New manager at Erie Refuge in Pennsylvania

Meet Vicki Muller, the new refuge manager at Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Guys Mills, Penn. Vicki has worked with the Service at five different locations ranging from visitor services to wildlife and habitat management. Learn more about Vicki, her experience, and her goals for managing Erie National Wildlife Refuge in this blog interview.

Vicki Muller is the new refuge manager at Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvania.

Q: What is your professional background and previous experience with the Service?

A: I began my career as a volunteer at Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge  in 2002 and then while earning my bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from The Ohio State University, I got a job with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Student Career Experience Program in 2003. I’ve worked my way through the management series at five different stations in Montana, North Dakota, and Texas. I’ve had the fortune of working in China for four weeks during a Wildlife Without Borders exchange program and also served as a core team member for the Relevance to a Changing America in preparation for the National Wildlife Refuge System’s new vision document, Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation. Most recently, I’m moving from Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas where I’ve spent the last five years as the wildlife refuge specialist in charge of visitor services and habitat management.

Q: What are your goals for the refuge in your new position?

A: I look forward to working with the community on the conservation of the French Creek Watershed as well as the plants and wildlife that depend on and live in it.

Q: What can people look forward to regarding the comprehensive conservation plan for Erie National Wildlife Refuge?

Learn more about the comprehensive conservation plan at Erie National Wildlife Refuge

A: We are still working on the draft comprehensive conservation plan for the refuge. Currently, we are developing potential management alternatives to address issues and meet refuge goals.  There will be a chance for public comment and input as we develop a plan to guide  refuge management for the next 15 years.  People can look forward to engaging in many activities at the refuge, including hunting, fishing and bird watching. We will work to balance our visitor activities and opportunities while managing habitat for wildlife.

Q: What kind of experience do you want people to have when they visit Erie National Wildlife Refuge?

A: I want people to know that Erie National Wildlife Refuge is a place to visit and connect with nature.  I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy their national wildlife refuge which I have the privilege of working for!

Vicki will begin working as the refuge manager at Erie National Wildlife Refuge on August 5, 2013, managing three full-time employees. She can be reached at 814-789-3585 or at Vicki_Muller@fws.gov once she begins.