Biological Monitoring Team

The Biological Monitoring Team (BMT) was a pilot project focused on addressing NWRS inventory and monitoring needs in Regions 3 and 5. The BMT was a precursor to the NWRS Inventory and Monitoring Initiative. Agency leaders that garnered both USFWS and USGS funding to support the BMT included Dan Ashe (then Science Advisor to the Service Director) and Sue Hazeltine, USGS Biological Resources Division Chief. Nita Fuller, R3 Chief of Refuges and Tony Leger, R5 Chief of Refuges collaborated with Dan and Sue to fund the BMT's work in R3 and R5. Two FTE staff were dedicated to the project, a wildlife biologist (Melinda Knutson) and a data manager (Todd Sutherland); these staff were shared by R3 and R5. Region 5 Refuge Biologist, Hal Laskowski, was appointed BMT Team Leader. The initial projects included a needs assessment of refuges in Regions 3 and 5, writing standardized protocols for monitoring landbirds and marsh birds, a database for water level management, and learning to implement adaptive management on refuges (adaptive management consultancy). Funding (3-5 yr) was also provided for USGS to work with refuges to set up adaptive management projects under a program entitled the Refuge Cooperative Research Program (RCRP).

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Maintainer Brent Frakes
Last Updated July 26, 2019, 14:39 (CDT)
Created July 26, 2019, 14:39 (CDT)