"Stearns has a proven track record as a federal land manager, He possesses keen understanding of northern fish and wildlife resources," Stieglitz said. "His earnest desire and ability to work closely with Alaska Natives is a real plus."
Stearns will manage the Yukon Delta Refuge. the second largest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge and conservation unit in the United States. covering 19.1 m~million acres. He replaces Ron Perry who transferred to the Services regional office in Portland, Oregon.
Stearns recently served as manager of Koyukuk-Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge system headquartered in Galena. He was the first refuge manager of the Tetlin Refuge in Tok and first came to Alaska in 1971, In his 28 years of service with the Federal Government, he has held the positions of wildlife biologist. and assistant refuge manager or manager on 21 other refuges in the Lower 48.
Stearns, 54, is married and has four children, ages 22 to 28. He is an avid outdoors man who enjoys hunting, trapping, boating. and living and working in rural Alaska. He and his wife, Alice, will move to Bethel from their home in Galena in early October.
FWS

