Paul Tritaik

Paul retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service on September 30, 2020 after 38 years of service. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Paul started his career as an animal caretaker at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, assisting the captive propagation of bald eagles and Andean condors. In 1989, Paul was hired as an outdoor recreation planner at Okefenokee NWR in Georgia, to help run the public use program. In 1991, Paul became the first refuge manager of the new Bond Swamp NWR in Georgia, a satellite of Piedmont NWR, where he formed new partnerships and initiated management programs. In 1993, Paul was selected to be refuge manager at the first refuge, Pelican Island NWR in Florida, then a satellite of Merritt Island NWR. There, Paul stabilized and restored the historic island, expanded the refuge, restored over 300 acres of coastal habitat, built the Centennial Trail boardwalk, and coordinated the Centennial Celebration in 2003. Paul also served as the first refuge manager of another new refuge, Archie Carr NWR, to coordinate its expansion and partnerships for the nation's largest sea turtle nesting population. In 2008, Paul transferred to J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR as the project leader where he also managed Pine Island NWR, Matlacha Pass NWR, Island Bay NWR, and Caloosahatchee NWR. Paul expanded the "Ding" Darling refuge, restored marsh and mangrove habitat, and added many improvements to visitor facilities, including solar energy. Paul also served many other roles and details, including the Southeast Region's employee representative on the Heritage Committee, a National Friends Group Mentor, and the Southeast Region's Hunting and Fishing Team. Since retirement, Paul has established Tritaik Consulting to assist others pursuing conservation objectives, including the City of Sanibel.