Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 1 

The Evolution of Patuxent as a 

Research Refuge and a Wildlife 

Research Center

MATTHEW C. PERRY

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center,

Laurel, Maryland 20708
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 2

Dignitaries at the Dedication of Patuxent Research 

Refuge June 3, 1939

INTRODUCTION

In 1993, all biological research within the Department 

of the Interior was consolidated into one agency. 

This consolidation led to the separation of Patuxent 

Research Refuge (PRR) from Patuxent Wildlife 

Research Center (PWRC). This separation left the 

refuge program under the administration of the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service and the research program, 

eventually under the administrative control of the 

U.S. Geological Survey. Over the years the land 

area and the research programs have been considered 

as one and the name “Patuxent” has been used 

interchangeably by staff and public to refer to both 

land and research.

The separation of land and research was a major 

change in policy and organizational structure for 

Patuxent. The change came at a time when Patuxent 

was grappling with its future role in wildlife research, 

management, and education. However, the change 

created increased opportunities and challenges for 

this renowned research institution, the largest wildlife 

research facility in the world, as well as increased 

opportunities and challenges for the refuge. The 

possibility existed that Patuxent, with proper planning, 

leadership, and partnerships, could increase its 

influence in all three areas.

It is appropriate to review the history and mission 

of Patuxent so that the wildlife and environmental 

communities fully understand the implications and 

potential results of the present management strategies 

at this historic and prestigious facility. When the 

Dr. Leland C. Morley in front 

of cabin

present mission is more fully understood, internally 

and externally, there might be increased support and 

funding for these important programs.

The following is a discussion of the evolution 

of Patuxent since its establishment in 1936 with 

emphasis on the leadership and policies that influence 

the wildlife programs and the land used by wildlife. 

The discussion is divided into three major periods: 

(1) Wildlife Conservation, (2) Environmental 

Movement, and (3) Public Outreach. The formation 

of Patuxent took place essentially during the birth 

of wildlife conservation in the United States. The 

original mission, to assist in the restoration of wildlife, 

led administrators and researchers to focus on land 

management research during the 1940s and 1950s. 

During the 1960-70s, Patuxent was influenced by the 

nationwide environmental movement and became 

renowned through studies to evaluate the effects of 

pesticides on birds and research on endangered species 

of wildlife. The 1980-90s saw a shift in emphasis 

from research studies to increasing activities with 

public use, environmental education, and refuge 

management. Highlights of this evolution are 

presented in the following discussion.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PERIOD

Although several conservation activities took 

place in the early 1900s, it was not until the 1930s 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 3 

John Snowden-the last resident of Snowden Hall

John Snowden with 4H Club members

Snowden Hall as it appeared in the 1920’s 

Snowden Hall as it appears in recent years

that federal and state agencies initiated scientific 

wildlife management and research to support it. The 

formation of Patuxent was one of many wildlife 

conservation activities taking place in the mid1930s. On December 16, 1936, President Franklin 

D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 7514, which 

transferred 2670 acres of land, that had been acquired 

(or would be acquired) by the United States, to the 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a wildlife 

experiment and research refuge. The area delineated 

in the Order was located in Anne Arundel and Prince 

George’s Counties, Maryland, and was created “to 

effectuate further the purposes of the Migratory Bird 

Conservation Act.” By order of the President the area 

was to be known as “the Patuxent Research Refuge.”

Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace dedicated 

the Refuge on June 3, 1939, and stated, “the chief 

purpose of this refuge is to assist in the restoration 

of wildlife--one of our greatest natural resources.” 

Secretary Wallace recognized “the vision and foresight 

of Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson, Chief of the Biological 

Survey”, and “the leadership of Dr. Leland C. Morley, 

superintendent of the refuge.” He further stated 

that the nation’s first wildlife research station was 

“the manifestation of a national determination and a 

national ability to conserve and administer wisely the 

organic resources and products of the soil--a priceless 

heritage to the generations of Americans yet to come.” 

Although Mr. Jay N. “Ding” Darling, former Chief of 

the Bureau of Biological Survey, was not mentioned 

in Secretary Wallace’s address, many persons also 

credit his interest and support for the formation of 

the Patuxent Research Refuge. The dedication took 

place at Snowden Hall, the former residence of John 

Snowden.

The location of the Patuxent Research Refuge 

adjacent to the National Agriculture Research Center 

at Beltsville, Maryland, made it an appropriate area, 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 4

more aware of the negative impact their activities 

were having on wildlife. It was appropriate, therefore, 

that in 1939 the Bureau of Biological Survey was 

transferred from the Department of Agriculture to 

the Department of the Interior. In 1940, the Bureau 

of Biological Survey was replaced with the Fish and 

Wildlife Service. It was not until 1956 that Congress 

re-designated this agency as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS).

Dr. Leland C. Morley was 

Superintendent of the Refuge during 

the embryonic years of 1938-48. He 

was responsible for the construction 

and development of the facilities to 

be used for wildlife research. Under 

his administration, three major buildings (Merriam, 

Henshaw, and Nelson Laboratories), named for the 

first three Chiefs of the Bureau of Biological Survey, 

Entrance to Patuxent in the 1940’s

Three major research buildings in 1950

Construction of a water control structure for an 

impoundment in 1954

Creating an island in an impoundment basin

according to Wallace, upon which to conduct “longtime studies on the interrelationships of wildlife with 

agriculture and forestry.” Secretary Wallace and Dr. 

Gabrielson envisioned an area where wildlife could 

be studied in relation to the production of agricultural 

crops, and where lands poorly suited for agriculture 

could be turned back into forests, fields, and meadows, 

thus again becoming productive for wildlife.

An interesting change in the relationship of humans 

and wildlife took place during the 1930s. Past 

emphasis of wildlife investigations in the USDA had 

focused on the adverse impact of wildlife on activities 

of humans. However, the long drought of the 1930s, 

coupled with decades of wetland drainage by humans, 

devastated North America’s waterfowl and other 

wildlife populations. Thus, Americans were becoming 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 5 

D.C. Some of the early Patuxent biologists traveled 

between Patuxent and their homes in Washington in 

trucks used to transport construction workers. On-site 

quarters were constructed for some biologists in the 

early 1940s to allow researchers to remain closer to 

their work. The first wetland area, Cash Lake, was 

built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and 

flooded in 1939 as a recreational area for fishing.

The CCC was also responsible for transplanting 

many trees from the woods to landscape the new 

buildings. With the outbreak of World War II, many 

of the Patuxent men were called for military service. 

Older staff members and women continued the 

wildlife conservation work and, beginning in 1943, 

were assisted by the Civilian Public Service, which 

Conscientious Objectors, Snowden Hall

Dr. Durward Allen inspecting flowering Bicolor lespedeza, 

1949

Director Arnold Nelson(rt) with Washington Administrator Gustav Swanson, at Cash Lake

Early view of Patuxent with trees transplanted by the 

CCC

established at Patuxent a group of conscientious 

objectors to the War. These men were credited with 

constructing Snowden Pond and several roads, and 

conducting surveys of wildlife and plants.

During 1942-48, Mr. Arnold L. 

Nelson supervised all research at 

Patuxent, and in 1948-59 he served 

as Patuxent’s first official Director. 

His responsibilities included both 

land management and research. The 

farm game research, which compared 

the diversity and numbers of wildlife under various 

farming practices, began under Mr. Nelson and was 

lead by Dr. Durward Allen.

Long-term studies of certain forest wildlife species, 

including box turtles, black rat snakes, and redshouldered hawks, also were initiated. The population 

were constructed in 1939-41.

This construction was conducted through the efforts 

of the Works Progress Administration and the Public 

Works Administration headquartered in Washington, 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 6

Completed impoundment showing water control 

structure

Island Marsh Complex, now named Uhler Marshes

First nesting by a pair of Canada geese at Patuxent, 1948

John Tautin examining wing 

of Northern bobwhite

Good quail hunting can be provided by good habitat management 

research study initiated by Dr. Lucille Stickel in the late-1940s 

is still an active study. Mr. Nelson was instrumental in 

continuing the development of the refuge for wildlife, 

while promoting research that would document habitat 

management techniques most beneficial for wildlife.

Most of the waterfowl impoundments that exist today 

at Patuxent were developed during Mr. Nelson’s 

tenure, and studies also were begun to determine how 

best to manage those areas for wildlife. Techniques 

developed at Patuxent to help farm game and wetland 

species were widely adopted throughout the country. 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 7 

Laboratory. Throughout his dedication speech, Mr. 

Udall referred to the work of Rachel Carson and her 

famous book Silent Spring, published in 1962. Ms. 

Carson never worked at Patuxent, but based much of 

her book on research done there. In 1989, the building 

was renamed Stickel Laboratory, for Lucille and 

William Stickel who had devoted a combined total of 

78 years to research at Patuxent.

The bird damage control research program, which had 

been initiated by Mr. Nelson, was expanded during 

Dr. Buckley’s tenure to the Section of Animal Damage 

Control Studies. Waterfowl habitat management 

research was conducted by the Wetland Ecology 

Section of Patuxent with major activities dealing 

with water level manipulation and artificial nesting 

structures taking place on the Patuxent grounds. 

Extensive studies of lead poisoning in waterfowl 

caused by the ingestion of spent lead shot pellets 

began at this time and continued through the 1960s. In 

1961, other migratory bird research and management 

programs, including the Bird Banding Laboratory, 

were consolidated in a newly established Migratory 

Bird Populations Station at Patuxent, headed by Mr. 

Walter F. Crissey.

Dr. Eugene H. Dustman served 

as Patuxent Director from 1963-

72. During his tenure Coburn 

Laboratory, the Service Building, 

and Gabrielson Laboratory were 

constructed. The Endangered 

Species Research program began 

in 1965 and was headed by Dr. 

Ray C. Erickson, who also served as the first Assistant 

Patuxent’s first field station was established in 

Alabama to evaluate the interrelationships between 

quail populations and habitat manipulations. Over the 

years, numerous other field stations have been located 

in many areas of the country including Hawaii and 

Puerto Rico.

The editorial office for the Wildlife Review was 

transferred from Chicago to Patuxent in 1948 

following the retirement of Waldo McAtee, the editor 

since its inception in 1935. Neil Hotchkiss became the 

first editor at Patuxent. Major additions of books and 

periodicals to the library occurred in conjunction with 

the Wildlife Review activities, making the Patuxent 

library one of the most extensive libraries for wildlife 

literature in the world.

In 1956, the Patuxent Research Refuge was renamed 

the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) to 

standardize the name with the adjacent Agriculture 

Research Center and with another Service facility in 

Denver, Colorado. The name change was done by 

administrative memorandum and did not supersede the 

original Executive Order designation as a Research 

Refuge. The name change had no noticeable effect on 

the operation of the research on the land, which was 

under the supervision of the director of PWRC.

ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT

Dr. John L. Buckley became the 

Director of Patuxent in 1959 and 

served until 1963. Under his 

leadership the pesticide research 

program, which began in the 1940s, 

was broadened to include other 

chemicals and became known as 

the Environmental Contaminants 

Research Program. An increased emphasis on 

experimental design and statistically controlled studies 

developed during the period. There was an increasing 

belief at Patuxent that field studies should receive 

less emphasis, because of the difficulty in controlling 

environmental and habitat variables compared to 

standardized pen studies. Observations in the field 

could now be tested under “laboratory” conditions.

A new building for the environmental contaminants 

program was dedicated in 1963 by Secretary of the 

Interior Stewart Udall. The building was originally 

named the Biochemistry and Wildlife Pathology 

Lucille and Bill Stickel while on vacaton 

in Florida 1950.
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 8

Adult bald eagle

Biologist John Maistrelli with eagle

Feeding young eaglets

Feeding young eaglets

Bruce Williams with young crane

Director of Patuxent. The first bald eagle and 

whooping crane arrived at Patuxent in 1965 and 1966, 

respectively, as the genesis of the captive propagation 

program that attained international prominence. 

Numerous bald eagles were raised at Patuxent and 

many hatchlings were transferred to nests in the wild 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 9 

Young crane in acclimation pen

Whooping crane pen complex

Caretaker in white costume to avoid cranes imprinting 

on humans

Dr. Ray Erickson with young crane

Canus (for Canada and U.S.) was 

first whooping crane at Patuxent

to replace nonviable eggs. This program helped many 

states with their bald eagle restoration projects. The 

bald eagle program ended in 1988. The first whooping 

crane was a bird injured on migration south and was 

named Canus, to represent the close cooperation 

between Canada and the United States. Canus was a 

sperm donor during the long and successful artificial 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 10

Jerry Longcore checking nest of black ducks

Brown pelican egg with greatly reduced eggshell 

resulting from pesticide poisoning

Dove nesting in garage was part of a large population study

Researchers (Joe Artmann and Woody Martin) 

testing the role of lead shot in poisoning rails on the 

Patuxent River

insemination program at Patuxent. Canus died in 

2001.

An additional 750 acres of land was purchased 

from the Shaefer family in 1970 as a buffer for the 

Endangered Species area, and several small support 

buildings, including a Veterinary Hospital, were 

constructed. A major endangered species laboratory 

was planned, but was never funded.

Environmental contaminant research expanded during 

the 1960s. A major breakthrough in DDT research 

occurred in 1969 when Patuxent researchers published 

results of research linking eggshell thinning with DDT 

in the food of birds. Research clearly indicated that 

DDT obtained in the food eaten by birds changed to 

DDE and then physiologically affected the process 

of calcium deposition on the eggshell of the birds’ 

eggs. Although initial eggshell thinning studies were 

conducted with mallards and black ducks, the findings 

had major implications with other species, especially 

fish-eating birds such as the brown pelican, osprey, 

and bald eagle.

Consequently, Patuxent researchers played influential 

roles by testifying during Congressional hearings on 

pesticides that eventually led to the 1972 nationwide 

ban of DDT and other organochlorine pesticides. 

Research was expanded on the very controversial 

subject of lead poisoning in waterfowl, and studies 

with captive ducks showed how ingested lead shot 

from shotgun shells of hunters could easily become 

lethal to ducks. In addition, extensive tests were 

conducted comparing the killing efficiencies of lead 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 11 

relationships.

During the 1970s, all research and management 

activities with the wetlands of Patuxent were curtailed 

because of new National priorities. This was a major 

turning point in research and management of the lands 

of Patuxent. Biologists continued some activities with 

nest boxes and water level control of impoundments 

on their own time, but, in general, little on-site habitat 

research or management was conducted during this 

period at Patuxent.

Great egrets at Knowles Marsh drawdown

Clark Webster checking an early wooden nest box

Fran Uhler installing a horizontal wood duck nest 

box that deters nesting starlings

and steel shot with ducks and other species. Results 

indicated that under most hunting situations steel shot 

was as effective in killing waterfowl as lead shot. 

Steel shot also reduced the crippling rate and was not 

toxic when eaten. These studies at Patuxent were the 

basis for the eventual ban of lead shot for waterfowl 

hunting which came in 1991.

Significant wetland management research was 

conducted during Dr. Dustman’s era on approximately 

300 acres of water impoundments that had been 

created at Patuxent. Improved nest boxes were 

designed for wood ducks, mallards, and black ducks, 

which greatly aided the nesting success of these 

species. Although wood ducks naturally accepted the 

artificial nest boxes, mallards and black ducks had to 

be conditioned to these structures with a technique 

utilizing the natural process of imprinting. By getting 

ducks to nest in artificial nest structures, productivity 

could be increased over nesting on the ground where 

ducks were vulnerable to fox and raccoon predators.

Drawdown techniques for impoundments were 

perfected to optimize moist-soil management for 

waterfowl. Seeds of annual plants such as umbrella 

sedges and smartweeds that were in the mud grew 

in great abundance during the summer to provide 

huge amounts of seeds to migrating ducks in the fall 

that were attracted to the reflooded impoundments. 

These techniques were then employed in many states 

throughout the United States and in other countries.

Patuxent’s Wetland Ecology Section and part of 

the Migratory Bird Populations Station (MBPS) 

were combined in 1972 into a new group called the 

Migratory Bird and Habitat Research Laboratory 

(MBHRL) under the direction of Dr. Robert I. Smith 

and later Dr. Fant Martin. The “population” activities 

of the MBPS involving surveys, regulations, and 

bird banding, became the Office of Migratory Bird 

Management. These organizations and staffs were 

co-located at Patuxent and shared administrative 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 12

Extensive research, however, was conducted by 

MBHRL personnel on species of concern in specific 

geographic areas including woodcock and black 

ducks in Maine, canvasbacks in Chesapeake Bay, 

and mourning doves in South Carolina. Woodcock 

productivity was studied at the Maine field station.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, Patuxent was 

extensively involved with studies dealing with 

problem bird species, especially red-winged 

blackbirds. These studies were conducted by 

researchers at field stations all over the country, but 

were supervised by Dr. John Seubert at Patuxent 

who headed the Section of Animal Damage Control 

Studies.

Dr. Dustman retired in early 1972 

and for one year, Dr. Seubert and Dr. 

Stickel alternated as acting directors 

of Patuxent. Dr. Lucille F. Stickel 

became the Director of Patuxent in 

Chris Grue checking starling nest box used in contaminant studies

Screech owl in nest box and used in contaminant 

studies

Technicians at Patuxent weighing ducklings

American kestrel in nest box with 

young

Wildlife research biologist, 

Matthew Perry, banding 

young kestrel
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 13 

Bob Stewart samples for submerged aquatic vegetation in 

Bay

Pilots Jim Goldsberry and Al Novara during waterfowl 

surveys Michael Haramis trapping 

diving ducks in Chesapeake 

Bay

1973 and served in that capacity until her retirement 

in 1981. Under her leadership, environmental 

contaminants research expanded and attained national 

prominence. The expansion of this program is 

demonstrated by the average number of publications 

on contaminants per year, which increased from 4 per 

year in the 1950s, to 7 in the 1960s, to 30 in the 1970s. 

Migratory bird research continued by MBHRL during 

the 1970s, and was fairly evenly divided between offsite field studies and on-site analyses of banding and 

other wildlife population data.

Extensive banding data for mallards was the basis 

for a series of reports, which discussed the role of 

additive and compensatory mortality with waterfowl. 

The expertise to analyze population data especially 

from banding during this period gained international 

prominence under the scientific expertise of Dr. Dave 

Anderson and others. With increased computer 

modeling capabilities, this work continued into the 

future with the guidance and leadership of Dr. James 

Nichols. Ecological studies on the Patuxent lands 

were done mostly by researchers not in the Service, 

while Patuxent researchers emphasized studies of 

penned birds.

In 1975, 1250 acres of surplus land were transferred 

from USDA to Patuxent, giving greater protection to 

Patuxent wetlands by ensuring control of most of the 

watershed.

Three major Patuxent programs were transferred to 

other locations in 1975. The Section of Disease and 

Parasite Studies was transferred to the new National 

Wildlife Health (formerly “Disease”) Research 

Center in Madison, Wisconsin; the Section of Animal 

Damage Control Studies was transferred to the Denver 

Wildlife Research Center in Denver, Colorado; 

and the Wildlife Review and editorial office were 

transferred to Fort Collins, Colorado. At the same 

time, the environmental contaminants program of the 

Denver Wildlife Research Center was transferred to 

Patuxent. Several western field stations transferred 

to Patuxent remained active and new field stations 

were established for research on migratory birds, 

contaminants, and endangered species.
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 14

Elizabeth Bell banding canvasbacks

Kathy Klimkiewicz and others banded 

thousands of song birds captured in mist 

nets at Patuxent

Chan Robbins leads research on forest fragmentation

The Migratory Bird and Habitat Research Laboratory 

was disbanded in 1981 and migratory bird research 

was returned to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. 

Much of the migratory bird research continued to be 

species-oriented (especially with ducks) and little 

habitat research was conducted on lands at Patuxent 

during the 1980s, although habitat research was 

conducted at other areas. Extensive research was 

conducted on waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay 

ecosystem especially with a focus on the canvasback. 

Patuxent lands and other forestland in Maryland were 

used for studies on forest fragmentation under the 

leadership of Chandler Robbins. Population modeling 

and new statistical methodology development were 

major migratory birds research thrusts in the 1980s.

Patuxent’s first master plan was prepared in 1980. The 

research mission statement was: “The professional 

staff is engaged in research and management activities 

that are directed at accomplishing the principal 

missions of the Center: evaluation of the effects 

of environmental contaminants on wildlife and 

the environment; endangered species research and 

propagation; and migratory bird research (including 

urban wildlife) and management.” The Master Plan 

was written by a private consulting firm (Sasaki 

Associates, Inc.).

TRANSITION TO PUBLIC OUTREACH

In 1982-83, Patuxent was managed by two acting 

directors, Drs. Russell J. Hall and John G. Rogers Jr., 

who had been serving as Assistant Directors at the 

time of Dr. Stickel’s retirement. During this period 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 15 

In August 1987, Mr. Harold J. 

O’Connor became Director of 

Patuxent. Mr. O’Connor was the 

first Director of Patuxent with 

experience in the management of 

National wildlife refuges and was also 

a member of the Senior Executive 

Service. One of Mr. O’Connor’s 

first efforts was to obtain funding for the Visitor 

Center to tell the Patuxent story, which was being 

planned by his predecessor, Dr. Trauger. Fifteen 

million dollars were obtained from Congress for 

this project, which evolved into a National Wildlife 

Visitor Center covering, not just Patuxent research, 

but all wildlife research of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service. The building was officially dedicated 

and opened to the public in October 1994 and has 

extensive exhibits depicting wildlife research of the 

Service throughout the world. Many of these research 

activities are still being conducted by researchers 

of time, the Reagan administration was searching 

for federal land that could be sold as surplus to 

government needs. Agencies were asked to identify 

land that could be considered surplus and Patuxent 

complied by offering about 50 acres. However, 

because Patuxent was officially part of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System and because of help from 

the Honorable Steny Hoyer, Congressman from 

Maryland, loss of Patuxent land was forestalled. This 

threat to the land and pressures from an increasing 

human population around the land, (including housing 

development, road construction, and siting of a 

landfill), made administrators reassess how the lands 

at Patuxent were being used.

Dr. David L. Trauger was appointed 

Patuxent director in 1983, following 

a four-year stint as Chief, Division 

of Wildlife Research in Washington, 

D.C. Several research activities 

at field stations were consolidated 

and support activities (information 

transfer, technical assistance) were 

expanded. The major challenge at this time was to 

consolidate the disparate sections (endangered species, 

environmental contaminants, and migratory birds) 

into a functional Center. Prior to this time, they had 

been managed separately. The “Center” concept was 

fostered and the “Branch” management structure was 

established. Center-wide procedures were initiated 

for developing study plans, preparing Annual Work 

Plans, reviewing manuscripts, documenting standard 

operating procedures, and the compliance with the 

Animal Welfare Act and Good Laboratory Practices.

In 1984, planning began on a visitor center at 

Patuxent, which had been discussed initially in the 

1960s. In 1985, the Patuxent Analytical Control 

Facility was established at Patuxent to provide 

chemical analyses of environmental contaminants for 

the Service. The Section of Buildings and Grounds 

began a major reorganization to accommodate 

increased planning and land management 

responsibilities and the first facility manager with a 

college degree, John Stasko, was hired in 1986.

National Wildlife Visitor Center as viewed from Lake 

Redington

within several government agencies. A support group 

was established to help in fund raising and volunteer 

staffing of both the Refuge and the Visitor Center. 

This is now known as the Friends of Patuxent Wildlife 

Research Center and the Patuxent Research Refuge, 

Inc. (“Friends of Patuxent”).

In 1988, Patuxent staff prepared a second Master 

Plan. The new plan stated that the mission of Patuxent 

“has remained unchanged since the submission of the 

original Master Plan report. It is essentially the same 

as for the overall U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” 

However, a later mission statement for Patuxent 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 16

Dedication of the Fishing Pier. Director O’Connor 

introducing County Executive Glendenning and 

Congressman Hoyer

The Patuxent Veterinary Hospital used for care and rehabilitation of research animals

prepared in 1992 specifically included education and 

public use as important activities. This statement 

was a major change in the mission of Patuxent, but 

was responsive to directives of the Service “Vision” 

document and other outreach directives being 

promulgated from Washington.

Several major rehabilitation projects involving 

impoundment control structures were undertaken 

under Mr. O’Connor’s direction. New experimental 

pens and ponds were constructed and the appearance 

of the grounds around the buildings was improved. 

Many dignitaries, including U.S. Senator Paul 

Sarbanes and U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, 

attended a major celebration of Patuxent’s 50th 

anniversary on June 3, 1989. Senator Sarbanes, during 

his address, referred to the green forests of Patuxent as 

the “lungs of the Baltimore/ Washington region.”

During the tenure of Mr. O’Connor, Patuxent 

conducted increased research with foreign countries 

especially with Russia (formerly USSR). Several 

major joint US/USSR oceanic cruises were conducted 

to the South Pacific and the Bering Sea. To 

accommodate the increased involvement with foreign 

scientists, several Patuxent residences were converted 

to furnished quarters for visiting scientists. Full-time 

volunteers and interns also used the quarters.

Management of the wetlands and meadows became 

a formal activity with the implementation of 

impoundment and meadow management plans in 

1989. A public fishing program in Cash Lake from 

June to October each year was initiated in 1991. A 

refuge biologist was hired to oversee all resource 

management activities and the facility manager 

(John Stasko) was reclassified in 1992 as Patuxent’s 

first refuge manager. These activities reflected 

the increased emphasis being placed on refuge 

management functions.

In 1991, a special 26-member blue-ribbon panel was 

assembled to review the research program at Patuxent. 

The Chairman of this panel was Dr. Laurence R. Jahn, 

President of the Wildlife Management Institute. After 

extensive discussions with research staff members, the 

panel concluded that funding for overhead to support 

custodial maintenance, administration, and operations 

was a major concern of Patuxent researchers. 

Many of the overhead issues were controlled by 

administrators in Washington, D. C., but Patuxent did 

make attempts to respond to many other issues in the 

report including communications with staff. However, 

the overhead funding remained a contentious issue 

between researchers and administrators at Patuxent. 

Under the leadership of Deputy Director Trauger, 

Patuxent implemented several new management 

philosophies and operating procedures. The Quality 

Council, consisting of the Director, Deputy Director, 

and Branch Chiefs, was established and a Strategic 

Planning process was initiated.

In 1991, 7600 acres of land in Anne Arundel County 

that were previously part of Fort George G. Meade, 

immediately adjacent to Patuxent to the north, were 

transferred to Patuxent as a result of the Military 

Construction Appropriations Act (U.S. Public Law 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 17 

101-519). The land had been declared excess by the 

U.S. Army under the Base Closure and Realignment 

Act (U.S. Public Law 100-526). The transfer was 

based on the recommendations of a broad-based Fort 

Meade Coordination Council that had extensively 

studied the options and voted unanimously for the 

transfer. The transfer document specified that the 

intended uses of the property, now called North Tract, 

in priority order established by law, were preservation 

of the land, wildlife research, and compatible public 

use. In addition, the transfer document stated that the 

Secretary of Interior “shall provide for the continued 

use of the property by Federal agencies to the extent 

such agencies are using it on the date of the enactment 

of this act.” An additional 500 acres, including three 

baseball fields, were transferred to Patuxent in 1992.

The acquisition of these lands added the 

responsibilities of a major deer-hunting program 

(bow, gun, and muzzle loader) and increased public 

use and education. Other existing natural resource 

programs including fishing and game hunting were 

continued. Approximately half of the existing firing 

ranges continue to be used by defense and law 

enforcement personnel for training under a specialuse permit with the National Security Agency. The 

U.S. Army, under a special use permit, continues 

to operate a large, modern stable. A visitor contact 

station was constructed on the new land to control 

public use activities. This building was funded in part 

by the Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation 

Foundation. FWS staff and volunteer assistants 

operate the contact station.

The extensive hunting program conducted at the North 

Tract of Patuxent was initially conducted with the 

help of a hunting club through a special use permit 

issued to the Department of Defense. Within a couple 

of years a FWS Cooperating Association (the Meade 

Natural Heritage Association, MNHA) was established 

to assist the Service with the day-to-day details of 

program administration. MNHA charges a permit fee 

for all hunters, which is used to pay several employees 

who manage daily hunting from the Hunting Check 

Station, and to pay for their Workmen’s Compensation 

Insurance. Remaining funds have thus far been put 

back into the Patuxent North Tract to purchase seeds 

and fertilizer for erosion control, wildlife management 

projects, and other activities.

The increased activities concerning the Visitor Center 

and new lands for public use at Patuxent in the early 

1990s presented new challenges dealing with staffing 

and overhead expenses. Funding for all research, 

management, and education programs conducted at 

Patuxent came from the research and development 

administrative group, located in Washington, D.C. 

that coordinated all Service research and administered 

funding through the federal budget process. Although 

Patuxent is located in one of the Service’s geographic 

regions (Region 5) it historically received only loose 

oversight from that Region and never received funding 

through the refuge program, as did other refuges. 

However, minor funding for volunteer programs and 

the Youth Conservation Corps came from the Service’s 

Washington office.

Because of the increasing land management and 

education activities conducted at Patuxent, a decision 

was made by the Service Director to transfer the 

new 8100 acres of the Fort Meade lands (North 

Tract) and the 2000 acres of the Visitor Center lands 

(South Tract) from USFWS Region 8 (Research) 

to USFWS Region 5 (Refuges) in October 1993 to 

be run by Refuges. Patuxent research staff would 

maintain control of the Central Tract (2700 acres), 

where traditionally the researchers have been located 

and most of the on-site research has been conducted. 

Patuxent refuge staff would still be responsible for 

management and public use on Central Tract lands.

In March 1993, however, the Department of the 

Interior headed by Secretary Bruce Babbitt, announced 

Vole being weighed by Rob Hinz as part of a 

population modeling study
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 18

The center would operate a National Biological 

Research area as an outdoor laboratory and operate 

the NBS National Wildlife Visitors (sic) Center for 

the advancement of environmental education and 

biological science.” A major change in the new 

mission of Patuxent in NBS was a reduced geographic 

responsibility to only the Eastern Ecoregion and a shift 

away from National and International initiatives. In 

May 1994, the name of Patuxent Wildlife Research 

Center was changed to Patuxent Environmental 

Science Center. In late 1994, the name of the National 

Biological Survey was changed to the National 

Biological Service, to accommodate concerns that new 

research was not supporting historic “customers”, and 

that the agency should be more of a “service” than a 

“survey.”

In March 1995, Patuxent 

Director Mr. O’Connor retired 

from federal service after 35 

years. Dr. James A. Kushlan 

became Director in late 1995 

and because of numerous 

funding problems within the federal government, 

research budgets were cut and 26 personnel were 

officially relieved of their services (reduction in force). 

The Branch concept was abandoned and all research 

was placed under the control of Chief Scientist, Dr. 

Richard Jachowski. In the spring of 1996, the name 

of Patuxent Wildlife Research Center was restored 

with encouragement from U.S. Senator Sarbanes. In 

October 1996, the National Biological Service was 

terminated and all research staff became part of the 

Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) and Visitor Center staff and operations 

returned to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

A Comprehensive Science Planning Process was 

developed under Dr. Kushlan’s leadership, which 

included five themes that overlapped the scientific 

activity areas chosen by the Biological Resources 

Division. The new mission for Patuxent was “to excel 

in wildlife and natural resource science, providing 

the information needed to better manage the nation’s 

biological resources.” Under Dr. Kushlan’s leadership 

the monitoring program at Patuxent was greatly 

expanded with increased staff and programs. The 

Breeding Bird Survey, which began in the late 1960s, 

continued, but several new national monitoring 

programs with amphibians were initiated also. During 

plans to form a new National Biological Survey that 

would combine all biological research and monitoring 

within Interior into one agency, separate from existing 

management agencies. Preliminary discussions were 

divided on whether lands associated with Patuxent 

would be staying with the Service and remain 

managed by the Division of Refuges or are transferred 

to the new National Biological Survey.

In November 1993, the staff of Patuxent Wildlife 

Research Center and several sections of the Office 

of Migratory Bird Management and the staff of 

the Visitor Center were transferred to the National 

Biological Survey. The new Survey organization also 

resulted in the transfer to Patuxent of one research 

unit of the National Park Service and all USFWS 

staff assigned to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural 

History. Although Patuxent administered 10 field 

stations in late 1993, realignment in the new Survey 

reduced field stations to 4 in late 1994.

All lands and buildings of Patuxent continued 

to be officially controlled by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service and within the Region 5 refuge 

organization. The actual maintenance of the buildings 

and management of the lands remained under the 

control of the Director of Patuxent and his staff. This 

arrangement, in principle, provided protection of the 

land under all regulations and policies of the U.S. 

Refuge System, but gave maximum flexibility for use 

of the land for research purposes. This arrangement 

between the Service and the Survey was approved by 

Under-secretary of Interior George Frampton, Jr. and 

was commonly called the “Frampton Agreement.”

On October 5, 1993, Patuxent Director O’Connor 

announced a new strategic plan, which was to 

guide Patuxent’s research activities in the National 

Biological Survey. The plan was the beginning of the 

process to align Patuxent’s organization more closely 

with the structure of the Survey, which included major 

initiatives in survey and monitoring of habitats and 

populations and in the transfer of information and 

technology.

The primary mission of Patuxent as stated in the 

Strategic Plan was “to conduct biological studies in 

response to programs and priorities of the National 

Biological Survey (NBS) to support land and resource 

managers within the Department of the Interior. 
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 19 

Dr. Kushlan’s tenure, Patuxent scientists increased 

their involvement with Joint Venture programs 

supported by the USFWS, especially with the Black 

Duck Joint Venture, the Sea Duck Joint Venture, and 

the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. Dr. Kushlan resigned 

as Director in 2001 to pursue other endeavors.

In 2000, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) 

was signed between the USFWS (Region 5) and 

USGS (Eastern Region) that clearly defined the roles 

and responsibilities of the two agencies located at 

Patuxent. The USFWS had ownership and control 

of all lands and buildings and USGS researchers 

could occupy the buildings and conduct research 

on the lands through “special use permits,” which 

were commonly issued on other refuges. The 

MOA designated maintenance responsibility for 

buildings and facilities based upon which agency 

principally occupied or utilized the structure. Several 

deteriorating buildings were closed due to safety and 

health concerns and research staff was consolidated 

into other buildings including one building in the 

Agriculture Research Center in Beltsville.

Cowbird parastism is studied by 

Patuxent scientists

Alicia Wells weighing common eider at captive 

colony

Tree planting as part of forested wetland creation

In 2001, the Refuge hunting program that was 

initiated on North Tract was expanded to South and 

Central portions of the Refuge to help control an 

over-abundant deer population. Refuge staff worked 

closely with research staff to avoid potential conflicts 

between the hunting program and the research 

program.

Dr. Judd Howell became director 

of Patuxent Wildlife Research 

Center in 2002 and worked closely 

with Refuge Manager Mr. Brad 

Knudsen to develop a plan to 

rehabilitate the old buildings and 

construct new ones. The goal of 

Dr. Howell and Mr. Knudsen is to 

prepare Patuxent for future research and management 

functions with a modern facility where both USGS 

and USFWS staff are collocated. All staff and 

administrators continue to work hard to maintain the 

aging facility, as well as the outstanding management 

and research programs that have made Patuxent 

internationally famous.
Patuxent History - 65th Anniversary Page. 20

For more information about:

Patuxent Research Refuge

www.Patuxent.fws.gov

(301) 497-5580

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

www.pwrc.usgs.gov

(301) 497-5500

Friends of Patuxent

www.friendspwrc.org

(301) 497-5789