USFWS guidelines that impact the actions of Friends organizations

Chat with the Chief: Refuge Sytstem’s Funding, Workforce, Budget, & Priorities

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Webinar held on Wednesday, April 24th

Join Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, for an update on 

  • Funding and workforce changes
  • FY 2024 budget and priorities
  • How Friends can help tell the National Wildlife Refuge System story

Presenter:
Cynthia Martinez, Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Martinez is the first woman and Hispanic to lead the Refuge System. She began her career in 1993 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the Department of the Interior. Martinez came to Refuge System headquarters in September 2010 as chief of the Division of Visitor Services and Communications, where she led the process for developing the Refuge System’s 2011 Conserving the Future vision conference and subsequent documents – the renewed vision for growth and management of the Refuge System. She was deputy chief of the Refuge System from 2012 to 2015. Before coming to Refuge System headquarters, Martinez was the manager at Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has a bachelor of science degree in general biology from New Mexico State University and a master of science degree in fisheries and wildlife science from University of Arizona.

Continue ReadingChat with the Chief: Refuge Sytstem’s Funding, Workforce, Budget, & Priorities

Need Your Comments on Lead Transition

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:2 mins read
Nest of Eaglets

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is collecting a second round of comments on their plan to transition away from lead ammunition for all hunting and lead tackle for fishing starting September 1, 2026. Over the next three years, the Refuge staff will provide outreach and educational opportunities for hunters/anglers to learn about lead impacts and available alternatives.

Please submit your comments supporting this plan. Transitioning away from lead will minimize the inadvertent exposure and lead poisoning of bald and golden eagles, as well as other scavenging species. This would be especially good news for our large eagle population at Blackwater NWR. If you support this move to non-lead ammunition and fishing tackle, please visit the Blackwater NWR website to see how you can email your comments by August 22. If you submitted comments in August 2022, please submit them again this year. Thanks for your support of our wildlife.

Photo: nest of eaglets at Blackwater NWR, MD

Continue ReadingNeed Your Comments on Lead Transition

Cancelled – USFWS and Friends Partnership: Required Reviews & Reports

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:1 mins read

Cancelled and will be rescheduled.

bird on a branch

Friends, please join us to learn more about the forthcoming reporting system for Friends groups. This reporting system will be easy to use, not overly burdensome, and accessible to both Friends members and Service staff. In this webinar, we will demo the form and answer any and all questions you may have.

Presenter: Linda Schnee, National Friends Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Sign Up!

Continue ReadingCancelled – USFWS and Friends Partnership: Required Reviews & Reports

Understanding the Federal Budget Process: What Friends Want to Know

  • Post category:USFWS Policies
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Webinar on Wednesday, November 16th at 2:00pm ET

Did you know that it takes more than 18 months for the annual NWRS budget to become a reality? This ranges from the development of the President’s budget request to the ultimate passing of a bill by Congress and Friends groups can play a role. Eric discussed:

  • Formulation of the budget
  • Presentation of the budget
  • Execution & Performance
  • Tips for Friends

The federal budget process signals our nation’s priorities. The discussion was an opportunity to learn how the priorities are established for the National Wildlife Refuge System and how we can provide our input.

Presenter, Eric Alvarez the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Chief, Division of Realty, Budget, Performance, and Workforce

Here are links to the recording and slides:

A huge thank you to Eric Alvarez the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Chief, Division of Realty, Budget, Performance, and Workforce for this discussion.

Continue ReadingUnderstanding the Federal Budget Process: What Friends Want to Know