Rich Landers

Birdwatching Birdwatchers can donate their avian interests to the good of science by participating in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's nest-box network. The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, encourages citizens to place bird boxes, monitor their use and report the results to identify national trends.

Nest-box and bird identification programs are offered for birdwatchers. File photo

Lake Coeur d'Alene Youngsters interested in natural resources management can learn the basics from professionals while enjoying the swimming, hiking and games of a traditional summer camp. Applications are being accepted through April for the Inland Empire Natural Resources Youth Camp, June 14-20 at Camp N-Sid-Sen at Lake Coeur d'Alene. The camp is sponsored by professional societies for foresters, range managers, soil scientists as well as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Idaho and Washington State University Cooperative Extension. Campers pay $190. Scholarships are available. Info: Craig Madsen, NRCS in Spokane, 725-4181.

Hunting Bighorn sheep got a big financial boost from hunters recently at an auction sponsored by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. The 18 bighorn hunting permits offered for auction by the Western states and provinces earned $1.87 million for wild sheep conservation projects. A record $405,000 was bid for a tag to take a bighorn sheep in Alberta. Montana's tag sold for $300,000, Oregon's for $59,000, Idaho's for $55,000 and Washington's for $27,500.

Fund-raising banquet The Spokane chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has set its annual fund-raising auction for April 4, with cocktail service beginning at 5 p.m. at the Spokane Community College Lair. "Our banquets are a hoot," said Dave Murphy, club member. "The banquet is set on the eve of the turkey season and we're all fired up, with calls and everything." Although only a few years old, the club has plunged into conservation efforts for wild turkeys. "The national federation's goal is to have wild turkeys introduced to all the available habitat in the country by the year 2000," said Murphy. "We've moved excess turkeys from Stevens County to Pend Oreille County and the results are amazing. Hens across the state have nesting success of about 50 percent. Each hen lays 10-12 eggs. For every 10 hens we move, you can see we make a significant difference to the turkey population." Cost for the banquet is $70 for couples and $60 for singles. To reserve tickets, call (509) 467-5444 or 466-5936.

Backpacking An in-depth backpacking course is scheduled this spring, sponsored by The Backpacking Club. The school runs on Friday evenings, April 3-May 15 at a northside location. Additional conditioning hikes plus map-and-compass field seminars are included, as well as a graduation backpack to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness May 23-25. Pre-register before March 29 by calling 467-8099. The Spokane Mountaineers also conduct a spring backpacking course. Info: 838-4974.

Lands Council benefit "Declaring Sacred Ground," a lecture and slide show by environmental artist and photographer Daniel Dancer, will highlight the April 4 fund-raising auction of The Lands Council, formerly the Inland Empire Public Lands Council. The event, which begins at 5 p.m., includes dinner, music and an auction at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Fort Wright Drive near Government Way. Registrations received by Thursday cost $35 a couple or $250 per table of up to eight. Info: Debbie at 838-4912.

Check it out Distance: 5-1/2 miles Difficulty: Easy Driving time: 1/2 hour Season: Year around Maps: USGS Cheney and brochure available at refuge headquarters Info: Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, (509) 235-4723 Nature-watching trip notes Access: From Cheney, head south on Cheney-Plaza Road 4-1/3 miles. Turn east on Smith Road toward Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Attractions: Peak of spring waterfowl migration is mid-March through mid-April. However, ducks such as cinnamon, blue-wing and green-wing teal, tend to filter in during late April and early May to nest along with numerous Canada geese.

State officials are considering budget cuts that could turn Central Washington into a fish and wildlife management wasteland. The state Fish and Wildlife Department's Ephrata office could be closed to help make up for as much as $17 million in revenue shortfalls the agency identified last month. Ephrata is headquarters for 23 department employees who work in the agency's Region 2, which includes Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties.

IMAX Theater A second special premier showing of the new IMAX film Everest has been scheduled for March 19 at Riverfront Park. The first premier, featuring a slide presentation by Sherpa expedition leader Jamling Tenzing Norgay, sold out quickly. "Folks showed an obvious interest for the March 20 show," said premier organizer Paul Fish of Mountain Gear. "We were able to talk Jamling into doing another event." Norgay is the son of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa guide who joined with Edmund Hillary to make the first ascent of Everest in 1953. The younger Norgay led the IMAX filming expedition, which was on the world's highest peak in 1996 during the most deadly storm in Everest climbing history. The March 19 premier event begins at 6:30 p.m. with desserts catered by Patsy Clark's Restaurant. Advanced tickets must be purchased for $15 through Mountain Gear or G&B; Select-A-Seat outlets. The IMAX film will begin its regular run at the Riverfront Park Theater on April 4.

1. Sage grouse 2. Sharp-tail grouse dancing in spring mating ritual. Photo by Rich Landers/The Spokesman-Review

Mount Spokane nordic skiing Major grooming with a snowcat will end Monday at the Mount Spokane cross country ski trails. Annual groomer maintenance must be done now in order to meet budget deadlines, said Pete Wood, state park manager. Grooming with a snowmobile will continue intermittently until March 31, Wood said.

Spokane Fly Fishers Fine fishing rods, reels, gear and guided fishing trips are up for grabs at the Spokane Fly Fishers annual Conservation Raffle Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council auditorium, 6116 N. Market. Anglers who are new to the region might be particularly interested in trips being offered by experienced fishermen to local waters, such as Lake Pend Oreille, Browns Lake, and the Spokane and Clark Fork rivers. The club has held the raffle for years to raise money for rehabilitating streams and other fisheries conservation projects. The club's 135 members also invite anglers to its weekly outings, said club spokeswoman Deane Sexton. For information on the fund-raising event or club activities, contact Jake and Deane Sexton, 467-9528.

Wildlife film festival The year's best films involving wildlife will be showcased April 11-18 at the 21st International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula. The winning films will be shown at the University of Montana Theater and the Wilma Theater downtown. But the films aren't the only attraction to the festival.

National parks Great field trips and camps for adults, teachers, kids and families are offered by educational foundations associated with many national parks. Don't miss the essence of a national park by speeding by it all in your car. Plan a seminar into your vacation or visit in the off-season to take in a one-day or multi-day seminar that zeroes in on birds, bugs, botany or many other subjects most park visitors never understand.