Two biologists in the agencys Pacific Region are among those honored
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould today announced the 18 recipients of the Services 2008 Recovery Champion award. The Recovery Champion award recognizes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees and their partners for contributions to the recovery of threatened and endangered species in the United States.
"The Recovery Champion award both recognizes the exceptional conservation accomplishments of its honorees and highlights the importance of strong and diverse partnerships in species conservation," Gould said. "Recovery Champions are helping imperiled species regain their place in the natural resources fabric of our country while focusing attention on the importance of conserving our nations biological heritage for future generations."
The 2008 Recovery Champion honorees are working to benefit a range of endangered and threatened plants and animals. From whooping cranes to mussels, Service employees and partners such as universities, conservation agencies and private organizations are devoting their resources to a shared mission. Habitat restoration, public awareness campaigns and species monitoring programs are just a few examples of this years Recovery Champion honorees efforts.
In the Pacific Region, two biologists are among those honored: Dr. Dwayne Paige, the lead wildlife biologist for Seattle Public Utilities in implementing the Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and Jack Jeffrey, a recently retired biological program manager at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii.
Dr. Paige has shown a profound level of dedication to protecting bull trout and other species covered by the Cedar River HCP. Since the plan was approved in 2000, Paige has played an active role in the conservation and research measures that focus on bull trout. Stream surveys in 2007 have documented dramatic increases in the number of bull trout redds in the upper Cedar River Watershed. In 1997, surveyors counted 41 redds. The number of redds recorded annually by Seattle City biologists from 2000 to 2007 has ranged from 236 to 587 redds per year. Paiges unique combination of scientific skills, strong work ethic, vision, caring for the natural world and leadership make him an excellent Endangered Species Recovery Champion.
In Hawaii, Jeffreys dedicated hard work and leadership as part of Hakalau NWRs restoration team have resulted in the planting of hundreds of thousands of native koa trees, tens of thousands of native understory plants and threatened and endangered plants of various species, the removal of invasive plants and feral ungulates, the documentation and monitoring of these efforts, and increased public awareness of this restoration success. These efforts are successful because of the partnerships Jeffrey established during his 35 years of dedication to the protection and preservation of Hawaii's endemic birds and their habitats.
Throughout his career, Jeffrey has shared the incredible story of habitat restoration and endangered species recovery efforts at Hakalau Forest NWR through public lectures, guided interpretive hikes and walks, training others in bird surveying techniques, writing articles and books and through his amazing photographs of Hawaiian fauna and flora.
In August 2002, Jeffrey was awarded the Sierra Clubs prestigious Ansel Adams award for his work photographing Hawaiis indigenous fauna and flora which furthers the conservation cause. You can see his work at: http://www.jackjeffreyphoto.com
Jack has also co-authored two books on Hawaiis birds and his photographs have been featured in such publications as National Geographic, Audubon Magazine, National Wildlife, Smithsonian, Natural History, Life, Time, and Newsweek, Birding, Wild Bird, Hana Hou! and Hawaii!, as well as in numerous textbooks, calendars and postcards.
"Dr. Dwayne Paige and Jack Jeffrey are true conservation heroes," said Robyn Thorson, Director of the Services Pacific Region. "Their partnership approach to solving tough problems is an example for resource stewards around the country who are looking for ways to take positive steps toward recovering endangered species."
For additional information, please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Recovery Champion website at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/champions/index.html
