Charlie Vandemoer, an experienced manager with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has been selected as refuge manager for the Rhode National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Charlestown, R.I., according to the Services Acting Regional Director Dr. Mamie A. Parker.
"Charlie Vandemoer brings a strong combination of wildlife and habitat management to the Rhode complex," said Parker. "We are fortunate that someone with his expertise and diverse management background will step into the Rhode position.
"Charlie has managed wildlife for the U.S. Forest Service as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," said Parker. "His varied experiences with different agencies, land management s and people will be an asset in his new position."
Vandemoer currently is the Deputy Manager at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in upstate New York, where he has worked for the last 2.5 years. He has been employed by the federal government for 22 years, mostly with the U.S. Forest Service in Utah, Idaho, California and Washington.
Vandemoer is a native of West Bridgewater, Mass., and has received a degree in wildlife from Unity College in Maine and a degree in wildlife science from Utah State University.
Vandemoer will begin his new position in July. He and his wife Teresa along with their children, Kyle 10, Jessica 7 and Nathan 6 will be moving to the area.
"I look forward to settling in Rhode and helping to manage the refuges in the Rhode complex to benefit wildlife and people," said Vandemoer.
Vandemoer also stated that he shared Parkers view that the Rhode National Wildlife Refuge Complex has opportunities to enhance its wildlife-oriented recreation and create new and stronger partnerships with the community.
The Rhode National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of five refuges, Ninigret, John H. Chafee, Sauchest Point, Trustom Pond and Block Island. The complex was established in 1970 for the purpose of protecting and managing migratory birds and endangered species.
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, conserves and 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.
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