Federal cuts affecting Wildlife Agency’s operation

Crystal River, Fla. – Concerns are mounted when it comes to job security in a Citrus County Wildlife Refuge.

What you need to know

Staff and employees with Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge fears removing their jobs in the middle of federal expenses

Two positions, a specialist in visitors services and volunteer coordinator, were removed last week

In 2015, there were 12 employees of the staff of the refuge, but after cuts in financing in 2018, 2020 and now there are only six left

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge staff fears eliminating jobs in the midst of federal cuts. This is not the first time they have undergone staff and cuts in financing and now do what they can to be prepared.

At the water’s edge of King’s Bay stands proudly Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

For years, the hub has served as a window to nature for visitors of all ages. But recently, some major changes had to be made.

“Historically, at any time there are state cuts, unfortunately, US fish and wildlife are one of the most vulnerable agencies, so we tend to feel the battle a little more than some of the other agencies in the federal government,” said KC Nayfield, president of Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Financing and jobs are cut down at the federal level, and Wildlife Refuge and its visitors were included where two positions were removed last week.

“We lost our specialist in visitors and our volunteer coordinator,” Nayfield said. “These were two positions that were crucial to ensure that this refuge finding smooth, efficient and effective. It becomes very difficult to work without them. “

The Visiting Center Coordinator is responsible for educational programs and he said it is a significant loss that will affect their operations, including field travel.

“These volunteers lay between 25 and 30,000 hours a year, and they save us fish and wildlife hundreds of thousands of dollars a year with the work they do here in three sisters and in King’s Bay,” Nayfield said.

While the effect of these cuts is felt immediately, Nayfield said he remains optimistic.

“It will just take some time to adapt and hopefully maybe we can get these guys back and fill these positions at some point in the future,” he said.

And he hopes the refuge will be able to continue educating people in the coming years.

This is not the first time the refuge has had to deal with cuts. In 2015, there were 12 staff staff, but after cuts in 2018, 2020 and now there are only six left.