The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
My time working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been one of two distinct experiences. In my role as the Acting Arizona Public Affairs Specialist, I am tasked to take on wide-ranging responsibilities, from creative work to public relations, such as news releases, communication plans, and other assignments. Being over an entire state encompasses a wide range of challenges as it requires the Public Affairs Specialist to work with multiple programs and overcome complex issues. As a Digital Media Intern, my role was primarily focused on multimedia creation. This involved video production, photography, editorial design, graphic design, extensive amounts of photo editing, and numerous other tasks. Each role has challenged me to continue to take on responsibility where I am the point person on projects
A Flight for Woundfin
On the morning of July 18, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center (SNARRC) in Dexter, New Mexico, received a welcomed addition to the facility with the arrival of 559 wild federally endangered woundfin. The fish arrived on a flight from Hurricane, Utah, on a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) plane. These wild woundfin joined the captive population at the center with the goal of increasing genetic diversity and adding numbers to the broodstock or breeding adults.
Fishing for All
For many of us, some of the first connections to nature came from fishing as kids. From the first big fish to time spent with loved ones by the water, the memories stick with you and can spark future gateways into career paths, areas of study, and a lifelong love for the outdoors.
Unfortunately, not everyone has those opportunities due to some form of a barrier, such as the rising cost of equipment or simply not having access to the knowledge on how to get started. This is where the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (Service) Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and their partners come in. Together, they are providing opportunities for all to become future anglers and stewards of the environment.
Casting a Fly Toward Careers in Fisheries
For over 20 years, the Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly-Fishing Academy (academy) has been teaching not only the ins and outs of fly fishing to teenage youth but also the importance of conservation science and stewardship. While not every graduate from the program will pursue a career in the sciences, all take with them an appreciation of nature and insights into how aquatic ecosystems function.
All of us can look back to a time in our lives when an opportunity shaped our future. For Jakob Bengelink, biological science technician for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), his experience and the connection he made as a camper and long-time counselor at the academy opened the door to a career in fisheries.
