MIKE DUNN
SAVING THE DIRT: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as the steward for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, is saving the soil, protecting life and property, and meeting the wildlife conservation purpose for this refuge. Like farmers, we understand the value of soil conservation. Rewetting this refuge’s organic/peat soils is the best way to prevent soil loss. Rewetting the soil also helps prevent catastrophic wildfires like the 1985 Allen Road fire and the 2008 Evans Road fire, which threatened life and property. “Saving the dirt” by rewetting these peat soils helps produce the best wildlife habitat, which meets the purpose of this refuge and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge system. The black bear is one of hundreds of species that call this refuge home.