Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation VOLUME 53, NUMBER 2 BARCODED FLATS Inside this issue: Page 2 Dakota Sportsman Inc. Sponsors kids fishing Tournement Page 3 PRESIDENT COLUMN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE Page 4-5 CITIZENS SCIENCE NOTEBOOK WINNING TICKET Page 7 SPRING ARCHERY RESULTS WALLEY FISHING LIMITS CHANGES TO SPECIAL BUCK LICENSES ROADKILL FOR DINNER Page 8 MEXICAN MONARCH BUTTERFLY ND OIL IMPACT ON WILDLIFE MARCH 2013 Grants Available for Habitat Project Farmers- need a tax deduction this year? Consider donating some grain or land to the SDWF. You will get a tax break and your support of the SDWF will help protect the land and wildlife you love. Wow, 50 years of camp and we are still going strong. Thousands of young people over the years have attended and learned the lessons of conservation. The 50th annual SDWF Youth Con- servation Camp is now in the planning stage. The 2013 camp will run from June 2nd through June 8th. Young people from across South Dakota will be arriving at Camp Bob Marshall in the beautiful Black Hills. They will be learning about conserva- tion and striking up new friendships. The 2012 Conservation Camp was well attended and the programs were well received by the campers. It is our hope to repeat or surpass the 2012 event this year. With the help of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks personal, a unique opportunity is being planned for the young people of South Dakota. If any of our readers know of young people who like the out of doors, hunting and fishing, or are interested in learning the message of conservation professionals the SDWF Youth Con- servation Camp is a unique opportunity. Any student, girls or boys, in 9th, 10th or 11th grade is eligible to attend camp. Interested young people can apply directly to a local sports- man’s club in their area or to their local Soil Conservation District office. If you would like to view photos from the camp, join us on our facebook page: SDWF Youth Conservation Camp. For more information about how you or someone you know can attend the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp, contact Camp Director, Mike McKernan, PO Box 246, Murdo, SD 57559, phone 605- 669-2829, e-mail [email protected] or Chris Hesla, Executive Director, PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501, phone 605-224-7524. A camper application can be printed from the Wildlife Federation website, go to: www.sdwf.org click on the conservation camp section. SDWF YOUTH CONSERVATION CAMP 50 YEARS Beginning this spring, grants will be available from SDWF to cover direct costs in establishment of habitat and wetlands res- toration. Both individual homeowners and organizations are eligible to apply. The funds are provided by the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund, a permanently endowed donor advised fund established with the South Dakota Community Foundation. The purpose of the EBLCF is to support beautifi- cation and natural area conservation projects in South Dakota, with a special emphasis on native wildflower plantings, songbird habitat, and wetlands development and preservation. The E&BLCF was endowed by the family and friends of Evelyn and Bill Lohmann in their memory. Day Breitag of Pierre pro- vided this statement: In 1954, my mother caught polio, just two months before the Salk vaccine went into general public use. From the time she contracted the disease until her death twelve years later, she never again left her rocking bed or wheelchair. She breathed with a respirator. She couldn’t sit up, turn, lift her arms or legs. She was twenty-five years old. She had a great love of the wildflowers and songbirds of her native Midwest, and although her days of running through the fields and by the streams were done, she found joy and the strength to live a full life from the birds and flowers she could see through her window. From her rocking bed she taught her daughters the names of the species, the needs of habitat, the special beauty to be found in nature. Our father shared her love, and by removing exotic species, planting native grasses, and adding a pond, he created in our suburban Chicago home one of the National Wildlife Federation’s first Certified Back- yard Habitats@. He died in 2002 of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is natural to honor their memory with projects to beautify and conserve wildlife habitat. I am pleased to join the South Dakota Wildlife Federation in administration of the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund grant-making program, and to support SDWF’s work on behalf of the wildlife of our state. To apply for a grant, write or email to request an applica- tion from [email protected] or Chris Hesla, PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501. Grants will be awarded in the range of $250 to $1,000. The application deadline is May 1st, 2013 A committee of members of the SDWF Board of Directors will consider all applications; funds will be awarded as available. The endowment currently contains approximately $26,000. Interest only will be used to make grants, and to support the operations of the SDWF. Contributions may be made to add to the endowment by sending to: the South Dakota Community Foundation, P.O. Box 296, Pierre SD 57501, and specifying the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund. Gifts are tax-deductible. - Day Breitag of Pierre is currently a development officer with the National Wildlife Federation. Camo-Coalition receiving a check from the SD Izaak Walton League Chapter for their support in lobby- ing efforts (Lto R) Dave Nauman, Chris Hesla, SDWF President Rich Widman and SDIWL Trea- surer Lanny Thomas. Thanks to the Members of the Ikes for supporting SDWF-Camo- Coalition
Transcript
Affi liated with the National Wildlife Federation VOLUME 53, NUMBER 2
BA
RC
OD
ED
FL
AT
S
Insidethis issue:
Page 2 Dakota Sportsman Inc.Sponsors kids fi shing Tournement
Page 3 PRESIDENT COLUMN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Page 4-5 CITIZENS SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
WINNING TICKET
Page 7 SPRING ARCHERY RESULTS
WALLEY FISHING LIMITS
CHANGES TO SPECIAL BUCK LICENSES
ROADKILL FOR DINNER
Page 8 MEXICAN MONARCH BUTTERFLY ND OIL IMPACT ON WILDLIFE
MARCH 2013
Grants Available for Habitat Project
Farmers- need a tax deduction this year? Consider donating some grain or land to the SDWF. You will get a tax break and your support of the SDWF will help protect the land and wildlife you love.
Wow, 50 years of camp and we are still going strong. Thousands of young people over the years have attended and learned the lessons of conservation. The 50th annual SDWF Youth Con-servation Camp is now in the planning stage. The 2013 camp will run from June 2nd through June 8th. Young people from across South Dakota will be arriving at Camp Bob Marshall in the beautiful Black Hills. They will be learning about conserva-tion and striking up new friendships. The 2012 Conservation Camp was well attended and the programs were well received by the campers. It is our hope to repeat or surpass the 2012 event this year. With the help of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks personal, a unique opportunity is being planned for the young people of South Dakota.
If any of our readers know of young people who like the out of doors, hunting and fi shing, or are interested in learning the message of conservation professionals the SDWF Youth Con-
servation Camp is a unique opportunity. Any student, girls or boys, in 9th, 10th or 11th grade is eligible to attend camp. Interested young people can apply directly to a local sports-man’s club in their area or to their local Soil Conservation District offi ce.
If you would like to view photos from the camp, join us on our facebook page: SDWF Youth Conservation Camp. For more information about how you or someone you know can attend the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp, contact Camp Director, Mike McKernan, PO Box 246, Murdo, SD 57559, phone 605-669-2829, e-mail [email protected] or Chris Hesla, Executive Director, PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501, phone 605-224-7524. A camper application can be printed from the Wildlife Federation website, go to: www.sdwf.org click on the conservation camp section.
SDWF YOUTH CONSERVATION CAMP 50 YEARS
Beginning this spring, grants will be available from SDWF to cover direct costs in establishment of habitat and wetlands res-toration. Both individual homeowners and organizations are eligible to apply. The funds are provided by the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund, a permanently endowed donor advised fund established with the South Dakota Community Foundation. The purpose of the EBLCF is to support beautifi -cation and natural area conservation projects in South Dakota, with a special emphasis on native wildfl ower plantings, songbird habitat, and wetlands development and preservation. The E&BLCF was endowed by the family and friends of Evelyn and Bill Lohmann in their memory. Day Breitag of Pierre pro-vided this statement:In 1954, my mother caught polio, just two months before the Salk vaccine went into general public use. From the time she contracted the disease until her death twelve years later, she never again left her rocking bed or wheelchair. She breathed with a respirator. She couldn’t sit up, turn, lift her arms or legs. She was twenty-fi ve years old.She had a great love of the wildfl owers and songbirds of her native Midwest, and although her days of running through the fi elds and by the streams were done, she found joy and the strength to live a full life from the birds and fl owers she could see through her window. From her rocking bed she taught her daughters the names of the species, the needs of habitat, the special beauty to be found in nature. Our father shared her love,
and by removing exotic species, planting native grasses, and adding a pond, he created in our suburban Chicago home one of the National Wildlife Federation’s fi rst Certifi ed Back-yard Habitats@. He died in 2002 of Lou Gehrig’s Disease.It is natural to honor their memory with projects to beautify and conserve wildlife habitat. I am pleased to join the South Dakota Wildlife Federation in administration of the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund grant-making program, and to support SDWF’s work on behalf of the wildlife of our state.To apply for a grant, write or email to request an applica-tion from [email protected] or Chris Hesla, PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501. Grants will be awarded in the range of $250 to $1,000. The application deadline is May 1st, 2013 A committee of members of the SDWF Board of Directors will consider all applications; funds will be awarded as available. The endowment currently contains approximately $26,000. Interest only will be used to make grants, and to support the operations of the SDWF.Contributions may be made to add to the endowment by sending to: the South Dakota Community Foundation, P.O. Box 296, Pierre SD 57501, and specifying the Evelyn & Bill Lohmann Conservation Fund. Gifts are tax-deductible.- Day Breitag of Pierre is currently a development offi cer with the National Wildlife Federation.
Camo-Coalition receiving a check from the SD Izaak Walton League Chapter for their support in lobby-ing efforts (Lto R) Dave Nauman, Chris Hesla, SDWF President Rich Widman and SDIWL Trea-surer Lanny Thomas.Thanks to the Members of the Ikes for supporting SDWF-Camo-Coalition
Out Of Doors 2 March 2013
Mr. Chris HeslaExecutive-Director (Hired)South Dakota Wildlife FederationP.O. Box 7075Pierre, South Dakota 57501Telephone: (605) 224-7524 - offi ce (605) 222-1002 - cellFax: (605) 224-7524Email address: [email protected]
Mr. Rich Widman - President South Dakota Wildlife Federation929 8th AvenueBrookings, South Dakota 57006Telephone: (605) 692-7157 - HomeEmail: Widmanfi [email protected]
Mr. Mark Widman1st Vice-President South Dakota Wildlife Federation2315 N. Devon Ave.Tea, SD 57064 Telephone: (605) 213-0004 (605) 321-2648 - Cell Email: [email protected]
Mr. Dennis Skoog2nd Vice-President South Dakota Wildlife Federation15377 479th AvenueMilbank, South Dakota 57252Telephone: (605) 432-4385Email: [email protected]
Mr. Terry Mayes 3rd Vice-PresidentSouth Dakota Wildlife Federation3203 Meadowbrook DriveRapid City, South Dakota 57702Telephone: (605) 341-1568Cell: (605) 390-3389Email: [email protected]
Mr. Bill AntonidesImmediate Past President South Dakota Wildlife Federation514 N. Arch StreetAberdeen, South Dakota 57401-2951Telephone: (605) 229-4712 - Home (605) 380-8586 - CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Rieck EskePresident SDWF Camo-CoalitionP.O. Box 46Warner, South Dakota 57479Telephone: (605) 229-1743 - Home (605) 380-9569 - CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Paul Vinatieri Director District 1 South Dakota Wildlife Federation1995 Sammis TrailRapid City, South Dakota 57702Telephone: (605) 348-3846 - Home (605) 391-8402 - CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Norman Buxcel Director District 2South Dakota Wildlife Federation25602 236th StreetOkaton, South Dakota 57562Telephone: (605) 843-2100 - Home (605) 840-4908 - Cell
Mr. Kenneth A. Schroeder, Jr.Director District 3 South Dakota Wildlife Federation23697 Mulligan MileRapid City, South Dakota 57702Telephone: (605) 348-9364 - home (605) 484-0975 - cellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Tom Putzier Director District 4 (Term: Aug 2008 to Aug 2012)South Dakota Wildlife Federation6329 Country LaneAberdeen, South Dakota 57401Telephone: (605) 225-6600Email: [email protected]
Mr. Forrest “Mick” Stanton Director District 5 South Dakota Wildlife Federation1001 37th St NWWatertown, SD 57201-7226Telephone: (605) 886-9756 – home (605) 520-9756 – cellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Charles DieterDirector District 6 South Dakota Wildlife Federation47135 203rd StreetBrookings, South Dakota 57006Telephone: (605) 693-3123 - Home (605) 688-4555 - Work (605) 690-6351 - CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Ross Jensen Director District South Dakota Wildlife Federation605 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.Huron, South Dakota 57350Telephone: (605) 350-6257Email: [email protected]
Mr. Jerry Lulewicz Director District 8 South Dakota Wildlife Federation20 Arrowhead PassMitchell, South Dakota 57301Telephone: (605) 996-4750Email: [email protected]
Mr. Jeremy McGregorDirector District 9 South Dakota Wildlife Federation2405 N. Ivy RoadTea, South Dakota 57064Telephone: (605) 368-2344- Home (605) 351-0955- CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Allan JohnsonDirector-at-Large South Dakota Wildlife FederationBox 97Hecla, South Dakota 57446Telephone: (605) 994-2283 – HomeEmail: [email protected]
Mrs. Lori GoldadeDirector-at-Large South Dakota Wildlife Federation12892 Fairfi eld DriveAberdeen, South Dakota 57401Telephone: (605) 225-7884 - Home (605) 380-7921 - WorkEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Harvey MalonDirector-at-Large South Dakota Wildlife Federation635 Westwind DriveRapid City, South Dakota 57701Telephone: (605) 343-2349Email: [email protected]
Ms. Maggie EnglerDirector-at-Large South Dakota Wildlife Federation2111½ Monte Vista DriveRapid City, South Dakota 57702Telephone: (605) 391-2511Email: [email protected]
Mr. Maurice Olsen Director-at-Large South Dakota Wildlife Federation4610 Carriage Hills DriveRapid City, South Dakota 57702Telephone: (605) 342-0815
Mr. John PollmannDirector-at-Large (Appointed Aug 2010 to Aug 2012)South Dakota Wildlife Federation405 E 15th StreetDell Rapids, South Dakota 57022Telephone: (605) 370-8092 CellEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Jeff AlbrechtPast President and Board of DirectorsSouth Dakota Wildlife Federation131 58th AvenueBrookings, South Dakota 57006Telephone: (605) 693-3672Email: [email protected]
OTHER NAMES OF IMPORTANCE:
Mr. Robert J. JacobsonSec-Treasurer Re-appointed South Dakota Wildlife FederationP.O. Box 297Garretson, South Dakota 57030Telephone: (605) 594-6484 - Offi ce (605) 594-6693 - HomeEmail: [email protected]
Mr. Mike McKernanYouth Camp Director (Non-Board Member)South Dakota Wildlife Federation612 S. Garfi eldMurdo, South Dakota 57559Telephone: (605) 669-2829Email: [email protected]
Mr. David DittloffNWF Regional Representative for SDNational Wildlife Federation240 N. HigginsMissoula, Montana 59802Telephone: (406) 541-6732 - Offi ce (406) 214-8109 - CellFax: (406) 721-6714Email: [email protected]
Mr. Gene OglesbyNWF Region Nine DirectorNational Wildlife Federation650 J Street – Suite 400Lincoln, Nebraska 68508Telephone: (402) 476-3434Email: [email protected]
Ms. Sean KittrellSD Wild Grassland Coalition21857 Ingileif LaneNemo, South Dakota 57759Telephone: (605) 578-1540 home (605) 430-0870 cellEmail: [email protected]
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Subscription Rate - $10.00 per year or with membership in SDWF Individual members
devote approximately 40 cents of their annual dues for each copy of the newspaper.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Pierre, SD 57501.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
South Dakota Wildlife Federation, 208 Linell, Pierre, SD 57501.
USPS 503-320ISSN 0883-6809
OUT OF DOORS EDITORChris Hesla
Box 7075 • Pierre, SD 57501Phone 605-224-7524
South Dakota Wildlife Federation OUT OF DOORS, printed monthly, except for January, is the offi cial publication of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation (SDWF), a private, non-profit statewide organization of affiliated organizations and individuals incorporated under South Dakota laws. Subscription to this publication is through membership in the SDWF or direct contact with the SDWF,PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501. All communications regarding advertising, editorial, circulation and SDWF matters may be sent to SDWF OUT OF DOORS, PO Box 7075, Pierre, South Dakota 57501. Permission to reprint articles normally given providing proper credit is given the publication and author. Views expressed by free lance writers are their own and do not necessarily express those of the publication or the SDWF.
In February Dakota Sportsmen, Inc. from Watertown hosted our kid’s fi shing tournament, to say the least it went great! They had almost 200 kids show up. With about 50-60 kids have never fi shed before yesterday,(judging on the amount of poles we handed out to kids that didnt have any fi shing poles) we went through about 400 hot dogs and 12 cases of pop. we made sure every kid got a prize. we also had a photographer on the ice with the
Dakota Sportsmen, Inc. - Watertown hosted kid’s fi shing tournament
kids. which he got some great shots on the kids. His link to pictures http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Black-Stone-Photo/293901424013719.
Dakota Sportsmen, thought the members of SDWF would enjoy the pictures of our future outdoorsmen in action.
“The days a man spends fi shing or spends hunting should not be deducted from the time that he’s on earth. In other words, if I fi sh today, that should be added to the amount of time I get to live. That’s the way I look at recreation. That’s why I’ll be a big conservation, environmental President, because I plan to fi sh and hunt as much as I possibly can.” George Bush, quoted in Los Angeles Times, 30
December 1988
Out Of Doors 3 March 2013
President’s Column by Rich Widman
President,Rich Widman
JUST ONE
By the time you read this, SDWF will have fi nished another busy legislative session, defending sportsmen and sportswomen from the forces of evil.
Okay, that may be a little harsh, but we defi nitely had some of our biggest battles this session. We won the majority of them again, but what especially frustrated me this year was that we had some opponents who tried everything they could to get legislators to side with them, including telling our senators and represen-tatives that the SDWF was lying to them. I personally took offense to that, as should you, and emailed sev-eral legislators telling them, “SDWF does not lie,” and, “David Nauman and Chris Hesla have over 50 years of combined experience and are two of the most re-spected lobbyists in Pierre.” I gave them my word that SDWF will always be truthful and up-front with them. We may not always agree on the issues, but they will always know where we stand and why.
In case you didn’t know, it’s extremely time-consuming and sometimes confusing for legislators to sort through the piles of bills and related information they have to consider. On top of that, they have emails, phone calls, and lobbyists telling them how they should vote. That’s why it is of the utmost importance that we have the facts on our side and show respect for the legislators in our correspondence with them. It’s not always easy to oppose bad bills, (especially those supported by SDWF-friendly legislators), but it’s our job.
One thing that helps our successful lobbying efforts is the fact that we are a non-profi t volunteer organization that cares about our state, our heritage, our traditions, and our future. These past few years, I think people
have begun to see that when an issue pits benefi ts for all the people versus money for a few, SDWF will always fi ght for the rights of the people.
Because we are one of the main conservation watch-dogs during the legislative session, we need to form partnerships with other like-minded groups in our great state. I, like many of you, am a member of several of these great organizations. So I have called, emailed, or met with representatives from Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League, and Pheasants Forever. I also hope to meet with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foun-dation, Walleyes Unlimited, and any other group with common interests. My goal is to get all of us together to have a huge voice in Pierre.
Because we all want the same things, I’ve asked these groups to alert their members about the importance of SDWF, and I’ve requested their help in supporting our lobbying and legal funds. I’m very pleased to report that we’ve had a tremendous response. In fact, you will see in our Legacy columns all the support we’ve gotten just in the last month. I believe our February donation total represents the most money that we’ve ever received in a month.
But let’s not stop there. We still need about $20,000 for the Camo Coalition this year, and we also antici-pate having to hire an attorney to provide us with legal opinions and, if necessary, fi le lawsuits on our behalf. I’d like to raise at least $20,000 for our legal fund.
Can we do it? If everyone asks “JUST ONE” buddy to join SDWF, and we all give an extra $10, I think we can.
Executive Director’s Update by Chris Hesla
Executive DirectorChris Hesla
Two of the most important components of the SDWF mission are our Annual Conservation Camp for young a adult which is scheduled for June 2 through June 9, 2013 at Camp Bob Marshall near Custer, SD. The Camp is open to all young adults in grades 9-12.The camp is celebrating its 50th year this year and a huge congratulations to those that help make the camp what it is today, and to those that made it what it is for the last 50 years. (See front page article)
The other important component is SDWF’s lobbying efforts to protect our rights to hunt and fi sh in South Dakota. Lobbying is a very interesting job to say the least. There are times that you are the only one in the room to testify in favor of or against a certain topic and as in life, it is always easier to be on the popular side although being on the popular side does not guaran-tee victory in the political arena.
When you do enjoy a victory and you are on the win-ning side of an issue it is a very good feeling. SDWF has become a very strong political player in our state legislature. We have gained the trust and created a very good working relationship with a majority of the
lawmakers. This has been accomplished in several ways. First and foremost, is my friend and fellow lob-byist David Nauman who has been SDWF’s lobbyist for nearly 30 years. Dave has continually provided accurate data, truthful testimony, demonstrated a will-ingness to listen to all opinions and worked toward an amicable ending for everyone. Secondly, I feel that the SDWF Camo_Coaltion’s daily legislative update and e-mail alert has become a very important tool. Camo_Coalition is expanding the email list to all important conservation issues that come up during the year, re-member membership is free and all you need to do is go to sdwfcamo.net and sign up for free.
THANK YOU for those of you who took the time to contact legislators and/or by supporting us fi nancially through our raffl es and memberships. A very special thanks to those that spent their time to come to Pierre for Camo Coalition Day. It really makes a tremendous difference talking and lobbying after our Camo Day at the legislature.
We can and do make a difference!!!
Out Of Doors AA September 2012Out Of Doors 4 March 2013
JUST ONE
Citizen scientists are non-scientist volunteers who make observations and send the information to real scientists who search for large-scale patterns and trends in the data. The most well-known citizen science project is the Christmas Bird Count in which thou-sands of bird watchers record bird species and send the data to the Na-tional Audubon Society.Hunters, anglers, and bird watchers have been helping wildlife science for years by returning bands and tags from captured animals (photo shows duck leg band). However, new ways to become a citizen scientist are increasing and op-portunities are numerous. It doesn’t take a PhD to be a citizen scientist. Partici-pate alone or with a group on a topic that interests you. Work in your yard and garden, or in a nearby fi eld, forest, lake or stream. The time commitment is up to you – from 15 minutes counting birds at your feeder to several months recording dates of fl ower-ing and leaf fall of a plant in your yard. We have published a series of articles for the Feder-ation’s monthly newspaper Out-of-doors in which we describe our experiences as citizen scientists watch-ing bees, birds, buds, ice, frogs, and water. The purpose of this article is to provide up-dates on our experiences, news about up-coming opportunities, and information about some results.
Benefi ts to Science and YOUThe South Dakota Wildlife Federation (SDWF) en-courages you to learn more about citizen science because of the benefi ts to science, and to you and your family. Thousands of citizen scientists using standardized methods can help real scientists dis-cover large-scale patterns in plant and animal popu-lations. Studies can be done at large scales and low cost to the scientists, but there are also personal benefi ts. The projects connect you with nature and outdoors activities as you get a better understanding of the process of science that is so important to our lives, and to wildlife management and conservation. There are great science projects for kids but adults will fi nd links to gardening, photography, hunting, fi shing, and other activities involving our natural world. When we really focus on the house fi nch, or the lin-den tree, or a sunfl ower to get citizen science data, we get a fresh comprehension of their ecology and connection to humans – our economy and our stew-ardship responsibilities.
Wildlife Watch and Garden for Wildlife http://www.nwf.org/ The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the parent society of the SDWF, has several citizen science programs. “Gardening for Wildlife” can be done at home or in a school or church yard, and you can
have your yard certifi ed as wildlife habitat by a NWF ecologist. Our yard in Brookings is NWF Certifi ed Backyard No 19, 951 of the 150,000 certifi ed back-yard habitats nationwide. A new program is called “Wildlife Watch.” You report wildlife sightings and photos to the NWF data base - and get this, there are no observations reported for South Dakota at this time. Be the fi rst South Dako-tan to sign up for this citizen science program!
Ice Watch http://www.natureabounds.org/Ice-Watch_USA.htmlWe’re recording ice-up and ice-off times for Lake Campbell and the Big Sioux River in Brook-ings County. This year will be one of the latest ice-up times on record, perhaps December 10 as I write this). The ice-up date is the date the lake is covered and does not reopen. (Photo shows our Springer spaniel named Higgins helping with ice watch).
Bee Watch http://www.greatsunfl ower.org/Our Lemon Queen sunfl ower plants, the standard plant used for bee watching and counting pollinators, fi nished producing pollen on about September 6. Twice a week for several weeks we recorded honey bees, bumble bees, and green bees at about 2 – 3 visits per minute so our area is well served by pol-linators, according to pollination scientists. We like this project and will participate next year.
Frog Watch http://www.aza.org/frogwatch/ Frogs and toads are both prey and predator in wet-lands and are considered indicators of environmen-tal health. We heard the chorus of three species of frogs before our wetland dried up this summer. We wonder what we’ll hear next spring.
Water Watch http://eastdakota.org/dakotawater-watch/This is a South Dakota program for lakes and streams. We took simple water quality measurements several times during the summer. Lake Campbell had low coliform bacteria counts (sometimes zero), so it was safe for swimming. Water transparency increased from about one foot in August to about 5 feet in Oc-tober. We’re looking forward to the annual report so we can see our data in print and compare Lake Campbell to other lakes.
Project Budburst http://neoninc.org/budburst/ Thousands of citizen scientists across the United States monitor plants as the seasons change to determine the timing of leafi ng, fl owering, and fruiting. Ten percent of the leaves on our cottonwood tree were yellow on September 10 but change was slow and diffi cult to quantify because of the dry warm fall. We’re looking forward to the fi rst leaves of the Pasque fl ower (the State fl ower) in the spring.
Citizen Science Notebook By Charles and Mary Lou Berry
Out Of Doors AA September 2012Out Of Doors 5 March 2013
JUST ONE
In an underdeveloped country, don’t drink the water; in a developed country, don’t breathe the air. ~Changing Times magazine
Many citizen science projects cooperate with the Na-tional Phenology Network. “Phenology” is the sci-ence of timing events in animal (e.g., nesting, migra-tion) or plant (e.g., fl owering, fruiting) life. One result from the national data analysis was that the aver-age fl owering date of deciduous trees and the timing of warbler migrations have moved out of synchrony as the overlap decreased by 25% in one year. This means less food available for the migrating birds. One concern about climate change is whether plants and animals can adapt.
For Bird Watchers This WinterThe Christmas Bird Count sponsored by the Audu-bon Society is the longest running citizen science program in the world http://birds.audubon.org/christ-mas-bird-count. On December 19 last year, birders in Brookings counted 3000 birds of 41 species.
We look forward to The Great Backyard Bird Count http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc. On February 15-18, we’ll identify and count birds at our feeder to help craft a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. We like to see our data entered on the state and national map, which is updated ev-ery 15 minutes. In 2012, bird counters in 60 towns (see map) in South Dakota recorded 108 species.
Our “To-do” projectsWe’ve noticed a lot of humming birds at our new home beside Lake Campbell so we’ll probably inves-tigate the Hummingbird Monitoring Network (http://www.hummonnet.org/). The South Dakota Water Watch project has gotten us interested in two other water projects. World Wa-ter Watch is a one-day (Sept 18) program involving people in 77 countries http://www.worldwatermoni-toringday.org/default.aspx. The South Dakota Water Watch staff gives each vol-
unteer a Secchi disk. This simple but much-used black and white “plate” is lowered into the water to record the depth at which it disappears. We’re look-ing into joining the Secchi Dipin next summer, which is sponsored by EPA and The Lake Management Society (http://www.secchidipin.org/index.html). And we’ve always wanted to help fi nd lost ladybugs (http://lostladybug.org/). Have you noticed a lot of ladybug-type insects in your home? We have! The Entomologists at SDSU report that over the past 20 years native ladybugs have become extremely rare while non-native ladybugs have greatly increased both their numbers and range. We’re not sure what methods are used but counting spots must be in-volved. This is our fi rst citizen project with its own theme song (check the site).ConclusionCitizen science is a growing pastime that is reward-ing in many ways. You get the satisfaction of learn-ing more about your favorite parts of nature while helping real scientists discover trends in our natural world. There is a project for you – weather, wild-life, lady bugs, earth quakes, constellations, spider webs….whatever! Charles Berry is a retired USGS fi sheries scientist and Emeritus Professor at SDSU. Mary Lou Berry is a retired Librarian. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit (this site is called Citizen Science Central because it lists 130 projects) but also go to http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/citizen-science-47121401 (lists 25 projects by season), and check out http://www.scientifi camerican.com/citizen-science/ and http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Cit-izen-Science/Citizen-Science-Programs.aspx Find our past articles on the Federation’s new and improved web site http://www.sdwf.org/. Click on the Out-of-doors tab and then on March, May, September 2011, or May, Sept 2012).
On January 2, 2013 Mark Anderson drew the win-ning ticket for the 2012 Special Fund Raiser for the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp Endowment which was Dr. Chad and Lori Munsterman of Brook-ings, South Dakota. From this fund raising event another $5000.00 was placed into the camp endow-ment for 2012. This special fund raiser will culminate in 2013 when both Mark Anderson and John Green will work together to produce an original piece of art which will be given away after the 250 tickets are sold. When this culminates in late 2013 this 3 year special camp fund raising project will have put a to-tal of $15,000.00 in the camps endowment to help ensure a viable source of income for the camp in or-der to keep this camp affordable long into the future.Sometime in March we will be sending tickets for the 2013 camp endowment fund raiser, so watch the mail for this important event. At this time the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp Committee wants to thank everyone who has purchased chances on this spe-
cial fund raising project the last two years. We also want to thank both John Green and Mark Anderson for helping make this project a success by donating these original pieces of art and for doing the 2013 piece together. Without their generosity this special fund raising project wouldn’t have come to fruition.
The Winning Ticket
Out Of Doors 6 March 2013
888-OVERBAG
Love the outdoors and need a tax deduction this year?
If you have a car, van, truck, ATV, or boat that’s in reasonably good shape and you aren’t using, donate it to the SDWF. You’ll get a nice tax break and will feel great knowing you helped
our great organization protect South Dakota’s outdoors.
To continue our conservation efforts - we need your help! Please donate generously.Send Donation and Membership Application to:SDWFP.O Box 7075Pierre, SD 57501-0952 CC____________________________EXP _______CV_____ Check - make checks payable to SDWF
SD Wildlife Federation Donors At the 2003 Winter Board Meeting, the SDWF Board created the SDWF Wildlife Legacy Council. The Council was created to allow recognition of the people who support SDWF above and beyond their membership and raffle donations.
Thank you to the following donors for their contributions to the SDWF. Please consider becoming a member of the Wildlife LegacyCouncil. SDWF is a 501(c3) non-profit, all donations are tax deductible. These tax-deductible contributions will speak volumes for the future of the SDWF’s Wildlife Legacy Council! Please consider your donation today. Donations can be sent to SDWF, PO Box 7075, Pierre, SD 57501.
The Legacy Council consists of five different donation levels. These donation levels were revised October 2011 to: Level V Eagle$1,000 & above; Level IV Buffalo $501 - $999; Level III Elk $301 - $500; Level II Deer $201 - $300; and Level I Pheasant $100 -$200.
February 2013 LEVEL V EAGLEBEADLE CO. SPORTSMEN - SD NAT’L WILD TURKEY FED - SD LEVEL IV BUFFALOBLACK HILLS SPORTSMEN - SDLEVEL III ELKBROOKINGS WILDLIFE FED - SD COTEAU PRAIRIE PHEASANTS FOREVER - SD
SD CHAPTER OF THE IKES - SD LEVEL II DEERBIG SIOUX CHAPTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUND. - SD BRICK, RICHARD - CA PESEK, RON - SD WHETSTONE SPORTSMEN CONSERVATION CLUB - SD
YANKTON AREA PHEASANTS FOREVER - SD LEVEL I PHEASANTBORMANN, DANIEL - WI DENISON, LARRY - VA ELBE, ROBERT - WI GRASS LAKES CONSERVATION CLUB - SD GRIFFIN, DEL - SD
HECLA SPORTSMAN CLUB - SD HOBBY, CHARLES - GA HOFTIEZER, GREG - SD PHILLIPS, DR. KENNETH - NC RUMPCA, HAL - SD SIMPSON, JOHN - SD STULTS, MARK - SD
January 2013 LEVEL III ELKJOHNSON, ERIC - MNLEVEL II DEERCAMPBELL, STUART - SD LEVISEN, ARLO - SD LEVEL I PHEASANTBAGAUS, TERRY - MN BECKMAN, LEON - SD
BOWAR, PAT - SD CAMPBELL, STUART - SD DAVIDSON, JOHN - SD DRESSING, BRIAN - SD ECKERT, DENIS - SD EVANS, RALPH - FL FAST, DAVID - OH FICK, HAROLD - CA
GOGGINS, ROBERT - MN HAY, MARY & JERRY - WI HOCH, JAMES - CA HOFFMAN, CHARLES - SD KRETCHMAN, CHARLES - SD LEPP, DONALD - SD MCQUEARY, PETER - TX METRY, MARK - WI
OLSON, MURDEAN - SD OLSON, RICHARD - MN PICKART, PHILLIP - SD POLENZ, ALLAN - OR RANEY, THOMAS - KS RITER, JR., ROBERT - SD ZOELLNER, KENNETH - CA
December 2012 LEVEL IV BUFFALOOLSON, JEFF – SD SCALET, CHUCK & GINGER–SD LEVEL II DEERGILBERT, JIM – CA LEVEL I PHEASANTBLACKBURN, JOHN – SD
DRAKE, ROBERT – SD FORMAN, KURT – SD FOXWORTHY, ROBERT – KY FRYBARGER, JIM – NM FUERST, KEVIN – SD HEEDUM, ROGER – NE HEPPER, GREGORY – SD JOHNSON, LYNN E. – SD
KALLEMEYN, LARRY – SD KING, T. CLEVE – MI KRODINGER, LAWRENCE – MO MILLER, O. LARRY – SD MILLER, RICHARD – SD MUNDON, KENT – SD PARCEL, KERRY – SD PETERS, DUANE – SD
PICEK, LARRY – SD PORISCH, ROBERT – MN RILEY, MIKE – MO SATTLER, ARNOLD – SD STANFORTH, WINFIELD - CO
November 2012 LEVEL III ELKBARRETT, DENNES – SD TOSCANA, VIC – SD
LEVEL I PHEASANTCOOPER, JOHN – SD GREENWOOD, KEN – OK MADDOX, ALEX – TN
MCMASTERS, LEIGH – SD OLSON, MURDEAN – SD PAUL, K-LYNN, AZ SORNA, MICHAEL – TX
WALKER, JIM – ID WISWALL, F. HERBERT – SD ZOELLNER, KENNETH - CA
October 2012 LEVEL III ELKJOHNSON, VIRGIL - SD
September 2012 LEVEL II DEERHALLSTROM, KEN – SD STAMMER, MARLIN - CA
LEVEL I PHEASANTBUCKNER, EVERETT - AR BUCKNER II, WILLIAM - AR
GREGORY, J.T. - GA KERN, LARRY – MN SCHMID, JOHN - CO
August 2012 LEVEL V EAGLECHAPMAN, JOHN W. – PA LEVEL II DEERLEMONDS, JIM – SD
LEVEL I PHEASANTADAMS, MEL - TN AYLER, JOHN - KS CASLER, DAVID - MO CHRISTOPHERSON, M.E. - SC
DILLON, JOHN - UT JOHNSON, DARRELL - SD MESSERSCHMIDT, LOYAL - SD OCHOCKI, ROBERT - CA RAINEY, TIMOTHY - MN
July 2012 LEVEL IV BUFFALOWORDEN, JAMES – CA LEVEL III ELKCARLSON, HENRY - SD STEINBERG, ROGER – MN LEVEL II DEERBERRY, CHUCK - SD POPOWSKI , JOHN – SD
LEVEL I PHEASANTANDERSON, EDDIE - TN BEALKA, ROBERT - WI BRAKEBUSH, CARL - WI DENNIS, JACK - NV GEBHART, RONALD - AK GRIFFIN, JOHN - OK HEFFRON, GEORGE H. - CO HUBER, DANIEL - SC
JONES, DONALD - CO LUTZ, BOB - MT MCGUIRE, ARVID - WI PAXTON, GARY - OK RITER, JR., ROBERT - SD SAMPSON, TERRY - SD SCHEURENBRAND, BRUCE - CA SCHLUTER, BOB - MN SEELEY, GARY - KS
SIMON, DARREL - SD SWORDS, L.F. - MS WARE, WILLIAM - MS WELCH, HARVEY - IL WHEELER, STEPHEN J. - SD WORSHAM, JERRY - WA
June 2012 There were no legacy donors this month.
May 2012 LEVEL V EAGLENat’l Wild Turkey Federation - SD LEVEL IV BUFFALOLEE, KARL O. - SD LEVEL II DEERFENSTRA, HARRY – MN
JOHNSON, ERIC – MN STADTFELD, CRAIG – SD LEVEL I PHEASANTBAKER, FRED – OH FLINT, FORREST – MN HANSEN, VIRGIL – SD
KEELER, CHARLES – MN KOUTSKY, JOHN – IL LINDNER, RONALD – SD LIPPINCOTT, ROB – TX MATSUKAGE, FAY – CO SCHUPP, TERRY – AZ
TESCH, CURT – SD WALKER, GALE – SD WINTER BROS UNDERGROUND - SD ZOELLNER, KENNETH - CA
April 2012 LEVEL IV BUFFALOTHE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB OF BROWN CO. - SD
LEVEL II DEERO'REILLY, LARRY - MO LEVEL I PHEASANTCONNELL, CRAIG - SD
ECKERT, DENIS - SD HIX, DOUGLAS - ID KIEFT, LARRY - MI MAYES, TERRY & LA REE - SD
PAHL, CHARLES - SD
March 2012 LEVEL V EAGLEBEADLE CO. SPORTSMEN - SD BLACK HILLS SPORTSMEN - SD DAKOTA SPORTSMEN, INC. - SD HIGH PLAINS WILDLIFE FEDERATION - SD LEVEL III ELKBROOKINGS WILDLIFE FEDERATION - SD HAATVEDT, CY - SD HECLA SPORTSMAN CLUB -SD
SD WALLEYE UNLIMITED - SD LEVEL II DEER29-90 SPORTSMAN’S CLUB - SD BIG SIOUX CHAPTER OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUND. - SD DIETER, CHARLES - SD PEDERSON, TIM - SD PHEASANTS FOREVER YANKTON CHAPTER - SD LEVEL I PHEASANTAKKERMAN, STEPHEN - MN
BAGAUS, TERRY - MN BROWN, ALLEN B. - SD CHALUS, DENNIS - CO CRISSMAN, EARLE - SD DAHLBERG, JIM - SD DENISON, LARRY - VA ELBE, ROBERT - WI EVANS, RALPH - FL GOEDE, DAN - SD GRASS LAKES CONSERVATION CLUB - SD HOFTIEZER, GREG - SD
JACKSON, WARREN - SD JUNGERS, ROMAN - WI KRETCHMAN, JIM - SD MADLAND, JON - SD NORDBY, DAVID O. - CA SATHER, DUANE - SD TOBIN, THOMAS - SD WHETSTONE SPORTSMAN CONSERVATION CLUB - SD WICKSTROM, GERALD - SD
Out Of Doors 7 March 2013
JUST ONE
GFP Commission sets 2013 season datesPIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has fi nalized most big-game hunting season dates for 2013 with no changes from 2012.Season dates for this year include:* Pheasant, Oct. 19-Jan. 5 * Youth Pheasant, Oct. 5-9 * Resident Only Pheasant, Oct. 12-14 * Grouse/Partridge, Sept. 21-Jan. 5 * Mourning Dove, Sept. 1-Nov. 9 * Fall Turkey, Oct. 1-Jan. 31 * Archery Antelope, Aug. 17-Sept. 27 and Oct. 14-31 * Firearms Antelope, Sept. 28-Oct. 13 * Black Hills Archery Elk, Sept. 1-30 * Black Hills Firearms Elk, Oct. 1-31 and December 1-15 * Archery Deer, Sept. 28-Jan. 15 * Youth Deer, Sept. 14-Jan. 15 * Black Hills Dee, Nov. 1-30 * West River Deer, Nov. 16-Dec. 1 * East River Deer, Nov. 23-Dec. 8 * Muzzleloader Deer, Dec. 1-Jan. 15 Deer and antelope tag allocations, waterfowl, sage grouse, and the mountain lion season, as well as new state laws will be addressed at upcoming com-mission meetings.
PIERRE, SD -- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks recently fi nalized results from a series of surveys aimed at gauging angler attitudes towards spearfi sh-ing and bowfi shing in South Dakota.Both anglers who held a game fi sh spearing and ar-chery fi shing permit during the 2011 fi shing season and those who did not hold this permit were randomly surveyed in this effort.“Knowing what sportsmen and women want and try-ing to provide opportunity where available is a major part of managing the aquatic resources in this state.” said Geno Adams, Fisheries Program Administrator for Game, Fish and Parks. “There’s been an informa-tion gap when it comes to spearfi shing and bowfi shing, which these surveys will help fi ll.”The objectives of these surveys were 1) to gather basic
HELENA, Mont. | Elk, deer, antelope and moose: If Montana residents can scrape it up, they can eat it. State lawmakers are poised to say just that after the Senate gave its initial backing Wednesday to a bill that would allow people to salvage roadkill for food. The measure is now a fi nal vote from heading to Gov. Steve Bullock. It makes no sense to let the carcasses of big-game go to waste on Montana’s roadways, supporters said. “It really is a sin to waste a good meat,” said state Sen. Larry Jent, D-Bozeman. The measure calls for law-enforcement offi cers to is-sue permits to individuals who would be allowed to re-move the carcasses of elk, deer, antelope and moose off the state’s roadways. An earlier version would have allowed fur-bearing animals, upland game birds and migratory game birds to be scraped up, too, but it got canned. Opponents question whether the meat would be safe and whether it would create liability issues for food banks that accept it. Sen. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, said law-enforcement offi cers are not qualifi ed to decide whether roadkill is safe to eat. “Despite it’s good intention, it doesn’t pass the smell test for me,” Van Dyke said.
Cattle ranchers like Sen. Jim Peterson, R-of Buffalo, questioned how roadkill could be harvested for food when the cattle industry must follow strict federal reg-ulations. Montana is not alone in considering the usefulness of roadkill. Illinois allows people with a furbearing permit to remove roadkill for pelts and also allows for the salvaging of meat. Alaska Fish and Wildlife Protection Troopers run a program that divvies approximately 820 moose car-casses to charitable organizations, like churches and nonprofi t organizations, who cook up moose meat for needy people. The Montana measure would defer to the state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency to regulate how the roadkill is actually salvaged. But as to whether the measure would create a new weapon for hunters — the car — Jent said he doesn’t see that as plausible. “We don’t have very many suicidal drivers,” Jent said. The Senate voted 33-15 in favor of the measure. A fi nal vote could be scheduled as early as Thursday. Bullock didn’t have an immediate comment on the bill.
Montana looks at allowing roadkill for dinner
SPEARING/ARCHERY SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE ONLINEstatistics on spearfi shing and bowfi shing user groups; 2) to gather information regarding available opportunity for spearing and bowfi shing in SD, and hook/line angler attitudes towards these opportunities; and 3) to better understand resident spearing and bowfi shing anglers’ perceptions of safety issues, rules and regulations, as well as perceived confl ict with hook/line anglers.Results from this survey will be used to identify group and individual views, values, wants, and needs regard-ing spearfi shing and bowfi shing, and incorporate this human dimensions data into the decision-making pro-cess in relation to the overall health of South Dakota’s fi sheries resources.To view the results from these surveys, visit the Game, Fish and Parks website at http://www.gfp.sd.gov/fi sh-ing-boating/tacklebox/default.aspx
CHANGES TO SPECIAL BUCK LICENSES MADE
PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved signifi cant chang-es to a popular deer hunting license for 2013.Hunters will only be able to possess either an East River or West River Special Buck License this year. Previously, a hunter could get both licenses.The commission has set the level of resident licens-es for East River Special Buck and the resident and nonresident West River Special Buck licenses at four percent of the total licenses allocated the previous year, which includes an “any deer” tag or a minimum of 500 licenses for that specifi c season, whichever is greater.
“Objects are closer than they appear”, taken by Dennis Barrett, Photographer Deadwood, SD.
Out Of Doors 8 March 2013
Sportsmen/women- Want to help fund SDWF and the Youth Conservation Camp plus reduce your taxes this year? Donate stocks and land to the SDWF. You not only won’t have to pay taxes on those assets, you will pay less tax because of your generosity!
The colonies of migrating monarch butterfl ies that spend the winter in a patch of fi r forest in central Mexico were dramatically smaller thisseason than they have been since monitoring began 20 years ago, according to the annual census of the insects released this week.This year’s 59% drop in the numbers of orange and black but-terfl ies that sleep in huge clusters hanging from the bows of the trees in the mountainside forests marks the sixth decline in the past seven years.It also fi ts into a longer term downward trend that scientists say is threatening the extraordinary annual migrational phenomenon in which the butterfl ies, over the course of several generations, travel between their winter sanctuary in Mexico and their feeding and breeding grounds in the United States and Canada, and then back again.The WWF, which carries out the census of the Mexican colonies in co-ordination with the Mexican government, says the extensive use of herbicides is wiping out vast quantities of the milkweed that provides the butterfl ies with their main food source and breed-ing grounds. The use of herbicides destroying milkweed is directly linked to the mass cultivation in the great plain states of the US of genetically modifi ed soybean and corn crops with inbuilt resis-tance to chemicals that the rest of the plants in the areas sprayed do not have. The WWF also noted usually hot and dry weather that can kill the butterfl y eggs.The WWF’s Mexico director, Omar Vidal, said the Mexican sanc-
Fargo ForumFARGO, N.D. -- Offi cials are studying mule deer and birds in western North Dakota to help determine the impact of oil activity on wildlife.
There are about 7,000 wells in the oil patch, and offi cials predict that number could rise to 35,000 in the new few decades, The Forum newspaper reported.
“There will be substantial reduction in our wildlife populations,” said Aaron Robinson, a wildlife biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. “I don’t think there’s anyone who can argue that.”
Habitat destruction or disruptions displace both animals and birds, Robinson said. “It just pushes these animals into areas that are not as optimal,” he said. “It’s just kind of a domino effect.”
Researchers in one study have equipped 90 female mule deer with radio collars to track survival rates. Mule deer browse on a lot of plants and are considered a species that will provide an early indicator of the impacts of oil development on wildlife, said Jesse Kolar, a University of Missouri graduate student who is doing fi eld work.
Biologists will study mule deer populations primarily in Badlands terrain from the Amidon area in the south to the Watford City and Tobacco Gardens areas near Lake Sakakawea to the north. Re-searchers will monitor survival rates, noting whether does and fawns survive from spring into summer and through the winter, Kolar said.
Offi cials also are studying sage grouse, which require sagebrush
You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children
what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves. Native American Wisdom
(Chief Seattle?)
tuary was being well looked after, and stressed that the mass il-legal logging that once represented the main threat to it has been stopped. “By protecting the reserves and having practically elimi-nated large-scale illegal logging, Mexico has done its part,” Vidal said. “It is now necessary for the United States and Canada to do their part and protect the butterfl ies in their territories.”But not all experts agree that Mexico has done all it can to pro-tect the monarchs. “It is a whitewash by the World Wildlife Fund and the Mexican government,” the leading monarch expert Lincoln Brower of Sweet Briar College in Virginia said. “They are playing down and ignoring the continued degradation of the microclimate of the forest that is critical to the butterfl ies.” Brower, who has been studying monarch migration for 55 years, said he personally wit-nessed the continuation of small-scale logging in the reserve while on a visit in February, acting as a guide to former US president Jimmy Carter. He said that even small reductions of the forest cover can expose the butterfl ies to potentially fatal lower tempera-tures, humidity, and direct sunlight. He added that the authorities are allowing local communities to pipe water out of streams that are also essential to the survival of the colonies, and that there are insuffi cient controls on tourism in the area. Brower called for more cross-border co-operation to address all the threats to the butterfl y. “The numbers are getting so slow now that the migratory phenomenon of the monarch is becoming endangered,” he said. “It is looking like the glorious migration phenomenon will begin to peter out.”
Mexican monarch butterfl y numbers at record low, scientists say
habitat, to distinguish impacts on populations from oil and gas de-velopment and other infl uences, including weather patterns.
“There defi nitely is an effect,” Robinson said of oil and gas devel-opment. “We’re trying to quantify the amount. It’s a challenge.”
Preliminary results of another study headed by the U.S. Geologi-cal Survey found that several grassland bird species -- most nota-bly grasshopper sparrows -- are avoiding oil drilling sites.
“There was a lot of concern about what was happening,” said Doug Johnson, a Geological Survey researcher. “We’re aware that there’s an incredible amount of human activity out there.” He said long-term effects still are not known.
The North Dakota Legislature is weighing proposals to create an outdoors heritage fund. Gov. Jack Dalrymple has proposed an outdoors protection fund of $15 million annually to aid conserva-tion. It has passed the House and a Senate committee.
Conservation advocates had been promoting a fund that would generate more than $100 million a year, a funding level that has not won signifi cant legislative support. A recent North Dakota State University study concluded that hunting and fi shing -- which depend on healthy wildlife populations -- contribute $1.4 billion a year to the state’s economy.
“Even $100 million a year is a relatively small amount for a $1.4 billion-a-year tourism and outdoor recreation industry,” said wild-life advocate
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