The Employee e-Newsletter of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  March 2011

Serves Them Right! Shining Stars Employee Milestones MyFWC.com

Editor's Note: This issue of the Inside Job is available by e-mail only. We are doing a bit of
"remodeling" and are not accessible online in the interim. We hope you will excuse any inconvenience as
we update our Web presence. Thank you.

In this issue...

At-Risk Vessel Program

New initiative aims to cut down number of derelict vessels... [more]

Volunteer newsletter published

The Winter 2010-11 issue of "FWC Volunteer News" is now online... [more]

FWC, Boy Scouts plant native trees on Okeechobee spoil island

Once mature, the trees will provide habitat for native wildlife... [more]

State conservation programs and the federal budget

Proposed funding reductions could affect several state programs... [more]

FWC shines again at the Florida State Fair

Volunteers, staff, good weather add up to success... [more]
 
The Inside Job is published by the Community Relations Office, Employee Awareness Section.
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At-Risk Vessel Program

The Division of Law Enforcement has rolled out its new At-Risk Vessel Program. This program
incorporates community policing efforts into an initiative to reduce derelict vessels.

"By communicating with a vessel owner before their

vessel becomes derelict, we may reduce the number
of derelict vessels on Florida waters," said Phil
Horning of the Boating and Waterways Section.

If officers encounter a vessel that meets any of a

number of conditions known to precede a derelict
condition, the officer will record the information into
the Statewide At-Risk and Derelict Vessel Database
and then tag the vessel. (see sample below) A letter
is then mailed to the owner, explaining the concern
and requesting corrective action.

Photos and descriptions of these vessels will be

mapped and posted online at MyFWC.com/Boating.
The Division of Law Enforcement hopes to clean up at-risk
vessels like this one in Miami, before they become derelict
vessels.
(FWC photo by Manuel Padilla)

"In these economic times, funding for removal of derelict vessels is really
hard to come by," Horning said. "However, these vessels continue to pose a
threat to public safety and our state's delicate environment."
This work is critical to our resource-protection efforts and requires teamwork
and investigative skills. We are very thankful to those officers who have
already given so much to this program. They have made FWC a national
leader in our ability to deal with derelict vessels.

The At-Risk Program is also being used by 15 sheriff's offices and 14 police
departments in Florida.

Volunteer newsletter published

Check out the Winter 2010-2011 issue of "FWC Volunteer News,"

the official electronic newsletter of the FWC Volunteer Program.

Jessica Ireland, Volunteer Coordinator in the Office of

Recreation Services, oversaw development of the newsletter to
showcase all the great things volunteers do for the FWC and to
educate FWC staff and the public about the variety of volunteer
opportunities available.

Wendy Dial (Community Relations) edits the newsletter, and

Marrell Cooper and Ann Marie Tavares created the graphic
design.

"FWC Volunteer News" is published quarterly; contact Jessica

Ireland to submit material for publication in the newsletter.

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FWC, Boy Scouts plant native trees on Okeechobee spoil island

FWC staff teamed up with a troop of Boy Scouts from Palm Beach
County last month to plant dozens of native trees on a spoil island
on Lake Okeechobee. (See related news release.)

Together, they dug holes and planted more than 80 young trees,
including red maple and bald cypress, on Buckhead Ridge Island,
one of six spoil islands built from muck scraped from Lake
Okeechobee's bottom. Over the past decade, FWC biologist and
Lake Okeechobee ecology expert Don Fox (HSC) and his team
have constructed and planted the islands, which have become home
to native wildlife, including bobcat, quail, turkey and turtles. Boy Scouts help plant native trees on a
Lake Okeechobee spoil island.
(FWC photo)

"The Scouts were a great help; we were able to plant a large number of trees in a short time," Fox said.
"But what really made the day special was the opportunity to show these city and suburban kids this great
lake and the diverse fish and wildlife resources that call this area home."

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The federal budget and FWC programs

By Brian Branciforte, Habitat & Species Conservation

By now you may have seen the news about the ongoing budgetary discussion of our federal government.
Here is a short summary of what is happening and how it could affect the FWC.
The FY 2011 (October 2010 - September 2011) federal government budget is currently being supported by
a funding measure called a "continuing resolution" (CR), which ran out on March 3 but has been extended
through March 17. On Feb. 21, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 as part of the bill to keep
the federal government running through the rest of FY 2011. The issue is now in the Senate for
consideration. Once both houses agree on a bill, the president must then approve and sign it into law. If
no compromise can be found by March 17, another CR must be enacted for a period of time or the federal
government will shut down.

The approved House proposal cuts nearly $2 billion from natural resource programs nationwide. Coming so
late in the fiscal year, reductions of this magnitude could have considerable consequences for many federal
agencies - including NOAA, the Dept. of Education, National Science Foundation, National Institute of
Health, Dept. of Agriculture and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - since these cuts would amount to significant
annual reductions, all coming in the last 3-4 months of the fiscal year.

Here in Florida, the proposed cuts would have direct effects on the FWC. Both State Wildlife Grants
(SWG) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) were zeroed out in the House's
proposed budget. The SWG program is a critical funding source for the FWC and our partners to prevent
future species imperilment and to implement voluntary conservation actions on state and private lands.
NAWCA has been used by state agencies and partners to both restore and conserve more wetlands,
riparian areas and upland habitats.

In addition to the elimination of these two critical conservation programs, the significant cuts to Farm Bill
Conservation Programs, the reduction of funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Forest
Legacy, the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, and the elimination of federal funding for
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will have dramatic effects on the ability of state fish and wildlife
agencies to manage and conserve natural resources.

The FWC is working with our partners and stakeholders through efforts like Teaming with Wildlife to
ensure these important fish and wildlife programs are given due consideration during this difficult fiscal
time. In lieu of elimination, we are seeking proportional cuts to conservation programs so that we can do
our part to recover the economy and maintain our valuable fish and wildlife resources.

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FWC shines again at the Florida State Fair

By Gary Morse

This year's Florida State Fair set a new record for attendance, and those who worked at the FWC's exhibit
can attest to the fact. The marine habitat trailer, located at the main entrance to the FWC exhibit, greeted
patrons with messages on the importance of seagrass, salt marsh and mangroves to our saltwater
fisheries.

Inside the FWC exhibit at the Red Barn, visitors were treated
to close-up views of a live bear and panther, accompanied by
information on the plight of these listed species in video and
text formats.

Also featured were a variety of live fish and plants - both

native and nonnative. Static displays included shorebird and
sea turtle exhibits and a touch display with animal skulls and
skins. The law enforcement display featured a big-screen
video about the various jobs our officers do, plus another
video on one of our patrol vessels and the proper use of life
jackets.
The FWC exhibit is always a big hit with kids.
(FWC photo)

Deer tracks painted on the floor created a path for those who took the FWC Wildlife Challenge Quiz.
Participants picked up a questionnaire containing the correct answers to six questions. Those who
answered all questions correctly received a goody bag that included a free copy of Florida Wildlife
Magazine and other items. Approximately 2,000 people took the Wildlife Challenge this year - by far the
most participants ever.
Thanks much to the volunteers, staff and the weatherman who helped make our exhibit an unqualified
success.

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Serves them right

Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through
the "Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com:

Officer Harold Barry - "...If it was not for his diligent efforts, the safety of the public...would have been
at great risk."

Kenneth Duke (HSC) - "...he pulled the hog about 800 yds. and we loaded it up in my truck...He went
back into the woods and retrieved my tree stand for me...found a young hunter who had just finished
skinning his hog, who offered to skin mine as well..."

Officer Troy Starling - "Just want to say thanks to Troy and all officers who help with the Hunter Safety
program. Everybody enjoys Troy when he helps with the class. Good work and Thanks."

Lt. Pam Steelman - "...did a great job of finding me and helping retrieve my stuck Mountaineer from a
swamp...Despite it being late and night, she was courteous and very nice to deal with..."

Investigator William Stiffler - "...very professional, knowledgeable and all of my questions were
answered either in person or by phone...was looking out for the best interest of the state and myself."

Mike Therrien (HGM) - "...my truck's battery died and he made sure the FWC officers knew I would be
back on Sunday to change it and needed access...He represents the FWC very well."

Cindy Whittington (L&P) - "...took the time to look at my husband's history of license purchases and
made a command decision to [re]issue his license...The angelic webmaster {LeeAnn Feiertag (OIT)}
had forwarded my poorly directed e-mail to the right person..."

Mallory Wilkins (HSC) - "...As we drove around the Carter Tract (Econfina WMA), I found her to be very
informative and knowledgeable as she answered my questions. This impressed me very much.."

Officer (??) - "...kindly spent time with our Boy Scout Den group recently, explaining his job and
answering the boys' questions. He did a fantastic job and the boys learned quite a bit..."

Unidentified - "I was out doing some wildlife photos by the Fisherman's Wharf in Ft Pierce when I
observed and captured by camera one of your FWC officials stop what he was doing and help a young
man out with his questions. I then watched him teach this lad how to tie a knot into his fishing line..."

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Shining stars

Among the orders of business at the February Commission meeting

in Apalachicola was the annual presentation of the Louise Ireland
Humphrey Achievement Award, the highest internal honor for
FWC employees. The 2010 recipient was Tim Breault, director of
the Division of Habitat & Species Conservation.

The Wildlife Foundation of Florida presents the award annually for

outstanding contributions to the protection and preservation of
Florida's fish and wildlife resources. The award includes a $1,000
check and a life-size, bronze sculpture of a bobwhite quail.

Mrs. Humphrey, the award's namesake, served 15 years on the

former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and earned
recognition as one of the most influential figures in the history of
fish and wildlife conservation in Florida.

See the news release for more about the presentation.

Tim Breault speaks to Commissioners after
receiving the 2010 Louise Ireland
 Humphrey Achievement Award.
(FWC photo)

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Milestones

Congratulations to the following employees, who reach 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC in
March. Numbers in parentheses indicate total state service, if different.

25 Years
Darrel Andrews - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt.
David Cook - Habitat & Species Conservation
James Feiertag - Hunting & Game Mgt.
Jeffery Gore - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Jeanne Hoyt - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
William Sargent - Law Enforcement

20 Years
Catherine Billick - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Linda Nousiainen - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Michael Tringali - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

15 Years
Dwight Myers - Habitat & Species Conservation
J. Daniel Sullivan Jr. - Habitat & Species Conservation

10 Years
Greg Falstrom - Habitat & Species Conservation
Venus Bemis-Mikolajek - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt.
Brian Scheick - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Zandra Wostel - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

5 Years
Anthony Digirolamo - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Mary Dowdell - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Kathleen Dragon - Habitat & Species Conservation
Christina Hannon - Habitat & Species Conservation
Robert Hardy - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Sherri Hobbs - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Dexter Simmons - Executive Director's Office (5 years, 11 months)
Cheryl Steward - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Jeffrey Wilcox - Habitat & Species Conservation

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