Mike Morrow Retirement Gift

After 32 years as the senior biologist for the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, Dr. Mike Morrow will retire at the end of this year. We are offering everyone who wants a chance to contribute to his retirement gift a way to do that here by helping us purchase this hand-carved Attwater's prairie-chicken that was commissioned for Mike's retirement. The piece was created by retired Fish and Wildlife Service refuge manager Larry Narcisse over the past six months.

As many of you know, Mike is the world's leading expert on Attwater's prairie-chicken. In 1990, he was the first biologist hired for the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. Mike began working on Attwater's in 1985 as a Ph.D candidate at Texas A&M University. His telemetry work led to a better understanding of Attwater's life history and habitat requirements that would later guide the Service's efforts to prevent the bird's extinction. Mike has worked closely with every entity and individual who has worked on Attwater's recovery since 1990 and is largely responsible for building the recovery team and recovery program as we know it today.

During his 32 years as the refuge biologist, he has trained over 60 biological and invasive species interns and served on countless graduate student committees, many of whom have gone on to very successful careers in the wildlife conservation field. His leadership and scientific expertise will continue to drive prairie-chicken recovery for not only Attwater's but other grouse species throughout North America for many years to come.

We know that many people that have worked with Mike over the years will want to contribute to this unique retirement gift. We are hoping to raise $800 to pay for the gift, but any funds that are raised in excess of that amount will be donated to the Friends of Attwater Refuge, who will use those monies in honor of Mike to further Attwater prairie-chicken recovery, as this is what we know Mike would want most.

We will be giving this gift to Mike during an employee potluck in the middle of December. In true Mike fashion, he has requested that we don't make a "big deal" out of his retirement (not a surprise to any of you that know him!), but we would like to surprise him with this gift, so please help us keep this a secret!

We will update this account with photos of Mike receiving this gift in December. Thank you for your generous contribution!