Sunday, September 16, 2012

Let's Name a Wildlife Refuge!

I'm hoping that you all can give me a little hand.

Well, give my entire extended family a hand is probably more accurate.

Don't worry, it's a whole lot easier than it sounds at this point. :)

One of my uncles (on mom's side) is currently in the running to have a Wildlife Refuge named after him in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Most people settle for having a star named after them...having a whole Wildlife Refuge named after you is a big deal!

Uncle Johnny (John Paul Taylor, Jr.) was the former wildlife biologist with Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. He led the eradication of salt cedar from the Bosque to re-establish the native cottonwood groves, while his practices and leadership were instrumental in many other reclamation projects of the riparian habitat along the Rio Grande, and all over the country. He also developed close working relationships with Mexico on bird fly-ways protection.

In other words, he was a darn good wildlife biologist and his passion for it is pretty obvious in the work that he did! I have fond memories of him inviting us out to the Bosque to watch the birds come in for the evening as they were flying south for the winter. Such an amazing sight!

How would you like to go to work and see this everyday?!


In 2004, at the age of 49, Uncle Johnny suffered a massive stroke and was life-flighted to a nearby hospital. The doctors did what they could, but they were unable to reverse the damage.
Before they took him off of life support, Aunt Maggie, his wife, decided to donate his organs to help other people. She earmarked his kidneys to go to one of his closest friends and cut years off of her wait on the transplant list.

So here's the deal: There is a new Wildlife Refuge that is being built in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region is asking the public for assistance in choosing the name. They are considering naming the Wildlife Refuge after Uncle Johnny in appreciation for the work and progress he brought to preserving wildlife habitats in the area.
Cool beans, right?!

So if you don't mind, could you click here and vote for the name, "John Paul Taylor, Jr. NWR"? You just click the little check mark and you are done! He's right at the top of the list. And you don't have to be in New Mexico to vote. :)

Thanks!! :)

Curious to know more about Uncle Johnny? The Bosque del Apache put out a publication just after he passed away dedicated to him: http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/Newsletter111204.pdf

4 comments:

  1. I don't think I have ever commented on your blog but have watched it since you were early pregnant (I'm from Seattle, WA). My grandmother was your grandfather's sister (Marguerite). I remember your uncle and have been to Mesilla many times. What a wonderful tribute to Johnny. Susan (Want) Palmer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aunt Marguerite! I definitely remember her! :) I'm so glad that you commented, Susan. It's always a pleasure to "meet" relatives!

      Uncle Johnny is definitely missed. You are right, having the wildlife refuge named after him would be a wonderful tribute!

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