Midwest Regional Director to Present $25,000 Award to HAPET in Fergus Falls
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius will present a $25,000 check as part of the Rachel Carson Group Award for Scientific Excellence to the Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), a division of the Services Migratory Birds Program, in Fergus Falls on February 12. The award will further research on migratory bird and waterfowl populations in the upper Midwest.
Media are invited to attend the presentation by Regional Director Tom Melius to HAPET staff from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. The award will be presented at the Fergus Falls HAPET office, located at 18965 County Hwy. 82 South on February 12.
"I am honored to present this well-deserved award to our HAPET team in Fergus Falls," Melius said. "Their on-the-ground migratory bird and waterfowl surveying allows us to make conservation decisions that maximize benefits to species and habitat in peril."
HAPET, a division of the Services Migratory Birds Program, coordinates the agencys annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Production Survey, a comprehensive report on the state of ducks, geese and swans in the Prairie Pothole Region. The team also coordinates surveys for a wide range of migratory birds. In addition to the Fergus Falls office, HAPET also has a station in Bismarck, North Dakota. The Service will also present the North Dakota station with an additional $25,000.
Stretching through Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Montana, and large portions of central Canada, this region was once a haven for waterfowl and migratory birds. Due to agricultural development, it is now one of the most threatened waterfowl habitats in the world.
"HAPETs work is critical to informing the Services migratory bird and waterfowl management objectives," said John Christian, Assistant Regional Director for the Migratory Birds Program.
The team uses biological models and GIS technology to analyze migratory bird populations in the U.S. portion of the Prairie Pothole Region. Since 2000, HAPET has joined forces with multiple conservation partners including state agencies and NGOs to assist in biological data collection and analysis for a broad range of migratory bird species in the tall grass prairie region of the upper Midwest.
Members of the Fergus Falls HAPET office to be recognized during the award presentation include Rex Johnson, Diane Granfors, Dan Hertel, Dawn Johnson, Fred Oslund and Tony Rondeau.
"Its an honor to lead this team," said Rex Johnson, Fergus Falls HAPET Team Leader. "Our office utilizes strategic components - science and partnerships - to achieve our habitat conservation mission and bring greater efficiency to Fish and Wildlife Service programs."
The Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence recognizes Service employees who exemplify the best in scientific contribution and application to achieve extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation. This is the first year the award has been presented. "HAPET demonstrates how Rachel Carsons dedication and work ethic live on throughout this agency." Melius said. Carson began her career with the Service as an aquatic biologist, and later became the Services Editor in Chief of Publications. Both author and ecologist, she published numerous books on marine life and the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
