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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ron Klataske
Director, Audubon of Kansas
(785) 537-4385
http://www.audubonofkansas.org
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To Whom It May Concern:
(1) Please find below a letter from the Seligman, Arizona Chamber of Commerce regarding that community's favorable experience with a Black-footed Ferret reintroduction project during the past ten years. We are confident that Oakley, Kansas and the surrounding communities will have equally favorable experience with the proposed experimental reintroduction of Black-footed Ferrets in Kansas. Several ranch landowners initiated the request for this consideration in November 2005 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the potential sites are biologically favorable. The landowners remain receptive and it is next up to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make a decision (following the comment period currently in process) on whether or not to proceed with an experimental reintroduction of ferrets in Logan County.
(2) Additionally, yesterday Audubon of Kansas sent a news release entitled "Black-footed Ferrets may Join Whooping Cranes as an Endangered Species in Kansas." It is our intent that it can be used in part or whole as either a "news release" or for an op-ed (guest column or letter-to-the-editor) piece. Thank you for considering the information and our viewpoint.
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Seligman Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Box 65 · Seligman, Arizona 86337
Violet Searles, President
Seligman Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 65
Seligman, Arizona 86337
(928) 308-8210
December 19, 2006
Black-footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team Executive Committee
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Black-Footed Conservation Center
P.O. Box 190
Wellington, Colorado 80549
Re: Effects of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret in Seligman
Dear Executive Committee:
The purpose of this letter is to discuss how the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret in Seligman, Arizona affects the community, economy, and attitudes towards endangered species management. In March of 2006, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's black-footed ferret team was asked to join the Seligman Chamber of Commerce to represent the black-footed ferret project.
The Chamber has noticed the black-footed ferret project has increased tourism and revenue over the last several years and has brought a new sense of environmental awareness to the community. The staff's skills in grant writing, their involvement in local politics, and their ability to provide community outreach and education are also invaluable assets.
The black-footed ferret project has been based out of Seligman for the past 10 years. When the reintroduction effort began in 1996, the project staff, as well as the project itself, was viewed with some ill will and animosity. It has since evolved from an unfamiliar, misunderstood program, to an integral part of this community. The project has not only helped to positively change local attitudes towards endangered species management but has brought many benefits to this small town. The following examples will highlight some of the ways the black-footed ferret project has impacted the town of Seligman and the surrounding areas.
In recent years, the black-footed ferret team began hosting large spotlighting events twice a year, which bring in many volunteers from all over the state and the country. These events generate revenue since many of the volunteers stay at local motels and eat at local restaurants. I understand the biologists are planning to host a spotlighting effort just for locals this spring before the large spotlighting event, which is open to the public.
Since 2005, the black-footed ferret project has participated in a cooperative effort with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and provides internships at the local high school. The program is designed to provide rural young adults with job skills and to recruit potential candidates into conservation. These internships benefit the community by providing summer employment to high school students and increasing their job skills.
NACOG and the black-footed ferret project also have an adult internship program aimed at providing rural people, getting back into the work force, with job skills and acts as a stepping-stone for obtaining full time, permanent employment. One member of the community who started out as an adult NACOG intern, went on to acquire a full-time position with Agency on the black-footed ferret project.
The black-footed ferret project gives PowerPoint presentations throughout the local community and presents the project's results annually at Chamber meetings. The biologists explain what they do, why they do it, and why it is important. This outreach effort has gone a long way in helping the project to gain acceptance into the community and clear up any misunderstandings or misconceptions the locals have had regarding endangered species management.
Because the staff interacts with the people of Seligman and the surrounding areas, they have helped the project gain acceptance. The black-footed ferret team is now sought after by local businesses and organizations to give presentations or represent the Agency during community events. Each year, the town of Seligman hosts events to attract tourists. Some of these highlights include Seligman Days, the Route 66 Fun Run, bike rallies, and classic car shows. At the Chamber's request in 2005, biologists on the black-footed ferret project have run interactive educational wildlife booths at Seligman Days.
Recently, a local wildlife artist donated a painting of the black-footed ferret in the reintroduction area to the project. Proceeds from the sale of limited edition prints recreated from her painting will be split between the black-footed ferret project and the art program at the Seligman Schools, where the artist currently teaches.
Besides spotlighting events, other volunteer opportunities to the local community have also been made available. County prison crews, community restitution individuals, special interest groups, and many college students from universities volunteer on the project. These volunteers contribute to the economy of the town by supporting local businesses.
Although the black-footed ferret project provides many benefits to area, there are aspects of the project that do not have an affect on the community. For example, the Seligman area is known for its hunting and fishing opportunities. Many outdoor enthusiasts come to the area to hunt, fish, hike, and enjoy other outdoor endeavors. The reintroduction of the black-footed ferret in this area does not adversely affect hunting or any other land use practices.
The intention of this letter is to highlight some examples of how the project provides, and continues to provide, many benefits to Seligman and the surrounding areas. The reintroduction of the black-footed ferret has helped instill a sense of pride in the community because this endangered species is being released in their own "backyard." In conclusion, the Seligman Chamber of Commerce finds the black-footed ferret project to be a positive addition to both the community and local commerce. We are proud to continue our relationship and to benefit from the black-footed ferret reintroduction program in Seligman.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Violet Searles, President
Seligman Chamber of Commerce
(928) 308-8210
cc: Arizona Game and Fish Commission
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