Author: Marcy Melville

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Flying Wild Alaska: Aerial bird surveys give a bird’s-eye view of refuges and waterbirds

Presented by  Heather Wilson, Fish and Wildlife Service Pilot/Biologist

Tuesday, Nov.  19, 5 – 6 p.m. AKT

In Person, Watch Parties and on Zoom

  • Anchorage, REI Community Room Heather Wilson in person.  Speaker Reception at 4:30, presentation at 5. 
  • Soldotna, Watch Party at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Ski Hill Rd.
  • Homer, Watch Party at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 95 Sterling Hwy.
  • Zoom link will be posted HERE on this page closer to the time of the program.


“I think of the Cessna 206 as a Swiss army knife. It can do so many things well…and that makes it a very useful plane for aerial survey work” Heather Wilson as quoted in Vogue magazine.  Heather flying the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cessna 206 over the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.  PC Erinn Springer, Vogue.  

Heather Wilson has said that if she could have one animal adaptation it would be flight!  She’s been featured in Vogue, Outside, and Smithsonian magazines and now she will be here with us on the 19th to share her unique dual-function position of both pilot and wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Bird Management.  Learn how aerial bird surveys are conducted, the logistics of flying and surveying in some of the most remote parts of Alaska, and the research and management implications of the survey data she collects.  Heather’s work takes her to ALL of Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuges and her surveys determine hunting regulations and management actions for an array of common and threatened species.

Heather is currently the project lead/pilot-observer for:

  • Population surveys for winter and fall brant at Izembek & Maritime National Wildlife Refuges
  • Breeding pair surveys across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Coastal Zone, Arctic Coastal Plain, Copper River Delta, Kenai and Kanuti National Wildlife Refuges
  • Molting goose surveys and captures in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Use Area and Innoko Refuge.

She’ll touch on these, as well as other waterbird surveys and field work past and present across the state.


Counting Cackling Canada Geese by eye on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge flying only 125 feet AGL (above ground level).   PC Tim Bowman/USFWS

Biography

Heather Wilson’s interest in conservation (and aviation) developed from growing up and working in the mountains, rivers, and forests of northern California.  She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and a B.A. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. After several years of working as a field biologist in North, Central, and South America (focused on neo-tropical migratory birds and bats), Heather moved to Alaska in 2001. Within a year, she became a private airplane pilot, adding commercial, instrument, and float ratings in 2008.

Heather has said what she likes most about her work is the autonomy and challenge of aerial surveys in Alaska and getting to blend biology and piloting.  She also enjoys visiting the vast lands that Fish and Wildlife Service manages across Alaska, seeing all the animals from above (100 ft), and working with a great group of people, “biologists and pilots are salt of the earth”.  Although Heather is Anchorage based, she flies bird surveys throughout the state on National Wildlife Refuges, and beyond.  Most of her aerial surveys serve as the primary population indices for setting hunting regulations through the Pacific Flyway and Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council, as well as assisting in conservation of Threatened species. When not in the work plane, Heather is busy compiling data and preparing for more surveys. 

In her off time Heather enjoys hiking, skiing, hunting/fishing, playing music with her family and flying in the family’s Piper Super Cub.  Heather Wilson with her children in the Super Cub.

See some great footage of bird flocks and learn more about her work as a Wildlife Biologist/Airplane Pilot in these short videos.

Mission Unstoppable TV show  – How Biologists Count Birds: Biologist/Pilot Heather Wilson

LifeOnTERRA film – Chasing Birds in Beringia

 



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It’s National Wildlife Refuge Week, and We Need Your Help

This week, October 13-19, 2024, we celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, a time to honor the special places that make up the National Wildlife Refuge System. Here in Alaska, we are home to 16 national wildlife refuges, vast and diverse lands that protect an incredible variety of wildlife. From migratory birds to bears and salmon, these refuges safeguard species that are crucial to Alaska’s ecosystems. They also give us beautiful spaces to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

But Alaska’s refuges are just part of a much larger system that stretches across the entire United States. Together, these lands form the largest network of public lands dedicated to wildlife conservation. Sadly, this system is in danger. Severe budget cuts have left many refuges understaffed and underfunded. Nationwide, the system has lost over 800 staff members since 2010, making it difficult to maintain habitats and protect wildlife.

Why Refuges Matter in Alaska and Across the Country

In Alaska, our 16 refuges are vital to protecting our state’s unique landscapes and wildlife. Whether you’ve visited the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, hiked the stunning Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or explored the vast wetlands of the Yukon Delta, you know how special these places are. They protect important habitats and give us a chance to experience nature up close.

But this problem goes beyond Alaska. Across the country, national wildlife refuges are facing similar challenges. Without enough staff and funding, many refuges are struggling to meet basic needs like habitat restoration, infrastructure upkeep, and visitor programs. This puts wildlife and the lands they depend on at risk.

How You Can Help

There are several ways you can support our refuges during National Wildlife Refuge Week:

  1. Explore a Refuge: Get outside and visit one of Alaska’s refuges, or find a refuge near you. Spending time in these wild places is a great way to appreciate their beauty and learn more about their importance.

  2. Raise Awareness: Help spread the word about National Wildlife Refuge Week by sharing posts on social media with #RefugeWeek. Let others know why these places matter and what they can do to help protect them.

  3. Advocate for Change: One of the most powerful ways to make a difference is by contacting Congress. Let your representatives know that you care about national wildlife refuges and want them to support increased funding. It’s quick and easy to take action—just click here to get started.

Our national wildlife refuges, both in Alaska and across the country, are essential to protecting wildlife and preserving the natural beauty we love. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help ensure these special places remain protected for generations to come.