Greetings! I'm Kelly Chase, a new Outdoor Recreation Planner here at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. I started with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a year ago at Back Bay NWR in southern Virginia Beach. After a summer with them, I went back to finish my degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In the spring of 2002, 1 finished my internship at Back Bay NWR and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism (concentration in Parks and Protected Area Management) and a minor in Fishery Biology. At the end of July 2002, 1 transferred from Back Bay NWR to Chincoteague NWR to help with the Herbert H. Bateman Environmental and Administrative Center (BEAC).

While I've only been here for a little over a month, I've been able to jump into things feet first! Right now I'm working with Angela Tracy on finishing photo acquisition and preparing documents for the fabrication of exhibits for the BEAC. Until the grand opening, I'll be working on anything and everything relating to the Center as well as learning the refuge's public use programs. Thanks to all who have made me feel welcome. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone I haven't had the chance to get to know yet.

Kelly Chase
Outdoor Recreation Planner, CNWR