July 20, 2021 - Welcome to the Crew! - Ridgefield NWR Introduces Justine, Vee, and Dylan.

Towards the beginning of May, the Ridgefield NWR Complex brought on 3 new FWS employees (two Biotechs and a new Tractor Operator). I wanted to take some time to introduce these amazing human beings, and allow for you to become acquainted with the new faces you will potentially see while walking on the Refuge trails or driving the auto tour route. Almost three months have already flown by since they started, and they have already contributed so much to our Habitat Program! Take a read and learn a bit about who they are, and why they decided to take a job here at Ridgefield NWR.

FWS Biotechs Vee and Justine searching and marking a wetland with pin-flags for Ricefield Bulrush.

I asked Vee, Justine, and Dylan to tell me about bit about their backgrounds, and why they started working in conservation/restoration. Through each of their own personal introductions it becomes evident that this group shares a common enthusiasm for the conservation of natural lands. It is so refreshing to be surrounded by individuals who care so much about the health of our planet. While it is no secret that careers in conservation can be far and few between, I would say that Ridgefield NWR is leading the way when it comes to onboarding employees and providing such valuable experience that can only be gained by working directly in the field.  

Vee (FWS Biotech)

    Hi I am Vee (They/Them). I am originally from Western New York and went to SUNY Plattsburgh University, which is up in the Adirondack Park. I got my first job in conservation with The Nature Conservancy surveying fish for a recent habitat restoration project. After that, my partner and I moved out west with our tiny house to Idaho for a job with the US Forest Service. I've hopped around a few other organizations and now I am here! I am a big nerd as well, and I love playing D&D and Watching some anime on my time off! 

Vee and FWS Biologist Alex helping out at Gibbon's fish salvage back in June.

To learn more about this on-going stream reconstruction and fish salvage - part of the Steigerwald Reconnection Project. Click here! 

Here you can see Vee learning how to band a Kestrel! This was a very fun lesson that I also got to participate in.

Justine (FWS Biotech)

    Hello my name is Justine (she/her). I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and received a bachelor's from Ohio State University with a major in animal science in 2011. After graduating college, I interned for the Student Conservation Association which ignited my passion for conservation and working outdoors. In 2019, I moved from South Carolina to Portland with my husband, our dog, and two cats. This past year, I completed a graduate certificate in wildlife management from Oregon State University, and hope to finish my master's degree in the near future. In my free time I enjoy hiking with my dog (Floyd), camping, riding my bike, and baking. 

Out at the Gibbon's fish salvage in June, Justine scooped up hundreds of lamprey larvae to be re-homed upstream.

                     

More Kestrel banding! 

Here is a shot of Justine and Alex helping net fish at the Gibbon's fish salvage. They were trailing downstream of the electro-fisher - held by a trained biologist. Electro-fishing doesn't harm the fish - just stuns them a bit and makes them float effortlessly into the nets positioned downstream. There are different frequency settings for different fish depending on what they decide to target. 

Dylan (FWS Tractor Operator)

    Hello! My name is Dylan (he/him). I went to high school in Woodland, WA and graduated with my diploma in 2017. I recently obtained my Bachelor's degree in earth and environmental sciences from Washington State University Vancouver in May of this year. Before getting hired at the Refuge I worked as a Park Laborer for the City of Woodland Public Works for over 2 summers. I have a lot of love and enthusiasm for spending time outdoors, and I am so excited to develop my tractor operating skills in such a fun and welcoming environment! 

Dylan and Justine helping out with fish salvage efforts! Dylan doesn't normally do too much biological work (mostly habitat maintenance and tractor work), but the fish salvage efforts require all the help they can get. 

Juliette Fernandez (RNWR Complex Project Leader) posing for a selfie with Dylan up at the Salvage!

*Note: COVID-19 protocol has changed slightly for Refuge employees. Masking during outdoor field work is no longer being enforced, although individuals may still decide to wear masks when working in close proximity to one another* 

I am so excited to welcome these hardworking individuals to the Ridgefield NWR Refuge Complex. The last three months of getting to know them out in the field has been a blast, and it is easy to see that we all have a like-minded passion for conservation and restoration work.