Wildlife and Outdoor Adventures: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.

In 2010, Unity College was named to the top 30 of the Washington Monthly college rankings, and was one of eighteen U.S. colleges and universities named to The Princeton Review’s Green Rating Honor Roll.

COMING HOME:

This past weekend, I made the 800+ mile trek back to the Northwoods where I attended college. It was technically my "5-year Reunion" and it was a nice visit. I reconnected with some old friends and made some new ones. To find out more about this great school focused on natural resources stewardship go to the college website ---> http://www.unity.edu

I had the opportunity to participate in several activities on and off-campus. From the Alumni Volleyball Match to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new "TerraHaus" residence building. I know some pictures were being taken during the volleyball games and who knows when and where they will surface!

One evening I attended a movie (Super 8) at the Unity College Performing Arts Center in town and heard some solid funk-inspired rock at the Student Activities Center on Campus. On this weekend, every year, there are tons of yard sales, produce stands and a whole lot more catering to the parents, current students, residents of Maine (and beyond) and of course alumni. Alumni Weekend is held in conjunction with Parent's Weekend, Prospective Student Tours and The Common Ground Fair. I bought some iconic Maine goods at the fair - blueberries, maple syrup and local honey. The fair has grown so much since just five years ago that I won't even make an attempt to discuss all the craft vendors, bands, agricultural/forestry demonstrations, etc. Just know that it's a great event!

So, next Fall around this time if you are in New England or feel like heading up to the quaint little town of Unity, Maine I suggest you make a point to visit the area. I will do my best to be there again next year!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Multinational Species Conservation Fund

SCI/SCIF's involvement in Multinational Species Conservation - http://www.iccfoundation.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=384:the-importance-of-trophy-hunting-safari-club-international-testifies-in-front-of-us-congressj&catid=66:2011&Itemid=306

http://www.wcs.org/news-and-features-main/wildlife-stamp-design-unveiled.aspx

http://www.fws.gov/international/

"Cat-loving letter writers and bill payers alike can look forward to a new stamp to go on sale this fall, with proceeds from the stamp’s sale to benefit international wildlife conservation. Yesterday, the U.S. Postal Service gave Americans a sneak peak of the Save Vanishing Species stamp, which features an illustration of a tiger cub by artist Nancy Stahl.

Net proceeds from the sale of the Save Vanishing Species stamp will directly benefit projects supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF), which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve tigers, rhinos, great apes, marine turtles, African elephants and Asian elephants. WCS helped lead the effort to pass federal legislation creating the stamp, which was signed into law last September.

“This beautiful tiger stamp represents a tremendous opportunity for all Americans to help conserve the world’s most iconic species,” said John Calvelli, WCS’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. “As an organization that works with the Fish and Wildlife Service, WCS knows that the conservation of imperiled species will be greatly enhanced by the infusion of more resources, especially through creative funding mechanisms such as the wildlife stamp that have no impact on the U.S. taxpayer.”

The Save Vanishing Species stamps will be available at post offices nationwide this September, as well as at WCS parks. They will sell for 11 cents greater than a First Class Mail stamp—55 cents—and $11 for a sheet of 20.

“This stamp marks the fourth semipostal issued by the Postal Service. These types of stamps provide an extremely convenient way for the American public to contribute to help protect threatened and vanishing species,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman. “We look forward to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Multinational Species Coalition to make this stamp a resounding success.”

“The stamp provides a unique opportunity for the American public to work with the federal government to contribute to saving some of our most beloved threatened species,” said Herb Raffaele, Chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation. “A commitment to the stamp will demonstrate that Americans really care about wildlife conservation abroad.”

*From the WCS website*

For even more information - http://www.elephantconservation.org/multinational-species-conservation-fund/

Monday, September 19, 2011

Omaha

Spent about a week in Omaha, Nebraska at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) conference. I had a great time as I got to meet with natural resource professionals from all over. Now, I can say that I know at least one Wildlife Biologist in every US State, 6 of 13 Canadian Provinces and a few other countries!

I went to Working Group and Committee meetings on Resident Game Birds, Waterfowl, Climate Change, International Relations, Science and Research, Fish and Wildlife Health and more. As is often the case with meetings like this, the conversations at meals and in the evenings are very informative and useful networking opportunities.

I think I did a great job getting the word out about what SCIF does and discussing opportunies to collaborate on large mammal conservation efforts. Touched base with old colleagues and met MANY new ones.

Since I was in downtown Omaha the entire time and very busy, no exciting wildlife photos but here's one of me after the Awards Banquet where some fine folks were honored. My tie was loosened at this point!