This is a presentation I created for my Environmental and Ecosystems Management class. I discuss the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in NY and talk about some of the challenges at the refuge.

1. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Natalie Angers
EVSP 413
October 2015

2. Contents
• About the Area
• About the Refuge
• Wetlands Protection and
Management
• Wildlife Habitat Fundamentals
• Management Plan Overview
• Management Philosophy
• Primary Management Issues
• Key Issues
• Limits of Acceptable Change
• Refuge Visitors
• Environmental Education
• Key Issues
• Refuge Wildlife
• Refuge Waterfowl Habitat
• Black Duck Habitat
• Primary Management Problems
• Erie Canal
• Invasive Species
• Products Extracted/Used
• Evaluation of Management Plan
• Areas of Improvement
• Future Considerations
• References

3. About the Area
• Montezuma is located
in central New York
State (NYS)
• Prior to the 1900s the
area held over 40,000
acres of wetlands1
– Most was drained to
support commerce and
transportation, largely
for the Erie Canal
– Up to 70% of the
wetlands was lost
Image courtesy of USFWS

4. About the Refuge
• The Montezuma National
Wildlife Refuge was
established in 1938 as a
refuge and breeding ground
for migratory birds and
other wildlife1
• The refuge is part of a
50,000 acre wetlands
complex that is important
for bird staging due to it
falling within the Atlantic
Flyway2
Image courtesy of NY DEC2

5. Wetlands Protection and Management
• Wetlands are defined as areas of high water
saturation that contain known wetland-type
plants1
• Types of wetlands include2
– Freshwater marshes
– Prairie potholes
– Bogs
– Mangrove forests
Image courtesy of
dreamstime.com

6. Wildlife Habitat Fundamentals
• A habitat is the specific food, water, shelter,
and space requirements within an area that a
species requires1
• Different species require different habitats,
but many of these habitats are similar enough
to allow cohabitation2

7. Management Plan Overview
• The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) sets
out broad goals and lays out the future plans
for the refuge1
• Key points include:2
– Monitoring and controlling invasive species
– Land allocation and purchase
– Responding to climate change
– Protecting wildlife

8. Management Philosophy
• Montezuma Wildlife Refuge management
philosophy is to protect the wetland primarily
for waterfowl and to enable visitors to enjoy
viewing the wildlife1
Image courtesy of USFWS

9. Primary Management Issues
• The CCP lists 16 key issues1
• Issues range from questions regarding public
use of the refuge to maintaining biological
diversity2

10. Key Issues
• How will the refuge provide quality wildlife
observation and photography opportunities for
the public?1
– One of the most popular activities at the refuge is the
wide range of photography and observation chances2
• A three mile long Wildlife Drive
• Photography blind
• Almost four miles of walking trails
• A floating boat dock
• Several observation areas
• Annual photography contest

11. Limits of Acceptable Change
• The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) theory
determines how much an area can be altered
while maintaining its natural state1
• Visitor Experience and Resource Protection
(VERP) is the LAC theory applied to national
parks2

12. Refuge Visitors
• Between 2006-
2010, the refuge
averaged almost
150,000 visitors
per year1
• Visitors are able to
observe and
photograph
wildlife, fish, hunt,
and learn about
the environment2
Image courtesy of USFWS

13. Environmental Education
• Environmental Education was identified as a
key resource in need of improvement at the
refuge1
• Currently not an area of emphasis2
• Staff and volunteers can accommodate groups
that request educational programs when time
permits3
• Currently utilizes the Guide by Cell cellphone
tour4

14. Key Issues
• How will the refuge provide
quality hunting and fishing
opportunities for the public?1
– A popular activity for visitors is
hunting opportunities2
• Guided by 2005 Hunting Plan;
updated annually
• Limited to white-tailed deer and
waterfowl
• Seasons and limits set by refuge
– Fishing is limited but allowed3
Image courtesy of USFWS

15. Key Issues
• How will the impacts of habitat
fragmentation be addressed?1
– The refuge is currently fragmented
by roads, canals, powerlines,
farmlands, and has a major state
highway as one boundary. Land
acquisition is currently being
utilized as a method of promoting
connectivity, but other methods
are being looked at as well,
including reforestation and
flooding cycles(2,3)
Image courtesy of USFWS

16. Key Issues
• How will the refuge address the impacts of
altered hydrology?1
– While the Erie Canal temporarily boosted the
area’s economy, it wreaked havoc on the area’s
hydrology. Farmland ditching and highways have
also altered the area hydrology2
– The CCP lays out a plan to flood areas in a cyclical
nature; by flooding areas prior to known bird
migration timelines, they hope to maximize the
habitat while minimizing negative effects3

17. Key Issues
• How will the refuge be managed with respect
to biological diversity?1
– Biological diversity is the variety of life and
processes that keep an area functioning
successfully2
– The CCP recognizes that invasive species threatens
biodiversity and seeks to limit invasions and
eradicate infestations3
– Hunting is allowed within the confines of NYS law
and with respect to maintaining biodiversity4

18. Refuge Wildlife
• Due to it’s location within a key migration
route, Montezuma Wildlife Refuge provides a
safe habitat for migrating birds1
Image courtesy of USFWS

19. Refuge Waterfowl Habitat
• Waterfowl are a prominent refuge inhabitant1
• The black duck is a common sight at the
refuge2
– Black ducks may starve rather than find alternate
habitats
– Montezuma Wildlife Refuge provides a key
migratory and wintering zone for the black duck
Image courtesy of USFWS

20. Black Duck Habitat
• The American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes) requires a
wetland habitat, including:1
– Marshes
– Bays
– Ponds
– Rivers
– Coastal Estuaries
Image courtesy of USFWS
Image courtesy of USFWS

21. Primary Management Problems
• Water loss due to Erie Canal construction1
– The canal went through the wetlands, causing
massive drainage into the canal and Seneca River
• Pest management/Invasive Species2
– Pest management program under construction;
tolerable levels will be determined and
implemented

22. Erie Canal
• The portion of the Erie Canal that ran through
what is now the refuge was constructed in the
mid-1800s1
• The canal system caused major draining of the
surrounding marshes2
Image courtesy of TheErieCanal.com

23. Invasive Species
• An invasive species is a nonnative species that
causes damage to an ecosystem1
• Several invasive plants have been found within
the refuge and are in the process of being
controlled, including:2
– Autumn olive
– Japanese knotweed
– Tree of heaven
Autumn Olive
Image courtesy of NPS

24. Products Extracted/Used
• Special Use Permits (SUPs) are issued for use
of the refuge beyond the scope of public
access for research1
• Much of the refuge is utilized by farmers for
agriculture, planting crops including corn,
onions, beans, and potatoes2

25. Evaluation of Management Plan
• Overall, I think the management plan will be
successful
• Several key areas of improvement have
already been noted in the CCP
• CCP acknowledges desires of the public while
also focusing on conservation goals

26. Areas of Improvement
• Key areas of improvement include making the
refuge more visitor-friendly
– Regular guided tours
– Knowledgeable staff
• Community involvement
– Largely a rural farming community; outreach to
neighbors necessary for long term success

27. Areas of Improvement
• With the focus of the refuge appearing to be
on waterfowl and migrating birds, the refuge
should advertise itself as such in a broader
market; most people haven’t heard of
Montezuma, NY, let alone the wildlife refuge

28. Future Considerations
• A key issue facing many areas is
global climate change
• The CCP has developed a three-
prong approach to address
global climate change1
– Adaptation: by using scientific
advances they hope to minimize
the impact of climate change
– Mitigation: reducing emissions
– Engagement: by cooperative
effort they hope to find
solutions to the challenges
posed by global climate change
to fish and wildlife conservation
Image courtesy of Kate Antonlades

29. Image courtesy of Bill Banaszewski

30. References
*Each slide reference is located in the respective slide notes
Antonlades, K. (2009, August 23). Kate Antonlades. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rediscoveringrochester/3856870975/in/album-72157622020151863/
Jr., F. E. (2015). Images of the Erie Canal between Rochester and Syracuse. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from The Erie Canal:
http://www.eriecanal.org/westcentral-1.html#Seneca
Kaufman, K. (n.d.). American Black Duck. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from Audubon.org: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-black-
duck
National Park Service. (2010, November 11). Autumn Olive. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from National Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/elum.htm
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (2015). Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from
NYS DEC: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31112.html
Randolph, J. (2012). Environmental Land Use Planning and Management. Washington, DC: Island Press.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2013). Chapter 1: Purpose of, and Need for, Action. Seneca Falls, NY: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2013). Chapter 2: Planning Process. Seneca Falls, NY: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2013). Chapter 3: Existing Environment. Seneca Falls, NY: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2013). Chapter 4: Management Direction and Implementation. Seneca Falls, NY: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2013). Montezuma Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Seneca Falls, NY: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). American Black Duck Facts. US Fish and Wildlife Service.
US Forest Service. (2015, April 29). Invasive Species. Retrieved November 01, 2015, from US Forest Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/invasives/