CONSERVATION

VIC DOIG NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

BY THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ASSOCIATION

September 14, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 14, 2020) – Victor “Vic” Doig, fire management officer for the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges near Chiefland, Fla, was named the country’s outstanding 2020 National Wildlife Refuge System Employee of the Year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, (NWRA.) This award recognizes a current refuge employee whose accomplishments are judged to be the most outstanding of the candidates nominated.

A resident of Gainesville, Fla, Doig worked for the State of Florida in wildlife management for 15 years. Originally from Ormond Beach, Fla, Doig graduated from the University of Florida and received a master’s degree in wildlife management from North Carolina State University.

Doig’s primary role as a fire management officer is to oversee all prescribed fire operations, which utilizes fire for wildland management. Prescribed fires* are essential in preventing major wildfires and thins out the weedy woody shrubs, which increases ground cover that helps the habitat and wildlife thrive. His leadership in applying prescribed fire into the landscape allows the refuges to maintain and improve its ecosystem.

In his role, Doig made invaluable partnerships with numerous organizations, sharing information, equipment, personnel, and support. These relationships with outside organizations, have worked to promote the use of fire as an irreplaceable management tool to enhance the management of these critically important ecosystems.

“We have witnessed dramatic improvements in managed habitats and wildlife diversity,” according to Larry Woodward, Deputy Refuge Manager. “Many of these astounding improvements are directly attributed to Vic’s innovative efforts in the field.”

In addition to his job as Fire Management Officer, Doig is also a Certified Wildlife Biologist and promotes the protection of critical coastal birds nesting, feeding and loafing habitats. Loafing is described here as not actively feeding and free from human disturbance. As storm frequency and intensities increase in recent times, suitable nesting habitat for declining shorebird populations have been drastically impacted by flooding and erosion along the coast of Florida. Doig has been instrumental in leading a conservation partnership with federal, state, academic, and local community resources developing a strategy in providing artificial nesting structures.

“Vic consistently goes above and beyond what’s expected of his position for the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge,” said Geoffrey Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “His ability to take on a heavy workload and leverage his skills as a wildlife biologist make him critical to the preservation of wildlife that depend upon these Refuges.”

Vic consistently goes above and beyond what’s expected of his position for the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge,” said Geoffrey Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. “His ability to take on a heavy workload and leverage his skills as a wildlife biologist make him critical to the preservation of wildlife that depend upon these Refuges.”

 Since 1994, the National Wildlife Refuge Association has helped to honor the outstanding accomplishments by refuge managers, refuge employees, volunteers, Friends groups, and refuge advocates through our Refuge System Awards program. The National Wildlife Refuge System depends on the dedication of its exceptional workforce and the devotion of its volunteers, Friends groups and advocates to manage the world’s largest network of lands and waters set aside for wildlife conservation.