Coastal Program 2014 Annual Accomplishment Report

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Message from the Refuge ChiefMessage from the Refuge Chief

Background photograph: Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge: John Martin (USFWS)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has the responsibility to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife,

and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The environmental legacy that we

pass on to future generations largely depends on our ability to protect and restore habitat on which plants and

animals depend for their survival.

Coastal habitats support 40% of the Service’s National Wildlife Refuges and are vital to fish and wildlife because

40% of our federally listed species, 25% of our wetlands, and over 30% of North American wintering waterfowl

occur in our nation’s coastal areas. Coastal wetlands also provide important spawning grounds and nurseries for

commercial and sport fish.

The Coastal Program is the Service’s primary conservation tool for voluntary, citizen and community-based fish

and wildlife habitat conservation on both public and privately-owned coastal lands. Coastal counties make up

only 10% of the lower 48 states but are home to more than half of the population and are among the most rapidly

developing areas. These stressors present a significant challenge to habitat conservation and require innovative

approaches to conservation such as those provided by the Coastal Program.

Coastal Program staff provide technical and financial assistance to land managers and a diversity of

conservation partners for the restoration and protection of coastal habitats throughout the nation and U.S.

territories. With staff located in 24 priority areas along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, and in the Great

Lakes and the Caribbean, the Coastal Program provides valuable technical expertise and delivers vital habitat

restoration projects to help the Service achieve its conservation mission.

This annual report showcases examples of the Service's accomplishments working with our conservation partners,

including other federal, tribal, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, corporations and

private landowners. Through the Coastal Program, the Service has restored approximately 517,670 acres of

wetland and upland habitat, more than 2,220 miles of stream habitat, and helped permanently protect over

2,079,655 acres. We will continue to build a strong legacy of wildlife stewardship through strategic habitat

conservation and effective partnerships.

Jim Kurth

Chief

National Wildlife

Refuge System

Our approach is straightforward: engage willing partners and landowners, and provide technical

and financial assistance to conserve fish and wildlife resources in priority coastal landscapes.

Where We Work...Where We Work...The Service maintains Coastal Program offices in 24 priority coastal areas.

What We Did…What We Did… In 2014, working with nearly 600 partners, the Coastal Program protected or improved more than 22,070 acres of wetlands, 12,640 acres of upland and 45 miles of stream habitat, with 280 projects benefiting threatened and endangered species.

In 2014, the

Service leveraged

$22 for every

Coastal Program

project dollar.

Region 1: Pacific Northwest and Pacific IslandsRegion 1: Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands

2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected):

29 Projects 265 Upland acres 186 Wetland acres 3 Stream miles 7 Fish barriers removed

Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $222,155 Project Partners: $2,645,850

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations

Points may represent multiple accomplishments

Background photograph: Spit Island: David Patte (USFWS) Inset photographs (clockwise from left to right): Sustainability in Prisons Project: Benjamin Drummond; Golden paintbrush: Chris Swenson (USFWS)

Washington

Oregon

Hawaii

Prairie Golden Paintbrush RestorationPrairie Golden Paintbrush Restoration

Island County, WashingtonIsland County, Washington

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $17,770 Partner contribution: $8,873 Total project cost: $26,643 Partners: Pacific Rim Institute Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program University of Washington Landscape Conservation Cooperative: North Pacific Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Endangered Species Program National Wildlife Refuge System Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

The Coastal Program and the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program are collaborating to restore coastal prairie habitat that benefits the threatened Golden paintbrush, adjacent to Puget Sound, in Washington. Because this habitat type is rare, conservation efforts aim to conserve large areas necessary to maintain this unique coastal ecosystem. This project complements a larger prairie conservation effort funded by the Service’s Cooperative Recovery Initiative. This project provided prairie habitat for Golden paintbrush recovery by converting abandoned agricultural fields back to prairie habitat. Coastal Program staff conducted project planning, prepared restoration designs and oversaw the project implementation. While project monitoring by the Coastal Program has determined

the Golden paintbrush population is expanding on the site, continued control of invasive will be necessary to maintain this success.

This habitat restoration project used seeds propagated by the South Puget Sound Conservation Nursery Program,

which employs military veterans and provides vocational training for prison inmates through the Sustainability in

Prisons Project.

Sustainability in Prisons Project provides a constructive and

collaborative program that enables incarcerated men and women

to make a lasting contribution to habitat conservation.

Region 2: The SouthwestRegion 2: The Southwest

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations 2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplishments (Restored/Protected): 15 Projects 5,299 Upland acres 2,155 Wetland acres Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $286,890 Project Partners: $3,187,105

Points may represent more than one accomplishment.

Background photograph: Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Tom Carlisle Inset photographs (left to right): Before and after brush control: Beau Hardegree (USFWS); Aplomado falcons: Steve Sinclair

Texas

Aplomado Falcon RecoveryAplomado Falcon Recovery

Cameron County, TexasCameron County, Texas

Coastal Program staff are working with land managers to improve habitat for the Northern aplomado falcon, the last falcon species currently on the endangered species list in the United States. The falcon was federally listed as endangered in 1986, due to population declines attributed primarily to habitat loss. In 1986, the Peregrine Fund began releasing falcons at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), in Texas. In 1995 their efforts resulted in the first observations of wild breeding falcons in the U. S. since 1952. Falcons were also released in New Mexico; however, they were unsuccessful. Currently there are 29 breeding pairs in Texas, and 60 breeding pairs are required for downlisting of the falcon. Recent monitoring on the Refuge by the Peregrine Fund found brush habitat expanding into established nesting territories. This habitat conversion can impact the falcon’s recovery because they prefer open grasslands and brush habitat also provides cover for Great Horned Owls and other predators, which are known to kill falcons. In partnership with the Refuge and Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Coastal Program staff designed and implemented a 1,000-acre restoration of grassland habitat. The site has one known nesting pair of falcons and the brush work was necessary to prevent the loss of this habitat.

The goal of this project is to restore a minimum of 1,000 acres of habitat for Aplomado falcons. This project is located in the Laguna Madre focus area of the Coastal Program’s Strategic Plan. The goals for the focus area are to restore/enhance 1,500 acres of uplands and to increase the number nesting falcons by two pairs. This project increases recreational birding and tourism, which benefits the local economy.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $50,000 Total project cost: $ 50,000 Partners: The Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife

Refuge Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge The Peregrine Fund Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Gulf Coast Prairie Service Cross-Program Collaboration:

Endangered Species Program

National Wildlife Refuge System

Aplomado falcons will work

in a group to hunt their prey.

CONSERVATION COLLABORATION

The Coastal Program, Partners for Fish and

Wildlife Program and the Laguna Atascosa

National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) staff are

working together to improve Aplomado falcon

habitat on and adjacent to the Refuge. The

Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife

Refuge are providing project oversight and

contract administration. The Peregrine Fund is

conducting annual monitoring of falcon nesting

on the project sites. Refuge staff are also

conducting habitat maintenance.

Region 3: The MidwestRegion 3: The Midwest

2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected): 5 Projects 369 Upland acres 28 Wetland acres Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $389,400 Project Partners: $2,369,575

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments

Background photograph: Seney National Wildlife Refuge: Jennifer McDonough (USFWS) Inset photographs (from top to bottom): Bete Grise Preserve: Nathan Miller (Keweenaw Land Trust)

Wisconsin

Michigan

Ohio

Michigan

Indiana

Bete Grise Preserve Community Stewardship and Habitat RestorationBete Grise Preserve Community Stewardship and Habitat Restoration

Newago County, MichiganNewago County, Michigan

Whenever possible, Coastal Program staff engage communities in our conservation efforts. In 2004, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked with partners to protect the Bete Grise Preserve (Preserve) with funding from the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The 1,500-acre Preserve consists of conifer forests, forested, scrub-shrub and emergent wetlands, and lakeshore dunes adjacent to Lake Superior. The Preserve is open to the public for recreation and hunting, which provides social and economic benefits to the local economy. In 2014, Coastal Program staff played an instrumental role in a 10-acre upland habitat restoration, 800-acre botanical assessment and nature trail installation. The goal of the trail is to inform visitors about the importance of coastal ecosystems and foster a connection to

the Preserve.

The Preserve’s wetlands and uplands provide prime nesting and foraging habitat for numerous wetland and migratory bird species including the American bittern, Sandhill crane, Connecticut warbler, Common loon and Bald eagle. Coaster brook trout, an anadramous form of brook trout, are known to utilize these shallow

coastal waters. Four state-listed rare plants are also found in this area.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $24,990 Partner contribution: $6,500 Total project cost: $31,490 Partners: Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District Keweenaw Land Trust Michigan Department of Environmental

Quality The Nature Conservancy Landscape Conservation Cooperative: Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Coastal Program and

Wildlife and Sport Fish

Restoration Program

staff administer the

National Coastal

Wetlands Conservation

Grant Program. This

competitive funding opportunity provides

funding for the conservation of coastal

wetland to states and territories.

Region 4: The SoutheastRegion 4: The Southeast

2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected): 78 Projects 2,582 Upland acres 835 Wetland acres 5 Stream miles Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $969,435 Project Partners: $4,941,835

Points may represent more than one accomplishment

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations North

Carolina

Alabama Georgia

Puerto Rico

Florida

South

Carolina

RedRed--cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Improvementcockaded Woodpecker Habitat Improvement

Colleton County, South CarolinaColleton County, South Carolina

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $22,100 Total project cost: $22,100 Partners: South Carolina Department of Natural Re-

sources Landscape Conservation Cooperative: South Atlantic Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Endangered Species Program National Wildlife Refuge System Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

Coastal Program staff, partnering with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, are working to improve habitat for the RCW, in the Coastal Plains of South Carolina, on the Donnelly Wildlife Management Area (DWMA). The

presence of mature Longleaf pine habitat made the DWMA ideal for RCW reintroduction. This project is part of a larger conservation effort to reintroduce the RCW into the ACE (i.e., Ashepoo, Combahee and South Edisto) Basin, one of the largest undeveloped estuaries along the Atlantic Coast. The Service has been conserving public and private lands, in the ACE Basin, for the RCW since 2012. In 2014, work on the DWMA included timber thinning, including chemical treatments and prescribed burns. Coastal Program and Endangered Species staff assessed forest conditions before, during, and after thinning and provided forest management recommendations. Coastal Program funds were also used to hire a

RCW expert to identify appropriate locations for artificial nest cavities. RCW prefer to nest in mature (i.e., at least 60 years old) pine trees; however, artificial nest cavities can be used to encourage nesting in younger forest stands.

Background photograph: USFWS Inset photographs (left to right): Red-cockaded woodpecker : USFWS; Nest cavity: USFWS

The Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), one of the few bird species endemic to the United States. nests in

mature, living pine trees, often infected with red heart fungus. The fungus softens the wood, which allows

the RCW to excavate a nesting cavity in the tree. RCWs have a preference

for Longleaf pine and the destruction of this pine habitat has

contributed to the listing of the RCW as a federally endangered species.

Nest Cavity

Region 5: The NortheastRegion 5: The Northeast

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments

New York

Maryland

New

Hampshire

Virginia

Pennsylvania

Massachusetts

Maine

Connecticut

New

Jersey

Delaware

Rhode

Island 2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected/Removed): 48 Projects 2902 Upland acres 17,823 Wetland acres 18 Stream miles 8 Fish barriers Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $151,950 Project Partners: $14,573,650

Delmarva Fox Squirrel ConservationDelmarva Fox Squirrel Conservation

Dorchester County, MarylandDorchester County, Maryland

Background photograph: Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge : USFWS Inset photographs (from left to right): Secretary Sally Jewell : Tami Heilemann ; Delmarva Fox Squirrel: Larry Meade

The Service is proposing to remove the Delmarva fox squirrel, one of the first federally listed endangered species, from the endangered species list. Fox squirrel habitat had declined to 10 percent of its historic range due to habitat loss from timber harvests and agricultural production. Conservation efforts, such as squirrel reintroductions, and habitat conservation, have restored fox squirrels to 28 percent of their historic range – a level biologists believe can sustain the species. New fox squirrels populations have been found in Delaware indicating that the squirrels are continuing to reclaim more of their historic range. Habitat protection projects, like the conservation easements along the Chicamacomico River, played an important role in the fox squirrel recovery. This project protected over 442 acres of salt marsh, forested wetlands, forests, and farmland, located near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The project also included forest buffer plantings and forested wetland restoration. Coastal Program staff worked with partners to identify critical fox squirrel habitat, prepare grant applications and conservation easements, and conduct outreach to landowners. The Coastal Program is working with Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to improve habitat conditions on the easement for the Delmarva fox squirrel and other wildlife.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Wetlands Grants: $318,000 Partner: $64,000 Total Project Cost: $382,000 Partners: Maryland Department of Natural

Resources Private landowners Landscape Conservation Cooperative: North Atlantic Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Endangered Species Program Partners for Fish and Wildlife

Program

“The Delmarva fox squirrel is a perfect example of how the

Endangered Species Act works not only to pull plants and

animals back from the brink of extinction but can also

provide flexibility to states and private landowners to help

with the recovery efforts while at the same time supporting

important economic activity.” - Secretary Sally Jewel

Although Delmarva fox squirrel looks like your typical gray

squirrel, they can be over two foot long and weigh three pounds.

Region 7: AlaskaRegion 7: Alaska

Background photograph: Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge: Kristine Sowl (USFWS ) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Pink salmon migrating: A.Modig; Pink salmon: Kentaro Yasui; Project photographs: Neil Stichert (USFWS)

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments

Alaska

2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected/Removed): 30 Projects 299 Upland acres 199 Wetland acres 4 Stream miles 1 Fish barrier Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $228,855 Project Partners: $3,159,720

Pink salmon

Harris River Fish Passage RestorationHarris River Fish Passage Restoration

Prince of Wales Island, AlaskaPrince of Wales Island, Alaska

Coastal Program staff is working with The Nature Conservancy to conserve ecologically important habitats in the rainforest archipelago of Southeast Alaska. This partnership identified the Harris River watershed as a priority for habitat restoration because it is considered one of the primary producers of salmon and other sport fish on the Tongass National Forest. Since 1976, the watershed has been periodically logged and metal culvert stream crossings were left in place to allow for public use of these roads. These culverts are undersized and cause large downstream scour, which create barriers to fish passage and threaten road crossings. In 2014, the Coastal Program provided technical and financial assistance to replace one of the failing road crossings. Staff were involved in all phases of the project including site selection and assessment, topographic surveys, permitting, project management and construction oversight. This project restored natural stream function, and improved habitat connectivity along 0.75 miles of stream and 2 acres of riparian wetlands. By replacing a failed culvert with a bridge, we reduce the threat to the road by allowing a higher conveyance of

stormwater flows and reducing channel velocities by providing access to the floodplain. This project benefits Pink, Chum, and Coho salmon, which are important commercial fish, and Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden char, which are important sportfish.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $40,000 Partner contribution: $48,000 Total project cost: $88,000 Partners: Prince of Wales Resource Advisory Committee The Nature Conservancy U.S. Forest Service Landscape Conservation Cooperative: North Pacific Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Fish Passage Program Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership

Undersized culvert

stream crossings

Region 8: Pacific SouthwestRegion 8: Pacific Southwest

2014 REGIONAL SUMMARY Accomplishments (Restored/Protected): 32 Projects 1,028 Upland acres 744 Wetland acres 15 Stream miles Project Contributions: Coastal Program: $433,865 Project Partners: $26,954,060

2014 Project Locations2014 Project Locations Points may represent multiple accomplishments.

Background photograph: Joe Milmoe (USFWS) Inset photograph (from left to right): USFWS; McDaniel Slough: D. Kenworthy

Humboldt Bay is one of

California’s largest

estuaries being second in

size only to San Francisco

Bay. As an important

migratory bird stopover

along the Pacific Flyway,

Humboldt Bay supports

over 300 bird species,

including 80 species of

water birds and two

federally-listed birds.

Humboldt Bay also

supports six federally-

listed fish and plant

species, including the

Humboldt wallflower and

Tidewater goby.

California Nevada

Tidewater goby

Less than 1,000 acres (i.e., 10 percent) of the native salt marshes remain in Humboldt Bay because of human alternations. For the past 10 years, the Service has been working in partnership with federal, state, local government, and non-profit partners to restore the McDaniel Slough, located in northern Humboldt Bay. The project goal was to restore a transitional environment of self-sustaining salt, brackish and freshwater marshes by returning natural tidal, physical and biological processes to the system. Coastal Program staff provided project planning and restoration design expertise, which included coordination with the Service’s Endangered Species and Fisheries Programs. Staff also provided construction oversight of the 212-acre restoration, which involved the removal of levees, fish passage barriers, and topography diversification. In addition to benefiting migratory birds, this project also benefits the federally-listed Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, Tidewater goby and Steelhead. Recent fish surveys have found juvenile Coho salmon in the slough and farther upstream in Janes Creek. Coastal Program staff continue to work with the partners to expand restoration efforts upstream of McDaniel Slough into Janes Creek. Ongoing conservation

efforts include improving fish passage, restoring the riparian corridor, and eradicating invasive plant species, including Reed Canary grass.

PROJECT-AT-A-GLANCE Funding Contribution: Coastal Program: $1,659,000 Partner contribution: $2,541,200 Total project cost: $4,200,200 Partners: City of Arcata California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Coastal Conservancy California Conservation Corps Pacific Coast Joint Venture Ducks Unlimited Natural Resources Conservation Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Friends of the Arcata Marsh Redwood Region Audubon Society Humboldt Fish Action Council Humboldt State University Humboldt Area Foundation Landscape Conservation Cooperative: North Pacific Service Cross-Program Collaboration: Endangered Species Program Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation Program National Wildlife Refuge System

McDaniel Slough Estuary Marsh RestorationMcDaniel Slough Estuary Marsh Restoration

Humboldt County, California Humboldt County, California

Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance

The Coastal Program provides technical assistance to support landscape-scale habitat conservation ranging from habitat

assessments, adaptive habitat management, conservation design and monitoring, grant administration, and national

policy development. Our staff possess diverse skills and expertise to provide assistance to other Service programs, federal,

state and local agencies, tribes, conservation groups, universities, corporations, and private landowners. Our technical

assistance provides broader benefits to federal trust species by helping partners develop policies and conduct landscape-

scale conservation planning. It also enables us to enlist the support of diverse partners to achieve the Service's

conservation priorities.

The Coastal Program also encourages community stewardship through outreach and training. By developing

conservation tools and protocols, we promote ecologically sound decision making and improve the delivery of successful

habitat conservation. These efforts improve the science of restoration and reduce the overall cost of habitat conservation.

Background photograph: Ryan Hagerty (USFWS) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Christopher Eng (USFWS); Christopher Darnell (USFWS); Laurie Hewitt (USFWS); Steve Kendrot (APHIS); and Joe Milmoe (USFWS) Opposite inset photographs (top to bottom): Monarch butterfly: Greg Thompson (USFWS) and Great egrets: B W

Technical Training

Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant Assistance

Youth Outreach

Academic Instruction

Invasive Species Coordination

US

FW

S

PROVIDING CONSERVATION CAPACITY WITHIN THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

Coastal Program staff are working with the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) to restore 41 acres of tidal marsh located in

the Refuge’s White Slough unit. Historically, the tidal marsh was drained and diked for agricultural purposes and later it was managed as

a freshwater wetland by the Refuge. Currently, the dike is failing due to erosion and age. If the dike fails, the area will likely convert to a

tidal flat due to land subsidence. Coastal Program staff prepared the topographic

survey and restoration plans. We also coordinated with Refuge and California

Coastal Conservancy staff to acquire regulatory permits and funding for the

project. The project was awarded a $1,000,000 National Wetlands Conservation

Grant in 2014. The restoration is anticipated to start in the beginning of 2015.

Background photograph: Ryan Hagerty (USFWS) Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): Christopher Eng (USFWS); Christopher Darnell (USFWS); Laurie Hewitt (USFWS); Steve Kendrot (APHIS); and Joe Milmoe (USFWS) Opposite inset photographs (top to bottom): Monarch butterfly: Greg Thompson (USFWS) and Great egrets: B W

MONARCH BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

Due to dramatic declines in honey bees and other pollinators, President Barack Obama

requested a federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Pollinators. In support of this strategy,

the Service’s Director Dan Ashe is leading the Service’s conservation initiative for Monarch

butterflies and anticipates the conservation of 150,000 acres of pollinator habitat in 2015.

Coastal Program staff support the development and implementation of the Service’s initiative,

which includes strategic planning, partner outreach and coordination, prioritization of

conservation projects, and technical and financial assistance for conservation projects.

Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance

SMALL MAMMAL SURVEYS ON THE NORTH FLORIDA REFUGE COMPLEX

Coastal Program staff are conducting small mammal surveys to develop a species list for the North Florida Refuge Complex (Refuge

Complex). This effort supports the strategic goals of the National Wildlife Refuge, including assessing the status and trends of natural

resources and providing the data necessary to conduct landscape-level planning. The

Refuge Complex encompasses the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the St. Vincent

National Wildlife Refuge and associated conservation easements in Georgia and Florida

protecting nearly 95,000 acres of habitat for wildlife.

These surveys are also important for the listing and/or recovery of endangered species,

such as the Florida salt marsh vole. Currently, the known range of the vole is limited to

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge; however, the Refuge Complex also contains

habitat for the voles. Its absence or presence on the Refuge Complex will confirm its listing

or may lead to its consideration for de-listing.

NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION

The Coastal Program supports the Department of Interior’s Natural Resource Damage

Assessment and Restoration Program, which is responsible for restoring natural

resources impacted by contaminants (e.g., oil spills). We collaborate with other federal,

tribal and state partners to assess resource impacts, and coordinate restoration planning

and implementation. Even 25 years later, oil spill recovery efforts associated with the

Exxon Valdez oil spill continue. For example, we are collaborating with the Great Land

Trust and the Exxon/Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council to develop a GIS habitat

assessment model to map and prioritize habitats for conservation within the 77,000

square mile Exxon/Valdez oil spill area, including 1,300 miles of impacted coastline.

Background photograph: Seney NWR: USFWS Inset photographs (clockwise from top left): St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: Danielle Marsh; Aerial view of oil spill: National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Millerbird: Sheldon Plentovich (USFWS); Exxon Valdez: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

PREVENTING THE EXTINCTION OF THE NIHOA MILLERBIRD

Coastal Program staff led a conservation effort to translocate Nihoa Millerbirds from Nihoa

Island to Laysan Island, where a closely related Millerbird species went extinct in the 1920s.

Both islands are part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of

islands, reefs and atolls located in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

As with many species with limited numbers of individuals, catastrophic events such as hurricanes or the introduction of invasive predators

can decimate an entire species population. By establishing a second population, we reduce the Millerbird’s risk of extinction, and the birds

also fill the absent role of an insectivore bird species on the Laysan Island. Working with staff from the American Bird Conservancy,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Wildlife Refuge System, Coastal Program staff are monitoring the

success of the Laysan population. As of September 2014, the Laysan population was estimated to have grown from 50 to 161 birds and is

predicted to continue to grow. Conservation translocation may be a model for the recovery of other endangered species.

GULF OF MEXICO RESTORATION

The Gulf of Mexico restoration is one of the most complex and comprehensive conservation efforts ever undertaken in the United States.

This effort requires coordination among multiple federal and state agencies, and hundreds of local governments, conservation

organizations and citizens. Coastal Program staff play an instrumental role in the Service's Vision of a Healthy Gulf of Mexico by providing

critical links between governmental agencies and conservation partners to deliver

collaborative, landscape-scale conservation. In addition, we are assisting with the

administration of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Gulf Environmental Benefit

Fund program. This and other funding opportunities are directing over $1.14 billion towards

on-the-ground restoration projects, in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

Many of these projects have direct support and engagement by Coastal Program staff.

U.S. Department of the Interior US Fish & Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov/coastal

Background photograph: Izembek National Wildlife Refuge : Amak Johrendt

Front cover photographs (Left to Right): Attwater’s prairie-chicken: Noppadol Paothong; Bull trout: Joel Sartore (National Geographic) & Wade Fredenberg (USFWS) Laysan ducks:

Sheldon Plentovich (USFWS)

Back cover photographs (Left to Right): Lake sturgeon: Robert Pos (USFWS); Students: G. L. Jefferson (Sussex County Technical High School) Florida panther : Connie Bransilver