Photo By Cpl. Broc Story | The National Military Fish and Wildlife Association acknowledged the Camp Pendleton...... read more read more
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The game wardens of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton are recognized again for their hard work and commitment to protecting the base’s natural habitat. This time the Game Wardens Office has won the Secretary of the Navy’s Natural Resources Conservation Team of the Year award for their innovative work managing the base’s deer population.
“The California mule deer population is declining,” stated Michael Tucker, chief game warden, MCB Camp Pendleton. “The team collected deer pellets for DNA analysis to learn how individual deer moved and utilized habitat.” This in-depth analysis allows the team to learn many things about the deer, including how many are currently on the installation. “Today we have about 20% of the deer we had 50-60 years ago.”
Maintaining the proper population density of Pendleton’s wildlife keeps other species from being affected. It takes constant work to ensure that the fine balance of Camp Pendleton’s natural resources are in alignment. If one population exceeds the environment’s capacity, then the rest of the ecosystem could face dire consequences.
Through the use of different technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, the Resource Enforcement and Compliance Team works a wide array of management projects in support of the deer population aboard the installation.
“We also partnered with military units to conduct the first ever deer surveys with military UAVs,” stated Tucker. “We provided DNA from the harvested deer to local researchers who discovered how Camp Pendleton deer interact with other deer in the region.”
By ensuring the deer population is properly maintained, the rest of the ecosystem, including the deer, can thrive. Having an all-encompassing approach allows effective management and conservation practices for Camp Pendleton’s wildlife.
“The team used deer hunting as a management tool, ensuring the hunting effort was managed and spread throughout the base to avoid localized over/under hunting.” stated Tucker.
This is the team’s first time receiving this award for their deer management efforts, maintaining effectiveness in all aspects of their mission.However, the team is no stranger to national awards, this being their second in just over a month.
“It is a coincidence that we are receiving two national awards a month apart from each other, but our previous award from the National Military Fish and Wildlife Association was for law enforcement, this one is for deer management,” stated Tucker. “It’s nice to excel in more than one field.”
The Resource Enforcement/Compliance team’s work is commended once again through this award.
“We are immensely proud, it represents hundreds of hours of field work over the last five years,” stated Tucker.
For more information regarding the Game Warden’s Office and the Resources Conservation Team please visit: https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Staff-Agencies/Environmental-Security/Game-Warden/
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2020 21:37 |
| Story ID: | 369057 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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