PACIFIC REGION RECOVERY LEADER

Tim McCracken

Left: Showy stickseed (photo by Tim McCracken); Center: Tim McCracken; Right: Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow (photo by Ted Thomas)

Tim McCracken has 15 years of service and has worked exclusively for the Recovery and Habitat Conservation Branch, Central Washington Field Office, for about 2 years. He is self-motivated and extremely enthused about endangered species recovery, and has taken the lead in outreach activities and actively participated in Focus Area development for strategic habitat conservation in central Washington. Tim’s work has resulted in added protection of several listed species, protection of candidate species habitat, and development of several important partnerships with individuals, Tribes, and other agencies.

Tim finalized the Recovery Plan for the showy stickseed, and completed the first Recovery Needs Assessment for the Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow. He has provided Service representation on three groups: Coordinated Resource Management Task Group, Washington Range Committee, and the South-central Washington Shrub-steppe Partnership. This representation promoted sage-steppe conservation and sage grouse habitat. In site visits to ten Partners for Fish and Wildlife projects, he has provided technical assistance related to project development, funding and consultation issues.  These projects resulted in protection of bull trout habitat, removal of 3 fish barriers, opening of over 50 miles of watershed to fish passage (i.e. salmon and steelhead), and protection of important sage-grouse habitat. Tim’s actions have helped to improve relations with the Yakama Nation, private landowners and other stakeholders.  His outreach activities through the Wenatchee Salmon Festival and Kids-in-the-Creek enhanced public perceptions and awareness.  Tim’s PFW activities have also resulted in enhanced relations with private landowners and stakeholders.