The Gig Economy
A term that has risen to the forefront as of late is the “gig economy”. It is a new way that some companies work in that they hire independent contractors instead of full-time employees. The National Wildlife Refuge Association has been using this concept for several years to complement our full-time staff in order to wisely use the funding we receive and build a more responsive conservation non-profit organization. We currently have seven independent contractors that serve as regional representatives or program coordinators for a specific focus area. Over the coming months, we will highlight the work that our team (full time and independent contractors) does. Today, we would like to highlight the work of our four Regional Representatives.
As contractors—not employees—regional reps work from home where they are responsible for individual office costs e.g. computer, telephone. The Refuge Association reimburses approved travel/lodging and each regional rep receives a monthly retainer but no pay or benefits. Our Regional Reps are all subject matter experts; retired National Wildlife Refuge System leaders who have a passion for national wildlife refuges and want to continue supporting them. They serve as a liaison with their respective USFWS Regional Director and Regional Refuge Chief as well as acting as the point of contact for sharing information between Refuge Managers, other refuge field staff, and Friends Groups within their region and the Refuge Association. They assist in creating testimony or comments as appropriate; contribute articles on relevant topics of interest; provide analysis and review of USFWS-DOI proposed policy or regulations; and represent the Refuge Association at public meetings, events, and conservation partners meetings.
We currently have four regional representatives but our goal is to have eight, one for each region of the USFWS. We are pleased to announce that our newest Regional Rep, Jan Taylor, began work on April 1 as our Regional Representative, Northeast Region.
We appreciate the work and knowledge of each of our reps. Together, these Regional Reps give the Refuge Association the lean, efficient staffing model that helps address the diverse but intermittent issues we address.
Introducing Our New Northeast Regional Representative, Jan Taylor
The National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce our newest addition to the team, Jan Taylor. Jan Taylor will be filling the role of our Northeast Regional Representative. Jan has spent 36 years with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service serving as the National Wildlife Refuge System's Chief of the Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning in the Northeast Region, as Regional Biologist for the Northeast Region, and working at national wildlife refuges such as Carolina Sandhills, Great Swamp, and Edwin B. Forsythe NWRs.
Over her career she has made many great accomplishments including securing $67 million in Hurricane Sandy Resiliency funds and was granted the Superior Service Award by the Department of the Interior in 2018.
Most recently she has been serving as a coordinator on a project regarding eradication of the invasive mouse population that is impacting nesting habitat of the various seabirds on Midway Atoll NWR. Although the project has been put on hold due to COVID-19, she hopes to start back up on the project as soon as possible.
“It is a great honor for me to continue my support and advocacy for wildlife refuges by working for the National Wildlife Refuge Association, an organization I have always admired for having a strong voice for the National Wildlife Refuge System. I am very excited to be part of this amazing Refuge Association team and provide an additional “voice” for refuges in the Northeast. I look forward to working with my colleagues during these challenging times to address controversial issues, seek additional funding, and support the implementation of wildlife conservation on the ground.”