Several years ago, the Service began an intensive campaign to disseminate information about the declining population of four species of arctic nesting geese--cackling Canada, Pacific white-fronted, black brant, and emperor geese. "We needed help in conveying information about the seriousness of the decline and in alerting the public on how they could help," Service Regional Director Dave Allen said. "The staff and management of KYUK Radio/TV station stepped forward to help garner public support for a newly crafted management plan, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Goose Management Plan."
Allen said that, on many occasions, the broadcast organization stepped forward offering free air time for public meeting notices and public service announcements, helped with translations, and conducted interviews on talk shows about the issue. "The KYUK radio and television station helped the Service, other governmental agencies and Alaska Native organizations convey messages about the importance of working together on this issue," Allen stated.
Two species of arctic nesting geese, cackling Canada and Pacific whitefronted geese, have greatly increased in number and the declining Pacific black brant population has stabilized in recent years. "The good work by the people at KYUK really helped us get the word out. Its through working together that we can see wildlife stories end happily in our country," Allen said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages 511 national wildlife refuges covering 92 million acres, as well as 67 national fish hatcheries.
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