Representatives from “Ding” Darling on Sanibel, along with refuge staff, gathered Wednesday, January 6th to say goodbye to, and honor the accomplishments of Paul Tritaik. His retirement from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge ended 12 years of service at “Ding” Darling and a 38-year career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
DDWS representatives presented Tritaik, with mementos of his time at “Ding” in appreciation for his service and many accomplishments at the refuge. Supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland talked about some of those accomplishments, which included such highlights as the release of oil-spill victimized birds in 2010 after the BP disaster, unveiling new manatee and crocodile-alligator exhibits in the Visitor & Education Center, opening the Wildlife Education Boardwalk in 2013, installation of the Perry Tract beach life exhibit and restoration of Bailey Tract project in 2017, completion of solar paneling on refuge buildings, accepting the America’s Best Restroom Award and inaugurating Boy Scout Badge University in 2018, overseeing three major land acquisitions amounting to more than 80 acres, plus a number of improvements to the refuge campus since he took leadership in 2008.
DDWS immediate past president Mike Baldwin and executive director Birgie Miller joined Sarah Ashton, who, as the new president, thanked Tritaik for establishing a strong and healthy relationship with the community.
“I’m so appreciative, as the new president, to be stepping into a role where the refuge and society are so well-regarded by the conservation community here and around the country,” said Ashton.
“When Paul made his formal announcement back in September, we had postponed having a real celebration due to COVID,” said DDWS executive director Birgie Miller. “But the delays continued with COVID, and we just made the decision to celebrate on a much smaller scale similar to how so many people around the country have had to cancel or reimagine their weddings, graduations, birthdays, and retirement parties. Although our gathering necessarily was small, it sent a powerful message about our respect for a truly great part of ‘Ding’ Darling history.”
“I was fortunate to work with a great staff, great friends group and volunteers, great recreation concession, and a great supportive community on Sanibel,” said Tritaik. “Together we accomplished a lot from land acquisition to habitat restoration to new and improved facilities to expanded education and wildlife-oriented recreation.”
Tritaik began his career in September 1982 at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, working mostly with bald eagles and Andean condors. He then moved on to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia as an outdoor recreation planner refuge ranger in 1989, where he helped run visitor services.
In 1991, Tritaik transferred to Georgia to open a new refuge, Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, as refuge manager. Two years later, he took the position of refuge manager at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first refuge in the entire system, on Florida’s East Coast. There, Trikaik oversaw the centennial celebration in 2003 and also the creation of nearby Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for sea turtles, in 1991. He was hired as refuge manager of “Ding” Darling in 2008. While serving in that position, Tritaik was assigned to a detail with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s regional office in Atlanta since 2018. Most recently, he worked to expand and enhance regional efforts in hunting and fishing.
“It was my dream to work for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and an honor to work at some of the most exceptional and historic places in the refuge system,” said Tritaik. “To work on Sanibel the last 12 years and raise our son here has truly been a blessing for me and my wife. We appreciate all of the support we have received over the years, and we look forward to continuing our friendships in this one-of-a-kind community.”
Kevin Godsea, who has been serving as acting refuge manager during much of Tritaik’s regional detail, will continue to serve in that position until a new permanent manager is appointed. Godsea, who once worked under Tritaik as supervisory refuge ranger at “Ding” Darling, also currently serves as refuge manager for Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands national wildlife refuges in the Everglades.
“This is such a bittersweet moment for us,” said Mike Baldwin, DDWS immediate past president. “Paul has shown us extraordinary, brilliant leadership in the past dozen years and is deeply missed by all associated with the refuge and friends group. At the same time, we are happy to see he has reached a much-deserved opportunity to sit back with his family and look back at a fulfilling, purposeful career serving our nation’s conservation mission in the most meaningful way.”
Pictured: Caption: Paul Tritaik (far left) was honored by supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland, acting refuge manager Kevin Godsea, DDWS executive director Birgie Miller, DDWS emeritus board member Doris Hardy, DDWS president Sarah Ashton, DDWS emeritus board member John McCabe, and (not pictured) DDWS immediate past president Mike Baldwin.