If you have been following the details regarding the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge this past year, you have seen quite a lot of stuff happening on the refuge, most of which have been dealing primarily with habitat management efforts.
One the non-habitat management happenings on the refuge this year, however, actually had to do with the refuge management positions, including both the manager and deputy manager positions.
This year, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge welcomed not only a new refuge manager, Erin Holmes, but also a new deputy manager, Mike Dunphy, to the staff.
I have personally met with both Erin and Mike. In fact, I spent several hours with both of them on the opening day of the waterfowl hunt as they gave some of their time to meet with the local waterfowl hunters on the refuge that morning.
In one of our earlier conversations a couple weeks ago, the question came up about how they could get to know the users of the refuge. I offered a simple idea of a meet and greet on the opening day of waterfowl season where they could set up an information booth, of sorts, and talk directly with the people who frequent the refuge.
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Both Erin and Mike loved my suggestion. As a result, they spent 4 hours on the morning of the waterfowl hunt opener meeting and talking to numerous duck hunters and one rancher, all who stopped to converse with the new management team.
Now let me say upfront, I have no direct affiliation with the refuge other than I blog about it from my own perspective and on my own accord.
I do put on an annual outdoor photography workshop each year on the refuge but, all in all, I have no direct connection to the refuge other than a deep and life long interest for the wildlife on the refuge.
The thoughts and perspectives on this blog are all my own, but, however, I have to say I was very impressed both Erin and Mike were not only interested in asking for my opinion on how they could connect with the refuge users but that they implemented my idea as well.
It showed me they have a great desire to not only deal with the habitat issues on the refuge but they also have a great desire to be open and willing to talk with and understand the public’s views about the refuge and the issues which relate to how the refuge is used and managed.
Yes, I know. It was only one small event and it was a very informal setting but, the truth of the matter is, it was their interest in the refuge and its’ users which brought up the question on how to start connecting with the public and it was their time spent on the refuge that Saturday morning shaking hands and answering questions.
Personally, I like their willingness to listen and take into consideration the thoughts and suggestions of the public. This is, after all, public land and I believe management efforts should take into consideration the views of the public on how to manage this valuable and publicly owned natural resource.
That’s not an easy thing to do with the vast array of differing opinions on how the refuge should be managed but the important thing is the openness and willingness to not only listen to the public but to try and be open and transparent about the refuge itself. I think this small but honest effort was a great step in that direction.
I have heard and read a lot of grumblings about the refuge over the past couple of years, both from hunters and bird watchers alike. There has been a stigma hanging over the refuge, it seems, regarding the refuge not relating to the users very well, or even at all depending on who you talk to.
Personally, I have never had any issues with the refuge as I am one to go and ask questions if I can’t find the answer. The entire refuge staff has always been very accommodating to me over the years in answering my questions and taking into consideration my suggestions
But I do understand where some of the frustrations come from, however. It stems from some kind of a communication barrier and that does, indeed, go both ways.
There is a responsibility upon the refuge to provide information about the refuge in a reasonable manner but there is also a responsibility by the public to seek out and find the information as well and not expect it to just land in our lap.
It is almost impossible these days to not get lost in the cyber world of information. Even though in this age of technology there is an expectation to have the information regarding the refuge at our fingertips, there is also a responsibility we, as refuge users, need to uphold by seeking out and finding the information when it isn’t readily available.
We need to take a more active role in the refuge and that starts with communicating with the refuge management and staff.
In other words, if we don’t see an answer to a question or concern we have about the refuge, instead of ranting about it online or to our friends, we should make a reasonable effort to contact the refuge directly and seek out the information before we make up our minds or form an opinion about how the refuge is being managed.
It’s public land and we as the public should get involved and take an interest in how it is managed. My suggestion would be to get to know the new refuge management and the staff. Voice your concerns, give your suggestions and ask your questions but all in a fair and reasonable manner.
The refuge does maintain a website and a Facebook page where they put out information regarding the refuge. From what I am understanding, however, those are the only two online outlets available to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge staff to directly post information regarding the refuge due to federal regulations.
There is also the question of what types of information need to be and should be posted. This is where I recommend giving your suggestions to the refuge regarding what types of information you are wanting about the refuge.
They may not be able to post everything about the refuge as that takes a lot of time to write and post, trust me, as a blogger I know from experience, but giving your suggestions on what types of information is wanted by the pubic could indeed help alleviate any deficiencies in information posted by weeding out things of little value to the public.
All in all, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has opened a new chapter in its’ history with a new management team and I, for one, am interested in the future of the refuge and what course this new leadership will take.
I appreciate their willingness to get out and talk with the public and I hope there will be more opportunities such as this in the future where refuge users from all interests can meet and talk with the refuge management.
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