Barksdale Natural Resources office works to protect Airmen, animals alike

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel O'Brien
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  At first glimpse walking into the Natural Resources office, it's perhaps more clear what this department's purpose is than any other location on base. From gophers to wolves, bobcats to ducks, deer to alligators, the taxidermy displays catch visitors' attention when they first enter the building.

The department name, Natural Resources, comes across as a bit vague, but for good reason. Plants and animals immediately jump to mind as a main concern of the East Reservation, but the Natural Resources office has its hands in so many different pies and all of its employees wear multiple hats. The office is also responsible for coordinating relations with gas and oil companies licensed to drill on base, respond to emergencies and even repair some roads.

Looking around Keith Harris' office, the director of Natural Resources, his job is seems unclear. His shelves are mostly cluttered with binders, no doubt containing limitless rules and regulations. However, seeing the "Fowl of Louisiana" poster that hangs on his wall and the giant wooden mallet, which looks like it was carved directly out of a tree trunk, it's immediately clear that there is a joy in this job for a man who has worked in environmental coordination and wildlife management for almost his entire life.

While those who work in the Natural Resource office believe that Barksdale's facilities are for all to enjoy, there are fees to be paid. This is, after all, the office that dispenses and enforces hunting and fishing licenses. However, the money is for a good cause.

"The timber revenues come back to Barksdale as well as the hunting and fishing licenses that we sell," Mr. Harris explains. "The revenues come back to run the program, because the wildlife program pretty much has to sustain itself."

Each season of the year presents different challenges for these workers. Mr. Harris notes that even though summer provides better conditions for being outside and more opportunities to take in nature's wonders around base, it's the fall and winter seasons that keep nature's protectors the busiest.

"In the fall, deer season kicks in," he said. "Once that starts, we have people coming in to buy licenses. We have a couple of security forces game wardens that help us either run the check stations or provide the enforcement for those that may not have the permit they need."

An uneven walk across the Natural Resources compound, through dips and tire tracks in the gravel, leads to the workplace of the base game wardens. Here it becomes even more evident that for those who call the Natural Resources office home, a love of the outdoors seems to be a common thread.

"I fish whenever I get a chance because I love it," said Senior Airman Brandon Penix, one of the security forces game wardens on duty. "However, I don't hunt. I don't have the patience for it."

"I counterbalance you on that one," a comment comes in. Another game warden, Senior Airman Kyle Boyer stands off the side, arms crossed with a light laugh.

"Yeah, he likes to hunt and he doesn't fish," explains Airman Penix.

Mr. Harris divulges some information those not familiar with the East Reservation may not know. Some animals aren't high on peoples list for hunting. This creates a whole new duty for the nature crew.

"We have a year-round nuisance animal control," said Mr. Harris. "If we get complaints, we'll have people going out to either capture or shoot nuisance animals."

At the moment, feral pigs are the biggest nuisance animals, getting more brazen as time goes on and beginning to make their way into residential areas of the Barksdale community.

"Trying to find an efficient way to deal with those animals has been difficult," he said. "It's very time and labor intensive to set up the traps and try to bait them in."

The heavy storms and floods that have decimated much of the surrounding areas in Tennessee, eastern Louisiana and Alabama are a grim thought to those who use and enjoy the Barksdale forests and especially for those who work in them.

The Natural Resources office is prepared for the worst. They're on call 24/7should there be an emergency like the fire on the East Reservation just a few weeks ago. The office is equipped with several all-terrain vehicles for quick response and a fire plow with a bulldozer should a heavier duty vehicle be needed.

Manning cutbacks have also been felt out on the east side of the base. Airman Penix says now that there are no game wardens working nights, he volunteered to be on call in case of emergency.

"If we have something like a natural disaster, a fire or someone gets lost or injured, I can get out there at night."

Mr. Harris admits in a job defined by response to natural elements, the biggest challenges are often man-made.

"We try to provide a multiple range of opportunities for fishing, hiking, boating, hunting and sometimes those activities conflict with each other," Mr. Harris said. "Trying to manage the time for hunting and hiking, because you can't do them in the same area at the same time, that's a big challenge."

But the rewards still seem to outweigh the tribulations, and Mr. Harris is no less optimistic about his role in the Barksdale mission.

"We play a big part in morale, having these types of opportunities available to Barksdale Airmen," he concluded.

For more information about the Natural Resources office including information on how to obtain a hunting or fishing license please call Mr. Keith Harris at 456-3353.