As manager at Crab Orchard , Frietsche will manage 28 employees and oversee all management activities on the 43,890 acre refuge. One of 535 national wildlife refuges nationwide, Crab Orchard is unique in that the refuge property includes resident youth camps, marinas, campgrounds, a private boat and yacht club, and several industrial sites -- facilities not normally found on a 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 . The refuge is also a very popular recreation spot for residents of southern Illinois, hosting 1.2 million visitors annually.
Frietsche previously served as the assistant refuge manager at the 200,000 acre Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, another popular recreation site. Prior to moving to the Midwest he was a wildlife biologist in the Washington, D.C., Division of Refuges. He began his career with the Service as a fishery research biologist working on reservoirs and their tailwaters in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Zoology from the University of Arkansas and is a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
While at Trempealeau NWR, Frietsche initiated water control projects designed to improve fish and waterfowl habitat; he was also instrumental in providing fishing and hunting opportunities for those with disabilities. Environmental education was also a priority on the refuge--special field trips and activities were frequently organized for local school and Scout groups.
"Im really looking forward to moving to Crab Orchard," said Frietsche. "I know the refuge staff and local residents are developing their long-term vision for how the refuge will be managed right now, so its an exciting time to be coming aboard." This local long-term plan, or Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) is being developed based on information and comments submitted by members of the public, elected representatives and other stakeholders during a series of public meetings held last fall. Thousands of written comments are also under review.
In addition, the refuge will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in support of the CCP, which likely wont be finalized until early 2003. The EIS will provide detailed descriptions of significant environmental impacts which may result from the implementation of possible management alternatives. It will also help refuge managers avoid or minimize potential adverse environmental impacts.
"Crab Orchard is an amazing natural resource; its also a very important economic and recreational component of the landscape in southern Illinois," Frietsche said. "Given that, and all the diverse uses of the refuge, I see input from our stakeholders as critical to the management of the refuge now as well as in the future."
Frietsche plans to assume his management duties at Crab Orchard in August. Once on site he plans to familiarize himself with the staff, refuge operations and the status of the CCP. Then hell begin meeting with local residents and stakeholders.
"Ill take advantage of every opportunity to meet with our visitors, elected officials, local sporting groups, members of the refuges Citizens Committee and friends group, local business-owners and other stakeholders to gain their insights into how they feel the refuge should be managed,
