6-10 March 2017 Spokane, Washington - NMFWA€¦ · 2017 National Military Fish & Wildlife...

2017 National Military Fish & Wildlife Association

Annual Meeting and Training Workshop

6-10 March 2017

Spokane, Washington

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors:

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology

Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands

HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction, Inc.

Tetra Tech

Marstel-Day

iSportsman

Cardno GS, Inc

2017 Meeting Spokane, WA 3

National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Annual Meeting and Training Workshop

Week at a Glance ……………………………………………….………………………….………...…….......….4

Endangered Species Act Training …...……………………...………………………..…..…….........…….....…6

Session: Pest Management ……………………………………………………….…..……….….……...……….6

Session: SERDP/ESTCP ……………………………………………………………………...….……………….8

The Wildlife Society-Military Lands Working Group Meeting …....……..…………………….……...….…...11

2016 / 2017 Board of Directors Meeting .………………………...………..………...…………..….….....……11

NMFWA Welcome and DOD Policy Update ……..……………...…...………………….………......……..….12

Annual Members’ Meeting ……………...………………………………..………….…………..……………....13

DoD Service Breakout Sessions ……….……………………….…….….…...………………..……………….13

WMI Plenary and Special Sessions ……...........................................................................…..….…..........16

Session: Rare Plants ……………….………..........…………….….…………...………………...……......…..17

Bat Working Group Meeting .......………………..………………………………………………………….…...19

Bird Conservation Working Group Meeting …………………………………………………….……………...19

Session: Collaborative Conservation ……………………………………………………….…..….…...…..….20

Conservation Law Enforcement Working Group Meeting……....…..…………………………….……..…….22

DoD Partner’s in Flight Meeting …………………………….....…….……….…….……………………...…….24

Climate Change Working Group Meeting …………………………….……………………………………………...….....25

DoD Partner’s in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting …………………………..………….…..….26

Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group Meeting .……………………….……………………….....…...26

Session: Migratory Bird Treaty Act / Avian Protection Plans ……………….……………… …………...…..28

Invasive Species Working Group Meeting ............……….………………..…………………………………..29

Session: Bat Conservation .............................................................................................................……...29

Pollinators Working Group Meeting …………………………………….……………………………...….…...31

BASH Working Group Meeting ……………………………….…………..………………………………..…...32

Herpetology Working Group Meeting ……….………….....……………………………………...…...……….32

2017 / 2018 Board of Directors Meeting …………...…………...………........................................………..32

Pollinator Training Workshop ………………………………..………………..………………………………...34

Davenport Grand Hotel Floor and Room Plan ..………………...……………………………..……………37

Room Assignments ……………………………………………………………………………………………...39

Need a Conference Schedule? WMI Has an App for That!

To download, visit the APP STORE. Install the guidebookTM app and then select the “Download your first guide”

tab and search for “North American Conference.” Once downloaded, the conference guide will step you through

the simple process of navigating to schedules, events, directions and other important conference information.



MONDAY, March 6

0700-1200 NMFWA registration

(NMFWA Registration Desk will also be open during the Workshop as Board Members are

available to staff the desk)

0830-1630 ESA Training Workshop (Birch)

1215-1415 Session: Pest Management (Meeting Room 1)

1430-1630 Session: SERDP/ESTCP (Meeting Room 1)

1630-1730 The Wildlife Society-Military Lands Working Group Meeting (Meeting Room 1)

1745-1930 2016/2017 Board of Directors Meeting (Meeting Room 11)

(2017/2018 BOD and all members welcome)

TUESDAY, March 7 0700-0900 NMFWA Registration

0800-0815 Welcome-Elizabeth Neipert, NMFWA President (Birch)

0815-0945 DoD Policy Update - Office of Secretary of Defense (Birch)

1000-1200 Annual Members’ Meeting [Everyone is welcome - Please come!] (Birch)

1200-1300 NMFWA Registration

1300-1700 DoD Service Break Out Sessions (See page 39 for rooms)

Air Force/Army National Guard/Navy/Marine Corps/Army

1830-2100 Welcome Mixer at Chateau Rive

National Military Fish and Wildlife Association

Annual Training Workshop



WEDNESDAY, March 8


0700-0800 Newcomer’s Breakfast (Meeting Room 5)

0815-0945 81st Annual North American Wildlife Conference Plenary Session (Grand Ballroom A &B)

1000-1200 WMI Special Sessions

2020 Vision: Federal Forest Management into the Next Decade (Grand A Ballroom)

Effects of Climate Change on Inland Fish and Fisheries: Looking Back and Moving Forward (Maple

Ballroom)

Science-Based Management Strategies for Fish and Wildlife Diseases (Birch Ballroom)

Wildlife Governance Principles - Guidance for More Effective Wildlife Management (Grand Ballroom B)


1300-1430 Session: Rare Plants (Maple)

1300-1400 Bat Working Group Meeting (Birch)

1415-1515 Bird Conservation Working Group Meeting (Birch)

1500-1630 Session: Collaborative Conservation (Maple)

1530-1630 Conservation Law Enforcement Working Group Meeting (Birch)

1800-2100 Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction (Bus boarding from 1730-1800)

THURSDAY, March 9

0800-0900 DoD Partners in Flight Meeting (Birch)

0800-0900 Climate Change Working Group Meeting (Maple)

0915-1015 DoD Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting (Birch)

0915-1015 Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group Meeting (Maple)

1030-1200 Session: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)/Avian Protection Plans (Birch)

1100-1200 Invasive Species Working Group Meeting (Maple)

1300-1415 Session: Bat Conservation (Birch)

1300-1415 Pollinators Working Group Meeting (Maple)

1430-1630 BASH Working Group Meeting (Birch)

1430-1530 Herpetology Working Group Meeting (Maple)

1630-1745 2017/2018 Board of Directors Meeting (Meeting Room 12)

1830-2100 NMFWA Show and Tell (Grand Ballroom C)

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

0730-1130 Pollinator Training Workshop (Meeting Room 4)



MONDAY, MARCH 6

DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:


0830-1200 Endangered Species Act Training Workshop Session 1

1330-1700 Endangered Species Act Training Workshop Session 2

1215-1415 Session: Pest Management

1430-1630 Session: SERDP/ESTCP

1630-1730 The Wildlife Society-Military Lands Working Group Meeting

1745-1930 2016/2017 Board of Directors Meeting (2017-2018 BOD and all members welcome)

0830-1200 / 1330-1700 Endangered Species Act Training Workshop

Facilitators: Lorena Wada, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, HA, Nancy Ferguson, Ph.D., U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Regional Sikes Act Coordinator

Pre-registration for this training is required. Please only attend the session in your confirmation email.

This Endangered Species Act (ESA) training will focus on two broad topics: definitions and technical terms

and how to make effects calls.

0830-0850 / 1330-1350 Introduction & Logistics

0850-1000 / 1350-1500 Effects Determinations & Short Exercise (No effect/Not likely/Adversely

affect calls)

1000-1020 / 1500-1520 Break

1020-1130 / 1520-1630 Terms (clarify differences RPAs, RPMs, T&Cs, conservation measures,

conservation recommendations, minor change rule)

1130-1150 / 1630-1650 Terms Exercise

1150-1200 / 1650-1700 Wrap-up; Last Questions

1215-1415 Session: Pest Management

Pest management and natural resources programs are vital to the mission of DoD installations but they can

occasionally be in conflict with one another when natural resources are impacted. Both

programs can benefit from each other and this session brings professionals from both areas together

to discuss topics of mutual interest and to stimulate the development of working relationships at the

installation level.

Moderator: Dr. Matt Kramm



The Role of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board in the DoD Natural Resources Program

Dr. Doug Burkett, Armed Forces Pest Management Board, Silver Spring, MD

A description of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board and pest management in natural resources

programs.

Will I Get Bit? How to Coordinate a Mosquito Control Program On and Off-Base

Ms. Valerie Vartanian, Naval Base Ventura County, CA

Mosquitoes are at the very least annoying. At their worst they carry disease. Communicating the real

threats posed by the resident mosquitoes and the base's mosquito control program can be quite

challenging. Information has to get out to all of the tenant commands and to the neighboring

community that might be affected. At Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu (NBVC) there are over

2100 acres of salt marsh wetlands, 2400 acres of installation facilities and residences and over 80 tenant

commands. The installation is surrounded by State and National Parks along the east coast boundary and

agricultural fields and several communities to the north and west. NBVC has worked hard to not only

improve communication within the installation regarding the mosquito threats and the extensive control

program but also with agencies and residents outside.

Swallow Bug and Swallow Management

Ms. Melina Tye, Army National Guard, Arlington, VA

Overview of Minnesota Army National Guard's experiences with Swallow Bugs in their billeting and

the methods implemented for control of both the Swallow Bugs and the swallows.

Pest Management on Agricultural Leases

Ms. Connie Flores, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, CA

NAVFAC Southwest program to ensure compliance of pest management operations and pesticide use

on agricultural leases on Navy and Marine Corps installations.

Integrated Pest Management for Bird/Animal Aircraft Strike Hazard Prevention

Lt Col Don Teig, USAF, Air Force Civil Engineer Center – East, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL

The Air Force program for protecting aircraft from bird and other animal strikes through the use of

integrated pest management.

One Health Initiative: Linking Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

CPT Margaret James, USA, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA

One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the

environment. The goal of One Health is to encourage the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines-

working locally, nationally, and globally-to achieve the best health for people, animals, and our

environment.



MONDAY, cont’d

Techniques for Handling and Moving Snakes

Mr. Chris Petersen, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, VA, Dr. Robert Lovich, Naval

Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, CA

Representatives from the Department of Defense Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (DoD

PARC) group will provide information on the proper techniques for safely handling and moving snakes.

Included in the presentation will be a video demonstrating these techniques. The presentation will focus on

safety practices for keeping both people and snakes unharmed. A goal of the presentation is to make natural

resource and pest management personnel feel more comfortable when having to move a nuisance snake from a

military housing area or training site.

Chaga’s Disease

Dr. Matt Kramm, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, TX

Climate change impacts disease ecology throughout the world in important ways. Areas are encountering

new diseases and disease vectors as the changing climate changes the environment and supports previously

unknown or rare pathogens. Chagas disease, transmitted by triatomine insects, has been a growing

problem in the southern U.S. This has impacted military installation operations and planning and

introduced health concerns for personnel conducting on-the-ground training as well as military working dogs.

1430-1630 Session: SERDP/ESTCP Resource Conservation and Resiliency Program

Area Update and Way Forward

Session Chair: Dr. Kurt T. Preston

The Department of Defense (DoD) is one of the nation’s largest federal land managers and relies heavily upon

these lands for conducting military missions. The natural and built infrastructure of installations provides the

foundation for training and testing missions and overall military readiness. Troops must train as they fight, and

our ranges provide the contiguous, unencumbered spaces needed to closely replicate the operational environ-

ment of assigned missions. These needs must be met in a manner that is maintainable over long time horizons,

is responsive to changing requirements, and accounts for new challenges.

Training days may be limited due to ecological impacts occurring on this natural infrastructure. Wildfires,

flooding, exotic species invasion, dust emissions and disease spread by wildlife populations are all threats to

daily operations. It is critical to understand and manage the long-term changes occurring to the land and

ecosystems common to DoD installations. Research in this area is imperative to controlling the risk associated

with naturally occurring roadblocks.

SERDP and ESTCP’s Resource Conservation and Resiliency program area supports the development of the

science, technologies, and methods needed to manage DoD’s installation infrastructure in order to maximize

the number of training days and mission readiness requirements. Areas of investment include: understanding

DoD-relevant ecological systems, assessing the impact of military training on marine mammals, managing

threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, and invasive species, understanding watershed processes and

management, understanding the impacts to air quality from DoD activities, and developing the models and

tools necessary to ensure the resiliency of DoD’s infrastructure.



Using Network Analysis to Anticipate Secondary Effects of Species Losses in Stream

Fish Assemblages

Daniel J. McGarvey, Center for Environmental Studies Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond,

Virginia, [email protected]

Joseph A. Veech, Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, [email protected]

In a rapidly changing, non-stationary world it is increasingly important for natural resource managers to

understand how biotic communities may respond to a range of environmental disturbances. Predicting how

disturbance may affect the overall stability of biotic communities is of particular interest and has shifted a

traditional emphasis on individual species’ dynamics to a new focus on species’ interconnections within

large, complex communities. Network analysis is now emerging as a leading method to study the

interconnections within these communities. Network graphs, which represent species as ‘nodes’ and

interconnections as ‘edges’, are powerful and intuitive tools for documenting and visualizing species’

connections at the system level. And graph theory provides a mathematical framework to quantify network

structure and test hypotheses on network assembly and stability. Recently, a pilot project was completed

that explored network structure within streams throughout North America, using fishes as a model group.

Major study objectives were to characterize network structural properties among biogeographic regions

(East Coast/Mid-Atlantic vs. Mississippi Basin vs. Pacific Northwest) and among differing levels of

disturbance, and to demonstrate a novel methodology for simulating and anticipating disturbance effects on

network structure. In this presentation, we will focus on the later objective, explaining how the disturbance

simulations were set-up, what the results may tell us about the overall stability of stream fish assemblages,

and how this information may benefit conservation and management efforts, both on Department of

Defense property and elsewhere. Specifically, we will examine evolving patterns in network connectivity

(i.e., the degree to which species are interconnected via co-occurrences with other species) as increasing

numbers of species are extirpated from their networks, with emphasis placed on detecting network

‘collapse’. We will also show how network analysis and simulation can identify ‘hub’ species that may be

integral to overall network integrity, or to identify specific locations within larger stream networks that may

warrant special protection.

Monitoring Species of Concern on Military Lands using Noninvasive Genetic Sampling

Lisette P. Waits, Susannah Woodruff, Robert Lonsinger

Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow Idaho,

Reliable monitoring is needed to demonstrate that federally listed species have been recovered and can be

considered for downlisting, to inform future listing petitions, and to evaluate the impact of management

actions for at-risk species. Our project examined the use of noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) of feces as

a monitoring approach for detecting the presence of rare species, estimating population size, and evaluating

other important indicators of population health including survival rates, genetic diversity, and population

connectivity. NGS is an attractive and innovative alternative because collection of hair, feces, saliva or

feathers provides DNA material of free-ranging animals that can be used to identify species and individuals

without having to catch, handle, or even observe them. To facilitate the use of this technology at DoD

installations and demonstrate its transferability, we have implemented NGS monitoring programs for

kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) and coyotes (Canis latrans) on Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, and endan-

gered Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapara americana sonoriensis) and coyotes on the Barry M. Goldwater

Range in Arizona. This presentation will give an overview of the methodological approach and discuss our

current findings.



MONDAY, cont’d

Habitat restoration for at-risk butterflies: Is it all about the host plants?

Elizabeth E. Crone, Department of Biology, Tufts University

Military lands support a large number of species of conservation concern. Many of these species occur on

military lands because they require early-successional habitat that is maintained by disturbance. DOD is

required by the Endangered Species Act to conserve federally-listed species that occur on its lands,

including restoring and maintaining habitat with disturbance. In this talk, I evaluate population viability of

three at-risk butterfly species in relation to habitat restoration on military lands. In all cases, our initial

assumption was that restoration success would be determined by the balance of positive effects of

restoration activities disturbance on host plants, and negative direct effects of disturbance on individual

animals. Surprisingly, in all cases, interactions at higher trophic levels were as important as bottom-up and

direct effects of habitat management. I discuss the implications of this result for insect conservation in

general, as well as viability of these particular species.

Source and sink populations in theory and practice

Joshua J. Lawler1, Julie Heinrichs1, Nathan Schumaker2, Lauren Walker1

1University of Washington, Seattle, WA

2U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR

A comprehensive understanding of source-sink dynamics can be critical for successfully managing at-risk

species. We used spatially explicit population models and field studies to better understand the emergence and

stability of source and sink populations. Our modeling results identified the types of species and

landscapes that are likely to exhibit strong source-sink dynamics. The model results also revealed that

management actions based on assumptions that sink habitats are generally harmful (or helpful) risk

undermining conservation efforts. With our five-year field study of Black-capped vireos (Vireo

atricapilla), we documented source-sink patterns influenced by inter-annual variation and cowbird control on

and near Fort Hood Military Installation in Texas. Most habitats off Fort Hood behaved like population sinks,

and models indicated that persistence was sensitive to rates of inter-population exchange and the effects of

future habitat restoration and climate change. In general, our results highlight the importance of

understanding source-sink dynamics in spatially structured populations, as well as the need for applied source

-sink theory and methods for conserving declining species in complex and changing landscapes.



1630-1730 The Wildlife Society-Military Lands Working Group Meeting

Introductions

Officers:

Chair: Robert Lovich

Vice Chair: Rick Spaulding

Secretary: Deanna McCullum

Treasurer: Kirsten Christopherson

Current Membership: 58

Bank balance (April 2014): $1495.62

Official recognition as a Working Group in October 2014

2015 National Military Fish and Wildlife Association (NMFWA), Pittsburgh, PA:

An annual Working Group meeting was held, with about 30 persons in attendance

Robert Lovich assumed the Chair of the Military Lands Working Group from Rhys Evans

2016 National Military Fish and Wildlife Association (NMFWA), Raleigh, NC:

WG meeting held at TWS conference in Raleigh on Wed., October 19, 2016 @ 1030-1230

Future Years: TWS 2017 in Albuquerque

The Wildlife Professional, Editorial Advisory Board: MLWG members are encouraged to suggest

ideas for articles or even a focus area for a group of articles. ALSO, looking for shorter items for the

sections "State of Wildlife," "Field Notes" and "Science in Short."

A Challenge: Encourage MLWG members to grow membership, and support technical sessions at

Chapter, State and Sectional TWS meetings in the future.

1745-1930 2016/2017 Board of Directors Meeting The closeout meeting of your outgoing BOD. Please feel free to join us and see what wheels are turning

in the NMFWA organization. The 2017/2018 BOD and all NMFWA members are welcome to attend.

If you are new to the National Military Fish & Wildlife Association then we would like to invite you to our Newcomers

Breakfast! We will be holding the inaugural event for all newcomers to the Association who are attending their 1st or 2nd

Annual Workshop. The breakfast will give all newcomers to the Association a chance to meet and greet the Board of

Directors, as well as ask any questions about the Association that you may have. It will also give the Board of Directors a

chance to meet and greet all the new faces to the organization and introduce all the ways to get involved.

RSVP is required to attend and attendance is limited, so please sign-up at the NMFWA Registration Desk.



TUESDAY, MARCH 7

DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:


0800-0815 Welcome – Elizabeth Neipert, NMFWA President

0815-0945 DoD Policy Update

1000-1200 Annual Members Meeting

1300-1700 DoD Service Break Out Sessions

Air Force/National Guard/Navy/Marine Corps/Army

1830-2100 Welcome Mixer at Chateau Rive

0800-0815 NMFWA Welcome – Elizabeth Neipert, NMFWA President

0815-0945 DoD Natural Resources Program Policy Session - Alison A. Dalsimer, DoD Natural

Resources Program Director

The Department of Defense (DoD) Natural Resources (NR) Program policy presentation will provide an

overview of the DoD NR Program's current priorities, challenges, and initiatives; will highlight new

guiding principles, recent accomplishments, and results from the annual Environmental Management

Review; and will briefly discuss new opportunities, tools and training, and the importance of outreach.

Bring your questions and concerns, as we intend to leave plenty of time for Q&A.



1000-1200 Annual Members Meeting

The Members Meeting will bring together NMFWA members to discuss accomplishments over the past

year and lay a path forward for continued success. Highlights will include an introduction of the current

and future Board of Directors in attendance, a wrap-up of the past years motions, and a review of the

current budget. Members will be asked to provide their input on the direction that NMFWA is taking and

also identify issues that they feel should be addressed. This is your Association, so come and tell us what

you think.

1300-1700 DoD Service Break Out Sessions

The DoD Break Out Sessions are your chance to hear from and speak to your Service Headquarters

representatives, meet and greet your sibling installations, and get information on the upcoming fiscal years

from the Washington perspective. We are pleased to have five separate Service Breakout Sessions this

year.

US Air Force Session

This session will spotlight natural resources management on Air Force installations. Speakers will provide

overviews of installation natural resources programs, and discuss some service-wide natural resources

program initiatives. All NMFWA members are welcome to attend.

Opening Remarks – Mr. Richard Trevino, Director, Operations Division, Air Force Civil Engineer

Center (AFCEC), Environmental Directorate, United States Department of the Air Force

Mr. Richard Trevino directs operations for Air Force environmental programs world-wide and will

provide opening remarks regarding present and future environmental program direction for the Air Force.

Air Force Natural Resources Program Report

Mr. Kevin Porteck, Air Force Natural Resources Program Subject Matter Expert, AFCEC/CZTQ

Mr. Kevin Porteck will provide an overview of the Air Force natural resources program. Topics will in-

clude the status of Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans, threatened and endangered species

conservation, and other natural resources topics. Significant accomplishments in the last year will be

highlighted, and future strategies will be discussed.

Integrating Climate Adaptability into Air Force Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans

Dr. Dennis Ojima & Ms. Mindy Clark, Colorado State University

The Colorado State University Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) is

collaboration with Air Force to integrate climate adaptability and resilience into installation Integrated

Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs). Dr. Ojima and Ms. Clark will explain how INRMPs can

be amended to assess climate effects on wildlife and natural infrastructure, and the practical means by

which land management programs can incorporate actions to improve climate adaptability and resiliency.



TUESDAY, cont’d

Manatee Conservation and Rehabilitation in Puerto Rico

Mrs. Marcelle Fábregas, Environmental Manager, Puerto Rico Air National Guard

The Puerto Rico Air National Guard is collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto

Rico Manatee Conservation Center for the rehabilitation of injured West Indian Manatees. Mrs. Fábregas will

provide an overview of the rehabilitation program, and will explain how the Air National Guard supports this

program.

Natural Resources Management at an Urban Industrial Installation

Mr. John Krupovage, Natural Resources Manager, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma

Tinker Air Force Base is an urban industrial installation in the Oklahoma City area. Despite the urban

surroundings, Tinker AFB offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation and for the conservation of green-

space for the conservation of nature. Mr. Krupovage will explain how the Tinker AFB Integrated Natural

Resources Management Plan supports both conservation objectives while simultaneously contributes to the

efficient and sustainable management of the installation landscapes.

Air Force Conservation Law Enforcement Program

Mr. Mark Sledge, Conservation Law Enforcement Officer, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Conservation law enforcement officer Mark Sledge will provide an overview of his unique law enforcement

and safety responsibilities at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson, Alaska. Additionally, Mr. Sledge will

provide information on the various types of jurisdictional law enforcement authority on military installations,

and their implications for natural resources management.

Natural Resources Management at Avon Park Air Force Range

Mr. Troy Hershberger, Wildlife Biologist, Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida

Avon Park Air Force Range is an active bombing range for training military pilots. The Avon Park range also

consists of diverse and unique ecosystems harboring several sensitive species. Mr. Troy Hershberger will

provide an overview of how the natural resources management program sustains military operations while

also conserving this distinctive tract of natural Florida.

Conservation of Pollinators at Military Installations

Dr. Dolores Savignano, Headquarters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Dr. Savignano leads the pollinator conservation program for the Fish and Wildlife Service. In this

presentation, Dr. Savignano will provide an overview of guidance developed for Air Force to incorporate

pollinator conservation considerations into Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans. This information

is intended to help support the conservation of this important national asset for future generations.

US National Guard Break Out Session

This session will address State ARNG natural resources questions and issues which may be technical,

legal, regulatory, and/or policy in nature.

Moderator: Jay Rubinoff, ARNG-IEN, [email protected]



Navy Break Out Session

This Session will address current issues, policies, and priorities of the Navy natural resources management

program. Presentations and updates will be provided by representatives from the Office of the Deputy Assis-

tant Secretary of the Navy for the Environment (ODASN(E)), Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Energy

and Environmental Readiness Division (OPNAV (N45), Fleet Forces Command , Pacific Fleet, Commander

Navy Installations Command , Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Headquarters, NAVFAC

Atlantic and NAVFAC Pacific and Region/Facilities Engineering Commands. Additional topics include Fis-

cal Year 2016 Environmental Management Review (EMR) and Defense Environmental Programs Annual Re-

port to Congress (DEPARC) Summary; Conservation Website; Budget and Funding Issues; and Conservation

Banking Initiatives.

Moderator: Tammy Conkle, NAVFAC HQ, [email protected]

US Marine Corps Break Out Session

The Marine Corps Breakout Session will provide an open forum discussion relating to current issues affecting

installations; locally, regionally and nationally. Installation attendees will provide an update on their installa-

tions initiatives, successes and challenges and be provided opportunity to raise topics of discussion. Marine

Corps natural resources managers are encouraged to attend this session as it represents one of the best opportu-

nities to communicate with other USMC personnel on topics directly affecting their installations.

Moderator: Jacqueline Rice , Headquarters Marine Corps, [email protected]

US Army Break Out Session

Steve Seksciencski, Rich White, and Lorri Schwartz from OACSIM will provide updates to Army policy, fish

and wildlife policy guidance, wildfire, funding, - 21X5095 account, climate change, bald eagle, and USFWS

mitigation policy. Next, Craig Slebrch, Stephanie Sarver, and Matt Mattox from IMCOM will cover CLEO,

iSportsman, and training/fundgin/GERB.

The session will close out with a Q&A, What works and What needs improvement discussion and finally an

open floor.

Moderator: Alberto Moreno, USARMY IMCOM AEC



WEDNESDAY, March 8

Daily Schedule at a Glance


0700-0800 Newcomers Breakfast

0800-0930 82nd Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference

Plenary Session


Making Relevance a Reality

Conservation in the Face of a Changing Energy Development Landscape

Insights to Inform Marketing Efforts within State Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Wildlife Successes in Optimum Funding Scenarios - Exxon Valdez and Deepwater

Horizon Restoration

1300-1430 Session: Rare Plants

1300-1400 Bat Working Group Meeting

1415-1515 Bird Conservation Working Group Meeting

1500-1630 Session: Collaborative Conservation

1530-1630 Conservation Law Enforcement Working Group Meeting

1800-2100 Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction (Bus boarding from 1730-1800)

0800-0930 81st Annual North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference

Plenary Session

Featured Speakers: John Arway, Matt Hough, Steve Williams, Dan Ashe, and Collin O’Mara

0930-1030 WMI Coffee Break with Exhibitors


Making Relevance a Reality (Grand Ballroom A)

Conservation in the Face of a Changing Energy Development Landscape (Maple Ballroom)

Insights to Inform Marketing Efforts within State Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Birch Ballroom)

Wildlife Successes in Optimum Funding Scenarios - Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon Restoration

(Grand Ballroom B)

Are you enjoying this years Annual Meeting?

Start planning now to join us next year in Norfolk, Virginia.

26-30 March 2018



1300-1430 Session: Rare Plant Conservation Planning and Recovery Through Regional

Stakeholder Collaboration

Session Chairs: Valerie Vartanian, Wetland Ecologist, Naval Base Ventura County, CA

([email protected]) and Michelle Cox, Ecologist, NAVFACSW ([email protected])

Conservation management of rare plant species across their range is often implemented by multiple entities

working independently of each other and with varying goals and objectives based on their mission. This

session explores the value of coordinating management efforts to meet landscape-level objectives more

efficiently.

Applying science to conservation through collaboration: San Diego Management and Monitoring

Program

Kristine Preston and Yvonne Moore, San Diego Management and Monitoring Program

San Diego County is very biodiverse with many endemic plants and the greatest concentration of threatened

species in the U.S. Rapid urbanization has led to loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitats and threatens

sensitive species and biodiversity leading to the development of landscape-scale multiple species conservation

plans by federal and state wildlife agencies in partnership with many stakeholders. Hundreds of participants

are involved in natural resource conservation and management including: federal, state, city and county

agencies that provide regulatory oversight or own and manage conserved lands; military bases that participate

in regional monitoring efforts; and a diverse group of scientists, non-profit organizations, environmental

consulting firms, and members of the public. Collaboration with other conservation plans in southern

California expands monitoring efforts to increase inference and economies of scale.

The San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP) sponsored by the San Diego Association of

Governments coordinates regional management and monitoring efforts among stakeholders. The

“Management and Monitoring Strategic Plan for Conserved Lands in Western San Diego County: A Strategic

Habitat Conservation Roadmap” is a comprehensive, landscape-scale adaptive management and monitoring

framework for prioritized species and vegetation communities. By establishing biological goals and

measurable objectives, the MSP Roadmap provides for a coordinated effort amongst multiple stakeholders in

the implementation of adaptive management and monitoring actions. It categorizes and prioritizes plant and

animal species, vegetation communities, and threats/stressors, identifies geographic locations for management

and monitoring actions, provides specific timelines for implementation, and establishes a process for

coordination and implementation. It also includes centralized databases and mapping tools which are available

on the SDMMP interactive website.

MSP roadmap objectives for rare plants over the next 5 years include standardized surveys to monitor 43

species to determine population distribution and status and assess habitat and threats to inform management

actions. Routine management is conducted by preserve managers, while more intensive management

consistent with MSP Roadmap objectives can be augmented by regional funding sources. Other rare plant

objectives include next-generation genomic studies to characterize genetic population structure, genetic

diversity and gene flow to inform development of seed collection, banking and bulking plans and management

plans. Seed banking and management plans will be developed for 18 species to prioritize actions to recover

populations threatened by multiple interacting threats such as an altered fire regime, nonnative invasive plants,

nitrogen deposition, changing climate and human disturbance. Additional rare plant objectives include

baseline surveys to find new populations and document historic populations, research studies to address

specific ecological questions or develop best management practices, and post-fire monitoring and

management.



WEDNESDAY, cont’d

A Stepwise Approach to creating a monitoring program for saltmarsh bird’s-beak (Chloropyron mari-

timum subsp. maritimum) on Naval Base Ventura County, CA – Year Two

Valerie Vartanian and Michelle Cox (U.S. Navy) and Angela Lortie (Tetra Tech)

Interest in assessing salt marsh bird's-beak (SMBB) biology and population distribution has increased over

the last few years. The delegation and coordination of research and management between stakeholders has led

to a more complete understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements for salt marsh bird's beak.

Historical documentation of SMBB at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, indicated a general decline

in distribution of this federally listed plant. SMBB occurrences vary in distribution and abundance from year

to year but have disappeared from several historical areas on the installation. To better understand the

habitat requirements needed to sustain a viable population of SMBB, the US Navy and US Fish and Wildlife

Service Ventura Field Office funded studies in 2015 to gather data on the abiotic and biotic habitat

components of current and historic SMBB occurrences at Point Mugu. The purpose of the study is to

characterize plant populations and their habitat, document the range of plant performance, and relate

environment to plant abundance and performance. Implementing protocol developed by the San Diego

Management and Monitoring Program,

the biotic studies focused on

developing species-specific mapping pro-

tocol to map the perimeter of the current

extent of the occurrence,

establishing permanent sampling areas,

photo-monitoring, conducting a habitat

assessment within the sampling area, and

conducting a threats assessment within

current and historic occurrences. Inverte-

brate studies will begin spring 2017. Abi-

otic studies focused on

hydrology and soil condition within cur-

rent, fading, or historical occurrences.

The hydrology study was conducted over

the course of one year and included in-

stallation of piezometers within SMBB

occurrences to assess tidal

influence and water quality parameters.

Soils collected adjacent to these

piezometers were analyzed by a laborato-

ry for nutrients, salinity, and organic mat-

ter to better assess ideal conditions for

sustaining the SMBB population at Point

Mugu.



1300-1400 Bat Working Group Meeting

Co-Chairs: Seth Berry, NSF Indian Head, [email protected] and Trish Cutler, White Sands Missile

Range, [email protected]

At this meeting, we will provide updates on hot topics like status of white-nosed syndrome (WNS),

endangered species listings, and NABat survey efforts. There will also be time for open discussion for

members to discuss bat research being done on installations.

1415-1515 Bird Conservation Working Group

Co-Chairs: David McNaughton, Ft. Indiantown Gap NGTC, [email protected] and Elizabeth

Neipert, CSU, [email protected]

This meeting will feature a brief update on ongoing projects that were discussed in the previous two

years, share some news from installation to installation, and discuss partnership opportunities with the

Peregrine Fund. Also, we will have a few speakers discuss relevant case examples.

Burrowing Owl Conservation and

Research on Umatilla Chemical Depot, Oregon

Jeff Mach, Oregon Military Department, Salem, OR; [email protected]

In 2008, conservation efforts began on the U.S. Army’s former Umatilla Chemical Depot in northeastern

Oregon to increase the number of nesting western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugea), which

is a USFWS Bird of Conservation Concern and a DoD Partners in Flight Mission-Sensitive Priority

Species. Artificial burrows have proven very successful in providing nesting sites where natural burrows

are in short supply. Artificial burrows also provide ready access to adult owls and chicks for a variety of

research projects. The ongoing conservation and research activities conducted with the species on the

former Depot since 2008 are highlighted in this presentation.

Traffic Advisory: Please be aware that Spokane will be hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

on Saturday, March 11th from 12-3PM. This will affect travel out of the Davenport Grand as the

parade route comes over the bridge on Washington St., directly across from the Davenport; and in the

past has traveled down Washington St. The city closes the streets of the parade route to vehicular

traffic during the parade. Please keep this in mind as you make your travel plans on Saturday.



WEDNESDAY, cont’d

1500-1630 Session: Collaborative Conservation - Natural Resource Partnerships on

Military Lands

Session Moderator: Pam Sponholtz, USFWS, Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

Through cooperative agreements, the Department of Defense partners with many federal, state and

academic, and non-governmental organizations to accomplish a variety of natural resource actions that

support the military mission. Projects range from threatened and endangered species surveys or mapping of

noxious weed populations to proactive approaches for fire management or candidate species conservation.

Often, partners provide an expertise unavailable within the military natural resources program, an ability to

work outside the installation boundaries, or a cost effective means to achieve conservation goals. This

session will provide several examples of these collaborative projects being conducted on military lands

across the United States.

Endangered Species Management at Fort Hood, Texas - A Success Story

Tim Buchanan

Chief, Natural and Cultural Resources, Fort Hood, Texas

Fort Hood is the Army's home for the Third Armored Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division, as well as other

units prepared to defend our Nation. Military training and readiness is the primary mission on the

installation that is also the home of two breeding populations of migratory songbirds that have been listed

as endangered for over twenty years, the Golden-cheeked warbler and the Black-capped vireo. Through a

dedicated partnership between Fort Hood and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for nearly three decades, an

effective strategy for balancing the military training mission with endangered species management has alle-

viated military training restrictions in the breeding and nesting habitat on the installation.



Beyond Mere Stakeholder Buy-In: Generating Enthusiasm for Ecological Restoration

at McConnell AFB.

Laura Mendenhall

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, McConnell Air Force Base, KS

Natural resources management decisions on an Air Force base often require bringing disparate people

together to work towards a common goal. McConnell AFB Natural Resources Management used research

projects, community GIS, and educational outreach over a period of 3 years to collaborate on the successful

implementation of riparian buffers along a majority of streams throughout the base. Not only was this

strategy successful at the accomplishment of an ecological improvement, but it generated enthusiasm and

awareness among a diversity of stakeholders for a project that may have otherwise gone unnoticed for its

mission-related benefits, which include erosion control and cost savings. This step-by-step strategy will be

applied to future ecological restoration projects to facilitate maximum stakeholder buy-in and beyond that,

enthusiasm.

Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office – Getting the Job Done

Max Canestorp

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cheyenne Mountain, Schriever, and Peterson Air Force Base

The Colorado Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (CFWCO) has a mandate to assist other federal

agencies in implementing their natural and cultural resource management programs. It has been working

cooperatively primarily on Department of Defense installations in Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service since the 1960s. In that time the office has served at least eleven military bases, one Department of

Energy property, two National Parks, and several other land management entities. In most cases CFWCO

provides staff to serve as onsite natural resource managers. However, many projects require additional

personnel and expertise, and through the years CFWCO has relied heavily upon the Colorado Natural

Heritage Program (CNHP) to fulfill resource management requirements. CNHP has provided staff to

conduct noxious weed, biodiversity, and federal threatened and endangered species surveys; designed and

implemented vegetative community research and monitoring programs; and conducted noxious weed

control efforts. Almost all states have heritage programs, providing for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

assistance offices the opportunity to meet resource management needs on federal properties under their

purview.



WEDNESDAY, cont’d

A Statewide Approach to Conservation of Air Force Lands in Florida

Bill Tate and Catherine Phillips

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field Office, Panama City FL

The US Air Force is steward to millions of acres of lands used for national defense purposes that include a

variety of intact ecosystems, including habitat that harbors listed and at risk species. In the state of Florida, the

Air Force manages more than 625,000 acres of land from the panhandle to the southern end of the peninsula,

including eight installations. The USFWS network in Florida consists of more than 30 offices, refuges, and

hatcheries and provides management expertise in ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, species recovery,

guidance for mission avoidance and minimization measures, and assistance on public use and recreation

management. The goal of the Air Force Florida program is to establish a regional approach to natural

resources management that minimizes multiple encroachment threats and alleviates on-installation constraints

to provide a landscape to support the military mission. Achieving this goal requires the use of a strong

network of conservation-focused partner organizations, including federal and state agencies, universities,

private organizations, and NGO’s. Here, we will provide an overview of the utility of partnership formation by

highlighting collaborative efforts to achieve conservation goals in Florida. Collaboration among the Air Force,

USFWS, and other partners will allow the Air Force to maintain mission flexibility while benefiting the

American people through the protection of lands, waters, and at-risk species.

1530-1630 Conservation Law Enforce-

ment Working Group

Moderator: Mark Sledge, Joint Base Elmendorf

-Richardson Anchorage, AK,

[email protected]

The Conservation Law Enforcement Working

Group will be holding a business meeting for

the working group with a basic overview and

then each service representative will brief their

individual service issues. The meeting will be

closed by turning the working group chair over

to Mabel O'Quinn.



THURSDAY, MARCH 9

Daily Schedule at a Glance 0800-0900 DoD Partners in Flight Meeting

0800-0900 Climate Change Working Group Meeting

0915-1015 DoD Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting

0915-1015 Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group

1030-1200 Session: Migratory Bird Treaty Act / Avian Protection Plans

1100-1200 Invasive Species Working Group Meeting

1300-1415 Session: Bat Conservation

1300-1415 Pollinators Working Group Meeting

1430-1630 BASH Working Group Meeting

1430-1530 Herpetology Working Group Meeting

1630-1745 2017/2018 Board of Directors Meeting

1830-2100 NMFWA Show and Tell (Photography Contest and Silent Auction winners

announced @2000)

0800-0900 DoD Partners in Flight Meeting

Moderator: Richard Fischer, Research Wildlife Biologist, US Army ERDC, Vicksburg, MS,

[email protected]

A large workforce of dedicated DoD biologists and natural resources managers implement a vast

array of initiatives and management actions to conserve and enhance habitats valuable to migratory

birds. To support these efforts, a network of DoD natural resources professionals works collectively as

DoD Partners in Flight to support and communicate with installation resource managers, state and

regional Partners in Flight working groups, non-government organizations, academic researchers, and

natural resources consultants to promote and coordinate bird conservation across DoD lands in the lower

48 states, Alaska, and the Pacific Islands.

The first half of this session will provide a summary of actions, strategies, and initiatives implemented

by DoD PIF during 2016. The second half will include an active discussion of contemporary

migratory bird issues relevant to DoD installation biologists actively managing for mission support.

Please don’t forget to silence your cell phone and

try to enter rooms between speakers.



0800-0900 Climate Change Working Group Meeting

Working Group Co-Chairs: Janet Johnson, Conservation Program Manager, Arizona Army National

Guard, Phoenix, AZ, [email protected]; Charles Baun, Conservation Branch Manager,

Idaho Army National Guard, ID, [email protected]

Agenda:

0800-0805: Introduction and Member Sign-in

0805-0850: Presentations (*Note: presentations build upon previous 2015 and 2016 topics)

0805-0820 - Effectively Incorporating Climate Adaptation into INRMPs: Follow-up from 2016

Conference

0820-0835 - Interactive Discussion – Climate Change Adaptation: What has Worked/Not Worked in

the Real World of INRMPs

0835-0850 - Integration of Climate Change into NEPA (A Practical Exercise)

0850-0900- Closing remarks and Training Opportunities

Effectively Incorporating Climate Adaptation into INRMPs

Facilitators: Bruce Stein (National Wildlife Federation), Dawn Lawson (U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval

Warfare Systems Center Pacific) and Carolyn Enquist (U.S. Geological Survey)

Rapidly accelerating climate change will pose significant challenges for natural resource

management efforts on military installations, and DoD’s recent Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap calls

for the integration of climate considerations across the Department and management of associated risks.

Because climate adaptation is an emerging discipline, many installation managers are unsure how to

address climate risks in their resource conservation efforts. To address this need, we have begun a new

Legacy-funded project to develop DoD-specific guidance on how to effectively incorporate climate

considerations in the INRMP planning process. This effort will draw from the generalized adaptation

guidance offered in Climate-Smart Conservation: Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice (developed by

an interagency workgroup), and develop aconcise guide for DoD managers that specifically focuses on

adaptation and INRMPs. At the previous 3 NMFWA meetings (2014-2017) we sought input from attendees

on “real world” climate change adaptation and INRMPs. We have seen that understanding of the potential

effects of climate change has grown among DoD’s natural resources managers but that adaptation planning

efforts have been slower to materialize due to barriers. None the less, feedback we have received from the

field indicates that more and more installations are incorporating climate change adaptation

planning in their INRMPs. To ensure that this guide meets the needs of installation managers, this session

will provide an introduction and overview of the project and climate-smart principles as a prelude the

following interactive discussion about climate adaptation and INRMPs

Interactive Discussion – Climate Change Adaptation - What has Worked/Not Worked in the Real

World of INRMPs

Facilitators: Dawn Lawson (U.S. Navy – SPAWAR SSC Pacific), Bruce Stein (National Wildlife

Federation), and Christy Wolf (U.S. Navy – NWSSB Detachment Fallbrook)

The objective for this discussion is to hear from participants about experiences they have had in

incorporating climate change/adaptation into INRMPs, or suggestions about good examples of this. In

addition we hope to discuss with participants where in the INRMP planning process climate

change/adaptation is most productively addressed. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire as

part of the discussion.



THURSDAY, cont’d

Integration of Climate Change into NEPA (A Practical Exercise)

Facilitator: Charles Baun, Conservation Branch Manager, Idaho Army National Guard, ID

This session will discuss recently released CEQ guidance on how to incorporate climate change principles

into the NEPA process. This will be followed by a practical exercise with a step by step approach using the

guidance and an actual DoD project.

0915-1015 DoD Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting

Workshop Planning Committee: Chris Petersen, Robert Lovich, Jen Williams,

Dave McNaughton, Janet Johnson, Julie Robbins, Paul Block, Ian Trefry, Valerie Arkell

Welcome/Introductions

DoD PARC Overview (Organizational Structure, Vision and Mission Statement)

2016 Accomplishments (Update of Army Herp Species Lists; Training Modules; Scope

Templates, Herp Mapper)

Discussion of 2017 Projects

Open Discussion

DoD's landscape is home to a significant and diverse array of amphibians and reptiles In fact, DoD lands

support approximately 60% of all native herpetofauna species in the United States. These species are

important for several reasons: they are a part of America's natural heritage, provide valuable indicators of

ecosystem health, have scientific and medicinal value, are cultural icons, and in some cases are highly

imperiled and legally protected. This workshop will provide a working opportunity for continued

implementation of DoD PARC’s goals and the Strategic Plan for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and

Management on Department of Defense Lands. We will present updates about our group’s significant recent

accomplishments and will discuss future projects, deliverables, and opportunities. Please join us to learn

more about DoD PARC and our path forward for continued support of the military mission and herpetofauna

management and conservation on DoD lands.

0915-1015 Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group

Fish and Wildlife recreation is available on many DoD installations and can be managed in a variety of ways.

This session will discuss a recent Economic Impact survey on Fort Drum, New York and it could be applied

to other installations. The session will also include some specifics about the Public Access Map at Eglin

Airforce Base and how they coordinate internally and disseminate information to the public. If time allows,

we will also have an open floor discussion about how other programs are managing and possible

collaboration between services.

Session Chair: Chris Johansen, Outdoor Recreation Program Manager/Game Management Biologist, Eglin

AFB Natural Resources, Niceville, FL, [email protected]

Co-Chair: Shawn Stratton, Supervisory Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Department of Army, Fort Riley, KS,

[email protected]



Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group Meeting Agenda 0915 - 0940 Fort Drum, Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation

0940 - 1005 Eglin AFB Fish & Wildlife Program Overview – Chris Johansen

1005 - 1020 Open Floor - Questions/Discussion

1020 – 1030 Working Group Meeting, electing a new incoming Co-chair

Individual Travel Cost For The Fort Drum Recreation Area And Its Economic Impact On The

Local Economy

Mariela Cavo. SUNY ESF, [email protected]; John E. Wagner, SUNY-ESF, [email protected]; Raymond E.

Rainbolt, Ft. Drum, [email protected]

Fort Drum, a US Army installation in northern New York is home to the 10th Mountain Division and is well

known for providing recreational opportunities in the region to Soldiers, their Family Members, and the

general public.

SUNY-ESF is conducting a research project to estimate the demand for these recreational services using an

Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM), as well as estimating the economic impact Fort Drum’s recreation

program has on the local economy by using the Economic Impact Analyses for Planning (IMPLAN) Model.

IMPLAN is software that contains regional economic statistics and uses classic input-output analysis in

combination with regional specific social accounting matrices and multiplier models to assess economic

impacts. The ITCM uses data obtained from recreation users as part of the permitting application to estimate

a value of the recreation services that Fort Drum provides. Using these data, the ITCM will provide an

estimate of individual’s demand (or value) for these services based on the choices they have made to

recreate at Fort Drum. These choices are based not only on price but on all sacrifices made to obtain the

benefits generated by Fort Drum’s recreation program. This method is one of the oldest approaches to value

environment services and it is considered the best tool to value recreational experiences. It has been applied

to a wide range of users like fishermen, beachgoers, hikers, birdwatchers, wildlife-viewers, picnickers,

mountain bikers, among others.

Join this presentation in order to hear the preliminary results obtained by this ongoing research, as well as the

methodology used to answer these questions, and see how it may apply to your installation.

Outdoor Recreation Program/Eglin AFB

Chris Johansen, Outdoor Recreation Program Manager/Game Management Biologist, Eglin AFB Natural

Resources, 107 Hwy 85 N., Niceville, FL 32578; [email protected]

Discussion-the Public Access Map (PAM), Avenza App (Recreation Map), Outdoor Activities Committee,

and the Production of the Recreation Map/Rules and Regulation Product.

Eglin AFB (Jackson Guard) Outdoor Recreation program uses a link on iSportsman to a PUBLIC ACCESS

MAP (PAM). It is a requirement for the public to view this map before entering the reservation.

Mission/closures data comes directly from the Center for Scheduling Enterprise (CSE), Eglin’s program for

mission activity and scheduling. It is a delicate system that updates three times a day, updating morning and

afternoon missions. Giving the recreationist a real time view of Eglin. The PAM includes a 4 day

projection of closures that is also available to the public. Introduction of the Avenza App (Recreation Map),

the Outdoor Activity Committee, and production of our Rec map/Rules and Regulation Product. Group

Discussion-ideas to make better/more uniform throughout the DoD.



THURSDAY, continued

1030-1200 Session: Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)/Avian Protection Plans

Richard E. Harness1, Kirsten Christopherson2, and Robert N. Knight3

1Certified Wildlife Biologist, EDM International, Inc., Fort Collins, CO ,

[email protected] 2Certified Wildlife Biologist, Travis IST Environmental Quality Lead & West Region Natural Resources,

Lead Air Force Civil Engineer Center, [email protected] 3Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Program Manager, USAG Dugway, IMWE-DUG-PWEP,

[email protected]

Military bases rely on electric power to ensure mission readiness. Electric grids on military bases may

include transmission lines, substations and distribution power lines, which must all be well maintained

and reliable. Animal-caused outages are a persistent problem for all utilities (IEEE 2015) resulting in

significant financial impact (EPRI 2001) and disruption. Animal induced electrical outages also affect

the system by damaging and prematurely stressing equipment, thereby reducing equipment life

(IEEE 1993). Equipment contacts may burn holes in equipment, resulting in rupturing oil-filled

apparatus and fires (NRECA 1996). Reducing power line electrocutions is also a conservation priority

worldwide (Lehman et al. 2007, Rollan et al. 2010, Tintó et al. 2010) and regulatory scrutiny of avian

electrocutions has increased in recent years, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has

brought federal charges against electric utilities resulting in multi-million dollar settlements. These

companies were prosecuted for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and/or Bald and Golden Eagle

Protection Act. These lawsuits were designed to encourage utilities to proactively reduce raptor

mortalities (Capiello 2013). In addition to addressing conservation and legal liability concerns, avian-

friendly lines are more reliable because they have fewer wildlife-caused outages, thus improving overall

electric system performance.

The Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) and the USFWS developed Avian Protection

Plan (APP) Guidelines to design and document a program for reducing avian risks resulting from avian

interactions with electric facilities (APLIC and USFWS 2005). As an on-going commitment to avian

protection of state and federally listed species and all migratory birds, several military installations have

successfully developed APPs to adhere to the APLIC and USFWS Guidelines. These APPs provide a

single resource for all power line activities relating to avian protection for military management and field

personnel. APPs, also included proactive retrofitting plans through an Avian Risk Assessment (ARA),

with the goal to improve system reliability and mission readiness.

This presentation addresses avian protection issues, the regulatory context for avian protection,

regulatory compliance procedures, and various avian protection strategies, including ARAs. The

emphasis of the presentation is on military facilities with APP examples from White Sands Missile

Range, Beale Air Force Base, Travis Air Force Base, and Dugway Proving Ground.



1100-1200 Invasive Species Working Group Meeting Co-Chairs: Steven Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., [email protected] and Joel Helm, Biological Scien-

tist, USAF 611 CES/CEIE, [email protected]

During our meeting we will review the new tools and opportunities developed since the 2016 meeting in Pitts-

burgh including the weekly NMFWA Invasive Species Working Group Blog, updates on the 2017 Invasive

Species Working Group Workshop planned for December 2017 in Nashville, TN, and 2016-2017 prerecorded

webinars on invasive species issues. There will be three presentations during the working group meeting.

Wake Atoll Rodent Eradication Planning - by Joel Helm, USAF 611th Civil , Engineer Squadron

Goat Grazing as Invasive Species Control - by Katharine Seguin, NAVFAC Washington - NSA Annapolis

Innovations in Invasive Species Control Equipment - by Steven Manning. Invasive Plant Control, Inc. -

Nashville, TN

1300-1415 Session: Bat Conservation

Session Chair: Eric Britzke, US Army ERDC, [email protected]

Bats are receiving increased conservation interest in recent years due to the massive declines of multiple bat

species due to White Nose Syndrome. The population declines have the potential to increase regulatory

scrutiny on already listed species as well as prompt additional species listings. These talks provide examples of

the research currently conducted on DoD lands that provides new insight into the importance of installation

lands on bat conservation.

Military Lands Lead Bat Conservation and Research Efforts in the East

W. Mark Ford1, Alexander Silvis2, and Eric R. Britzke3

1Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (AS, WMF) 2U.S. Geological Survey – Biological Resources Division, Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research

Unit, Blacksburg, VA (WMF) 3US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS (ERB)

Military installation house large areas of high quality habitat that are often islands within an increasingly

urbanized matrix. Bat populations in North America face unprecedented challenges, from invasive diseases,

wind energy development, and landscape conversion that serves to increase restrictions on already listed

species as well as the potential listing of additional species. Addressing these challenges requires understand-

ing of individual and community level ecology and strong partnerships among researchers and land managers.

With the large land holding of the DoD, bat conservation and management is a priority stewardship concern for

installation natural resource managers. Secure study sites and the ability to host long-term research and

monitoring has meant that data generated from DoD sites have become critical components for understanding

bat natural history and response to management, e.g., forestry, prescribed burning, construction and range

sustainment. For example, long-term acoustic data collection at Fort Drum in New York determining Indiana

bat detection probabilities across provided the foundation for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acoustic

monitoring guidelines. Endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat day-roost and foraging

research have demonstrated the positive linkages between forest disturbance and successional dynamics as

determinants of bat presence and viability. Development of thermal imagery cinematography as a viable tool to

count bat colonies has improved monitoring efforts of colonial bat species. Investigations are underway to

examine the potential impacts of White nose syndrome on torpor at Naval Air Station Meridian. Continuing

and expanding research efforts on DoD can help delineate impacts of DoD training and serve to minimize

impacts to Mission while enabling bat conservation.



THURSDAY, continued

Non-Maternity Bat Use of Military Installations in the Eastern United States

Eric R. Britzke and Jacob F. Jung

US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Lab, 3909 Halls Ferry Road,

Vicksburg, MS

Military installations contains large areas of habitat that house significant populations of numerous bat

species. Due to increased conservation interests in bats, many military installations have conducted surveys

and/or research in recent years. While this information is valuable, a majority of this effort has focused on

the summer maternity season. Therefore, we examined the importance of Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Belvoir,

VA to bat activity and species presence during the non-maternity season. At both locations we deployed

permanent stations utilizing Anabat II bat detectors attached to a battery and solar panel. Each detector was

placed in a weather proof box with a 90 degree PVC tube pointed up at 45 degrees. A total of 6 detectors

were deployed for this project (2 at Fort Bragg and 4 at Fort Belvoir). Equipment was checked every 10-16

days to replace CF cards and check on status of the equipment. Once returned to the lab, the data was

downloaded to a computer and analyzed using EchoClass automated analysis software. We will examine the

species richness and bat activity (both general and species-specific) during the reporting period. This effort

will provide data on the importance of these installations for bats during the non-maternity season.

Indirect Impacts of Exotic Annual Plants on Bats at Idaho Army National Guard’s,

Orchard Combat Training Center

Kevin Warner, Idaho Army National Guard, Environmental Management Office, Boise, Idaho

[email protected]

The Idaho Army National Guard’s (IDARNG) Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) is one of the

largest National Guard training facilities in the Unites States (143,000 acres). The lands within and

encircling the OCTC are characterized by salt-desert shrub, sage/grass steppe, and exotic annuals and are

owned by the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). The OCTC also falls

entirely within the 485,000 acre Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

(NCA): established in 1993 and home to one of the highest concentrations of nesting raptor species in the

United States. Even with this designation, the NCA has undergone considerable habitat conversion to non-

native, exotic annual plant species while maintaining remnant patches of intact wildlife habitat (particularly

inside the OCTC). The area still supports many species of raptors, songbirds, reptiles, and bats.

The IDARNG’s bat inventory and monitoring program was initiated in 2010 with a formal plan in place by

2012. Initial surveys and acoustic monitoring indicated the presence of several bat species and widespread

bat activity: highest at a few caves, playas and cliffs/talus. Permanent acoustic monitoring sites were

established at one playa and two caves, one of which has since filled with the exotic annual tumbleweed

(Salsola tragus) and experienced a parallel decline in bat acoustic recordings. As the IDARNG moves

beyond bat species presence/absence and general distribution, of primary concern are impacts of exotic

annual plants on caves, bat foraging habitat, and insect abundance/diversity. This presentation will include

an overview of the IDARNG bat program, discuss impacts of exotic annual plants, and current/future related

projects.



1300-1415 Pollinators Working Group Meeting

Co-Chairs: Dr. Douglas Burkett, OSD Armed Forces Pest Management Board, DC, doug-

[email protected] and Tammy Conkle, Navy HQ, [email protected]

Introductions and vote / nominations for a new Co-Chair to replace Tammy Conkle whose two-year term

has expired. This will be followed by a brief DoD update on known pollinator policy and upcoming issues.

Dr. Savignano from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will discuss current pollinator best management

practices and preview her half day training session on Friday, 10 March from 0800-1130. John Kurpovage

from Tinker AFB in OK will then provide an overview of the challenges of establishing an installation level

pollinator program. The session concludes with a members items of interest discussion that could include

Rusty Patch Bumble Bee surveys and permitting for affected installation. Dr. Richard Lance from U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center’s Environmental Lab will highlight

Army Corps pollinator research efforts on a poster.

Member sign-in, DoD Pollinator Overview / Introductions (~15 Mins) - Dr. Doug Burkett and

Tammy Conkle

Pollinator Best Management Practices from USFWS (~20 mins) - Dr. Dolores Savignano

Installation Prairie / Pollinator Restoration Project Tips for Success (~25 Mins) – Mr. John

Krupovage

PWG Items of Interest for 2017 - All

Policy needs

Rusty Patch Bumble Bee Permits and Sampling



THURSDAY, continued

1430-1630 BASH Working Group Meeting

Co-Chairs: Jason Gibbons, AFCEC/Travis IST, [email protected] and Thomas Olexa, WPNSTA

Yorktown and NS Norfolk, [email protected]

We will have guest speakers discussing NEPA responsibilities as it relates to BASH programs in the Air

Force and Navy, highlighting successful approaches, lessons learned and what we hope to accomplish in the

near future, followed by a Q&A session.

1430-1530 Herpetology Working Group Meeting

Co-Chairs: Michael Ravesi, Michigan Army National Guard, [email protected]; Valerie

Arkell, Kansas Army National Guard, [email protected]; and Shane Kampeter, Missouri Army

National Guard, [email protected]

This meeting will have 4 ten-minute presentations given from various military installations on herpetology

topics. We will also set aside time to briefly go over our goals, direction and discuss anything that is

relevant to the working group.

1630-1745 2017/2018 Board of

Directors Meeting

The first BOD meeting with your new

directors. All members are welcome to

attend the meeting and help your BOD

with their upcoming directorship.

If you are interested in serving

on the Board of Directors or as

a Committee Chair (see page

36 for a list of committees),

please let one of the Board

members know. We would love

to have you on our team!



FRIDAY, MARCH 10

DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

0730-1130 Pollinator Conservation Workshop: The Birds, Bees, and Butterflies and

How to Help Them

Organizer and Instructor: Dr. Dolores Savignano - HQ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Falls Church, VA

Moderators: Drs. Matt Kramm and Douglas Burkett

Pollinators are critical to natural ecosystems and agriculture. There have been notable declines in

pollinators (e.g., monarch butterflies and honeybees) in recent years. This course is designed to provide

information that can be used by (1) Natural Resource Managers to incorporate pollinator conservation

into integrated natural resource management plans and meet regulatory requirements; and (2) Integrated

Pest Management Coordinators to reduce the impact of pest management on pollinators. The course is

based on cooperative work between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Air Force Civil

Engineer Center.

Topics that will be covered include: the importance of pollinators, relevant laws, basic habitat

requirements for pollinators, modification of land management practices (e.g., mowing, forest

management, agricultural activities, prescribed fires, invasive species control, golf course management,

and construction/development projects) to conserve pollinators, non-chemical alternatives to manage

pests, methods to minimize pesticide toxicity to pollinators and methods to reduce pollinator exposure

to pesticides.



THANK YOU!!! No meeting can be a success without the efforts of special people who give of their time and

talents to putting the meeting together. The NMFWA BOD and its members would like to thank:

President Elizabeth Neipert

Past President Coralie Cobb

2015 Show & Tell, Posters Nicole Olmsted

2015 Silent Auction Kirsten Christopherson

2015 Photo Contest Bob Schallmann

Session and Meeting Moderators

Matt Kramm Kurt T. Preston Kevin Porteck

Jay Rubinoff Tamara Conkle Valerie Vartanian

Michelle Cox Pam Sponholtz Chris Peterson

Richard Harness Kirsten Christoperson Robert Knight

Eric Britzke

Working Group Moderators

Robert Lovich David McNaughton Elizabeth Neipert

Seth Berry Shane Kampeter Mark Sledge

Richard Fischer Janet Johnson Charles Baun

Chris Johansen Shawn Stratton Douglas Burkett

Tamara Conkle Jason Gibbons Thomas Olexa

Valerie Arkell Michael Ravesi

Program Layout and Design Laura Busch

Local Host Charles Baun

Sponsors:

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc

Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands

HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction, Inc

iSportsman

Tetra Tech

Marstel-Day

Cardno GS, Inc.


NATIONAL MILITARY FISH AND WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

The National Military Fish and Wildlife Association (NMFWA) was officially chartered in 1983 by a small group of

dedicated DoD resource management professionals. These individuals recognized the critical need for enhanced aware-

ness of natural resource conservation requirements in order to provide for both long term sustainability of resource

diversity and the successful accomplishment of the military training mission on public lands administered by DoD.

NMFWA, which can trace its roots of organized involvement back to 1977, is a non-profit organization consisting of

professional resource managers working to protect and manage wildlife and other natural resources on DoD lands.

Through publication of a quarterly Newsletter and successful accomplishment of an annual Training Workshop, members

and supporters remain actively involved and engaged in issues of national and local importance to the objectives of the

association. Currently, membership includes wildlife and fisheries biologists, botanists, ecologists, range conservationists,

foresters, cultural resource managers, and wildlife/cultural law enforcement agents. Members may work for the DoD or

other federal, state or local agencies, universities, conservation organizations, or private businesses which are directly in-

volved in conservation and management of natural resources on military lands. Because of the individual and collective

dedication of the membership, NMFWA has earned national and international recognition from within DoD, the Congres-

sional leadership, State Resource Management Agencies, Professional Resource Management and private Non-

governmental Conservation Organizations. For more information, please visit the website at http://nmfwa.net

2016-2017 NMFWA Board of Directors:

President: Elizabeth Neipert

Past President: Coralie Cobb, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, CA

Secretary: Nicole Olmsted, NAVFAC Marianas

Treasurer: Lauren Wilson, Environmental Management, Directorate, Travis Installation Support Team, Travis AFB, CA

Director At-Large: Janet Johnson, Arizona Army National Guard, Phoenix, AZ

Director At-Large: Rick Lance

Director East: Greg Fleming, Fort Belvoir, VA

Director East: Ian Trefry, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Region, Kittery ME

Director Central: Michele Richards, Fort Custer Training Center, MI

Director Central: Shawn Stratton, Fort Riley, KS

Director West: Charles Baun, Idaho Army National Guard

Director West: Jason Gibbons, AFCEC Environmental Management, Directorate, Travis Installation Support Team, CA

FAWN Editor: Laura Busch - US Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, VA ,

NMFWA Committee Chairs:

Electronic Archives: Ian Trefry, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Region, Kittery ME

Awards: Janet Johnson, Arizona National Guard, Phoenix, AZ

Government Affairs: Junior Kerns

Membership: Todd Wills, Naval Support Activity Monterey, Monterey, CA

Nominations: Coralie Cobb, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, CA

WMI Coordination: David McNaughton, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

Hall of Fame: Junior Kerns

Certification: Dan Savercool, EA Engineering, Hunt Valley, MD

Financial Review: Trish Cutler, White Sands Missile Range, NM

Scholarship: Coralie Cobb, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, CA

Training: Jason Gibbons, USAF Environmental Center of Excellence, Travis AFB, CA

NOTE: Titles and affiliations are for informational purposes only and do not present the individuals

as spokespersons of the Department of Defense or agency/installation listed.

http://nmfwa.org/

NMFWA BINGO Rules: Find a person who can sign their name in one box. EACH PERSON MAY SIGN ONLY ONE BOX. You cannot sign your own

form (except at the top where it says “NAME”)! The person with the most filled boxes wins a prize! Ties resolved by random drawing.

Find a NMFWA meeting attendee who… THEN, start a conversation with them!

THIS IS THEIR

FIRST TIME IN

WASHINGTON

STATE

IS PRESENTING

A PAPER AT

NMFWA IN 2017

HAS MORE

THAN 300 BIRD

SPECIES ON

THEIR LIFE LIST

DOES NOT LIKE

SUSHI

IS ON THE

NMFWA BOARD

OF DIRECTORS

IS CURRENTLY

A MILITARY

RESERVIST

GRADUATED

FROM COL-

LEGE IN LAST

THREE YEARS

(APRIL 2014 or

LATER)

HAS A PET BIRD

(or more than one)

HAS BAGGED A

3x3 (or larger)

DEER

KNOWS WHAT

“Pd” IS

IS A CERTIFIED

WILDLIFE

BIOLOGIST/

ECOLOGIST/

FORESTER/

RANGE MGR

SERVED AS A

HIGH SCHOOL

OR COLLEGE

STUDENT

OFFICER

DECLARES

“STRANGER

THINGS” AS

THEIR FAVOR-

ITE TV SHOW

IS A FIRST TIME

NMFWA

ATTENDEE

HAS WRITTEN

AN INRMP OR

ICRMP

ATTENDS

REGULAR

BASH MEET-

INGS

HAS CROSSED

AN OCEAN ON

A SHIP (Any type

of ship)

SERVED IN THE

U.S MARINE

CORPS

ALSO

MANAGES

CULTURAL

RESOURCES ON

AN INSTALL-

ATION

HAS BEEN TO

40 OR MORE

STATES

IS AN ONLY

CHILD

HAS LIVED

OVERSEAS

HAS SEEN FOUR

OR MORE

2016/17 “BEST

PICTURE” NOM-

INEES

CAN EXPLAIN

THE DIFFER-

ENCE BE-

TWEEN ESA

sections 4(a)(3)

and 4(b)(2)

IS MARRIED TO

SOMEONE

THEY MET IN

HIGH SCHOOL

DOES NOT OWN

A

SMARTPHONE

HAS BEEN TO

TEN OR MORE

NMFWA MEET-

INGS

HAS SEEN

EVERY STAR

WARS MOVIE

CAN SAY

“THANK YOU” IN

FOUR OR MORE

LANGUAGES

IS AN ACTIVE

MEMBER OF

ANY NMFWA

WORKING

GROUP

NAME:

MONDAY

Endangered Species Act Training …...……………………...…………….……….…………………...Birch

Session: Pest Management ……………………………………………….…….………...…Meeting Room 1

Session: SERDP/ESTCP ………………………………………………...…………………Meeting Room 1

The Wildlife Society-Military Lands Working Group Meeting ………....……..……….....Meeting Room 1

2016 / 2017 Board of Directors Meeting .…...………...………………...…….….....……Meeting Room 11

TUESDAY

NMFWA Welcome and DOD Policy Update ……..…………………….…...………………….....….Birch

Annual Members’ Meeting ……………...…………………………………..……..………….…..…...Birch

DoD Service Breakout Sessions Air Force ……………………………...…….….…...………………Birch

Army National Guard………………………….Meeting Room 3

Navy……………………………………..…….Birch

Marine Corps………………………………….Meeting Room 7

Army………………………………………….Meeting Room 2

Air Force ……………………………………..Maple

WEDNESDAY

Newcomers Breakfast……………………………………………….……………………...Meeting Room 5

WMI Plenary and Special Sessions ……...................................................................Grand Ballroom A & B

Special Sessions are located in Grand Ballroom A, Maple, Birch and Grand Ballroom B

Session: Rare Plants ……………….………..........…………….……………...………………......…..Maple

Bat Working Group Meeting.......………………..…………………..………….………………….…..Birch

Bird Conservation Working Group Meeting…….……………………………………………………...Birch

Session: Collaborative Conservation …………………………………………………..….…...…..….Maple

Conservation Law Enforcement Working Group Meeting……....…....……………………….….……Birch

THURSDAY

DoD Partner’s in Flight Meeting …………………………….....…….…….….…….…………..…….Birch

Climate Change Working Group Meeting ……………………………………...………………….....Maple

DoD Partner’s in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting …………..………………….…..….Birch

Fish and Wildlife Recreation Working Group Meeting.……………………….……………………...Maple

Session: Migratory Bird Treaty Act / Avian Protection Plans ………………..…………………...…..Birch

Invasive Species Working Group Meeting ............……….………………….………………………..Maple

Session: Bat Conservation ...........................................................................................................……...Birch

Pollinators Working Group Meeting ……………………………………………….…………...……..Maple

BASH Working Group Meeting ……………………..………………………………...…………..…...Birch

Herpetology Working Group Meeting ……….………….....………………………………....……….Maple

2017 / 2018 Board of Directors Meeting …………...……………......................………..Meeting Room 12

Show and Tell……………………………………………………………….……………..Grand Ballroom C

FRIDAY

Pollinator Training Workshop …………………..………………………………..………...Meeting Room 4

6-10 March 2017 Spokane, Washington - NMFWA€¦ · 2017 National Military Fish & Wildlife...

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Transcript of 6-10 March 2017 Spokane, Washington - NMFWA€¦ · 2017 National Military Fish & Wildlife...