Pruitts responsibilities as field supervisor include directing a staff of 13 biologists and support staff on projects ranging from investigating effects of contaminants on fish and wildlife to endangered species conservation to habitat and wetland restoration projects. The field office works closely with other federal and state conservation agencies on fish and wildlife projects statewide. Service biologists also assist private landowners in restoring wetland and prairie wildlife habitats; work with the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain river habitat for native river fish species; and provide technical assistance to the military for conservation of fish and wildlife on military installations in Indiana.
"I am excited about the opportunity to forge stronger partnerships with our state colleagues, as well as other federal agencies, conservation groups, and others who care about Indianas fish and wildlife," Pruitt said. "I believe our programs to conserve and protect habitat and endangered species and to work with private landowners are an effective complement to efforts of other groups and agencies here in Indiana."
Pruitt, 45, is a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho. He came to Indiana in 1985 as a statistical analyst for Indiana University. He was Indianas watersheds biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for two years before taking a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a wildlife biologist. His most current role with the Service was as endangered species coordinator for Indiana, working with state partners and others to implement recovery plans for species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and Indiana bat.
A graduate of the University of Idaho, Pruitt earned a bachelors degree in wildlife resources in 1982. He obtained a masters degree at Penn State University where he studied wildlife management. He and his wife Lori have two children.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
