On April 26 and April 27, Region 2 staff from the Oklahoma Tishomingo Fish Hatchery, the Oklahoma
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge and the Arlington Ecological Services Field Office participated in the
2014 Earth Day Texas Event. The Event, held at Fairview Park, Dallas, Texas, is aimed at raising
environmental awareness and was attended by an estimated 50,000 people. Earth Day Texas provided
the Service the opportunity to engage with the public on the many ways the Service strives to conserve
and protect America's wildlife and habitat, including the role of our Refuge and Hatchery systems, the
importance of pollinators, the role of Ecological Services, and the role of Law Enforcement in addressing
illegal wildlife trade. Participants of all ages were fascinated by the live Alligator snapping turtles and
Alligator gar fish that the Hatchery brought to the Event. Equally intriguing were the elephant and walrus
tusks, animal skins and other LE confiscated materials that were displayed. The Pollinator Wheel,
provided by the Tishomingo Refuge staff, was a big draw for both the adults and kids. It was a great way
to spread the word about the importance of pollinators and the threats that they are facing. Thanks to
Jerry Floyd’s sons, the Blue Goose made several appearances to engage those attending the event and
kept things lively. There were lots of requests for photos with the Blue Goose by young and old
alike! The Event was a great opportunity to share information about the Service with the public. We
greatly appreciate the opportunity to be part of this year’s Earth Day Texas Event and look forward to
participating in the future.
FWS participants were:
Ralph Simmons, Assistant Hatchery Manager, Tishomingo NFH
Aaron White, Fishery Biologist, Tishomingo NFH
Brian Fillmore, Fishery Biologist, Tishomingo NFH
Jerald Floyd, Refuge Law Enforcement Zone Officer, Office of Refuge Law Enforcement
Melissa Holder, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, Tishomingo NWR
Erik Orsak, Environmental Contaminants Specialist, Arlington ESFO
Lesli Gray, Public Affairs Specialist
Fish and Wildlife Service Participates in Earth Day Texas 2014
