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Rebekah Martin, project leader for Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex, recently announced the selection of Kendall Smith as the refuge manager for Mattamuskeet, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island national wildlife refuges.

Smith’s selection was a homecoming of sorts, as he was introduced to Mattamuskeet Refuge as an intern leading a crew of Youth Conservation Corps participants during the summer of 1996. He began his official career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1997 as a cooperative education student while attending North Carolina State University where he received his undergraduate degree in wildlife sciences.

After graduation, he worked at Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. For the past 14 years, he has served as a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in eastern North Carolina working with private landowners.

While not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, biking and working with children at church and in his local community.

“We’re so excited to have Kendall joining our staff of professionals in eastern North Carolina,” Martin said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will enable him to hit the ground running — just what we need!”

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge is one of nine national wildlife refuges in the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex. For more information, visit the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge web page.