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National Park Service Parktips – August 2010

Blog Master — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:30:16 +0000

National Park Service

Parktips – August 2010

The National Park Service submits the following ideas for news stories for your consideration. For more information about any of them, please contact Elise Cleva at 202-208-6843 or Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov.

American Journal of Public Health Explores New Role for Rangers In the future, park rangers may educate visitors about not only canyons and Civil War battles, but also infectious diseases, long-term wellness, and other health-related topics. In “Park Rangers as Public Health Educators,”

an article in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health, David Wong and Charles L. Higgins of the National Park Service report on a project that tested the viability of national parks as settings for health education. The Public Health in the Parks grants initiative funded outreach programs in parks throughout the country. In one program, Native American children engaged in actual exercise, which they translated into a “virtual walk” of the 74-mile length of Badlands National Park. In another program, visitors to Lowell National Historical Park in Massachusetts learned about a typhoid epidemic, the transformation of a local river into an agent of death, and the ensuing epidemiologic investigation. “Further exploration of national parks as nontraditional and underutilized venues for health education is warranted,” Wong and Higgins conclude.

Lighthouses Change Hands

Two historic light stations will receive new owners later this year. On June 21, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recommended that the Buffalo Harbor South Entrance Light in Buffalo, New York, go to the Buffalo Lighthouse Association, Inc., a local nonprofit. Salazar recommended transferring the Burrows Island Light Station near Anacortes, Washington, to the Northwest Schooner Society, another nonprofit. Under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000, federally owned, historic light stations may be transferred at no cost to federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational agencies, and community development organizations. Ten lighthouses are currently available. See http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/nhlpa/nhlpa.htm for more information about the NHLPA Program.

Acadia Welcomes Wabanaki

Passamaquoddy birchbark artist David Moses Bridges kneels next to his hand-hewn canoe and calls to his son, Tobias Francis, 15, the youngest ranger in Acadia National Park. “Can you hand me the bear fat and pine sap mixture?” asks Bridges, who is demonstrating birchbark canoe making, a craft perfected thousands of years ago by his ancestors. Bridges is descended from four distinct tribes known collectively as the Wabanaki.

Their members traveled to this area to hunt and fish. Bridges’s cultural demonstration is one of many programs initiated by Acadia to allow Wabanaki people to share their traditions and culture with visitors. In another program, Francis shows the raw materials and tools used by Wabanaki people in the past and today to make ash and sweetgrass baskets. Future initiatives include producing Wabanaki language podcasts for visitors and positioning Wabanaki youth in Acadia through internships and mentoring programs.

NPS Handbooks Available Online as History E-Library Grows The online library of almost 4,000 books, reports, and articles developed by the National Park Service (NPS) keeps growing. Historian Harry Butowsky expands the collection every week. Recently, he added the popular NPS handbooks. First published in the 1950s by the NPS Harpers Ferry Center, they provide a wealth of comprehensive information drawn from the latest scientific and historical research available at the time of publication.

Photographs, maps, and original art complement the texts. The contents of many of these handbooks are available online at http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/handbooks/index.htm.

To access the entire History E-Library, go to http://www.nps.gov/history/history/hisnps/.

Fisher Census

Researchers in Yosemite National Park are trying to determine the size of the Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica) population. The Pacific fisher is now found only in roughly 50% of its historical range in California and is listed as a federal candidate species, meaning that federal authorities can propose that Pacific fishers be designated endangered or threatened. The Yosemite population suffers from low reproductive capacity, reduced genetic diversity, and ongoing habitat loss.

In Yosemite, researchers have placed motion-activated camera stations to document the presence and habitat requirements of fishers. Please see http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/fishers.htm.

Beneath the Surface of National Parks

To find out the current geoscientific issues facing national parks, take a look at proposals from the National Park Service (NPS) for 2011 Geoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) positions. The GIP program places geoscientists in parks and central offices for three to 12 months. In response to a call just issued by The NPS Geologic Resources Division, staff at parks, regions, and central offices can propose projects in geoscientific research, resource management, inventory, monitoring, and interpretation/education.

You can view past issues of Parktips and register to receive Parktips via e-mail.

If you need help, please contact the NPS Communications Office at 202-208-6843.

For the latest news from the National Park Service, visit www.nps.gov/news.

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Npsnews mailing list

Npsnews@webmail.itc.nps.gov

http://webmail.itc.nps.gov/mailman/listinfo/npsnews

My Tags: America, California, Community, Health, Massachusetts, Mentor, New York, News, Park, Podcast, Rat, Washington

HUNTMASTER GRAND JUNCTION – INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF HUNTERS

Blog Master — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:52:40 +0000

HUNTMASTER GRAND JUNCTION – INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF HUNTERS

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is offering a two-day Huntmaster training course to certify volunteers for the Hunter Outreach Program. The Huntmaster training will be held Saturday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 15 in Grand Junction. Huntmaster training covers planning of hunts, safety and organization protocols for DOW-sponsored hunts.

The deadline to register for the course is Aug. 9. Applications are available on line at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterOutreach/VolunteersAndHuntmasters/. For answers to questions, contact Jim Bulger, DOW Hunter Outreach Coordinator at (303) 291-7248.

The DOW Hunter Outreach Program teaches novice and inexperienced hunters of all ages the knowledge, skills, ethics, and traditions of hunting. Through workshops and clinics, seminars, group and ‘mentored’ hunts, the program appeals to diverse interests, backgrounds, and levels of ability.

Dedicated western Colorado sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization are searching for ways to increase hunting opportunities and recruitment of youth and novice hunters. As a group, sportsmen can make a positive difference in stemming the national decline in the number of hunters by taking an active role in teaching, coaching and mentoring hunters in partnership with the DOW.

“The Outreach Program has been increasing in size and scope since its inception in 2002," said Bulger. "The desire to learn about hunting skills and our hunting heritage continues to grow and we need to add new volunteers to meet the growing needs of the program."

Last year in northwest Colorado, the DOW offered hunting programs for hundreds of youth, women and families who had not had the opportunity to hunt in the past or have limited hunting experience. Volunteer assistance was critical for those offerings but to expand the number and quality of the hunts more volunteers are needed.

“Each year we have many more applicants than we can support with hunts through the program,” explained Kathleen Tadvick, DOW education coordinator in northwest Colorado. “Now, the Outreach Program needs the community to join us in this partnership by becoming a Huntmaster and building a strong corps of dedicated volunteers to extend our hunting heritage to future generations.”
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For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Colorado, Community, DOW, Hunting, Mentor, Rat, Wildlife

Youth Goose hunt featured on STEP OUTSIDE this week!

Blog Master — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:35:26 +0000

Last January, Dan Bell and Bell Wildlife Specialties hosted a goose hunt for a bunch of Kansas kids. STEP OUTSIDE TV came along and caught all of the fun to share with you. You can watch the show this week on Outdoor Channel at the following times:

07-21 at 8:00AM | 07-23 at 11:00AM | 07-24 at 5:30PM

All times are EDT.

Dan Bell is definitely one of the “Good Guys”. Dan got involved with Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors the very first year we started hunting with kids, back in 2002. Dan offered to host a youth turkey hunt in the spring of ’03 and has done so every year since. Over 150 kids have experienced their first turkey hunt with Dan. We’ve got some amazing videos of some of these hunts on the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website.

Dan has also hosted antlerless deer hunts and as shown in the video, goose hunts for the kids as well.

Check out the Bell Wildlife Specialties website here.

And if you have some time to watch some kids get their first turkeys, check out these links:

http://www.outdoormentors.org/video/TNT-13.wvx – 2008 Youth Turkey Hunt

http://vimeo.com/10865700 – 20101 Youth Turkey Hunt (you can skip to the 10 minute mark on this one to get right to the action!)

For other videos featuring kids hunting, check out this page on the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website: http://bit.ly/dkiH3U.

You too can make a difference in a child’s life…take ‘em outdoors! Become an Outdoor Mentor today!

Mike Christensen

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

310 E 2nd

Wichita, KS 67202

316-290-8883

mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

http://www.outdoormentors.org

My Tags: Deer, Hunting, Kansas, Kid, Mentor, Outdoors, Video, Wildlife

Young Hunter gets an elk!

Blog Master — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:00:45 +0000

Last October, mentor Rich Ridder had an opportunity to take young Loren on an elk hunt in the Gila National Forest, thanks to a generous donation by Don Terhune and the folks at Big Horn Outfitters.

STEP OUTSIDE TV accompanied Rich and Loren on Loren’s first elk hunt. That episode is airing this week on the Outdoor Channel. The episode airs 07-07 at 8:00AM | 07-09 at 11:00AM | 07-10 at 5:30PM (all times are EDT).

I’ve had the pleasure of hunting with Rich and Loren over the last several years. Loren really enjoys getting outdoors. The time he’s spent with Rich has given him the opportunity to explore the outdoors…an opportunity he wouldn’t have had without a mentor like Rich stepping up to make it happen. On a youth turkey hunt about 3 years ago, Rich and Loren spent the day in freezing cold weather (it was only 18 degrees that morning, with a 20 mph wind out of the north, blowing right in their blind). Loren got his jake just before sundown. Rich was really happy that they wouldn’t have to be going out the next morning and was looking forward to sleeping in. Loren, however, decided he hadn’t had enough and went out with another match…and spent another day in the freezing cold just for the thrill of being outdoors and watching another youngster get his opportunity for that first bird. We’ve got a link to that hunt on the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website.

We also had Ben Romans, a free-lance writer accompany Rich and Loren on their hunt. You can check out his photo essay on the hunt on the Field & Stream website. Ben will also have an article coming out later this year on the hunt in Cabela’s Outfitters Journal.

There are boys and girls all across the country waiting for a mentor like Rich to step up and give them the opportunity to experience the great outdoors we all know and love. Why don’t you give us a call today…you could be making it happen for a youngster this fall!

Thanks for all you do to help us get more kids outdoors!

Mike Christensen

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

310 E 2^nd

Wichita, KS 67202

316-290-8883

mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

http://www.outdoormentors.org

My Tags: Donation, DOW, Elk, Forest, Hunting, Kid, Mentor, Outdoors

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. announces 3rd Sculpture in Outdoor Mentor Series

Blog Master — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:28:36 +0000

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Michael Christensen

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

310 E 2nd

Wichita, KS 67202

316-290-8883

mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

http://www.outdoormentors.org

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. announces

3rd Sculpture in Outdoor Mentor Series

WICHITA, KS (July 5, 2010). Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has announced the third sculpture in the Outdoor Mentor Series, a series of sculptures by noted wildlife artist John Parsons which feature a mentor and child enjoying various outdoor activities. The first sculpture in the series, “Who’s Huntin’ Who” was featured at Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Whitetails Unlimited banquets across the country this last year. “Girls’ Day Out” was only available through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever banquets in the fall of ’09 and the spring of ’10. "Pheasant Dreams" will also only be available through Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever banquets in the fall of ’10 and the spring of ’11. The Outdoor Mentors Series is being underwritten by Federal Ammunition for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

"John has been a fantastic supporter of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors since we first began the program," stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. "Thanks to his generosity, we have been able to raise significant funds that let us give more kids the opportunity to get outdoors."

“Pheasant Dreams” brings to life the excitement that a mentor and child share in the field. “The expression on the young man’s face really says it all,” related Christensen. “This sculpture captures the essence of a day spent pheasant hunting…birds flushing, excited dogs, and smiles all around.”

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors is proud to have this sculpture featured at PF & QF banquets across the country. "Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have been great partners for Pass It On. Many PF & QF chapters across the country support our efforts to get outdoors, not only financially but also with their volunteer time hosting mentor hunts and giving kids the chance to get outdoors," said Christensen. "We are also proud to have Federal Ammunition sponsor the sculpture series. This commitment shows Federal is doing more than just talking the talk…they are putting their funds where it can do the most good, giving children the opportunity to learn to hunt pheasants and quail!"

Parsons’ work is now featured in the John Parsons Signature Series in the Cabelas catalogs and stores. He was selected as Artist of the Year for the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep after only one year of sculpting. John was asked to produce artwork for the WaterWalk in Wichita, which now features his River Run, a sculpture of four white-tailed deer and Fighting Bucks, a deer trio locked in combat.

In November of 2008, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors was endorsed by the National Forum on Children and Nature as one of 30 projects nationwide that creatively reconnect kids with nature, benefiting their overall health and appreciation for the great outdoors. Recognizing an urgent need to reconnect kids with nature, the Forum sought proposals from projects seeking endorsement—receiving 560 proposals. In a year-long process, advisory panels culled the best ideas for investment in children’s health through nature, tapping the tools of education, technology and a community’s built environment. As a demonstration project, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. serves as an innovative model for community leaders, planners, educators and others who understand the importance of reconnecting children and nature and want to take concrete steps locally.

“With the current economic situation, putting together the resources we need to expand the program is a challenge. With Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and Federal Ammunition all stepping up to support the Outdoor Mentors Series for the coming year we’ll be able to continue to give kids a chance to experience the great outdoors we all know and love,” commented Christensen.

To find out how you can help, please visit the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors website (http://www.outdoormentors.org ) for more information.

To see more of John’s sculptures, visit John’s website at http://parsonswildlife.com.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent. For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org.

My Tags: America, Community, Conservation, Deer, Features, Health, hunt pheasant, Hunting, Kid, Mentor, News, Outdoors, Pheasant Hunt, pheasant hunting, Quail, Rat, Whitetail, Wildlife

James A. Garfield National Historic Site America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

Blog Master — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:28:04 +0000

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2010

Contact: Todd Arrington, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Todd_Arrington@nps.gov, 440-205-3838

Elise Cleva, NPS Headquarters, Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

James A. Garfield National Historic Site America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

MENTOR, Ohio – A tall windmill casts its shadow on lush grass. Its blades spin gently, pushed by a light wind that sways the limbs of surrounding trees. Never mind that this picturesque structure, which you might anticipate seeing on a tour of the Dutch countryside, graces the Midwestern estate of an American president.

The windmill embodies a lesson about this elegant home, the James A.

Garfield National Historic Site: when you come here, expect to make unexpected discoveries.

This week’s National Park Getaway—the 51st in a series of travel articles—introduces Garfield himself, a lesser-known president about whom there is plenty to discover. Learn about his early life, presidential campaign, and brief presidency in the large, gray house he occupied before moving to a somewhat more famous white one. Here you can savor the intellectual pleasure of learning something new, as National Park Service rangers, museum exhibits, and an informational film serve up interesting tidbits and food for thought. A visit to the Garfield estate is a bit like having supper with friends eager to introduce you to their culture: in the course of the meal, what was exotic or “other” becomes familiar. Likewise, at this national park, the obscure figure of the nation’s 20th president comes into sharp focus.

After you sample and take your fill of Garfield’s life and times, enjoy some eye candy for dessert. The gables, spires, red roof, and front porch of the house provide a feast for the eyes. The grounds also delight.

Continue to whet your appetite for the James A. Garfield National Historic Site by reading this week’s Getaway at www.nps.gov/getaways. Check out the articles from the proceeding weeks to discover—without expecting to do so—other travel destinations. Each week, the series introduces you to a place where you can connect with nature, history, family, and friends.

My Tags: America, DOW, Mentor, News, Ohio, Park, Pictures

DOW LAUNCHES ‘HIGHER-ED’ FOR ELK HUNTERS

Blog Master — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:56:24 +0000

DOW LAUNCHES ‘HIGHER-ED’ FOR ELK HUNTERS

DENVER, Colo.–Elk hunters looking to expand their "wapiti wisdom" can do so by participating in "Elk Hunting University," a new online Hunter Outreach Program offered by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Developed by DOW "Huntmaster" volunteers who teach and mentor novice hunters, EHU provides an entertaining and educational look into the exciting world of Colorado elk hunting. The innovative program features in-depth "how-to" articles, videos and other resources to help hunters become more successful in their pursuit of Colorado’s most revered big game animal–the Rocky Mountain elk.

"EHU uses online educational products to assist hunters in becoming more knowledgeable and confident in their skills as an elk hunter," said Jim Bulger, DOW hunter outreach coordinator. "Most of our past hunter outreach efforts focused around youth-oriented mentoring programs. While it’s extremely important and rewarding to engage young hunters, we felt we could do a better job reaching out to the thousands of adults who want to learn more about hunting elk in Colorado."

The six-month study program features a new online lesson every two weeks. Current articles available on the EHU "lesson" page include, "Elk Hunting 101," "Planning a Successful Hunt," "Applying for a License," "Using Technology" and "Pre-Scouting: Using Maps and GPS."

Debuting in March of this year, the EHU Web pages have already attracted nearly 40,000 visits, and the DOW anticipates even greater participation throughout the summer as hunters prepare for the fall big game seasons.

"We want to assist as many elk hunters as we can before the start of the 2010 hunting seasons," said Bulger. "Our ultimate goal is to prepare hunters to pass the definitive ‘final exam,’ which of course is their having a more successful and enjoyable hunt in Colorado’s backcountry this fall."

Hunters of all skill and experience levels will benefit from the online EHU program, available 24/7 on the DOW Web site. Visit "Elk Hunting University" at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ElkHuntingUniversity/

Class is now in session! Hunters can receive automatic e-mail updates each time a new EHU article is published by signing up for the DOW Insider–the DOW’s e-news service. The Insider is free and is available at the following link: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/DOWInsider/

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Colorado, colorado elk hunt, colorado elk hunting, Denver, DOW, Elk, elk hunter, Elk Hunting, Features, Game, Gun, Hunting, Mentor, News, Video, Wildlife

Nantucket Sound Found Eligible for Listing in National Register

Blog Master — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:52:50 +0000

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 4, 2010

Contact: David Barna (202) 208-6843

Nantucket Sound Found Eligible for Listing in National Register

Washington, DC – The National Park Service today announced the decision by its Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places that Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts is eligible for listing in the National Register for its significance as a traditional cultural property and as an historic and archeological property.

The Keeper made a determination that the Sound is eligible based on:

* its associations with the ancient and historic period Native

American exploration and settlement of Cape Cod and the Islands, and

with the central events of the Wampanoags’ stories of Maushop and

Squant/Squannit;

* its association with Maushop and Squant/Squannit;

* as a significant and distinguishable entity integral to Wampanoags’

folklife traditions, practices, cosmology, religion, material

culture, foodways, mentoring, and narratives; and,

* for the important cultural, historical, and scientific information

it has yielded and/or may be likely to yield through archeology,

history, and ethnography about access to resources, patterns of

settlement, mobility, and land use prior to and after 6,000 years ago

as a result of the inundation of the Sound. It is also important for

the significant information it provides and can provide about the

cultural practices and traditions of the Native Americans of Cape Cod

and the Islands in relationship with other peoples since ancient

times.

My Tags: America, Massachusetts, Mentor, News, Park, Rat, Washington

DOW OFFERS GRANT MONEY FOR SHOOTING RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

Blog Master — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:36:23 +0000

DOW OFFERS GRANT MONEY FOR SHOOTING RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

DENVER, Colo.–The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is initiating a new grant program to provide funding for shooting ranges and shooting areas in Colorado. The goal of the grant program is to increase public recreational shooting opportunities for hunter education, marksmanship training, youth shooting opportunities and other recreational shooting throughout the state.

The DOW Shooting Range Grant funding may be used for creating new shooting ranges and shooting areas, as well as to enhance existing ranges and shooting areas.

The grant funding will come from a combination of DOW cash funds from sale of sportsman licenses or federal funds from Section 10 of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000.

The DOW anticipates making up to a total of $500,000 available for this program beginning with the state fiscal year that began July 1, 2009. Applicants will be required to provide a minimum of 25% of their request in the form of funding or "in-kind" contribution as matching funds for federal funds.

Applications will be accepted for ranges that will be of a substantive public benefit. Substantive public benefit is considered to be: Enhancing the DOW Hunter Education Program opportunities; Expanding shooting opportunities for the general public; and Enhancing opportunities for youth mentoring programs.

Landowners, local governments, DOW, other state and federal agencies and organized shooting/sportsman and youth organizations are eligible for grant consideration. Ranges that provide opportunities for hunter education classes and fulfillment of the live fire requirement in obtaining a hunting license, ranges closer to high population centers, and ranges that provide a broad range of shooting opportunities will receive a higher ranking during the review and approval process.

During the initial year of this program, the deadline for application submittal is Dec. 31, 2009. For details and further information visit the DOW Web site at (www.wildlife.state.co.us/hunting/resources) or contact the DOW Grant Program Shooting Range Grant Coordinator, Larry Strohl (303-291-7346) larry.strohl@state.co.us.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

My Tags: Colorado, Denver, DOW, Hunting, Mentor, Rat, Wildlife

Buckrun Outdoors » Mentor

National Park Service Parktips – August 2010

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