Managing Wildlife Populations
Necropsy Training: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a necropsy training conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Veterinarians Drs. Mansfield and Haman, and Pathologist Dr. Oliveira from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) at Washington State University (WSU). Staff members from several eastside districts and programs attended the class, which included classroom instruction and field necropsies on a variety of species. During the training, Dr. Oliveira performed a necropsy on a bighorn ewe that was collected last week from the Lincoln Cliffs herd.
Fairchild Airforce Base: Biologist Lowe worked with Habitat Biologist Westerman to review and provide comments for the 2024-2028 Draft Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) for Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Eloika Lake Parking Stops: Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant traveled to Eloika Lake to replace parking stops that have been crumbling. The first step was to remove the old blocks. Dziekan and Brant used pry-bars to lift the blocks that were in place, and a sledgehammer to loosen up the rebar anchors. They prepped and leveled the site. Then they carefully removed the new parking stops from the dump trailer and placed them where the old stops were originally located. The old rebar was salvaged and was driven into the ground where the old anchors were. The old parking stops were turned into gravel and spread in the parking area on site.
Wildlife Area Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer used a mini excavator to continue cleaning up roads and trails on Bisbee Mountain, at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. He also started cleaning up the exposed portion of the irrigation system coming off Sherman Creek. He removed leaves and silt and cleaned out the trash rack to ensure the water flows smoothly. This work is in preparation for turning on the seasonal irrigation system and gate opening on April 1.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Volunteer Opportunities: Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated and setup four volunteer events for registered Whitman County Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife volunteers. Nizer led a crew of eight volunteers to plant 1,700 plants at designated locations on private lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program.
Spring Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dice sprayed food plot fields at Joseph Creek in preparation for spring food plot planting. Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Woodall started spraying parking lots with a pre-emergent herbicide that will keep them clean and looking good. This work will continue next week. Natural Resource Technicians Meisner and Hammons spent the whole week spraying emerging Scotch thistles in upland areas at the Halsey Unit.
Noxious Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman listened in on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Project Advisory Committee meeting where they reviewed grant applications and answered questions pertaining to her noxious weed control grant application. The project ranked second on their list to be funded so once the official letter is received the project to spray yellow star thistle in upper Tumalum Creek can move forward.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
General Facilities and Equipment Maintenance and Repairs: Dziekan and Brant inspected their shop and vehicle first aid supplies and ordered more items to have fully stocked kits on hand, both in the shop and for the field.
Asotin Creek Wildlife Area, Smoothing Iron Well Pit: Meisner and Hammons replaced a crumbling concrete well ring near the Smoothing Iron house. The old ring was failing, and it was not safe. They also installed a new concrete top with a manhole making access to well and pump equipment easier.
Trainings: Natural Resource Technician Moberg attended the “How to Submit a Safety and Security Incident Report” online training. Moberg updated her First Aid/CPR Certification in Spokane. Additionally, Moberg studied Washington pesticide laws and related regulations for her upcoming pesticide certification test.