Field Reports
BIRDWATCHING
White-winged dove spotted
A white-winged dove was causing an influx of visitors near La Grande this month. The dove, only the 12 to be officially reported in Oregon, “a mega-rarity,” said Trent Bray of La Grande, a member of the Oregon Bird Record Committee.
In the United States white-winged doves live in the southwest and are most common in Arizona. They migrate to Mexico and Central America in the winter.
White-winged doves often fly north of where they live in the fall before beginning their southern migration. That is probably how this white-winged dove ended up in Cove, Ore., said Bray.
Associated Press
NORDIC SKIING
Cross country clinic, certification
Professional cross-country ski instructors will be at Mount Spokane on Dec. 3 to conduct a ski technique clinic and give participants who complete the clinic the option to take a Level 1 instructor’s exam.
Skiers who pass the exam are qualified to teach nordic skiing for programs, such as those offered by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.
Pre-registration deadline is Thursday. Info: 625-6246 or maho@spokanecity.org.
Rich Landers
FISHING
Agency seeks fishing advisors
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting nominations through Dec. 9 for membership on its sport fishing advisory group.
Up to 20 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the anadromous and marine resources sport fishing advisory group for 2006 and 2007. Those selected will provide guidance on issues affecting recreational fisheries for salmon and other marine fish species.
Info: Pat Pattillo, (360) 902-2705, or e-mail pattiplp@dfw.wa.gov.
Staff reports
SNOWMOBILING
Snowmobiles and caribou program
Snowmobilers are being invited to a symposium to help spread the word about impacts snowmobiling is having on the endangered mountain caribou in Idaho’s Selkirk Mountains. The program is scheduled for Dec. 7 at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. and again on Dec. 8 at Priest River Junior High School. Both sessions start at 6 p.m.
Using aerial photography and computer mapping, the Selkirk Conservation Alliance has documented the increasing encroachment snowmobilers are having on the caribou during the stressful snow months of winter and spring.
Biologists for the Alliance said they hope snowmobilers who love wildlife will help them spread the word about reducing impacts to struggling wildlife.
Rich Landers
WILDERNESS
Wild side of spirituality
Connections between wilderness and spirituality will be on the agenda at the annual convention of the Montana Wilderness Association, Dec. 2-4 in Billings.
The convention’s panel discussion titled “Spirituality and Wilderness” will feature the Rev. Tim Tostengard of American Lutheran Church in Billings; Janine Pease, vice president for American Indian Affairs at Rocky Mountain College in Billings; and Sister Joan Brown, a Franciscan nun at the Social Justice Office of the Archdiocese of New Mexico.
Spirituality is “a constant in the environmental movement, but you don’t often hear about it,” said Gerry Jennings, the association’s president.
Associated Press
NATIONAL FORESTS
Campground hosts sought
The Nez Perce National Forest is looking for personable couples or individuals who would like to serve as volunteer campground hosts for the 2006 summer season.
Vacancies are at Fish Creek Meadows on the Clearwater Ranger District eight miles from Grangeville, and Spring Bar Campground on the Salmon River Ranger District nine miles from Riggins.
Info: Jorjena Daly, (208) 983-1963 or jenadaly@fs.fed.us.
Rich Landers
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Katrina swamps RV market
The big fall push for recreational vehicles often comes from hunters who recognize RVs as the ideal mobile hunting camp. This year, hunters and other RV enthusiasts have had stiff competition from the federal government.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has bought hundreds of RVs to use as temporary housing for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and as housing for crews doing the hurricane cleanup work.
RV may stand for Recreational Vehicle most of the time, but the highly mobile housing units double as Relief Vehicle during times of national emergency.
Dallas Morning News