Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week in Your State October 12-18, 2008

Whether it’s taking a walk among the fall colors, spotting a rare bird species, or learning about the cultural resources that are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation mission, National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-18, 2008, celebrates the diversity and resources of America’s 548 national wildlife refuges.  And it’s a great opportunity to find a family event in your community. 

National wildlife refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. They also offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation–from hunting and fishing to wildlife observation, wildlife photography, nature interpretation and environmental education.  The Refuge System includes 2,500 miles of land and water trails, and there is at least one national wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities.

“America’s wildlife refuges offer great places to teach our children the importance of making a lifelong commitment to our nation?s natural resources,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall.  “Exploring the outdoors and learning how all living things are connected to one another is what National Wildlife Refuge Week is all about.”

This year, the annual Refuge Week celebration also highlights the 75th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp and the 50th anniversary of the Small Wetlands Program.  These two programs have helped the Refuge System expand to its current size of 97 million acres.

Ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes toward the purchase or lease of wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.  To date, Duck Stamp sales have helped purchase or protect more than 5.2 million acres of wildlife habitat.  For more information about Duck Stamps, go to http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/.

The Small Wetlands Program was created in 1958 to allow proceeds from the sale of Duck Stamps to also be used to acquire waterfowl production areas (WPAs).  These WPAs provide habitat for migratory birds, protect native plants, help filter groundwater, control flooding and capture carbon from the atmosphere.   Close to one million acres of land acquired through the Small Wetlands Program is open to hunting, wildlife watching and photography and other outdoor recreation.

National Wildlife Refuge Week events:
Many special events are planned for National Wildlife Refuge Week. Here’s a sample:

The Big Sit!
Celebrate the birds on a national wildlife refuge on October 12 by participating in The Big Sit!  National wildlife refuges from Wheeler, Alabama, and Pelican Island, Florida, to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Salem, Oregon, are hosting this annual international birding event. 

Families and individuals find a great spot for bird watching and sit in a circle, counting all the bird species they see or hear. Not everyone needs to stay in the circle for the whole day.    Many people come and go, but only birds seen from the circle can be included in the Big Sit count. Bird Watcher’s Digest tallies the totals and identifies prize winners in several categories.

For a list of The Big Sit! sites, including many not on national wildlife refuges, go to: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsit/results08/circles_registered.php.

October 3
Visitors to Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge (North Dakota) will be building bluebird nest boxes. http://www.fws.gov/lakeilo/

October 4
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland) celebrates its 13th Refuge Open House with eagle prowls, live animal programs, a puppet show about invasive species and live animal exhibits. http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/

October 10
Patuxent Research Refuge (Maryland) joins with Smithsonian Resident Associates to offer a behind-the-scenes tour of captive breeding programs for whooping cranes and conservation-related research on kestrels and diving ducks. http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/

October 11
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (Wisconsin) is planning a 5K run/walk along its auto tour route. Three hiking trails are located here, along with a floating boardwalk and bicycling and hiking access to the Wild Goose State Trail. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/

October 11  
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Georgia) celebrates the cultural resources of the National Wildlife Refuge System with an open house at the Chesser Island Homestead, where visitors can discover how people lived in Southeast Georgia at the time the refuge was established in 1933.  http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee 

October 18
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (Illinois)
Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the refuge gives visitors a chance to see the huge concentrations of waterfowl that arrive each October.  The refuge’s riverbanks are also great places to see muskrat, beaver, turtles and frogs. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/tworivers/

October 21-22
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Florida) celebrates Ding Darling Days with free excursions to the protected Bunche Beach Preserve, a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail, which teems with shorebirds, wading birds, ospreys, bald eagles and other feathered friends. Join local bird experts for a tram excursion to this natural beach habitat at low tide.
http://www.dingdarlingdays.com/

Calendar of National Wildlife Refuge Week Events
For a more comprehensive list of National Wildlife Refuge Week events, go to http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm

To find a refuge in your community, go to http://www.fws.gov/refuges/refugeLocatorMaps/index.html.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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Montana Hunters Are Asked To Report Signs Of Wolves

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requests that hunters report any sightings or signs of wolves.  A gray wolf is, on average 2.5 feet tall; 5-6 feet long; 70-120 pounds with a broad snout, round ears and fur ranging from gray, black or tan to white.

FWP must prepare annual reports to document the recovered status and distribution of the Montana wolf population.  Information provided by hunters will help aid in the management and ultimate delisting of wolves from the Endangered Species Act.  

Hunters and others can enter reports of wolves online at fwp.mt.gov by searching for: “Report A Wolf Observation,” or contact the nearest FWP regional or state office.  To report a dead wolf or possible illegal activity, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 307-261-6365, or call 1-800-TIP-MONT.

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Initial Assessments of Waterfowl Breeding Habitat Conditions Available at www.Flyways.us

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) are making available the initial assessments of waterfowl breeding habitat conditions in new video segments posted on the agencies’ joint website www.Flyways.us. These assessments offer a first glimpse of habitat conditions and the status of waterfowl populations entering the breeding period starting in May, 2008.

The short videos contain reports from FWS and CWS biologists who conduct the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, the primary tool used to track the status of waterfowl populations and their habitats in North America. 

The Flyways.us Web site was developed by the FWS through a collaborative effort of biologists and waterfowl managers across North America’s four waterfowl flyways — the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific Flyways.

Flyways.us is designed to provide waterfowl hunting enthusiasts, biologists and agency administrators with the most current waterfowl population information as it becomes available. It also provides extensive information on the rigorous, science-based process by which waterfowl hunting is managed and waterfowl populations are monitored.  In addition to the video segments, users can view aerial photos chronicling the survey as experienced by the field crews in May and June; query an interactive map to find out where birds were banded and recovered; and submit questions about duck, goose and swan hunting management in the United States that will be answered by experts.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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Search for Invasive Fish and Lethal Fish Disease Resumes in the Illinois Waterway

New Transmitter Technology Allows Real-time Tracking of Asian Carp Movements

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its federal, state and regional partners, including Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, will resume annual search efforts in the Illinois Waterway from the Chicago suburbs to near Havana, Ill., for three species of invasive fish, as well as for lethal fish pathogens.

Members of the media are invited for a first-hand experience with the field crews on Wednesday, June 18, or Thursday, June 19. Contact Pam Thiel at 608-783-8431 by June 12 to secure space aboard a survey boat. Space is limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the 13th annual “Carp Corral/Goby Roundup,” biologists will estimate the relative abundance and upstream distribution of bighead carp and silver carp—two types of Asian carps—and chart the downstream range of the round goby.

This year the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) will also be working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand an existing monitoring study of Asian carp movements to an upstream portion of the Illinois Waterway. Bighead and silver carp captured here will be implanted with ultrasonic transmitter tags and then released in order to detect the proximity of these fish to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Dispersal Barrier in Romeoville. The USACE will use information from this tagging study to develop a long-term monitoring plan that will evaluate the effectiveness of the electric barrier.

Interconnected man-made channels and natural rivers of the Illinois Waterway System in metropolitan Chicago provide a direct link for water-borne movement of non-native aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins. Together these watersheds encompass parts of 31 states and four Canadian provinces.

Sampling will cover nearly 200 miles, more than half the length of the Illinois Waterway, from Alsip downstream to Havana. Round goby are most abundant and likely to be seen at upstream sample sites like Alsip and Lockport while bighead and leaping silver carp are more common and likely to be encountered at a downstream area like LaSalle-Peru, Morris or Havana.

Biologists will also collect tissue samples from captured fish to test for disease pathogens such as the non-native spring viremia of carp virus and the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, which can be lethal to a number of native fish species.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, is one of the most feared fish diseases in the world, and has made its way into Lake Michigan. The virus was recently found (May 2008) in the southern basin of this lake for the first time where it killed thousands of round goby that later washed up along the Milwaukee shoreline, less than 100 miles from the Illinois Waterway. Biologists are now more concerned than ever before that the VHS virus could spread from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi and Ohio River basins via the Illinois Waterway.

The potential economic and environmental impacts of Asian carp, round goby, fish disease pathogens and other invasive species like zebra mussels are widespread and significant.

The “Carp Corral/Goby Roundup” surveillance effort is critical in determining whether Asian carp have moved upstream of an electrical barrier near Romeoville, Ill., toward Lake Michigan, and whether round goby have made their way farther downstream toward the Mississippi River.

“Invasive Asian carp can upset the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems, and in addition, the silver carp can actually leap high out of the water and may collide with anglers, boaters, water skiers, or others who recreate on rivers, posing a serious safety hazard to all,” said Pam Thiel, project leader for the Service’s La Crosse, Wis., National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and coordinator of the “Carp Corral/Goby Round Up.”

An electrical fish barrier near Romeoville in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal–designed to prevent and slow the spread of nonindigenous aquatic species–has been operational since 2002. This experimental prototype consists of a single array of 14 electrodes. One of the electrodes failed soon after installation. The 13 remaining electrodes are still functional but are wearing out due to corrosion.

Construction of a permanent barrier is complete just downstream from the prototype. University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute’s Dr. Phil Moy, co-chair of the Dispersal Barrier Advisory Panel, explained, “The new barrier has 46 electrodes, has the capability to operate at higher voltage to more effectively repel small fish, and has five- by five-inch steel bar electrodes with a design life of 20 years.” It is hoped that the new barrier will become fully operational later in 2008.

Biologists found one bighead carp 15 miles below the electrical barrier in 2007, about 50 miles from Lake Michigan. To date no bighead or silver carp have been collected above the barrier. However, reproducing populations of bighead and silver carp have expanded from lower portions of the Illinois River to as far upstream as the Starved Rock Lock and Dam near Utica.

“The Great Lakes fishery brings $4 billion to the region every year and approximately five million anglers fish the waters annually, and invasive species like Asian carp and round goby threaten the very future of this valuable resource,” said Marc Gaden, spokesman for the bi-national Great Lakes Fishery Commission. “We must do everything possible to halt these biological invasions. With the fate of both the Great Lakes and Mississippi River fisheries at risk, there are elevated concerns for the future.”

Native to large rivers of Asia, bighead and silver carp were brought to the United States in the early 1970s and began appearing in public waterways in the early 1980s. These species feed on plankton (microscopic plants and animals), consuming three to five times their body weight per day and can reach weights of more than 80 pounds. A 92-pound bighead carp was recently captured in the Illinois River while bow-fishing. Asian carps compete for food with larval and juvenile fish, as well as adult paddlefish, gizzard shad, bigmouth buffalo and native mussels.

The round goby, a non-native fish from the Black and Caspian Seas in Eurasia, was first discovered in North American waters in 1990 and has since spread to all the Great Lakes. Known for its aggressive feeding and defensive behavior, and prolific reproductive rate, the round goby is a threat to native fish and a nuisance to anglers.

The goby has been moving inland from Lake Michigan, toward the Mississippi River via the Illinois Waterway System since 1993. In 2004, the Illinois Natural History Survey collected a small round goby below the Peoria Lock and Dam, nearly 170 miles from Lake Michigan and half the distance to the Mississippi River.

In 2005 and 2006, the VHS virus caused massive fish kills in lakes Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. Thousands of economically valuable native fish have perished, including muskellunge, walleye, lake whitefish, and yellow perch, while others like Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, and northern pike were diseased but did not die in large numbers. In 2007, the VHS virus was detected at several sites in northern Lake Michigan and was responsible just weeks ago for the death of thousands of round goby in southern portions of the lake near Milwaukee.

Because this virus poses such a widespread serious threat to fishery resources and aquaculture in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has restricted interstate shipments of live fish from states that border the Great Lakes, causing economic hardships to many here who depend on healthy fisheries for a livelihood.

Since 1871, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program has played a vital role in conserving and managing native fish and other aquatic resources. For more information about the Fisheries Program, go to http://fishieres.fws.gov.

Shedd Aquarium’s Great Lakes conservation initiative Listen to Your Lakes is dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes, the connected waterways and their nearly 11,000 miles of shoreline from growing threats. From beach sweeps to blogs, Shedd continues to offer diverse opportunities for the public to learn more about and get involved in Great Lakes conservation.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov

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TPWD Proposing Late Shift to South Zone Dove Season

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing moving the South Zone second split of dove season deeper into January, but otherwise is recommending minimal changes to the 2008-09 Early Migratory Game Bird Proclamation.

TPWD staff announced the proposed dove and teal season calendar during the Regulations Committee meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, Wednesday, May 21.

The proposed dove season in the North Zone would run Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; the Central Zone would be Sept. 1-Oct. 30 and reopen Dec. 26-Jan. 4, with a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; and the South Zone would run Sept. 20-Nov. 2, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 20 with a 12 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special South Texas Whitewing Zone, which now encompasses land west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90, would open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two Saturdays and Sundays in September and reopen Sept. 20-Nov. 2 and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 16. The daily bag limit is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning doves during the first two weekend splits and two (2) white-tipped doves.

In South Texas, a few hunters have requested more hunting opportunity in January. To accommodate this request, the department is proposing to move one week from the end of the first season segment (Nov. 3-9) and put it in January (Jan. 14-20). Quail and deer hunting would still be concurrent during either of these periods. The public is urged to provide public comment online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment before June 26.

The early teal season is proposed tentatively for Sept. 13-28 if a 16-day season is granted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or Sept. 20-28 under a 9-day season framework. The daily bag limit for teal is four.

Suggested dates for ducks and geese were also presented to the Commission and simply reflected calendar adjustments from last year. Upon completion of breeding population surveys and development of harvest packages, dates will be refined and provided for public comment probably in late July or early August.

One change that was proposed is shifting the crane season one week later. By suggesting this change, the crane season will run one week later in Zones A and B, take advantage of the entire season length and close one week later. With this suggested change, the Light Goose Conservation Order will open a few days later than in past years in the west Goose Zone. Season dates for sandhill cranes are as follow:

• Zone A-Nov. 8 — Feb. 8. Bag Limit: 3
• Zone B: Nov. 28 — Feb. 8, Bag Limit: 3
• Zone C: Dec. 20 — Jan. 25, Bag Limit: 2

Proposed seasons for other game bird species include: Rail/gallinule Sept. 13-28 and Nov. 1-Dec. 24; snipe Nov. 1-Feb. 15; and woodcock Dec. 18-Jan. 31.

Adoption of the early migratory game bird seasons will take place later this summer as population and other data becomes available.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Hall Shows Schoolchildren How to Catch Fish on National Mall

To help kick off  National Fishing and Boating Week, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall joined more than 300 students from Washington, D.C. schools to fish for largemouth bass, perch and bluegill at Constitution Gardens pond on the National Mall.

Hall was joined by officials from the National Park Service, the District of Columbia, other federal agencies, and conservation organizations in leading students in a ceremonial castoff to mark the beginning of the week.

National Fishing and Boating Week is a national celebration recognizing the importance of fishing and boating held annually during the first full week in June. It is coordinated by one of the Service’s partners, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

“When a child catches their first fish, they take their first step towards forging a lasting personal connection to the natural world,” Hall said. “It would appear we have been describing this simple activity wrong all along. We don’t hook the fish, fishing hooks us. I encourage everyone to take advantage of National Fishing and Boating Week and get outside, get on the water, and get hooked.”

Interior Department volunteers included personnel from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation. Other partners included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, and the District of Columbia Fisheries and Wildlife Division. Non-governmental partners included the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Trout Unlimited, and Cast for Kids.

Event sponsors supplied fishing gear and helped students to learn about fishing equipment and techniques, fish biology and to try their hand at landing a lunker bass or a feisty sunfish.

Many states do not require a fishing license during the annual celebration week and hold fishing clinics, casting contests, derbies, fish hatchery open houses and other family-oriented activities.  Hundreds of communities also sponsor their own fishing and boating-related events.

For more information on where you can enjoy National Fishing and Boating Week, go to www.takemefishing.org.

National Fishing and Boating Week events sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found at:

http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2008/pdf/2008NFBWeekEvents2.pdf and http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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Dates Announced For Popular Bighorn Workshops

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering the public an opportunity to view the majestic bighorn sheep in their natural habitat during its annual Bighorn Sheep Workshops.

 The workshop offers wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about these sure-footed animals and view them in their native habitat during two separate two-day workshops on July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2.

The first day of each workshop involves mandatory classroom education from 6-8 p.m. at the Kingman Game and Fish office, followed the next day by a field trip on the Colorado River from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The sheep-viewing boat trip will depart from Willow Beach.

These popular workshops are open to any member of the public age 14 and older. Nobody under 14 will be registered for the event. Space, however, is limited to 40 people per session. Although preference will be given to those who have not attended the workshop in the last two years, those who have participated within that time are still encouraged to apply.

The 2008 workshops will feature a draw process. Applications received prior to June 27 will be drawn at random. Officials hope this will help level the playing field for all those interested in attending. All requests to participate are responded to by mail.

“It’s an attempt to give people in outlying areas of Arizona a chance to make it on one of the two workshops,” said Zen Mocarski, public information officer in Kingman. “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible, and that’s difficult with only 80 open spaces over two weeks.”

The workshops include an optional tour of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery prior to the Colorado River field trip. The 45-minute tour will begin at 9 a.m. and will feature both sport fish and endangered native fish.

“Although the tour is not mandatory,” Mocarski said, “we’ve had many positive comments from those who made the trip. It offers people a chance to see the inner-workings of a hatchery.”

 To reserve a spot, a $20 per person refundable deposit is required in the form of a check made out to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation to help reduce the problem of no-shows. The money is refunded when a person either attends the workshop or calls to cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Wildlife for Tomorrow is a non-profit group that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Registration is by mail only. Send the check to: Sheep Workshop, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ  86409. Include the names of participants, address, phone, and specify which weekend is preferred. Also, please include a note if you are interested in the tour of the fish hatchery.

Cash donations, which are not mandatory to participate,  will be accepted at the workshop to help offset increasing costs for boat rentals and fuel. Please do not send cash donations prior to the event.

Participants are encouraged to bring a camera, water, snacks, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

“It will be hot on the river,” Mocarski advised, “but that’s when bighorn come down for a drink. There is limited shade on the boats, but the temperatures will be in the triple digits.”

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Trail Event Wasn’t Just For the Birds

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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Panacea Free Kids’ Fishing Clinic Set For May 31

Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling an appreciation for our marine environment, and providing a fun, family outing are the objectives for the Panacea Kids’ Fishing Clinic.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County, St. Marks Refuge Association and the Sport Fish Restoration Program present a FREE Kids’ Fishing Clinic for children between the ages of 4 and 16 on Saturday, May 31. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. The clinic will be held at Wooley Park in Panacea. 

This free event enables young people to learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, environmental displays will provide participants with a unique chance to experience Florida’s marine life firsthand.

Kids’ Fishing Clinics promote several goals, but the main objective is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida’s