Team Meeting (5pm)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
5:00-6:00 PM Alaska Standard Time
Call in866-556-2149CODE: 8169747#
It's time to get things done! During this month's membership call, we will be dividing up project tasks for 2013. We have spring birding festivals on the horizon (if winter ever decides to end), and some big outreach and weed projects to plan for this summer. No need to be in Alaska to help us plan for these projects, so call on up.
Tasks include making project plans with refuges, writing up descriptions to recruit volunteers, reviewing volunteer applications for projects, and helping with projects in the field. Follow this link to see the 2013 Friends Project Tracking Spreadsheet
Below is the list of projects we are actively recruiting for on the website, does one of these speak to you?
List of Projects already on Website
Here are the following projects teams will be working on coordinating and planning for this summer.
Northern Limits Presentation (7pm)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
7 PM at the Snow Goose Theater, Anchorage, Map
The Wilderness Society and Friends parter to present Northern Limits. Caoline Van Hermert and Patrick Farrell share stories, images and video from their 4,000 mile human-powered journey from the Chukchi Sea. $10 donation to benefit Friends.
Looking for Anchorage members to help out. Call or email Wendy Loya to volunteer.
Spring Newsletter Available
Inside this Issue
Another action packed newsletter is hot off the presses including an interview with Regional Refuges Chief Mitch Ellis, Where the Sky is Naturally Blue, Alaska Birding Festivals and more. DOWNLOAD HERE
Refuge System Update
Chiefs Corner:A Speech You Shouldnt Miss
The 78th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference was held in the Washington, DC, area last week.No one from out of town was able to make it because of budget-imposed travel restrictions.Thats unfortunate because so few U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees were able to listen to Director Dan Ashes keynote address at the plenary session.
I've known Dan for a long time and have listened to many of his speeches. I think this is one of his best ever. Dan did a remarkable job describing the daunting challenges we face in conserving wildlife. He paints a picture of how the Fish and Wildlife Service is responding.
His speech is on the Service YouTube channel. Gather your staff together and listen to it. You wont regret it.
Capitol Hill Fly-In
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is organizing a national fly-in to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on April 16-17 to urge members of Congress to protect funding for the Refuge System. The Refuge Association has asked Friends and supporters to come to Washington and let Congress know that funding for the Refuge System matters to them, their communities and their local economies. For more information, contact Joan Patterson (202-290-5594, JPatterson@refugeassociation.org).
Planning for Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary
Next year, the Wilderness Act observes a milestone, and plans are being formulated for the event.The 50th Anniversary National Wilderness Planning Team otherwise known as Wilderness50 has launched a Web site, http://www.wilderness50th.org, to catalog the local, regional and national anniversary events, meetings, programs and projects taking place between now and 2014. The site also provides resources and materials for hosting local events such as photography and writing contests, art shows, speakers and interpretive programs, stewardship projects and more. For more information about how you can celebrate the 50thanniversary of the Wilderness Act, contact Nancy Roeper, national wilderness coordinator (703-358-2389, Nancy_Roeper@fws.gov).
Legislation of Note
Several pieces of federal legislation of interest to national wildlife refuges have been introduced in recent weeks.
Rep. Jon Runyan of New Jersey introduced H.R.1300, which would amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer programs and community partnerships for the benefit of national wildlife refuges and for other purposes. It was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
Rep. Robert Wittman of Virginia introduced H.R.1206, which would grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize states to issue electronic Duck Stamps and for other purposes. It was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee.
Del. Gregorio Sablan of the Northern Mariana Island introduced H.R.1384, which would provide for the issuance of a National Wildlife Refuge System Conservation Semipostal Stamp. It was referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and to the House Natural Resources Committee.
