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Local Forest Service Worker Honored
The information below is provided by the US Forest Service:
PUEBLO -- U.S. Forest Service - Pike and San Isabel National Forests - Salida Ranger District employee Mike Wrigley was recognized by fellow biologists with the Laurel Kagan Wiley Award for Excellence and Dedication in Wildlife Conservation. The award was presented in recognition of his professionalism, effectiveness, passion and accomplishments.
Wrigley demonstrated courage and dedication in his commitment to protecting boreal toads and amphibian habitat during Allotment Management Planning for several grazing allotments on the Salida Ranger District. He took extra effort to use the best available science (conservation plans and published literature) and to reach out to species experts to design a survey, monitoring and mitigation plan to protect boreal toads from the potential adverse impacts of livestock grazing.
According to the award, "Mike's courage, tenacity and persistence under pressure resulted in a carefully-crafted protocol to survey for and protect occupied boreal toad breeding sites from grazing effects. Mike's work is now considered a template for boreal toad conservation and management coordination in the Rocky Mountain Region."
Wrigley's efforts also led to re-establishment of a survey to monitor potential boreal toad breeding sites. He also developed a handout describing boreal toad biology, habitat, threats and decontamination protocols for public education.
Wrigley has been with the U.S. Forest Service for 10 years, 7 years on the Salida District. In addition, he worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for 4 years, Quinault Indian Nations for 2 years and as a private consultant for 5 years.
Congratulations Mr. Wrigley and thanks for all your efforts to help amphibians!