980s. He epitomized Teddy's thoughts. John's positive energy and devotion to success on The Bosque were a model of natural resource conservation. He was a conservation force, a professional mentor to many, and ever a friend to all. He is as missed in his passing as he was treasured in his presence.

Pat Shafroth: I first met John in 1993 at the Bosque del Apache NWR (of course). I remember what a great host he was on that trip, and his delightful combination of good humor, raw enthusiasm, and commitment to incorporating science into efforts to restore floodplain habitats along the Rio Grande. It became clear to me over the years that these traits were at the heart of who John was. He was always very welcoming and hospitable. Always glad to see you. He would interrupt meetings when latecomers arrived to introduce them to the meeting group and make them feel welcome. He was generous with his time – always willing to show the latest technique he was implementing on the refuge, or help a researcher with a project. He had a great mix of light-heartedness and seriousness. Professionally, he will be irreplaceable. I think he was the model refuge biologist – his work entailed a mix of applied land and water management, grounded both in long-term, intuitive knowledge of the Bosque, and in solid science. So few folks in similar positions as John have the energy, perseverance and foresight to apply an experimental design to land and water management activities and then publish the results in peer-reviewed journals. Even fewer can interact comfortably with everyone involved in getting projects done, from heavy equipment operators, to PhD scientists, to agency administrators, to technicians and volunteers. These are some of the many ways that John went beyond his job description, and his life’s work and reputation well-illustrate the benefits. Though I largely knew John in the context of our work, I caught glimpses into the rest of his life – the importance of his large families – his parents, siblings, wife, and children. At his memorial service, some of the stories told made it clear that John had a similarly admirable dedication to family as he did to his work. Knowing John was an honor and a pleasure, and I will do my best to carry on in my daily life some of what made him so special to others.

Nancy Umbreit: I will sorely miss seeing John around...it was such a pleasure to learn from John and hear about the latest riparian restoration techniques he and others were trying... John was wonderful about sharing information and it was great to have discussions on all our field trials and tribulations. When I first got to know John in the early '90s, planting poles was still quite experimental....we all crossed our fingers and hoped they would survive and do well. Early poles at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge were planted in lines and spaced so that a bulldozer, if needed, could come in and rid the area of saltcedar if it came back. Soil testing, learning about soil conductivities, depth to water table, proper planting techniques, ridding areas of saltcedar,all brought a higher success to reestablishing riparian areas.To visit the refuge today, and remember back, just shows how far the learning has progressed. No longer do things look "planted"- things look so natural and the habitat, once dominated by saltcedar, is filled with plant diversity and wildlife. John, your endeavors and hard work have paid off; we're all better because of you and the life you led.

James N. Stuart: From 1991 to 1998, I worked on a series of wildlife surveys at Bosque del Apache, live-trapping everything from lizards to rodents to turtles, mainly in the bosque restoration areas. John was the first person I met at the refuge and he oversaw and encouraged our group's activities. John and manager Phil Norton made Bosque a welcome place to work; they were always available to provide support and guidance. I remember John was a common sight on the refuge roads, racing from one spot to the next at his usual breakneck speed, inspecting water levels or the progress of a restoration project. No matter how pressed for time he was, he never failed to stop and leap out of his truck to chat with us, even if we were standing waist deep in a muddy ditch or being eaten alive in the mosquito hell known as Unit 28. John's unflagging enthusiasm for his work (and ours) was inspiring, and his willingness to find humor in almost everything, including himself, was one of his finest qualities. I recall him describing one of the earliest attempts to restore native vegetation at Bosque, years before development of the current elegant approach that he helped pioneer. By John's recollection, almost nothing went as planned in those early efforts. "Guys, it was like a cartoon!" he exclaimed to us with his big grin. I last visited with him a few weeks before he died and fondly noted that his optimism and energy had not diminished over the years. Now that he's gone, the refuge just won't feel complete. Adios John ... your work won't be forgotten.

John Vradenburg: I can't imagine what all of you that worked so closely with John have went through. I had very limited exposure to him and it still felt like the world stopped when we got the news. I just feel lucky that I knew him and got to be around him if only for a little while. People like him are unfortunately rare. It's funny though I met him back when I was in graduate school on a field trip with Leigh and at that time I said that is who I want to be like, I have idolized my whole career. I feel all he was ever exposed to are better having known him.

Joydeep Bhattacharjee: It took quite sometime for me to believe that John isn't amongst us anymore. In the past three years that I have known him, I found him to be wonderful human being with great work ethics. As time went by, I got to know him more and I was amazed by the amount of love he had for his work. John's efforts and commitment to his work was itself a source of constant encouragement for me during my own field-work at BDANWR. His absence has created a void that will be difficult to fill-in. I personally feel I have lost one of my mentors and a well-wisher. His contribution to my PhD work, as one of my committee members has been of immense importance and it is sad to think that I will miss that forever here on.Apart from him being an outstanding scientist, he was a man who believed in strong family ties and values. He will be greatly missed by all who know him and by many more who did not have to opportunity to know him in person. I send in my deepest condolence to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.

Jan Hendrickx: I first met John during my interview at New Mexico Tech in January of 1990. It was the beginning of a long very satisfying professional relationship. John needed a quick inexpensive method to measure soil salinity in the field. As soon as I had obtained my electromagnetic induction instruments around 1992, he invited me to the Bosque del Apache to demonstrate the use of this equipment in the field. I quickly learned that John was not only an accomplished restoration manager but also a scientist with both his feet planted in the realities of riparian soils. He insisted on a scientific approach to prove that ectromagnetic induction would indeed be superior and less expensive than soil sampling. And so we did. His vision and energy paved the way for the use of electromagnetic induction in the saline soils of riparian areas in New Mexico and Arizona. As a result tree survival rates in riparian restoration projects have dramatically increased from well below 50 percent to more than 90 percent. It's a vital part of John's legacy and a gift to the people of New Mexico. I will miss not only John's critical analysis of restoration research ideas and his inspiring comments but even more John's "calor humano".

Tracey McDonnell: While I was the Assistant Refuge Supervisor in Albuquerque, I coordinated the Refuge SCEP program. On many occasions, I talked with John about placing SCEP students at Bosque, or to check up on how the students were doing. John was always so positive and happy with the students and the work they were doing. He often said that they were "shining stars." John, you will always be the "shining star" of the Refuge System!

Yasmeen Najmi: When Sterling and I started with the Conservancy District in 1997, we were the first biologist and planner to work for the District. We often looked to John for advice on various projects and were very fortunate to participate with him in designing and implementing studies to improve management of the bosque, always benefitting from his insights and experience. I considered John a mentor of sorts - whether he was giving me references for my thesis or I was absorbing one of his many presentations. John and I shared the drive to get work done on the ground but his example reminded me to step back and think about ones approach and what is right for the resources. John understood and embraced the importance of applied research, collaboration and information sharing so I tried to make time to attend his wonderful workshops, where good Mexican food was always involved! John was a rare combination of strong intellect, common sense and earthiness. He always grinned and enthusiastically greeted me as an old friend, whether at a meeting or at a party at his home listening to good music and eating chile. John was unique in his approach to life and work and even in the way he would sign his e-mails: "Adios, JT." Well, Adios, John Taylor. Your spirit will remain in our rios and valleys and in our hearts. When I visit the Bosque del Apache, I see not just a beautiful landscape but am reminded of what's possible with commitment and "corazon." I hope we will make you proud and we miss you! Winter Solstice (a poem by Yasmeen)

Jim Brooks: John and I used to joke about the Middle Rio Grande and how water was managed and how we all survive. We resigned ourselves to the fact that you have to be patient and keep plugging away for anything good to happen. Quick fixes, like we hear so much of for the MRG today, just don't fit. I was telling him about our recent move to the South Valley of Albuquerque to a place complete with irrigated pasture and rights to irrigate out of the Arenal Canal. He asked me how it was going and I said OK as long as there was water in the ditch. We talked about the irony of trying to save Rio Grande silvery minnow while irrigating pasture for mules. Believe me, the irony was lost on neither of us. Anyway, I was telling him about how I'd go out and drop the check, open my lateral gate, and wait for the water to flow. I usually irrigate at night since there is more water (= more head) in the canal, but the problem is that lots of folks also irrigate without approval at night (= stealing water). John just sat there grinning and looking at me. I wasn't sure what to think until he joked, "Jim, stealing water is the New Mexico way!" Seems that what he was telling me was that in order to survive in NM with the water situation we have, you have to accept water politics with a sense of humor.

Colleen Buchanan:John was one of my first supervisors when I first began my career with the Service but I like to think of him more as a mentor. As a Coop student, Bosque del Apache was my second work assignment with the Service in the summer of 1993. As a naive, young student, John took me under his wing. I was assigned to work with John primarily to learn the water conveyor system to provide water for the birds and to grow the plants needed to sustain them. His understanding and ability to read the land and know just what was needed was more of an art than he had learned through experimentation throughout the years than it was science. Before he turned things over to me and Mike Oldham, another Coop student at the time, he'd come out everyday and walk the fields with us. He'd know exactly what was needed based upon whatever was seeding out at the time, be it the good stuff (seed crops for birds) or the bad stuff (weeds). Instead of telling us to dry it down or flood it, he'd make us think about it first and tell him what we think it needed and why. Only if we were way off base would he then instruct us accordingly -- each day was literally an outdoor classroom. His work ethic was such an inspiration that he made me want to work just as hard so I wouldn't let him down -- even in the midst of all the "crap" assignments he gave me - the worst of which was counting cottonwood seedlings in the midst of these god-awful salt cedar stands. The mosquitos were so thick you'd have to see it to believe it. But he'd be right there with me so I wouldn't suffer it alone. It soon became obvious though that he liked working in the field with me because the mosquitos loved me more than him. He'd just stand there with his red handkerchief casually waving it in the air to thwart off the occasional mosquito that would buzz around his face and laugh hysterically at me as I was covered from head to toe. The last time I saw John was maybe two years ago at my friend Angel's wedding in Las Cruces. My husband and I sat with John and his wife Maggie at the reception with the beautiful Organ Mountains as the backdrop -- we had such a blast laughing and having fun and listening to the great music. John apparently was a fanatic about good music -- Salsa if I recall. John was out there dancing it up with that big smile on his face. That's how I'll remember John -- always living life to the fullest.

Thomas Adams: John was instrumental in getting me access to Bosque to collect data for my thesis at New Mexico State. Due in part to him I now have a great career with the FWS. I know I'm just one of very many whom he help get established in the refuge system. John, you will be deeply missed.

Rowenna Sanchez: I worked with John for 6 months while I was on detail at Bosque del Apache when I first started with USFWS. While on detail at Bosque all I did was plant trees and it was so cold on my detail, from rain to snow to awful mud. We were a crew of three, 2 guys and me. John would go at least 4 times a day to check on me because since I was the only lady out there he knew he had to go and pick me up and take me back to the office to at least go to the bathroom. He was so cool because he really was thinking of me. Once, I got the Auger truck so stuck in the middle of a field where we were planting that I started to walk out of the mud and I myself got stuck, he had to put a rope around me and pull me out. That day I was so tired and dirty that I couldn't even drive home and I lived 80 miles away and that was one way. John took me home and had one of the other works drive my car home. I don't even remember the ride home, I literally just passed out. Those are just a few of the stories I could tell you. John always thought about me first, never about himself.

Jeannie Wagner-Greven: The only time I worked directly with John was in the early 80's when he was at Minnesota Valley NWR and I worked for the St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers. Along with biologists from the St. Paul ES Field Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, I was on a team evaluating potential impacts of a proposed Corps flood control project on the Refuge. One day John drove our team out on the Refuge to show us areas of potential impact. At one point, John attempted to make a u-turn by turning first into the ditch on the right. I don't think he realized how steep the ditch was and we passengers got a little scared when the vehicle seemed to tip sideways precariously (to us at least!). Of course John maneuvered the vehicle back up on the road in the opposite direction and we all laughed about it afterwards.