June 20, 2019

MDIFW NEWS: MDIFW Staff Members Recognized For Outstanding Work At Wildlife Division Meeting

For Immediate Release June 20, 2019

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Kendall Marden, a wildlife biologist in the Sidney office, was honored with one of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's highest honors, the Kenneth Anderson award, given annually to the member of the department who has made exemplary contributions towards the enhancement of the states inland fisheries and wildlife. Marden was one of several employees honored this week for their outstanding service to the department and state.

"Kendall's passion, and broad range of skills and knowledge are invaluable to this department and the public," said MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso. His excellent communications skills, and ability to work with a variety of groups and subjects make him an excellent choice for this award.

As a regional wildlife biologist, Kendall works with a broad array of groups and issues. He also is an integral part of aerial survey teams for moose and bald eagles, was a leader in the wildlife management planning process for the cervid and big game working groups, was active in updating MDIFWs animal damage control policies and the departments wildlife in captivity rules.

Kelsey Sullivan, a wildlife biologist who oversees the departments game bird management program in MDIFWs Bangor research office, was honored as the wildlife divisions employee of the year. Kelsey coordinates MDIFWs waterfowl banding programs, game bird surveys, and research to assess the status of game bird populations in Maine. His responsibilities include ruffed grouse, American woodcock, wild turkeys, ducks, and Canada geese.

Over the past year, Kelsey and his crew banded over 2,000 ducks and geese; captured and sampled over 300 birds for avian influenza; provided technical expertise to University of Maine researchers on UMOs ruffed grouse study; conducted ruffed grouse drumming surveys, woodcock surveys and waterfowl and turkey brood count surveys; and was an integral part of the departments species planning process for wild turkeys, which initiated a large-scale wild turkey field research project.

Katie Yates, MDIFWs Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation Coordinator (R3 Coordinator) received MDIFWs Employee of the Year award in the Professional/Technical category for her work in designing and implementing a statewide R3 program.

In approximately five months, working with MDIFW staff members, as well as partners from outside the agency, she created and drafted a plan and introduced the draft plan to broad array of internal and external partners at an R3 Summit conference in January. As part of that plan, she also created and implemented unique and innovative programs designed to reach new constituents.

The Department also presented its teamwork award to those involved with the design and construction of the Summerhaven shooting range in Augusta. The department recognized staff members Bob Cordes, Diano Circo, Craig Gerry, Rick Parker, and Mike Sawyer for their extensive roles in transforming a gravel pit that had become a dumping ground into a world-class, state of the art shooting facility unlike any other in the east.

Over the past 4 years, the team has taken significant steps to improve safety at the site, including developing a volunteer Range Safety Officer program, holding public meetings to gather input on range management and design, installing signage, and working with Warden Service and other law enforcement to address illegal behavior. More recently, the range team worked with a nationally-renowned design firm to completely redevelop the site into a state-of-the-art facility. The facility will open in July as the only fully baffled, no-blue sky concrete range in New England.

Cutlines for Attached Photos. All Photos Courtesy of MDIFW.

Wildlife biologist Kendall Marden is pictured with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso after receiving the Departments highest honor, the Ken Anderson Award.

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