USFWS recognizes Vandenberg AFB for conservation efforts

  • Published
  • By Nathan Smith
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Due to their work with 17 endangered species that call the base home, the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, just west of Santa Barbara, California, was recently honored with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2015 Military Conservation Partner award.

The award is given annually to the top Department of Defense facility that demonstrates the highest environmental and conservation standards across all five services in within DOD. Since the award was established in 2004, Vandenberg is the only active Air Force base to receive the honor.

The civil engineering team at the base is responsible for protecting the 100,000 acres of delicate habitat the endangered species call home, while avoiding interference with the base's primary missions. Vandenberg has more endangered species than any other Air Force installation in the continental United States.

The team, comprised of five biologists and two archaeologists and augmented by a small group of contractors, works with the USFWS, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect approximately 20 percent of the world's remaining western snowy plover population. Other species at Vandenberg include the beach layia, the El Segundo blue butterfly and the California red-legged frog. 

"We have an outstanding staff here with years of experience; we have people that have been with the government for more than 20 years working on military bases," said Darryl York, the 30th CES conservation element chief.

The team has aided the plover - arguably the most high-profile project at the base - through the removal of invasive plant species that threaten the bird's breeding habitat and the humane relocation of predators away from plover populations.

Some of the proactive measures the squadron takes to support its endangered species, such as planting unique vegetation on which the El Segundo butterfly subsists, goes above and beyond the traditional responsibilities of a conservation element, said Bill Standley, a biologist with the USFWS field office in Ventura, California.

The conservation opportunities at Vandenberg, combined with a mission with a relatively minimal environmental impact and a devoted staff, made the decision to nominate the installation for the award an easy one, Standley said.

"It's a combination of having a wonderful piece of habitat to work on, with an Air Force mission that is not particularly destructive of the habitat and a very dedicated crew that is able to work with the Air Force to find that mix of accomplishing their mission and protecting the natural resources," he added.

The USFWS isn't the only federal organization to recognize the efforts of the Vandenberg team. As a result of work performed in support of the western snowy plover, Congress recently appropriated an additional $700,000 to fund restoration of the bird's sensitive habitat.

York expressed gratitude for all the honors his team has received.

"It's a nice recognition of the great work and the partnership we have with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," York said. "It's gratifying to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service understands this fine balance between making sure we're fulfilling our national defense mission as well as conserving these endangered species."