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We achieved more than seems possible in a good year without COVID-19, and civil and political unrest.  Our ES team came together in the spirit of Us, demonstrating Excellence through Good Decisions!  Our team members were Nimble and adjusted to working remotely from home 100%, they Owned It and took on work from other programs to help their colleagues with unrealistic deadlines, and they shared their thoughts and Talked when called upon to help ES be a more diverse and inclusive workplace.  I am grateful and honored to work with each one of you!
- Gina & my COVID-19 co-workers

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Under tight timeline, team completed a draft Biop on OSMRE's SMCRA regulatory program (coal mining).

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The CBRA team produced over 150 final recommended maps covering 9 states as part of the Hurricane Sandy project.

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Took a 3600 mile RV road trip with my family!

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Took a 3600 mile RV road trip with my family!

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NWI Year in Review using ArcGIS Story Map. Thxs Jane &Jeff

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NWI Year in Review using ArcGIS Story Map. Thxs Jane &Jeff

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https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/958951c7d601481891c49f61d1f79000

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Due to COVID-19, IRTM issued a Contactless IT Support policy. Even with this new computers for ES were setup, along with all needed software, access, and peripherals. Troubleshooting issues and ensuring that staff remained able to work remotely. Assisted staff with home office setups.

Angela Okolie

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I reviewed over 60 listing and down-/delisting rules to improve consistency.

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I reviewed over 60 listing and down-/delisting rules to improve consistency.

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Made it through my first year as an SSA project manager. Sometimes it felt like drinking from a fire hose but I learned a ton and I'm excited to jump into year 2!
-Lara

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Year 1 of the new structure with three Team Leads- Megan, Mitch and Herb

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This fiscal year's achievement was surviving GranSolutions, and having a good understanding of the system, workflow, and the whole new financial assistance process to help regions with issues. At ES-HQ, we process 32 Financial Assistance actions in 2 months. It seems incredible to me because they were long hours of work, trying to understand the workflow, finding many issues in the system, constant communication with the helpdesk, and frustration. I finished satisfied and with a smile.

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This fiscal year's achievement was surviving GranSolutions, and having a good understanding of the system, workflow, and the whole new financial assistance process to help regions with issues. At ES-HQ, we process 32 Financial Assistance actions in 2 months. It seems incredible to me because they were long hours of work, trying to understand the workflow, finding many issues in the system, constant communication with the helpdesk, and frustration. I finished satisfied and with a smile.

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Pre-pandemic: Developed and delivered two in-person interagency trainings focused on the FERC hydropower licensing process.
Post-pandemic: Hosted 4 two-hour long interagency hydro information sessions via Teams with a Dream Team of current and retired hydropower professionals.
Accomplished: explained and simplified the multi-step FERC hydro licensing process, and illuminated opportunities to provide for the conservation and development of fish and wildlife resources at the landscape level.

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Worked with an amazing team of FWS staff to complete a draft final rule for the gray wolf. This included processing 1.5 million public comments!!!

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USFS Operational Field Evaluation Concurrence Letter

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USFS Operational Field Evaluation Concurrence Letter

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Completed a concurrence letter for the USFS Operational Field Evaluation for a new fire retardant product

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CBRS Program produced and reviewed over 400 Final Recommended Unit Summaries (over 1,300 pages and 2,500 individual bullet points) in preparation for the Report to Congress

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CBRA Program completed 14 determinations with an average turn-around time of 15 days.

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Continued on the path of a Master Gardener helping fellow gardeners. 

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Continued on the path of a Master Gardener helping fellow gardeners. 

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Got a job at FWS! 20 years of Federal Service

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Got a job at FWS! 20 years of Federal Service

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One of the highlights of this "one for the books" FY was landing a wonderful job with the NRDAR program; a nerdy career dream come true! Thanks for the welcome! ☺
In May I celebrated 20 years with the federal government.
- Erinn Shirley

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Added this adorable old guy to my family :)

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2 more Dkeys are out for use in IPaC

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We expanded the HQ IPaC team by pulling on Chellby (YAY!), added 2 new Developers in CO, and LR 6 added 2 Term IPaC Bios (with R4 hiring a detailee soon).

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FOIA Coordinator and 20 years with FedGov

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FOIA Coordinator and 20 years with FedGov

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I assumed the FOIA Coordinator duties as a detail beginning in June. I have completed 14 requests, all on time.

I also celebrated 20 years with the Federal Government on February 14. And yes, we exchanged Valentine's Day cards.

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I published that one article - you know the one - the one that has been written for years but never published.

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IPaC in HQ and Denver hosted a successful virtual User Acceptance Test of the Consultation Package Builder, IPaC's newest functionality scheduled for release in December 2020. We had 19 testers from 8 agencies test the software and provide invaluable feedback as we prepare for release.

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I started my first federal position with FWS and got married in August at our local courthouse!

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Helped review documents for the ESA AR and was offered the opportunity to fill in for an incredible ES lawyer while he's out on detail! Since I graduated law school in May, this is my first paid position as a lawyer!

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CBRA Program prepared numerous responses to GAO which is reviewing federal agency policies and procedures related to CBRA consultations and mapping efforts.

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Revised CBRA Interpretation for Beach Nourishment Projects

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Revised CBRA Interpretation for Beach Nourishment Projects

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CBRA Program communicated the Department’s new policy affecting federally-funded dredging and beach nourishment projects, including advising the Corps on considerations for developing CBRA-compliant projects that protect coastal resources.

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After 10 years of intentionally waiting to get a dog, I adopted my first dog through the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation after fostering her for 4 months (starting late April) while she went through heartworm treatment and recovered from additional medical issues. We've walked hundreds of miles together. Never would have met her if it weren't for Covid! Such a positive during these times!

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...for the Section 7 pesticide analyses (great job, Jennifer and team)!

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Hit ambitious target (or at least within a couple of days :) ) for getting the draft to our first major deadline.

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Kudos to IRTM and the whole organization for having us prepared to rise to the challenge of the pandemic. TEAMS and other new tools made it remarkably seamless...imho.

And thanks to ALL in HQ for onboarding us newbies and making us feel welcome!

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Completed expedited analyses for >1,500 species for a national section 7 consultation.

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Completed expedited analyses for >1,500 species for a national section 7 consultation.

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Processed over 31,000 Wolf comments solo in addition to (alongside one other) about 75% of the overall wolf comments.  That is a serious amount of fuzzy wuzzy wolf comments.

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Learned how to use and looked at critical habitat comments.

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Been tracking the PIV credentials for the program and while it hasn't been easy, I'm glad to say that it's been done.

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After a 5 year hiatus I began running again - slowly. Over the months I've built up to 5 miles with a goal to complete the 5 miles in an hour. My times in the past week are between 60 and 67 minutes!

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ES tech team leads and other engaged ES staff have worked hard to create a new online permit system with 3 other programs (IA, LE, MB) - we are close to the first release- Oct 20.
Karen A. and Kathy K.

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Submitted first revised draft of a plan not updated since 2005.

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All with FWS HQ

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Wrote first SSA, lead first Recommendation Team Meeting, and wrote first proposed rule! 

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Wrote first SSA, lead first Recommendation Team Meeting, and wrote first proposed rule! 

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In response to a request from Chairman Grijalva of the House Natural Resources Committee, the CBRA Program has worked collaboratively with USGS to draft a thorough report detailing the known ecosystem effects of sand mining. The draft report is expected to be complete by December 2020.

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Continued productive coordination with Service field offices from AK, WA, CA, FL, & PR to provide support for their management and conservation efforts with polar bears, walruses, sea otters, and manatees.

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GAO Audit on MMPA & Offshore Seismic Surveys

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GAO Audit on MMPA & Offshore Seismic Surveys

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Completed the final piece of the GAO Audit requiring the Service to analyze the agency's time frames for reviewing incidental harassment authorization applications and compare to statutory review time frame.  Provided final input in advance of the target date of August 31, 2020.

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Provided input, flowcharts, and tables to include the incidental take authorization process of the MMPA into the ECOSphere platform.

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MMPA Prescott Grant Program and Award of First Ever Service Grants

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MMPA Prescott Grant Program and Award of First Ever Service Grants

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Service received $2.2 million to develop and implement the MMPA Prescott Grant Program to provide financial assistance for the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of West Indian manatees, sea otters, Pacific walruses and polar bears.  Developed the program before the end of 2019 and awarded 23 grants to 15 conservation organizations and state agencies before the end of FY2020.

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MMPA into ECOSphere
Provided input, flowcharts, and tables to include the incidental take authorization process of the MMPA into the ECOSphere platform. 

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Completed technical correction assessments for 27 CBRS units in this project. These assessments were for 46 specific properties or areas where requests were made asking us to determine whether a technical mapping error exists.

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Completed draft responses to the approximately 200 public comments we received during the public review and comment periods for this project.

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I used the extra time during WFH during COVID to train for and complete my first 5K.
-Amanda

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Uploading content for permit detail pages for ES and Migratory Birds.  It has been so great working with International Affairs, Law Enforcement, External Affairs, and Migratory Birds on this project.
-Dara

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Updating content in SharePoint to make it user friendly and engaging for employees to use as a central landing pad.
-Dara

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New BNC staff brought on board this year - glad you could join us, Jeff!

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New BNC staff brought on board this year - glad you could join us, Jeff!

# data[].attributes.body
-Karen M

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Successful leadership program projects, including work on our ESA Section 7 Curriculum development (thanks, Chellby!) and NRDA (thanks, Keith!)

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Successful leadership program projects, including work on our ESA Section 7 Curriculum development (thanks, Chellby!) and NRDA (thanks, Keith!)

# data[].attributes.body
-Karen M

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So glad to have Dave Caldwell onboard to assist with our responsibilities under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  Thanks for your willingness to take on the challenges of marine mammal management and conservation, Dave!!

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Held a 3-day training workshop in Roswell, NM, for BLM and FWS staff who work together on environmental review of oil and gas authorizations. It was the first training held since 2014, and the first that included BLM.

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Completed 1st year as a federal employee 

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Completed 1st year as a federal employee 

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Several of us (myself included) finished our first year as permanent federal employees at HQ-ES! Congrats to my fellow coworkers who this applies to!
- Kourtney

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Fostered a "Culture of Us" by kickstarting a new "Reach Out Let's Talk" Committee. Approximately 20% of HQ ES employees  attended the first meeting at the start of Covid. Stay tuned for future virtual events to help keep us connected in FY2021!

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Worked with an AMAZING team to review and QC over 35K documents in roughly eight weeks to meet a litigation deadline.

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Training for Ecological Services Biologists

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Training for Ecological Services Biologists

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Developed updated curriculum for and served as an instructor of NCTC FWCA training in Houston March 2020. Also worked with instructors to develop an initial proposal for cross-program ES biologist training for FWS.

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Transitioned FWS’s Infrastructure google site materials to new Infrastructure sharepoint  with new materials for  step-by-step compliance instructions for FAST-41/OFD coordination and reporting.

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Being nimble with the disruption of COVID and developing training materials for a virtual platform in collaboration with economists, solicitors, and SMEs

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The CBRA Program worked on processing four FOIA requests this year, including one large request from the Southern Environmental Law Center (so far >2,600 pages).

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The CBRA Program worked with the ECOSphere development team to create a vision and design for the CBRA workflow in the TAILS replacement. The new CBRA workflow will streamline consultations, improve their tracking (making GAO happy), and ultimately enhance compliance with CBRA.

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FWS received 167,000 comments for the proposed habitat regulation. With a team of 22 volunteers from across the Service we reviewed and categorized all comments in 9 working days!

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Navigated DOI policy level and OMB reviews for the proposed definition of habitat and exclusions regulation and delivered to the Federal Register.

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I assumed the FOIA Coordinator duties as part of a detail and have completed all responses on time.

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Finished South Texas programmatic agreement with NRCS

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Finished South Texas programmatic agreement with NRCS

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HQ helped finished a multi-office agreement that will leverage $500 million over the life of the 7a1 consultation effort to conserve species on private lands in South Texas using NRCS' Farm Bill programs.

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NRCS provided funds (up to 5 years) to create position dedicated in HQ to assist Field and Region to advance conservation opportunities for private lands with Farm Bill monies!

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Hired 6 new Project Managers for the Species Assessment Team.

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Graduated with Cohort 2 of the HQ ES Leadership Development program!

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Graduated with Cohort 2 of the HQ ES Leadership Development program!

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Congrats to my fellow cohort members! I am so proud of the work we accomplished this year!

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Added 2 New Branch Chiefs to our team and a new branch!

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Added 2 New Branch Chiefs to our team and a new branch!

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Welcome to Kim Tripp and Susan Lingenfelser! Also welcome to the new Branch of Coastal Marine Resources!

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Hired the first ES reporting coordinator!

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Hired the first ES reporting coordinator!

# data[].attributes.body
Welcome Nochienna! We are so happy you are to help us!

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With lead biologists in LR8 and LR1, we drafted 6 resource needs and 87 effects pathways (so far) for the marbled murrelet. We also cleaned up effects pathways data for over 20 species in preparation for our release of Consultation Package Builder. Woohoo!

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Migrated authentication of ECOS applications to use login.gov, achieving multi-factor authentication and Single Sign On capabilities.

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ESRI sought out that feature service as an improvement on their existing standards. That means we are presenting that layer better then ESRI designed\developed for.

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We are building an awesome new cloud-based platform that will allow all ES workflows to track their work on projects! S7 workflow underway and 13 additional workflows deconstructed and ready for development. Spatial data everywhere!

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The SRP Team completed 176 current range maps!

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The SRP Team completed 176 current range maps!

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Welcome Sean!!!! And Thanks Caitlin for taking on the SAT!

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The end of the year balance for all ES HQ subactivities: $0.00! Way to go BBS team!