Prairie Spirit Trail In Kansas Completes Final Leg
August 4, 2008
Final leg of trail complete; online video provides preview
PRATT — In May of 1992, title of the 50-mile stretch of railroad right-of-way from Ottawa to Iola was transferred to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), and the agency developed a three-phase plan to develop the trail and open it to the public. Phase One — from Richmond to Welda — opened on March 30, 1996. Phase Two — from Richmond to Ottawa — opened Sept. 1, 1998. After several years of construction, KDWP has announced that Phase Three — from Welda to Iola — is now open.
The trail’s hard-packed limestone surface is suitable for foot traffic, bicycles, and wheelchairs. Portions of the trail inside city limits are paved asphalt adorned with ornamental lighting and landscaping. For the safety of trail users, it is routinely patrolled by KDWP officers and local law enforcement.
The trail is open during daylight hours, and special permits may be obtained for group night rides or other events. Restrooms are spaced conveniently along the trail, and picnic areas are located at each trailhead. Camping is prohibited along the trail corridor, but North Lake Park in Garnett, which borders the trail, does allow camping. Fishing is allowed only in lakes at Garnett. Hunting and all firearm possession is prohibited along the trail corridor.
For several years, bicyclers, hikers, runners, bird watchers, and other nature lovers have enjoyed 33 miles of the Prairie Spirit Trail. With the addition of the Welda-to-Iola segment, visitors now have a full 50 miles of nature to explore. For more information, phone 785-448-6767. To view an online video of the trail, visit the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us
. Click on “KDWP TV” at the top of the page.
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Washington Monument State Park To Re-Open Friday
June 18, 2008
Heavy Thunderstorms Caused Extensive Damage Two Weeks Ago
BOONSBORO, Md. — Washington Monument State Park will re-open at noon on Friday, June 20 and will resume normal operating hours on Saturday.
The 147-acre park in western Maryland was closed for repairs on June 5, a day after a series of heavy thunderstorms swept through the region, causing extensive damage.
“The park will re-open with all services restored except the museum,” Park Manager Dan Spedden said. “Repairs to the museum building continue and will be accomplished without disrupting other park facilities. Camping and picnic shelter reservation holders who had been on standby for the weekend of June 20 have been notified that the park facilities will be open for their use.”
Named for the stone tower erected by Boonsboro in 1827, Washington Monument State Park is believed to be home to the country’s first completed monument to President George Washington, who explored the Upper Potomac and the western Maryland mountains as a young surveyor. The rustic locale features youth group campsites, picnic shelters and playing fields. It’s a favorite of bird watchers because it lies within a migratory bird flyway
The park’s popular youth camp ground was empty when the storm struck on June 4 and there were no injuries to visitors or park personnel. But fierce winds and driving rain knocked out phone, electricity, and water service. Fallen trees and branches blocked the main road and the hiking trail to the monument in several places. The museum and water treatment buildings were severely damaged.
The park’s normal operating hours, which go into effect on Saturday, are from 8 a.m. to sunset.
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New Chance to Support Wildlife in Alabama
June 6, 2008
For over a half century, Alabama hunters have paid for the majority of the management of wildlife species through their purchases of hunting licenses and hunting related merchandise. Now there is an opportunity for non-hunters such as bird watchers, hikers and canoeists to support wildlife by purchasing Alabama’s new Wildlife Heritage License. Through matching funds from the federal government, each $10 license can generate additional matching federal funds for wildlife management. A lifetime option is also available for $200.
In one easy step, outdoor lovers can purchase a Wildlife Heritage License from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at www.outdooralabama.com/licenses or at any of the many locations that sell hunting and fishing licenses. Although the license includes some hunting and fishing privileges, it was designed to give outdoor enthusiasts a way to help improve Alabama’s abundant wildlife and conserve our state’s rich natural heritage.
This new program will help generate funds for outdoor programs throughout the state, such as needed wildlife research; surveying and monitoring wildlife populations; funding outdoor education programs; and developing additional areas for the public to enjoy wildlife.
Alabama is one of the most popular places for the national pastime of wildlife observation, out our back doors and away from home, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2006 national survey. In addition, Alabama is the second most bio-diverse state in the country, meaning its plant and animal life is extremely varied.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has numerous successful programs that benefit nongame species–wildlife species that are not hunted. The Department has also developed areas that directly benefit bird watching enthusiasts. A few examples include:
Bald Eagle—Alabama began a bald eagle restoration program in 1984, and eagles now nest in many parts of the state. Surveys show they have increased every year since their re-introduction and now exceed 100 nests statewide. The successful restoration, along with that of other states, led to the bald eagle being removed from the federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker—The Safe Harbor Program gives landowners who have suitable habitat for this endangered species an assurance that if they continue to manage their property for mature pine timber and attract red-cockaded woodpeckers, no restrictions will be placed on management practices. Also, if they currently have woodpeckers on their property, they will not be subject to further restrictions if the population increases. Recently, the first red-cockaded woodpeckers were relocated to private lands to increase populations of the bird in our state.
North Alabama Birding Trail—The trail consists of a series of 50 birding stops in 11 north Alabama counties. Interpretive signs help birdwatchers know what species frequent the area and describe visible habitat types. Visit www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com for more details.
Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley encourages birders and others to make the $10 purchase. “I’m often asked by people who don’t hunt or fish what they can do to help conservation in Alabama. Purchasing the Wildlife Heritage License is the perfect way for them to show their support. The great thing is the three-to-one match we get for each dollar. That makes their donation even more valuable,” he said.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit outdooralabama.com.
Download The Brochure (.pdf file)
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Storm Forces Washington Monument State Park Closure
June 5, 2008
Wind and Rain Cause Heavy Damage
BOONSBORO, Md. — Washington Monument State Park is closed until further notice after a series of heavy thunderstorms swept through the region Wednesday.
“The storm caused extensive damage,” Park Manager Dan Spedden said Thursday.
There were no injuries to visitors or park personnel, but fierce winds and driving rain knocked out phone, electricity, and water service. Fallen trees and branches blocked the main road and the hiking trail to the monument in several places and the museum and water treatment buildings were severely damaged. The park’s youth camp ground was vacant when the storm struck on Wednesday.
The 147-acre park just east of Boonsboro is named for the stone tower erected by the town in 1827, believed to be the country’s first completed monument to President George Washington, who explored the Upper Potomac and the Western Maryland mountains as a young surveyor. The rustic locale features youth group campsites, picnic shelters and playing fields. It’s a favorite of bird watchers because it lies within a migratory bird flyway.
Spedden said camping reservations for the weekend have been cancelled and the park will remain closed while staff assesses the damage.
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Trail Event Wasn’t Just For the Birds
May 21, 2008
N.C. Birding Trail Celebrates Opening of Piedmont Region
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 15, 2008)– Bird watchers, enthusiasts and researchers alike gathered Thursday to celebrate the opening of the Piedmont region of the North Carolina Birding Trail.
Once the driving trail is complete, it will link birding sites from the coast to the mountains across the state. Thursday’s celebration in Durant Nature Park marked the completion of the Piedmont region, between Interstates 95 and 77. The coastal region was completed last year, and the mountain region is slated for next year.
“This is an endeavour we are very proud to be a part of,” said Fred Harris, interim executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “It is important in the larger context of promoting wildlife conservation in our state. One of the greater challenges we face is how do we get people out to where the pavement ends – and beyond – and interacting with wildlife in an increasingly urbanized society. This does that.”
North Carolina has long been known for its remarkable birding opportunities. The Birding Trail sites are composed of federal, state, local government and private lands. They offer chances to see some of North Carolina’s birds such as the Bluebird, Cardinal and Yellow-rumped warbler.
“About six years ago, the birding trail started out as a dream,” said Chris Canfield, executive director of Audobon North Carolina. “The birding trail model was something we knew was right for North Carolina, and the Piedmont is a wonderful place for birding. It’s a particularly important place for the trail simply because this is the place where the most people are.”
The Commission, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, N.C. Sea Grant, Audubon NC and N.C. State Parks, is working cooperatively to develop the Trail.
Thursday’s event also promoted the guide book that accompanies the new portion of the trail and its 103 birding sites. It’s the second of what will be a series of three guides about the trail.
For a list of approved sites, to order the book, or for more information about the trail, visit www.ncbirdingtrail.org.
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