Tetlin Refuge: Tetlin NWR Waterfowl Banding

Project Name	Tetlin NWR Waterfowl Banding
Project Number	437
Location	Tetlin NWR. Deadman Lake Campground (approximately 60 miles sout
Dates	August 4- 23, 2024.
Duration	1 week shifts for each 2-person
Number of Volunteers Needed	6 FILLED
Description	Each year, Tetlin NWR bands dabbling ducks along the Alaska Highway. This effort results in hundreds of banded dabbling ducks that are composed mostly of mallards, pintails, and green-winged teal. Refuge staff travel to banding sites each day. Friends volunteers assist Refuge staff with trap construction, baiting, bird handling, and note taking. In the process, they are able to learn about birds, banding, and general refuge information. They will likely work with other volunteers, refuge staff, and possibly with local youth through outreach events. Tetlin Refuge asks each volunteer for a minimum of a one week commitment. We would like Friends to recruit two volunteers for each week of the three week banding season. Volunteers will report to Deadman Lake Campground the Sunday evening prior to their week. After banding on Friday, the week long commitment is complete. Volunteers will have a reserved site at the campground that has limited services. Deadman Lake Campground now has some cell coverage (texting works but not calling), vault toilets, firewood, canoes, and relatively private sites. About 20 miles from the campground, Tetlin NWR has a bunkhouse with potable water, showers, full kitchen, Wi-Fi, laundry, and other amenities available for use. Volunteers are welcome to use this facility, but we ask that use is limited to not disrupt seasonal employees living space. Banding often takes 2-4 hours of each day, leaving volunteers time to explore or to assist the Refuge with other projects. TNWR maintenance professionals will try to have other projects defined for Friends volunteers to work on as time allows. This work has not been identified yet, but could include staining or painting, light building maintenance, or other independent tasks. Nine Friends members assisted with this project in 2022 & 2023 and their help was greatly appreciated. We hope to expand banding operations to other locations along the Alaska Highway. Travel costs will not be reimbursed. Volunteers must provide their own camping equipment and food.
Skills Needed	Volunteers must be physically capable of the following tasks: lifting up to thirty pounds, walking in waders on soft and uneven ground, riding in a small boat, lifting their arms above their head (to hold netting), and live in a remote setting without quick access to a medical facility. The first week (Aug 4-9) will likely require the most physical labor as banding stations are established.
Contact	Ross Flagen. Phone: 907-883-94021 email: Ross_Flagen@fws.gov