July 2011 The Employee e-Newsletter of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Serves Them Right Shining Stars Employee Milestones

In this issue...
FWC Employee Survey New and improved
Format revised for improved communication... [more]

FWC to promote hunting with $63,552 in NSSF grants

Goals are to boost license sales, increase public-lands hunting... [more]

Revising the State Wildlife Action Plan

Webinar to present changes scheduled for July 29... [more]

New guide highlights the 3 "Rivers of AWE"

Aucilla, Wacissa, Econfina rivers meander through the Big Bend... [more]

Facilitators at your service

Office of Planning & Policy Coordination can help you make your meetings more effective... [more]

FWC Employee Survey New and improved

By Laura Jerome, Human Resources Ever since the FWC's reorganization in 2004, agency leaders have sought employees' perceptions of the agency's progress and success in meeting its goals. This was done through an extensive online survey conducted every two years. The survey has undergone a makeover, as employees will soon discover. Instead of asking 100+ questions every two years, the FWC Employee Survey will be much shorter, more focused and

more frequent with the goal of improving communication. The survey will be conducted quarterly and consist of 10-12 questions. Not only will you be able to complete the survey quickly, but each quarter's survey will be on a specific topic of interest to the FWC community. These targeted, shorter surveys will result in a much quicker turnaround to view data and respond to identified needs. Watch your email. Beginning July 7, you will have a chance to respond to the first quarterly FWC Employee Survey: Conservation Issues Facing the Agency. The November survey will be on Employee Job Satisfaction. Many more topics are on the way. The quarterly FWC Employee Survey will provide you an ongoing way to make sure your thoughts, concerns and comments are recorded on some of the most important topics affecting the FWC. Top of page

FWC to promote hunting with $63,552 in NSSF grants

The FWC has been awarded grants of $46,560 and $16,992 from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to expand opportunities for hunters. The larger project will evaluate the FWC's apprenticehunting license program (aka "Hunter Safety Mentoring Exemption") to identify trends and pave the way for an integrated marketing campaign to motivate apprentices to complete a hunter safety course and purchase a hunting license. The smaller project will focus on encouraging current and lapsed hunters to hunt more by promoting public lands and quota-hunt opportunities via email, social media and online public service announcements. The goal is to reach more hunters with these less-expensive, new-media strategies.

(FWC photo)

"We really appreciate the generosity of the NSSF and the partnership we have with them," said Nick Wiley. "With these grants, we should be able to increase hunting license sales and get more people into the woods by better promoting Florida's great hunting opportunities on our more than 5.8 million acres of public hunting land, which is one of the largest wildlife management area systems in the country." Florida is one of nine states to receive funding from the NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership program, which assists state agencies' efforts to help hunters locate land on which to hunt and to encourage newcomers to start and then continue hunting. As the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting-sports industry, NSSF has provided more than $4.3 million in grants to 38 state agencies over the past nine years. Top of page

Revising the State Wildlife Action Plan

By Brian Branciforte, Habitat & Species Conservation For over two years, Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative has been coordinating the revision of Florida's Wildlife Action Plan (aka Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy). The Action Plan is part of a nationwide effort by all 56 states and U.S. territories for conserving all of the state's wildlife and vital natural areas for future generations, and to qualify for State Wildlife Grant funding. It outlines which native wildlife and habitats are in need, why they are in need and, most importantly, what to do about it. FWC staff has been working to revise many parts of the State Wildlife Action Plan and is preparing to shift from content-development to outreach and review. We currently have drafts of a revised introduction and Species of Greatest Conservation Need list, a new chapter on climate change and freshwater implementation, as well as a new chapter that summarizes

implementation efforts over the past five years. Working with partners, we held two climate change workshops, developed improved criteria for the Species of Greatest Conservation Need list, and worked through a GIS process to develop a basin approach to prioritize Florida's freshwater habitats. All of these efforts will cumulate in a revised draft of the Action Plan soon to be available for input. Our goal is to have all draft chapters available for review by August, corresponding with an informational webinar for FWC employees on July 29 at 10 a.m. The draft Action Plan will be open for a comment period after the webinar, and we aim to have the drafts finalized by October.

Please contact any Legacy Initiative staff member for more information. Top of page

New guide highlights the 3 "Rivers of AWE"

By Liz Sparks, Recreation Services The "Rivers of AWE" the Aucilla, Wacissa and Econfina flow through a surprisingly rugged and sparsely populated slice of Florida's Big Bend as they meander to the Gulf of Mexico. Anglers, paddlers and boaters exploring these beautiful, spring-fed rivers discover shady woodlands, wildlife and dramatic limestone sinks and outcroppings nestled in 47,622 acres of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, just southeast of Tallahassee. To help young people, first-timers, visitors and residents enjoy these three gems, the Office of Recreation Services produced a detailed map/guide, in partnership with the Suwannee River Water Management District. All people have to do is grab the new guide, read it and go exploring. "Aucilla/Wacissa/Econfina: An Explorer's Guide to North Florida's Region of Rivers" is a two-sided, 22x26-inch guide, printed on water-resistant, durable paper. It includes detailed maps, highlights of the three rivers, GPS coordinates, mileage, shuttling directions for different trip options, photos and access locations.
The Econfina River offers a shady, intimate canopy. (FWC photo by David Moynahan)

For each river, the guide recommends several popular excursions and includes mileage, time estimates and general descriptions. To order a copy online from the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, go to http://shop.wildlifeflorida.org. The foundation suggests a $5 donation to cover the costs of printing and distribution, so that more of the funds it raises can go toward preservation of Florida's wildlife resources. For more information, read the related news release or contact Liz Sparks at 850-922-6160. Top of page

Facilitators at your service

By Lora Silvanima, Office of Planning & Policy Coordination Section leaders might want to take advantage of a service offered by the Office of Planning & Policy Coordination (OPPC) especially if you want to make the most of any meetings you are planning.

OPPC has added a page to its SharePoint site where you can request facilitation support for meetings. We have trained more than 30 new FWC facilitators over the past two years, and we now have an effective facilitation cohort to help with planning and conducting successful meetings. To request facilitation support, follow this link, click "New" and provide the requested information. Top of page

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/Contact: Sarah Bajoczky (OIG) - "...Despite not being transferred to the right office, Sarah took my name and number...Not only did she call me back, she also found two numbers and contacted them for me. She was extremely helpful, wonderful to talk to and very professional." Brenda Brand (L&P) - "...When I misplaced our new SPL application, she was very quick in making sure we got a replacement, as well as the information we needed. She is awesome and is VERY good at her job!" Justin Elkins (HSC) - "...took time out of his busy day to draw us a map and show us exactly where to go to see various bird species. His maps were dead on...The state needs more employees like him..." Officer Jeff Haynes - "...Very friendly and very professional. Made us very comfortable with his demeanor. Seen him a few times after and he always stops to talk and see how we are doing..." Officer Charles Higman - "...always very gracious with his time to help the FSU Reservation with our annual lake clean-up efforts, educating our students and campers, and dealing with any issues that arise..." Officer Steve McDaniel - "...In the two ride-alongs I participated in, Officer McDaniel went out of his way to introduce me to the day to day duties of an officer...I have gained more knowledge and confidence..." Keith Mille (MFM) - "...pages on fishing the reefs and asked Keith for permission to use your photos. He graciously sent me many photos that I will include on my websites and help promote FWC..." Wendy Quigley (FWRI) - "...came across a very bright young prospective student who was thinking of "not" going to college after high school...After an hour with Wendy, learning about the exciting world of fish research this boy is 'hooked.' He will now be applying to Univ. of S. Fla. St. Petersburg, studying biology..." Unknown Officer - "My son-in-law & I were fishing in a 2-person kayak 150 yards off Bunch Beach in Lee County. He hooked a 6' bull or blacktip shark. An hour or so later & 2-3 miles offshore, a helicopter went over & came back by. 10 minutes or so after that an FWC boat pulled in to be sure we were OK that far offshore & were able to make it back safely. He stayed with us until we finally lost the fish & made sure we were OK & we were alright in getting back to shore. Thanks to him & the FWC for ensuring we had a safe & also great fishing experience with some good stories to tell." Top of page

Shining Stars
Mike Orlando is Assistant Bear Management Program Coordinator in HSC. He was driving on I-95 to Miami to assist with training for Law Enforcement investigators when a car in front of him, with four occupants, lost control and flipped over onto the median. Mike and another motorist immediately pulled over and ran to assist. The car was upside down, and the driver, a 15-year-old girl, was pinned underneath it. She had numerous bruises and cuts, the most severe being a puncture wound in her temple, very close to her eye, which was breeding profusely. Acting quickly, Mike provided a damp cloth and had her apply pressure and keep her eye closed. He kept her calm and, once he felt it was safe to move her, Mike carried the girl away from the vehicle. Meanwhile, the other man assisted the girl's grandmother, who was in the passenger seat. She had a few scrapes and bruises, but the main concern was that she had gone into shock. Mike assisted the driver's two sisters out of the back seat. Although uninjured, they were visibly shaken. Mike calmed the sisters down and had them help the driver calm by talking with her. Mike continued providing comfort, even after EMS arrived.

Great job Mike; you make FWC proud!

Northeast Regional Director Dennis David and FWRI Sea Turtle Stranding Biologist Kerrie Minch have earned the 2010 Southeast Regional Director's Conservation Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). They were honored at a May ceremony in Atlanta. The award recognized FWC leadership in coordinating rescue efforts during the cold weather of January 2010, when over 2,300 sea turtles around Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge were affected. Dennis served as a coincident commander with FWS, directing the East coast operations at Merritt Island. Kerrie coordinated placing the rescued turtles in temporary warm water rehab facilities and their release back into the wild on the East coast. The two share the award with dozens of other FWC employees who helped on the East coast and in the Panhandle (where another 1,700 sea turtles were recovered). Individuals from five partner agencies also were honored. As a result of this event, staff and partners developed a detailed "Florida Sea Turtle Cold-Stunning Protocol" to provide a rapid and effective response to ensure the safety of people and sea turtles in future coldstun events.

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Milestones
Editor's note: The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please have his/her section leader notify the Inside Job by email. Congratulations to the following employees, who reach 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC in July. Numbers in parentheses indicate total state service, if different.

30 Years
George Anchors - Law Enforcement James Brown - Law Enforcement Denise Warrick - Law Enforcement

25 Years
Daryl Amerson - Law Enforcement Donald Bailey - Law Enforcement Edward Cates III - Law Enforcement Michael Fischer - Law Enforcement Steven Grigg - Law Enforcement Thomas Haworth - Law Enforcement Jeffery Haynes - Law Enforcement Janice Jones - Law Enforcement Andrew Krause - Law Enforcement Jacqueline Meggison - Law Enforcement Michael Pridgen - Law Enforcement Randy Vaughn - Law Enforcement

20 Years
Curtis Brown - Law Enforcement Joseph Chambers - Law Enforcement Martin Folk - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute John Furse - Habitat & Species Conservation Ralph Laprairie - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt. Helen Morford - Habitat & Species Conservation Christopher Roszkowiak - Law Enforcement Stephen Wayne - Law Enforcement

15 Years

Jerrie Lindsey - Recreation Services (22 years, 9 months) Judy Moats - Finance & Budget William Pitts - Habitat & Species Conservation

10 Years
Connie Clark - Law Enforcement Jamie Feddersen - Hunting & Game Mgt. Renee Hollingsworth - Freshwater Fisheries Mgt. Larry Lashley - Law Enforcement David Perry - Information Technology Roger Shields - Hunting & Game Mgt. Shannon Whaley - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

5 Years
Monica Bryant - Community Relations Martine deWit - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Tamarra Macklin - Executive Director's Office Jennifer Myers - Habitat & Species Conservation Sara Tecle - Finance & Budget (12 years, 10 months) Marie-Agnes Tellier - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Susanna Toledo - Habitat & Species Conservation And "Congratulations; we're jealous," to the following retiree: Mark Robson - 31 years, 9 months (Marine Fisheries Mgt.) Top of page