Campfire & Smoking Restrictions to be Implemented

Photo by Kelly Kramer

A very important message from our friends at the U.S. Forest Service:

Springerville, AZ – May 15, 2013—Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 23 in Apache and Navajo Counties, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and within local fire districts located in both counties.

White Mountain area cities, counties, and federal agencies, along with commercial partners that make up Northeast Arizona Public Information System (593 JIC), and the White Mountains Fire Restrictions Coordination Group have been collectively planning for months to implement timely fire restrictions for public lands within the White Mountain area.

With extremely dry vegetation, the risk of wildland fire is extremely high. People who enjoy public lands in Apache and Navajo Counties can reduce the risk of fire by practicing fire safety and by adhering to fire prevention restrictions. The criteria officials consider before implementing fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel conditions, fire activity levels, and available resources. Due to increasing fire danger, the following fire restrictions are deemed necessary to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public health and safety:

• Fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only.
• These restrictions limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or in developed campgrounds.
• Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be turned off are allowed.

The fire restrictions will remain in place until lands within Apache and Navajo Counties receive significant precipitation.

White Mountain visitors are reminded that some campfire restrictions are always in effect, such as in forested areas within city limits of most northern Arizona communities. Additionally, fireworks are never allowed on National Forests. For more information about restrictions on public lands by calling (928) 333-3412 or toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit (www.593info.org), and also the NEW interagency website: (Firerestrictions.us) created to inform residents and visitors about fire restrictions and closures across the South-west area.

Forest and White Mountain visitors are encouraged to be fire safe and show their commitment to wildfire prevention by going online and taking Smokey’s pledge.

More of Mother Nature’s Sweet Sounds

Last week, we shared our video of frogs singing on the Mogollon Rim. Inspired, we decided to ask you to share your YouTube videos of nature’s sounds. Below is a video made in Pat Rullo’s backyard. Thanks, Pat, for sharing, and if you have a video of nature’s sweet sounds, please post to our Facebook wall (sorry, but we won’t consider any videos that weren’t linked from YouTube).

Enjoy!

 

**Please note, wildlife experts recommend that you not feed wild animals. We posted this video only for its background sounds.

Grand Canyon Goes High Tech to Reach Students Nationwide

Environmental Educators Andy Pearce and Amala Posey prepare for their first live broadcast from Grand Canyon’s new Virtual Studio for Kids.
NPS Photo by Kristin M. Coldon

Looks like the Grand Canyon is going high tech with its new Virtual Studio for Kids. The new studio allows environmental education rangers to share the Grand Canyon with students who live all over the U.S. A pretty impressive feat, if you ask us.

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – “Do you live hundreds or thousands of miles away from Grand Canyon…? Why not let Park Rangers bring Grand Canyon to your classroom?” So starts the National Park Service’s brochure on Distance Learning Education Programs at Grand Canyon National Park.

Recently, the park unveiled its new, high tech, Virtual Studio for Kids. The new studio replaces a temporary one that had been in use since 2006. Improvements include the addition of green-screen technology and an integrated system that allows for high definition, live, multi-camera video production. In addition, schools now have the option of connecting via Skype or through a dedicated IP address, allowing flexibility for those who would like to take advantage of the programs offered.

Using the studio, environmental education rangers at Grand Canyon National Park offer five different, free, curriculum-based, interactive classroom presentations, each appropriate for a different age range. Topics include ecology, geology and human history. Teachers can choose the particular presentation they want for their students and can even sign up for several different presentations, but each presentation requires its own timeslot of about an hour. In addition to the virtual field trips, lesson plans, pre-and post-assessments and other materials have been developed for each of the presentations to help build background knowledge on the topic of study before students even “meet” the rangers.
“Children living in many of the country’s most populous cities don’t live anywhere near Grand Canyon. Yet, its world-class natural resources make it an incredible natural classroom,” said distance learning coordinator Amala Posey. “A Grand Canyon field trip can provide excellent learning opportunities, but for many youngsters, that field trip simply isn’t a realistic possibility. With our new system, we can reliably offer the option of virtual visits to a larger audience than ever before.”

This school year, rangers are offering seven weeks of programming and expect to reach about 3,000 students. They hope to reach as many as 10,000 students in coming years.“We still have some class time available in March. If teachers are interested, they should fill out the registration form found on the park’s website as soon as possible,” added Posey.

Creating the Virtual Studio for Kids took a lot of time, dedication and generosity. Almost two years went into researching and securing funding for the project. To learn what was out there and what might be right for Grand Canyon, Posey contacted other NPS sites and California State Parks. She also traveled to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to see firsthand what they had and learn how it worked. In the end, the system chosen was modeled after NASA’s Digital Learning Network in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Funding to create the studio, which cost almost $105,000, was provided solely through grants and donations.

Mexican Gray Wolf Arrives at Scottsdale Sanctuary

Courtesy of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

She doesn’t exactly have a name, but Fox Mountain F1188, a Mexican Gray Wolf that was recently captured in New Mexico, has finally arrived at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) in Scottsdale. Last August, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service issued an order for the lethal removal of F1188 for the depredation of cattle. SWCC offered to pay for her live capture and give her sanctuary at the center. Though she lost her freedom in the wild, F1188 is safe and sound… SWCC is reporting that she’s in good health, eating well and settling into her new environment. Eventually, she’ll be introduced to another Mexican wolf, so she’ll have a companion.

Below, a spokesperson for SWCC talked to us about F1188′s new life and why conservation is so important:

Why was her arrival at the conservation center important? 
Her arrival at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center was important in several ways.  It was due to the compassion we have for these wild creatures that we offered to trade her execution for a life in captivity at SWCC.  Because, there are so few Mexican wolves in existence, we feel each is a valuable contribution to the gene pool, and the species as a whole. We also hope that her story will inspire people to become aware of the problems, as well as the successes, of the reintroduction program, and to become more involved to ensure a future for these wolves.

What will happen to her over the next few days/weeks?
Over the next few weeks, F1188 will settle down in her new home and become acquainted with her new routine and wolf neighbors. SWCC currently houses 16 Mexican wolves, and we’re an important partner in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan — although we do not receive any federal or state support for their care. Eventually, F1188 will be placed with another wolf as her companion.

Why is conservation important?
The conservation of the Mexican wolf is important as the species was a key predator that was missing from the landscape for a century. Returning the Gray wolf to the northwestern U.S., especially in the Yellowstone area, has benefited the environment as a whole, and brought it closer to a balanced system. However, restoring wolves in the southwest is a very controversial program with political implications mainly stemming from livestock operations. True recovery of the Mexican wolf will entail compromise among several groups, but the wild lands will be healthier for it. And the wolves will be back where they belong.

What does F1188 look like?
F1188 is a magnificent animal with the features of a classical Mexican wolf. Looking at her photo, you can see the typical coloration of this species. She is on the small side, weighing approximately 50 pounds, but the Mexican wolves have always been the smallest of the gray wolves. She is active and alert, and seems to be adjusting well to her new life. Although we are sad that she was removed from her family and life in the wild, we’re glad we were given the opportunity to offer her sanctuary for the rest of her life.

SWCC tours are guided tours and by appointment only. For more information call 480-471-3621 or visit http://www.southwestwildlife.org.

 

 

Help Raise $$$ for the Sumatran Tiger Experience at The Phoenix Zoo

Courtesy of the Phoenix Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers

Every year, members from the Phoenix Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers host their annual auction to raise funds for animal conservation efforts and zookeeper education. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Phoenix Zoo and the new Sumatran Tiger Experience. This $3 million, state-of-the-art enclosure will allow the zoo to house up to six Sumatran tigers. Found only on the island of Sumatra, Sumatran tigers are a rare subspecies of tigers and, reportedly, there are fewer than 400 of these beautiful animals left.

So, if you’re looking for a great cause to support, consider this your “save the date.” This Sunday, September 23, come on out and hit up this year’s auction, which will be held at The Stonehouse Pavilion at The Phoenix Zoo. The event starts at 5 p.m. and attendees can expect a silent and live auction (think animal themed items, restaurant and store gift cards, wine gift baskets, sporting memorabilia and museum admission passes), a raffle, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/phoenixaazk  or  www.phoenixaazk.org

 

AZ Game & Fish Seeks Volunteers For Black-Footed Ferret Recovery

Photo by Bruce Taubert

Our pals at the Arizona Game and Fish Department are looking for a few good men and women to help out with an upcoming recovery project… Check it out:

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is in need of volunteers interested in assisting in the recovery of an animal once considered the most endangered mammal on the planet. An opportunity exists for people to lend a hand in the recovery of the elusive, nocturnal, and endangered black-footed ferret.

From September 27-October 1, Game and Fish will be conducting its annual fall spotlighting effort and needs volunteers to help document black-footed ferret numbers throughout the Aubrey Valley, just west of Seligman in northwestern Arizona.

“Volunteers play a vital role in this recovery effort,” said Jeff Pebworth, wildlife program manager at the Game and Fish Kingman office. “We don’t have the personnel available to fully staff these events and the program’s continued success depends on people remaining involved.”

Twice thought to be extinct, a small population of black-footed ferrets was discovered in 1981. A mere 18 were left when captive breeding efforts began in 1985. In 1996, Arizona’s Aubrey Valley was selected as a reintroduction site.

In just the last 10 years, black-footed ferrets in Aubrey Valley have reached a population high enough to be considered self-sustaining, meaning no captive-bred ferrets are needed to maintain a population. The ferret reintroduction crew documented 116 individual ferrets in 2011 and 52 during the 2012 spring effort.

“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in Arizona,” Pebworth said. “We’re restoring an animal that was absent from the state for about 65 years. It’s gratifying to know we’ve reached a point with this reintroduction where the population has continued to improve.”

Volunteers earn the right to brag about their participation, aiding in the recovery of an animal few have ever seen. They can also witness the processing of the animals, which allow researchers to understand population, longevity, and movement throughout the range.

“This is a unique experience and provides volunteers an opportunity to see the amount of effort involved with this reintroduction,” Pebworth said.

Those wishing to volunteer, or needing more information, should e-mail azferret@azgfd.gov by September 21 with “September Spotlighting” in the subject line. Individuals should indicate which night(s) they are available to help; include a first and last name, a contact number, and if anyone else will be attending with them.

“We’ve made progress,” Pebworth said. “However, it is critical we continue to document ferret numbers and understand how this population is holding up in the wild.”