Wendy Stanton has been selected as the new Refuge Manager for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in eastern North Carolina. Pocosin Lakes NWR is one of the nine National Wildlife Refuges in the North Carolina Coastal NWRs Complex. Wendy will begin her new position on March 27, 2023.
Wendy holds a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology at Frostburg State University and master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from North Carolina State University. She began her federal career in 1991 as a graduate coop student with the Bureau of Land Management in Roseburg, Oregon. She has been with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1994. She has previously served as the refuge biologist for Pea Island NWR, Pocosin Lakes NWR, the Mattamuskeet NWR Complex, and a wildlife biologist with the Inventory and Monitoring branch.
For almost 30 years, Wendy has been married to the “love of her life” and best friend, John Stanton, who recently retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program. They have two grown sons and two very spoiled Irish Wolfhounds. “My husband and I have been living in Columbia, NC since 1994. This is our home and we love it here. Both our sons were born here and attended the public schools in Tyrrell County.”
“I am so excited to be a part of the amazing team at Pocosin Lakes NWR. There are many challenges and opportunities at the refuge that I am eager to work on. These include peatland restoration, waterfowl management, cooperative farming, fire program, red wolf recovery, visitor services, environmental education and many others. I am looking forward to collaborating with the local communities and other partners to meet the refuge mission and advance conservation for the continuing benefit of the American people.”
