Wildlife Action Grants Available

CONCORD, N.H. — Teachers and community members interested in involving youth to make a difference for wildlife through habitat projects on schoolyards, public areas or community lands can apply to the Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program for start-up funds. This New Hampshire Fish and Game Department program provides mini-grants of $300-$600. Habitat projects create spaces for outdoor learning, and can range from a butterfly garden to shrubs for birds to a pond for amphibians – your imagination is the limit.

The deadline for submitting proposals is February 1, 2010. For a proposal packet, write to Marilyn Wyzga, Public Affairs Division, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301; email marilyn.wyzga@wildlife.nh.gov; or call (603) 271-3211.

The Homes for Wildlife Action Grant Program is designed to support students, educators and community members in projects that create or enhance habitat for wildlife, and to provide inquiry-based, hands-on learning opportunities. The grant program is funded by the Conservation License Plate fund (moose plates), through the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program at Fish and Game. Each applicant may request up to $300, or up to $600 if a dollar-for-dollar match can be provided by the school or organization for any amount over the initial $300. A match is not required for the first $300.

Grants are available to teachers, educators, school staff and community members, especially those trained in Project WILD or Project HOME or who have a member of one of these programs on their project team. Project HOME is an award-winning schoolyard habitat program coordinated by Fish and Game. Project WILD is a K-12, interdisciplinary program about wildlife and the environment.

“We’re looking for youth-driven action projects that will directly benefit wildlife,” says Marilyn Wyzga, coordinator of the Project HOME schoolyard habitat program at Fish and Game. “Projects with the best chance of long-term success involve assembling a team of staff, students, community members and resource professionals.”

Examples of past projects funded by Wildlife Action Grants include:

* The Gilford Elementary School expanded existing gardens to support local wildlife using plant materials and feeders.

* The Little Harbour School in Portsmouth established native plants on their site to benefit birds and butterflies.

* Step Ahead Learning Center in Concord began to transform the schoolyard into wildlife habitat and learning spaces by incorporating plants and feeders to benefit birds and butterflies.

* Plymouth Elementary School enhanced their campus with vegetation specifically to support neotropical migrant birds that use the Pemigewasset River flyway.

Grant applications will be evaluated by Project HOME staff and biologists and educators from the N.H. Fish and Game Department. Grant recipients are required to evaluate the progress of their project within 6 months of the award. Recipients may apply for grants in subsequent years if additional funding is necessary, and also may apply for funds for new projects.

For more information on resources for teachers from N.H. Fish and Game, visit http://www.wildnh.com/Education/for_teachers.htm.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources. Visit online at http://www.wildnh.com.

Help the Needy and Bid for a Chance to Be on TV with Fish & Game

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is stepping up to help others by donating an opportunity to go fishing and appear on its “My Outdoors” television show on myTV. The trip is one of many auction items featured at the annual fundraiser put on by Greg and The Morning Buzz for eleven local charities. The radio show will highlight items, events and services through its two-day radio auction, “Lend a Helping Can.” The auction will be held November 19-20, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. You can hear The Morning Buzz radio auction live on radio stations throughout New England: Rock 101 (101.1 FM), WHEB (100.3 FM), K-ROCK (101.9 FM), and MAXX (93.9).

The winning bidder of the fishing trip will enjoy a day of guided fishing with My Outdoors TV show host and Fish and Game Advertising and Promotions Coordinator Mark Beauchesne. Joining Mark will be Laura from The Morning Buzz (http://morningbuzz.com).

The fishing trip will be featured on a future My Outdoors TV show. The winner will also be treated to deluxe overnight accommodations at Church Landing provided by The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith, as well as a $50 gift card to the Lakehouse Grille provided by the Common Man Family of restaurants.

Last year’s trip raised over $400 for the New Hampshire Food Banks. All money raised from this event will go directly to help ease the burden of our fellow Granite Staters.

“We had a great day on the water and to have those memories on TV was priceless!” said Marty Burby of Barrington, who was the high bidder for the 2008 trip. “What a great way to help out others in need and get on TV!”

Fish and Game’s My Outdoors TV airs on Saturdays at 6:30 a.m. and Monday evenings at 11:00 p.m. on myTV. For more myTV channel info and streaming video, go to: http://www.mytvstation.tv.

Deer Camp, Winter Wildlife, Natural Leaders in NH Wildlife Journal

CAMP TRADITIONS, WINTER WILDLIFE SLEEPERS, AND TEENS TAKE TO NATURE — IT’S ALL IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDLIFE JOURNAL

CONCORD, N.H. – Stories told at hunting and fishing camp get better with the telling. The November-December 2009 issue of “New Hampshire Wildlife Journal” celebrates that tradition with a look at one family’s stories as deer camp transforms to snowmobile camp and then to a haven for fishing and bird hunting, all the while forging bonds between family and friends that last a lifetime and beyond.

Also in this issue, meet an inspiring group of teens who have hiked mountains, traversed ropes courses, tested their leadership styles and are now working on projects to help their home communities become more environmentally aware. The hope is that a new generation of “Natural Leaders” will set the pace for conserving New Hampshire’s natural resources.

Then, test your wildlife knowledge! Which seven mammals survive New Hampshire’s long cold winter months by sleeping them away? Extra credit question: Which of these are TRUE hibernators, while others go into a lighter sleep called “torpor” (they awaken from time to time). Find out in this issue in furbearer biologist Pat Tate’s Journal feature, “A Long Winter’s Nap.”

The Journal is the state’s only magazine dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation and recreation. In our regular columns, Naturalist’s Notebook showcases the northern cardinal. Find out how antlers grow in Wild Ways. Learn what biologists do to keep our large lakes teeming with landlocked salmon and monster lake trout, and why the New England cottontail rabbit needs your help. Get a peek at the new yurts at Milan Hill State Park. Enjoy the Kids Page and the true-to-life tales of Conservation Officers in Warden’s Watch.

Not a subscriber to New Hampshire Wildlife Journal? The magazine is published 6 times a year by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Subscriptions are just $12 for one year — that’s 40% off the newsstand price — or $20 for two years. To read sample articles, subscribe or purchase gift subscriptions for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life, visit http://www.WildNH.com/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_mag.htm.
Subscribe before December 4, 2009, and we’ll send you the current issue absolutely free! Single issues are available for $2.95 each from N.H. Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

OR — through December 4 only — take advantage of the limited time WILD Deals offer! For just $25, get a new two-year subscription to New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine AND the new 2010 N.H. Fish & Wildlife Calendar. FREE shipping and handling — and no tax! Visit http://www.wildnh.com/wilddeals.

New Hampshire Wildlife Journal magazine contains no advertising, and subscription revenue helps N.H. Fish and Game conserve, manage and protect the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats; promote conservation education; and create opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Granite State. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

Fish and Game to Close Barry Conservation Camp for One-Year Hiatus

CONCORD, N.H. – Activities at Barry Conservation Camp, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s popular summer camp for youth in Berlin, N.H., will be on a one-year hiatus through 2010 to address infrastructure problems. Operated in partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, the summer youth camp has been offered by Fish and Game since 1984.

“While we will not hold educational activities at Barry Camp during the coming year, the Department remains firmly committed to the concept of youth conservation camp,” said Fish and Game Executive Director Glenn Normandeau. “Facilities like Barry Camp are unique places where outdoor education can shape future environmental stewards and give young people a chance to learn the skills for enjoying a healthy, active outdoor life.”

Fish and Game is working to address quality issues with the facility’s drinking water supply, according to Normandeau. In addition, recent changes in state-mandated camp operating rules present financial challenges for small specialty camps such as Barry.

“This decision was not an easy one to make, but we want to make sure we have the proper infrastructure in place to deliver quality programming,” said Normandeau. “We will use this time wisely, as an opportunity not only to make repairs, but to step back and examine our mission and create a vision of all that we hope to accomplish through the camp programs.”

Parents seeking alternative summer youth outdoor programming may check out offerings at Vermont Conservation Camp (http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/edu_camps.cfm) or
Maine 4-H Camp (http://www.extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond).
In addition, N.H. Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness offers summer day programming for youth based on outdoor skill development in archery and the shooting sports (http://www.huntnh.com/Hunting/hunter_ed_center.htm).

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.