USFWS volunteer patch and clothing

A number of volunteers have asked where they can get USFWS volunteer clothing or hats. These can be helpful for identification in the field, but please also always remember to have your USFWS volunteer identification card with you whenever you are monitoring. Shaun Roche asked that I pass along this link to buy a patch that you can affix to a hat or shirt: http://westernheritagestore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WHC&Product_Code=FWS204&Category_Code=FWS

In past years a volunteer hat and t-shirt have been provided to everyone by USFWS at no charge. However, this year things changed because of the sequestration and increased costs for the goods. In order to provide them for possibly over 100 monitors it would have cost at least $1,500 and it was not possible for them to be purchased at this time by USFWS. The very limited refuge budget could not be stretched that far. Please keep in mind that you are not required to purchase anything, and that this is only for people who are interested in doing so on their own.

Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, Audubon Connecticut and the Connecticut Audubon Society partnering to improve conditions for coastal waterbirds in Connecticut.