The West Oakland, CA, post office as it is today, left, and as the author imagines it with a rooftop refuge. (D.C. Carr/USFWS)
As South Bronx eco-entrepreneur Majora Carter was explaining her block-by-block green-the-ghetto philosophy to a plenary session at the Conserving the Future conference in Madison, WI, last July, the following appeared on the big Twitter-feed screen next to her:
@dc_carr
Urban refuges? Imagine a partnership-based NWR entirely on the roofs of urban buildings #visionconf
I posted that tweet. What was I thinking? Allow me to tell you.
Anna Harris, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service economist, will oversee implementation of Conserving the Future, the 10-year strategic vision for the Refuge System. She took over as the implementation coordinator on Monday, April 9th.
Harris has been an economist with the Service since 2009, interpreting the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. She has worked closely with a host of partners, including, for example, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the State Organizations for Boating Access. She has been actively involved with Trout Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation, and teaches fly fishing to breast cancer survivors through the Casting for Recovery organization.
She holds an undergraduate degree in agribusiness management and rural development from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in agricultural and applied economics from Virginia Tech. The author of numerous papers, Anna received the Unit Award for Excellence in Service from the Department of the Interior in 2010.
Welcome Anna!
Quoting author John Maxwell, “Everything rises and falls on leadership … leadership makes the difference.”
Throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System’s rich history, we have hundreds of examples of how leadership at all levels—from wage–grade to refuge manager to field, regional and Washington offices—has made a huge difference in the growth and vitality of the Refuge System.
Fulfilling the Promise stated in 1999 that “doing the right things in an environment of constant change will be the hallmark of leadership for the System in the next century.” Now Conserving the Future is calling us all to address that change by focusing on our people and our organization through the lens of effective leadership.
The Leadership Development Council’s authorizing charter directs it to “transition the National Wildlife Refuge System into a more diverse, streamlined, efficient organization that promotes leadership in all positions” by implementing Conserving the Future recommendations 21 through 24.
A new buzz phrase has been introduced on the Mississippi River, “Summer of Paddling 2012.” Connecting the presidential initiative America’s Great Outdoors with the growing sport of paddling, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has partnered with the National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers and several local and state organizations to create the Summer of Paddling 2012.
The Summer of Paddling 2012 is a series of events designed to get Americans outside to enjoy the Mississippi River via canoe, kayak, rowboat or standup paddleboard. Paddlers of any skill level can join a refuge ranger or other trained paddle guide to explore the river and all its wonder on full to half-day trips. Paddlers will leave land to splash through the backwaters, bayous and braided streams on America’s River. But be warned, you might create a lifelong craving for outdoor adventure. I know because paddling is one of the outdoor sports that I’ve enjoyed my entire life.
