NHF&G News: Enjoy the Winter Outdoors, but “hikeSafe”

ENJOY THE WINTER OUTDOORS, BUT "HIKE SAFE" CONCORD, N.H. -- With snow and ice finally arriving in New Hampshire and a holiday weekend ahead, outdoor authorities are advising the Granite State's backcountry visitors to "hikeSafe." "New Hampshire is a great place for winter recreation, whether you're hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing or ice-climbing," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer Lieutenant James Goss. "But the winter environment can be a dangerous place. Cold temperatures, deep snow cover and fierce winds -- especially above treeline -- mean that hikers and others need to take special precautions." Recent incidents have included the death of a hiker who fell 800 feet while descending Mount Washington after dark, and several skiers who had to be rescued by Forest Service Snow Rangers after triggering avalanches in unstable snow on the mountain. To help stay safe, winter outdoor enthusiasts should visit http://www.hikesafe.com and review the principles of "hikeSafe," a joint initiative of N.H. Fish and Game and the White Mountain National Forest to promote safe and responsible hiking. There are six basic tenets of the code. You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:   1) With the appropriate knowledge and gear;   2) Leave your plans with someone else;   3) Hiking groups should stick together, and not let themselves become separated;   4) Hikers should always be ready to turn back if circumstances, such as changing weather, dictate;   5) Hikers should be ready for emergencies, and, ideally, be set to effect "self rescue"; and   6) Those who know the code should share its lessons with others. Goss notes that the Hiker Responsibility Code applies year-round, but there are special considerations for winter hiking. "Winter weather can be extreme, especially on the highest summits of the White Mountains, so anyone venturing to those areas absolutely must be prepared for bitter cold, strong winds and poor visibility – and must be ready to turn back if conditions become too difficult." All backcountry visitors should be aware of avalanches and the special training and equipment needed for anyone who is traveling in potential avalanche terrain. For safety alerts and more information on the White Mountain National Forest, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain. The New Hampshire Outdoor Council is a major supporter of hikeSafe and search and rescue efforts throughout the state. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com. - ### - -- Copyright 2012 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android Subject: NHF&G News: Enjoy the Winter Outdoors, but "hikeSafe" Sent: Fri, Jan 13, 2012 5:19:14 PM  News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Phone: (603) 271-3211 Email: info@wildlife.nh.gov For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com * * * * * * * CONTACT: Lt. James Goss, NHFG, 603-744-5470 or 271-3127; or Marianne Leberman, WMNF, 603-536-6100 January 13, 2012

NHF&G News: Three-state Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend January 27-29, 2012

Subject: NHF&G News: Three-state Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend January 27-29, 2012
Sent: Fri, Jan 13, 2012 7:38:45 PM

For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com * * * * * * * CONTACT: Capt. John Wimsatt: 603-271-3129 Jane Vachon: 603-271-3211 January 13, 2012 THREE-STATE RECIPROCAL SNOWMOBILE WEEKEND - JANUARY 27-29, 2012 CONCORD, N.H. -- Snowmobile enthusiasts will have a chance to explore some new territory the weekend of January 27-29, 2012 (Friday through Sunday), during the first-ever annual New Hampshire-Vermont-Maine reciprocal snowmobile weekend. Following are the ground rules for the weekend:     * All snowmobiles legally registered in Vermont and Maine will be able to operate on New Hampshire trails during the three-day open weekend. All other New Hampshire laws and rules regarding the operation of snowmobiles must be adhered to, such as speed limits, youth operation standards, etc.     * All snowmobiles legally registered in New Hampshire will be able to operate in Vermont and Maine during the reciprocal weekend. All other Vermont and Maine snowmobile laws and rules must be complied with, including Vermont mandatory liability insurance and youth requirements. In addition to a law that passed in 2010 for the Vermont/New Hampshire reciprocity weekend, a new law passed in 2011 includes Maine in the three-day weekend, which will occur annually on the fourth weekend in January (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) provided that our neighboring states continue to participate. For information on snowmobiling in New Hampshire, visit:     * N.H. Fish and Game Department at http://www.ride.nh.gov     * N.H. Bureau of Trails at http://www.nhtrails.org     * N.H. Snowmobile Association at http://www.nhsa.com For information on snowmobiling rules in Vermont, visit http://www.vtvast.org/VAST/VT-Snowmobiling/Vermont-Laws.html. For information on snowmobiling rules in Maine, visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/laws_rules/snowlaws.htm. -###- -- Copyright 2012 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should be directed to jane.vachon@wildlife.nh.gov.

Mass. conducts bald eagle count in annual survey

January 13, 2012

WESTBOROUGH, Mass.—Massachusetts wildlife officials are preparing to count bald eagles during the annual midwinter survey of the coast and major rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

The 33rd annual count is scheduled to go ahead Friday even though bad weather has forced a helicopter to cancel flights at the Quabbin Reservoir andConnecticut River, which together account for about two-thirds of the eagle population in Massachusetts.

The count is part of efforts to monitor the recovery of bald eagles after poisoning by pesticide DDT decimated their population.

Massachusetts's first count in 1979 revealed 8 bald eagles. Last year, the state logged a record 107 bald eagles.

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Assistant Director Thomas French says authorities changed the bird's legal status in Massachusetts this year from endangered to threatened.  SOURCE

Related:

U.S. Forest Service Counts On Volunteers

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Bald eagles love to spend their winter holidays in Big Bear. The U.S. Forest Service conducts eagle counts around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains to see just how many make the trip. The next count is Saturday, Jan. 14.

The San Bernardino mountains support the largest wintering bald eagle population in Southern California. Eagles typically begin arriving in late November and stay until early April. Numbers using the Big Bear Basin have fluctuated, from lows of six and seven birds to highs of 35 to 40.

Volunteers are needed for the eagle census Jan. 14. Volunteers are stationed at various vantage points around Valley lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during a one-hour period. Bald eagle counts are held at Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake. Eagle counts are also scheduled for Feb. 11 and March 10.

Volunteers for the Big Bear Lake area should go to the San Bernardino National Forest’s Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 North Shore Drive at 8 a.m. on the day of the census to receive instructions. 

A combined total of nine eagles —five adults and four juveniles— were observed during the season’s first count Dec. 17. Big Bear saw the most, with three adults and one juvenile seen in the Big Bear/Baldwin Lake area. Two juveniles were seen in the Lake Arrowhead area, and one adult and one juvenile at Silverwood Lake.

Juvenile eagles are distinguished by a brown head and tail. Adults are known for their white head and tail. It takes four to five years to reach full adult coloration.  SOURCE

January 5, 2012

Where have the eagles gone?

Warm weather keeps majestic birds at bay

By John MaconeStaff Writer

NEWBURYPORT — It seems this winter's lack of snow and ice has also affected another local winter staple — bald eagles.

The majestic birds, which can occasionally be seen sitting in waterfront trees or soaring above the Merrimack River, have become a popular bird-watching attraction in recent years. Last January, a record-setting number of eagles was spotted in Massachusetts and along the Merrimack River, but this year's relatively warm weather has reduced their numbers.

There's no official count yet — that will be done statewide on Jan. 13 — but anecdotal observations indicate there are few right now along the Merrimack River.

"It's been so mild that the eagles up north haven't been around in search of food. The rivers up north haven't frozen," said Steve Grinley, owner of the Bird Watchers Supply and Gift in Newburyport. "As things get colder, more eagles should be coming here."

Bill Gette, director of the Joppa Flats Audubon Center in Newburyport, said the lack of eagles "is not terribly unusual" for this time of year, particularly given the weather patterns. Unseasonably warm weather has kept waterways unfrozen in the eagles' summer and fall hunting grounds to the north.

"For a lot of these animals, the migration itself is expensive in terms of energy expenditure," he said, adding that the birds will remain in their northern grounds "for as long as the weather permits."

Gette predicts that by mid-February, when Newburyport hosts its annual Eagle Fest, the number of bald eagles will substantially increase. The event, planned for Feb. 11, typically draws more than 1,000 visitors.

Tom French, assistant director for the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said eagle sightings are down across the state compared to last year. But that's not necessarily a bad sign. The population appears to be healthy and growing, and the temporary decrease caused by mild weather is mitigated by the growth in the number of eagle nests in the state.

The Merrimack River now has four nests — three in Haverhill and one in West Newbury, French said. A few years ago, there were none. The West Newbury nest has been the most productive.

Last year's eagle count produced 107 birds statewide, with 11 spotted on the Merrimack. The prior year yielded 7 along the river.

Eagles feed on fish, and the open waters of the Merrimack River — particularly around Deer Island in Amesbury and Carr and Ram islands in Newburyport — are known to be some of the best places to watch for eagles. Cashman Park in Newburyport offers a panoramic view of the river and is used annually as one of the half-dozen spots around Massachusetts for the statewide eagle count.

Bald eagles were entirely wiped out in Massachusetts by 1905. They were reintroduced in the 1980s, and their numbers have steadily climbed since then.

In recent years, the eagle nest in West Newbury has drawn significant attention from biologists. The precise location of the nest has been kept secret in order to protect the birds.

West Newbury and Haverhill share the distinction of being the only communities north of Boston where eagle nesting is currently occurring, according to the state. The most prolific nesting areas are in the western part of the state, along the Connecticut River and the Quabbin Reservoir. SOURCE

rails-to-trails eNews Pennsylvania Power, Texas Two-Step

January 2012 RTC eNews Pennsylvania Community Explores Connection to Appalachian Trail Read more >> In New York, Support Builds for Elevated Greenway Through Queens Read more >> Demolition of Historic Bridge Would be Huge Setback for Pennsylvania Trail Project Read more >>   Featured in this issue Bike Boom in Denton, Texas Bridge Controversy in PA Downloadable Desktop Calendar Trail of the Month: Texas Boost for Trail Tourism Tell Us: Snow Stories! Blog Bits Trail Tidbits January 22 is "Answer Your Cat's Questions Day." If you've reached this point, you might be way overdue for some outside time on a rail-trail! Also, January 31 is "Inspire Your Heart with Art Day." Luckily, you can combine exercise with art appreciation on a number of rail-trails, including the Morgana Run Trail in Cleveland. 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NPCA's Park Lines: Your National Park News: January 2012

www.npca.org January 2012 In Memoriam NPCA was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ranger Margaret Anderson at Mount Rainier National Park on January 1. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, and our admiration and appreciation for all the men and women who serve the public by wearing the park ranger uniform. More Information > > FEATURED PARKS Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska Can you imagine six million acres of forests, glaciers, mountains, rivers, and valleys, with just one winding road leading into the rugged wilderness? Denali National Park is best known for Mount McKinley, North America's tallest mountain—but its vast landscapes encompass a wonderland of peaks and valleys and offer a sanctuary for bears, foxes, lynx, moose, wolves, and some 167 bird species. Most of the park's 400,000 annual visitors arrive in the summer, but the long, dark winters offer snowy solitude, stark vistas, and plenty of activities for those who are experienced and comfortable dealing with extreme weather. Those who would rather enjoy the park from the warmth of their homes can view our slideshow and read our 2009 National Parks magazine article on search-and-rescue operations on Mount McKinley. If You Go > > Denali's snows generally settle in around September or October and blanket the landscape until April. Road access and daylight are both extremely limited, and temperatures routinely reach -40 degrees F. Still intrigued? You'll find opportunities for snowshoeing, camping, stargazing, and, with any luck, a glimpse of the aurora borealis. View the Slideshow > > Alaska: This Land Is Our Land, Too Alaska's national parks and preserves attract visitors from around the world for the opportunity to see glaciers, mountains, and wildlife such as bears and wolves. Have you been lucky enough to spend time in America's northernmost national parks? If so, what was your most memorable experience? Was it the opportunity to see grizzly bears, caribou, and other wildlife in their natural habitats? And were you able to capture any of it on your camera? Whether your Alaska exploration was 30 years or 30 days ago, we want to hear your stories and see your photographs. NPCA is working to roll back objectionable hunting regulations enforced by the Alaska Board of Game. Your personal photos and stories can help inspire decisionmakers to protect Alaska's wildlife. Read and Share Alaska Stories > > OUR LATEST CAMPAIGN A Banner Year for the Parks Each new year at NPCA, we like to pause and take a look back at the past year's national park success stories. And despite some significant challenges, 2011 was a great year for our national parks. Restoring the Elwha River, maintaining the historic character of Gettysburg, and protecting clean air in the Great Smoky Mountains—these were just a few of the key victories you helped forge in 2011. Learn More > > NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS NPCA Offers Sustainable Fishing Lesson Along Biscayne Bay with Support from Nature Valley It was a perfect December morning to catch a fish on Biscayne Bay—there was a warm breeze over the calm, turquoise waters, and plenty of bait. NPCA gathered youth aged 9 to 20 from the Overtown Youth Center and Mahogany Youth Foundation, and staff from City of Miami Commissioner Suarez's office, to share ways to fish sustainably. Perched on an old bridge adjacent to Biscayne National Park, children shrieked with delight as they reeled up one fish after another. This fun and successful event, made possible by generous funding provided by Nature Valley, engaged urban youth in the joys of sustainable recreational angling. In addition to learning how to use and hold a fishing pole, bait a hook, and reel in a catch, the participants also learned catch-and-release techniques, the important use of circle hooks (which cause less damage to marine animals caught accidentally), the threats of discarded fishing line to marine and bird life, and the specifics of fishing regulations. The group then lunched at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park where local preservationist Gene Tinnie shared stories of this once-segregated site. The group considered the need to preserve these stories as much as the need to preserve our natural habitat so that current and future generations can enjoy and experience these special places together. NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS Birders Flock to Battlefields as Part of Audubon's Annual Count NPCA helped to organize 25 bird-counting events at Civil War parks around the country this winter as part of the National Audubon Society's 112th annual Christmas Bird Count. The focus on battlefields helped to draw attention to the wildlife habitat offered at these sites, which are treasured for their historic value but often forgotten for their natural beauty. View our interactive map with information on these inspirational sites and highlights from the bird counts, including species of note and comments from participants--and stay tuned for future NPCA birding events. View the Map > > YOU'RE INVITED NPCA's Annual Salute to the Parks Awards Gala Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Washington, DC NPCA's annual Salute to the Parks Gala offers one of the largest and most influential gatherings involving the conservation and environmental communities. This year, Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson will receive the Robin W. Winks Award for Enhancing Public Understanding of National Parks for his nearly quarter-century of service as a National Park Service ranger and interpreter. We hope you will consider joining this wonderful celebration of our national parks and opportunity to support NPCA's efforts to preserve our parks for future generations. For more information about the event, visit us online or contact Elizabeth Jordan at ejordan@npca.org or 800.628.7275. Learn More > > YOU'RE INVITED Oh, Shenandoah! Photo Exhibit Through February 25 Orange, Virginia Shenandoah National Park just celebrated its 75th anniversary, and a new photography exhibit helps share the park's spectacular beauty. The Oh, Shenandoah! exhibit displays winners from photography contests held throughout Virginia in 2011, hosted by the Shenandoah National Park Trust. Learn More > > YOU'RE INVITED Fee-Free Days: January 14-16 This Martin Luther King Day weekend, entrance fees will be waived throughout the entire National Park System! So if you've been putting off a trip to your favorite park, mark your calendar to get in for free. Find a Park Near You > > Experience Saguaro's BioBlitz with National Parks Magazine In October, National Parks Editor-in-Chief Scott Kirkwood visited Saguaro National Park in Arizona to document the fifth annual BioBlitz—a 24-hour event where students, scientists, and everyday citizens catalogue every living thing in sight. Read the article and watch the short video to learn all about it. See the BioBlitz Video > > IN THIS ISSUE Featured Parks: Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska Our Latest Campaign: A Banner Year for the Parks NPCA at Work in the Parks: Sustainable Fishing Lessons, Birding the Battlefields Parks in the News: Santa Rosa Island Open Year-Round Travel with NPCA: New Year's in Yellowstone Webinar You're Invited: NPCA's Salute to the Parks, Oh Shenandoah! Photo Exhibit, Fee-Free Park Days Won't You Partner with Us? NPCA's Partners for the Parks are committed members who express their support for our national parks through an automatic monthly gift. It's a simple, convenient, and manageable way to protect and enhance our national parks. Together, we make a difference! Join Partners for the Parks Today > > Protect the Parks While You're at Work One of the easiest ways to donate to the National Parks Conservation Association is by contributing through your workplace charity campaign. EarthShare manages giving campaigns in workplaces for environmental and conservation charities. When you contribute to NPCA through your employer's campaign, you pledge a small amount of each paycheck to be automatically deducted to help protect and restore our national parks. It's the simplest, easiest and most efficient way to give. NPCA is listed in a variety of workplace fund drives including the largest workplace giving campaign in the nation—the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for employees of the federal government and the U.S. military (#12069), many state and local government campaigns, several United Way campaigns, and a growing number of corporate and foundation campaign drives. Find Out More  > > PARKS IN THE NEWS Santa Rosa Island Open Year-Round to the Public For the first time ever, Santa Rosa Island in California's Channel Islands National Park is now open to visitors 365 days a year. A private hunting operation closed last month that had limited access to most of the island for up to five months a year. The move is a boon for park enthusiasts looking to experience the second-largest island off the coast of California, featuring 53,000 acres of mountains, cliffs, beaches, and diverse plant and animal species. Boat access to all five of the Channel Islands, sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of the United States, is just an hour away from the Los Angeles area, making them a convenient urban retreat. The change comes at an opportune time for whale watchers, as late December through mid-March is the best time to see gray whales from the islands. The improved access could also bode well for future restoration and research projects. Learn More > > National Parks, our award-winning quarterly magazine, is an exclusive benefit of NPCA membership. SUBSCRIBE TODAY >> TRAVEL WITH NPCA Webinar: New Year's in YellowstoneJanuary 17, 2012 Have you always wanted to travel to Yellowstone in the wintertime to witness Old Faithful's first eruption in the new year? Join Dr. Jim Nations, NPCA's vice president of the Center for Park Research, as he recounts his recent trip with NPCA's ParkScapes travel program to Yellowstone National Park over the New Year's holiday. When: January 17th, 2012, 1:30-2:30pm EST What: An hour-long informational session on NPCA'S New Year's in Yellowstone trip and ParkScapes program How: Click here to participate in the webinar For more information call NPCA at 800.628.7275, email travel@npca.org, or visit us online at www.npca.org/wonderland. Learn More > > Feedback? Story ideas? Email us at npca@npca.org. Are you having trouble making a donation online? Call us at 1.800.628.7275 Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time and one of our representatives will be able to assist you. From All the Staff at NPCA, Thank you for your time and dedication in helping to enhance and protect our national parks for present and future generations. NPCA's park-protection work is made possible by the generous support of people like you. Membership is just $25, and includes a subscription to our award-winning National Parks magazine, recently recognized for excellence in coverage of environmental tourism by the Society of American Travel Writers. Join Us Today!  Park Lines is a publication of the National Parks Conservation Association. E-mail us at TakeAction@npca.org, write to us at 777 6th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001, or call us at 800.NAT.PARK (800.628.7275). To learn more, visit us at www.npca.org THOUGHTS FOR ALL TIME "We don't think about it often but these rangers risk their lives like other officers of the law. They deserve our utmost admiration and gratitude." --from a Seattle Times editorial earlier this month on the tragic death of Ranger Margaret Anderson at Mount Rainier National Park NPCA | 777 6th Street, NW | Suite 700 | Washington, DC 20001 | 800.NAT.PARK | npca@npca.org