Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.
Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.
Retirement is a word that accompanies a farewell to a reliable employee. Certainly, that will be the case for wildlife biologist Bruce Zeller, who will retire this month after 33 years with the federal government.
During his career, he worked 26 1/2 years at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge in the lower 48.
The DNWR was established on May 20, 1936, for the conservation of the Desert Bighorn Sheep, a refuge located in Southern Nevada.
"Bruce Zeller has been the 'institutional memory' for the DNWR for over a quarter of a century. In his distinguished career here he has seen a lot of change, not only the dramatic change in the human population of the Las Vegas Valley but a change in the science of wildlife management," said Dick Birger, project leader for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the DNWR Complex.
Zeller moved to Nevada in 1978 and went to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a refuge manager and then a wildlife biologist in 1988.
His legacy has blazed a trail for future biologists.
"The next generation of wildlife biologists know how to use a computer and other sophisticated technology to develop data analysis and track changes in populations over time; they don't know how to shoe a horse or pack into the remote parts of the Sheep Range. That practical, understanding by experience, knowledge can't be replaced by technology -- and that's what we will be missing," said Birger.
Through the years, Zeller has worked closely with the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, assisting the organization at the DNWR with construction of 20 water developments.
In both his work and as a volunteer he has helped construct and maintain about 75 water development projects statewide. This level of dedication for habitat and wildlife can only be rated as outstanding.
He was recognized for his hard work in 2003, when wildlife volunteers working on a water project gathered to stake a plaque at the development site naming the project Bruce Zeller.
Having a water development named in your honor is quite a prestigious honor with the fraternity. Zeller has also received the fraternity's President award three times -- twice in the '80s and again in 2004.
"Bruce has continually volunteered his own time for projects off the Wildlife Range by attending meetings, writing numerous wildlife papers, making presentations to any number of federal, state and citizen organizations including schools, sharing his knowledge of the out-of-doors and its habitat and wildlife. The fraternity appreciates his untiring contributions and commitment to the welfare of Nevada's wildlife and the Desert Bighorn Sheep," said Bill Vasconi, president of the fraternity.
Zeller believes in the importance of water developments and has an appreciation of the private sector and government agencies working together as partners on behalf of wildlife.
"I've really enjoyed my career and support from private sector and Nevada Department of Wildlife. Without their help I would not have accomplished many of the good things that I have through the years, Zeller said.
Craig Stevenson, habitat biologist with NDOW, said: "Working with Bruce has been a real pleasure; he's easygoing, hardworking and did his best for Nevada's wildlife. I doubt if he's really retiring; he'll volunteer in the winter to work on wildlife projects."
Once retired, he will return to his home on the range where he will be the third generation to work his family's land.
"I am excited; it's not so much that I am retiring, but I will be able to live in Nebraska to work and raise mules and horses on the family farm, said Zeller.
His daily chores won't keep him down on the farm; he already plans to visit Nevada to go hunting and to work on wildlife projects with his longtime friends.
Personally, I'd like to send my best to a friend, biologist and soon-to-be farmer, a man who has made a significant difference the past 33 years. His work will continue to benefit Nevada's wildlife for many years.
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