 IF SHE COULD BRING BACK TEDDY ROOSEVELT, HE WOULD SPEAK LOUDLY ABOUT WILDLIFE REFUGES Palm Beach Post -- Wednesday, August 15, 2001 By: Linda Haase, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Margo Stahl, 52 Refuge manager, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Margo Stahl is planning a huge bash. The guest list includes dignitaries, conservationists, Teddy Roosevelt, and you. Stahl, the new refuge manager of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, is planning a celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the U.S. Wildlife Refuge System, which will take place March 2003. It's a way to let people learn about the 500 refuges across the country that are devoted to conservation management. America's first national wildlife refuge -- Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge -- was established in Indian River County by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 to stop the slaughter of wading birds by plume hunters who sold their feathers for women's hats. "If I could bring back Teddy Roosevelt and have him to talk to as many people as possible and he could recall the vision that he had when establishing the first refuge, we could inspire a lot of people. If only we could reincarnate him or maybe have someone who looks like him come and talk to peopleÉ" Stahl said as she brainstormed ideas for the celebration. "The most important thing is to work very closely with our key partners in all of this. Nothing we do can be done alone," she said. Before coming to the Hobe Sound refuge, Stahl lived for 25 years in Hawaii, where she was endangered species coordinator in the Honolulu office and the assistant refuge manager for all Oahu refuges. She has many plans for the 1,000-acre Hobe Sound refuge, including protecting the diminishing native habitat from invasive species, working with the public to create a 15-year conservation plan, and increasing and enhancing opportunities for visitors, including guided nature walks and community volunteer days. Stahl, a University of Miami graduate, is thrilled to be back in Florida, where she grew up and experienced the first Earth Day. "That was a catalyst for my interest in the conservation field. That's when the Everglades was being lost in a major way and the need to recover that loss was important," she said. "Florida is my home state and I was longing to return to apply what I've learned over the years and to be close to my parents, who live in South Florida." What's your biggest accomplishment? "Joining the Fish and Wildlife ServiceÉ to be able to do the work that I think is the most important." What are your hobbies? Cooking, bird watching and classical music." What is your favorite childhood memory? "Fishing for snook with my family off a bridge." Who would you like to have dinner with? "George W. and Jeb Bush so we could plan the big birthday bash for the centennial. Because Florida had the first refuge it should be the state that does it up big. It should be held probably a week, maybe longer with lots of activities." If you were stranded on a desert island and could take only one luxury item, what would it be? "Pen and paper so I could write to all the people that have helped me or made a difference to me over the years so I could thank them for influencing me and helping me." For what would you like to be remembered? "Having people say they were inspired by visiting one of my refuges or by taking part in one of my programs. You are best remembered through the people you touch." What do you do when you want to get away from it all? "Listen to classical music. It's very easy to get away from it all by listening to the great masters." Copyright (c) 2001, The Palm Beach Post |