Volunteer Opportunities in AZ

[Whiskey Jack]

Sparrowhawk and I did the Save the Osprey's Clean Up about a year ago and it was a great time in a great place. I defenitly recommend it to folks if you have the time. You wouldn't believe how much rope and string is out there from previous cattle days and rodeos (i think thats where it all comes from). Plus, you'll get to go see the Ospreys nest behind the lodge there, it is quite the impressive sight due to its sheer size! And have you all seen that there is a ton of wate in Mormon Lake lately! Pretty rare to see it this full.

[Chromiusdomius]

;D Are you serious? How high is the water level at Mormon Lake? Last time I seen it, it was more like Mormon grasslands. ;D

[Whiskey Jack]

Its pretty high! It is definetly Mormon Lake now and not Mormon Marsh or Grasslands like we're used to seeing it. I bet it will be dried up here before long though, but for now its pretty amazing. I've been hearing some local birders around town talking about all the birds they have been seeing there, sounds like there are some pretty rare ones there too. In fact, there are actually some seabirds out there right now, a flock of Franklin's and White-headed Gulls are floating around between there and Lake Mary.

Also there is a really neat Great-blue Heron rookery out there, and during the right time of the year when they all are nesting, you can see 60-70 herons all at once. I'll put directions to it on the "Great Wildlife Viewing Areas" thread when I have more time....

[eaglewoman]

I've seen those gulls out there. It's pretty wicked to see birds that I naturally associate with the lots and lots of water, so it's really special to see them there! I hope you can check it out Chrom!

[Chromiusdomius]

Well Eaglewoman, I think it is time for me to take a road trip and take in some sights. Grabbing the tent and ice chest and hitting the road is the plan. I think that I just might take a trip up to Scholz Lake and Mormon Lake this weekend. Hopefully, I have not missed out on all the good sightings.

[Whiskey Jack]

WILDLIFE FAIR!!

It's finally here, this weekend on Saturday the 22nd from 10-3 at Sinagua Highschool, the first annual Wildlife Fair! We were invited to host a table there by Game and Fish so if anybody could come and help out that would be great! We thiunk its geared mostly towards highschool/middle school folks but we aren't sure. Anyway, we're going to have all the props like usual but we're also going to be teaching folks how to do telemetry by attaching a radio transmitter to a stuffed animal and hiding it around the area. It should be pretty fun, so come on down if you can, or e-mail me if you need a ride ([e-mail]).

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[Whiskey Jack]

Just a quick update about the fair.....Emily and I will be there at 9:30 AM. Also, we are going to BBQ at our place too after the fair so I hope you all can make it to that at least! We'd love to see ya!

[Whiskey Jack]

Though the Wildlife Fair was many moons ago, it is worth telling those who were not able to make it that it was a great time. It seems anytime a group of friends like the ones we all have in the Wildlife Society get to together turns out to be a good time. Many people came by our table, and to our surprise and delight it was the children who really loved to stop by (which really was the whole reason we were there!). We played the "Guess the Skull" game, and man, let me tell you, there are some smart kids out there! We also let them track a stuffed animal that we had collared by using an actual telemetry unit and the antennae. You think their heavy to you, try lugging it around as a five year old! But most of them were able to find where we hid, so it was a great time.
AZGFD will be doing it again next year too, so we'll have to think of some more fun stuff to do with the kids.

And speaking of AZGFD, the reason I am writing this is to tell everyone about a Mountain Lion Workshop that is being held on Aug. 21 from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. at the DuBois Center at NAU. For those of us following the trials and tribulations of the AZ Mountain Lion, we know that it has been a crazy year, so here is a chance to tel Game and Fish, and i quote, "If a mountain lion showed up in your neighborhood, how would you want the Arizona Game and Fish Department to handle the situation?". It is great to see the agencies reaching out like this, because there was a point in time when what we thought didn't matter a whole lot to them. If you have an opinion on this subject, this would be a great opportunity to have your voice be heard. There is one catch though.....you have to register since it is technically a workshop. The registration deadline for is 5 p.m., Aug. 16. Seating is limited, so a confirmation card is required for admission. And you can apply for the workshops online at azgfd.com or call Dana Yost at [phone].

[NAU Wildlife Society Admin]

Anyone want to help out at the Lumberjack Welcome Week and be the voice (or roar, growl, chirp etc.) of the NAU Wildlife Society? We are going to have a table space from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the University Union Parking Lot, Bldg. 30 on Saturday August 28th. Some of the Officers will be there to help represent the club, so if you'd like to join them then sharpen those claws, comb that mane, preen those feathers, and stop on by. Just look for the table with all the skulls /antlers/ feathers on it and the wild-eyed looking people standing behind (or you could just look for our banner, either way). Hope to see you out there!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Whiskey Jack]

Here is a rough itenerary of what we'll be doing out at Raymond Ranch this Friday and Saturday........
We'll need to show up out there around 3 pm on Friday afternoon (if possible) to help set up equipment for Friday night. On Friday night we'll be helping to mist net bats, and helping to photograph them in flight for identification purposes. This will probably go on all night. Then on Saturday we'll be helping Dave Belitsky restore a wetlands area that he has been working on, which will include some planting and landscaping. The reward is, besides hanging out with good friends and having a damn good time, will be to go out in search of the American Bison herd that is out there, and see them up close and personal!
Hope everyone can make it...it'll be a great trip. Alls you'll need is some food and drink, camping gear, a good pair of shoes and a quick pair of legs to rn very fast if the Bison try to charge us
Just head out on 1-40 East (towards Holbrook, Winslow, Gallup, etc.), go past Two-guns and Twin Arrows, and about a half hour outside of Flagstaff there will be a road that says Buffalo Ranch Rd (or something equivelent to that). Take the off ramp, and turn right at the stop sign. From here you just stay to the left on the dirt roads (always making sure your on the main road) and follow the signs to the Ranch. The camping area is kind of tricky to get to, but its right behind the housing thats there right when you enter Raymond Ranch. Just drive up what looks like a driveway, go beyond the restrooms, and head up the hill. On the right at the top of the hill is the group campsite (there's an old fire ring there).
See you out there folks.................

[Whiskey Jack]

Black-footed Ferret Spotlighting Volunteers

Howdy folks!
Just a quick plug for the AZGFD Black-footed Ferret Project, and some contact info if you'd like to help on this great project.
As a highly endangered species, the recovery of the Black-footed Ferret is very important to keep the high desert ecosystems intact. In Arizona we have released Ferrets ,through a breeding program, into the wild on an area near Seligman. The problem is that these guys are nocturnal and it is extremely difficult to get an idea on how many Ferrets are breeding in the wild. The solution is to roam around the desert and use spotlights to see the glow from the eye of the ferret. If you'd like to actually go out and help do this spotlighting, perhaps seeing a Ferret or two, but at least getting to see Badgers, Pronghorn and other nocturnal animals, AZGFD is calling for volunteers.
The dates are October 24-28, all night for one or multile nights, and you can set this up by either e-mailing at: [e-mail]. or calling 928-422-0155 . There is also more info hanging outside the door to room 333 in the Biology Building on the 3rd floor.
If you go, take some pictures and Stinger will probably put them on the NAU TWS homepage for you.

[Whiskey Jack]

Calling All Future Wildlife Rehabilitators!!!

Here is a great opportunity for all us interested in Wildlife Rehabilitation (a proffesion that needs many, many more people than currently exist).
This is taken straight form a AZGFD letter........

________________________________

Do you love animals?
Train to be a wildlife rehabilitator or volunteer

PHOENIX - Have you ever wanted to work with animals? Here's your chance to learn how to become a wildlife rehabilitator or a wildlife volunteer.

On Oct. 8, 9, and 10, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold its Wildlife Rehabilitation Symposium 2004. Those who attend the symposium can learn how to work with bats, tortoises, jackrabbits, squirrels, snakes, and other types of animals. Participants can learn how to use a microscope, how to identify and treat a sick animal, and even how to do a necropsy, if they're interested. Diseases that affect wildlife, including West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease (CWD), will also be discussed.

"We have a variety of classes this year that should interest everyone who likes to work with wildlife," says Sandy Cate, coordinator of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Wildlife Center.

The department started holding this type of symposium in 1985 and only hosts one every two years. Some participants even come from other countries to learn. Arizona licensed rehabilitators can gain educational hours required by their permits at this symposium.

The event will take place at the Lake Pleasant Desert Outdoor Center in Maricopa County. For Arizona licensed rehabilitators, the event is free. The cost for others is just $10 per day. Call [phone] for hours of the event, details on classes, and a registration form. This information is also available at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web site, azgfd.com, under the heading "What's New." Meals will be available at the event for a nominal cost. Parking is limited, so carpools are encouraged.

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[Kitfox]

Friday November 19, AZ Game and Fish's Research Branch will be holding a radio
telemetry workshop and is inviting The Wildlife Society to come take part and
gain some radio tracking skills. Valerie Horncastle is the contact person
(wk 928 213-1394, cl 520 609-2165, email [e-mail])

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Hiya. I was thinking about doing this. I have a vague idea as to what radio telemetry is and what it's used for, but not a lot. Could anyone fill me in with their crazy and advanced knowledge?

Thanks. ^_^

[Whiskey Jack]

I hope I fit the bill to answer the question, I suppose I am crazy (the rather bad type though), but hold absolutley no knowledge, and especially no advanced knowledge.

Anywho.....telemetry is a highly necessary skill when it comes to working with wildlife, and the more experience you have, the better off you'll be when it comes to joining a project (or even starting your own). If I could tell folks to learn two things while they are an undergraduate it would be 1) How to work with GIS, and 2) How to use telemetry. They are great skills to have.
Basically you utilize an antenna, or computer (if your lucky enough to have a satalite tracking unit), and you follow the animal that has been collared with a particular frequency being emitted. It's kind of tricky to figure out at first, but it's easy to get the hang of. Eventually you'll be able to tease out important data based on their movement and learn everything form homerange size, territory behavior, what areas they frequent most, what areas they do not frequent and many other important parts of their everyday life.
Next semester the Wildlife Society will have an opportunity to go out with our very own Eaglewoman and Jeff Gagnon (from Game and Fish) to see their Elk project out by Payson. If you go, Jeff will probably (but maybe not) bring a telemetry unit and let you guys track a hidden collar. In the meantime though, I for one would highly recommend gaining experience with telemetry.
Hope that helped Kit!

[Kitfox]

That helped a lot! Thanks! I'll be joining the workshop next Friday for certain. =)