John Krause started volunteering at the Contact Station on the River ‘S’ unit about six years ago. Having retired from an administrative education profession, he was looking for a volunteer opportunity at a place that would allow him to be close to nature, enjoy the company of people and provide flexibility so he wouldn’t miss out on the hobbies he planned to enjoy in retirement. For the last year, he has shared the Sunday duties with another volunteer and enjoys that very much. “It gives us an opportunity to engage more people during the busiest hours of the day.”
John, the first to arrive on Sunday, usually starts his tour turning on the heat in the cabin (something his Sunday partner was very grateful for this winter) and then taking a quick drive around to check conditions on the road and to see what wildlife is out there. Come May 1, he will be taking a turn around the Kiwa trail most mornings. Since hiking is one of his favorite hobbies, he enjoys stretching his legs at the start of his volunteer day. Last year, he encountered a racoon mother and her babies in a bush close to the Kiwa trail. Cute as could be, but when Mom started hissing at him, he knew he needed to backed away. The unexpected often happens on those early morning walks.
Since being at the refuge, he has enjoyed learning more about his newer hobbies of photography and birding. He gets plenty of opportunity to talk to the many birders and photographers who visit the refuge. It is always a learning experience. He will tell you he is not an experienced birder, but he was President of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society when he lived in Las Cruces, NM. Their claim to fame under his tenure was to partner with the Holloman Air Force Base to develop a birding hot spot at their sewer ponds. It was a bit odiferous, he says, but good birding.
He says his life-long back-packing days have morphed into more of a RV lifestyle lately. So, he and his wife, Debby, can still enjoy the outdoors. They always make a point of stopping at refuges wherever their travels take them.
Stop by and say hi to John on a Sunday visit to the River ‘S.’ He is very happy to share his knowledge of the refuge with our visitors.
Reporting from the Contact Station- Susan Setterberg Volunteer and Board Member
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