| MURIE AUDUBON SOCIETY CASPER, WYOMING |
| VOLUME 42 - ISSUE 6 MONTHLY PUBLICATION SEPTEMBER 2008 |
CALENDAR
Sept. 12—Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Sept. 19—Membership Mtg.—7:00pm—OGCC Building
Sept. 22—Oct. PNP article deadline
Oct.7—MAS Bd. Mtg—7:00pm—ACGC
Oct. 10—Membership Mtg.—7:00pm—OGCC Building
Every Thursday—Brown Bag Lunch with the Birds—ACGC—12:00 noon
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TABLE OF CONTENTS(Click on title to go directly to article. Click on "leaves" at end of article to come back HERE)
Dwaine Wagoner, from here in Casper, will be the guest speaker for Murie Audubon's first program of the season. Dwaine has combined his expertise in photography and butterfly observation and will show us a collection of his photos of Wyoming's butterflies. Dwaine was born in Indiana and grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. He first came to Wyoming in the summer of 1998 to volunteer with the Tate Museum and continued spending summers here until 2005 when he moved here permanently. Dwaine is a retired tent and awning maker and prison guard; he has a son and grand-daughter in the Midwest and an artist daughter in NYC. Dwaine has photographed over 70 species of butterflies in Natrona County, so this is a “don’t miss” program.
Due to some scheduling conflicts, please note that our first program will be on the third Friday of September (instead of the second Friday). Please join us on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 7 pm at the Oil & Gas Conservation Commission Building at 2211 King Blvd.; the program is free and open to the public! Program Chair—Bruce Walgren
Photo: Weidemeyer’s Admiral by Dwaine Wagoner
As summer enters its last month (Wyoming weather permitting), the Murie Board welcomes new Directors Brenda Baalhorn, J. P. Cavigelli and Lisa Fujita and a new President, Jim Brown, who hopes to measure up to the standard of leadership set by Bruce Walgren over the past two years. Murie members have been busy during the summer break, engaging in bird banding, swapping stories at Thursday brown bag lunches, thinning brush on the grounds of the Audubon Center at Garden Creek, studying a Draft Conservation Plan for the Pathfinder National Refuge, looking for opportunities to participate in the TogetherGreen Innovation Grants Program (an alliance of national Audubon and Toyota) and keeping up-to-date on sage-grouse, sagebrush and landscape conservation, just to mention a few activities.
Spearheaded by June Calmes and her committee, Murie has embarked on an initiative to broaden the public’s engagement with the natural world and its inhabitants, hopefully recruiting new Audubon members in the process. As a result of an effective advertising campaign (have you seen newly minted TV personalities Calmes and Cavigelli?), 36 people gathered at the Audubon Center on August 23 to enjoy a nature walk under J.P.’s guidance. And half the participants were children! That’s a great start to what I hope will be an exciting year of growth for the Murie Audubon Society. President—Jim Brown
Earlier this month (August), I had the opportunity to visit Soda Lake to see and marvel at the quantity and variety of bird and animal life that exists there. The last time I was at Soda Lake was some 40 + years ago when it first began to fill as a Standard Oil of Indiana facility.
I had arrived at the Casper refinery in 1951 as the refinery chemical analyst. About one and a half years later I was assigned to continue the on-going work on the quality of refinery process water effluent. The effluent was discharged directly into the North Platte River with only oil separation as treatment. The oil separation treatment left 30 to 40 parts per million (ppm) oil plus any chemicals that had been picked up as a result of the refining process. The effluent rendered the North Platte River unsuitable as a habitat for most species of fish. Also lower forms of life (i.e. insects and other aquatic forms of life except some highly resistant algae) were eliminated or highly restricted.
At that time the refinery manager, (Dr. Boechler) who was a chemist, was determined the refinery would treat and/or dispose of the effluent in such a manner as to make the post-effluent release river water of the same, or better, quality as the original river water.
Mr. Joe Yant was the Superintendent of the Engineering Department. Joe had good contacts with people in other parts of the Standard Oil Company including geologists who were part of the Exploration and Production Department. Through these people, Joe found out about an intermittent lake about two miles north of the North Platte River called Soda Lake. The lake was so named because of the highly alkaline residue apparent when the lake was dry, which was most of the year.
Joe found out the lake basin was located in an area underlain with a water impervious layer that precluded any drainage from reaching the North Platte River. Further, if the lake level reached a height where water did drain away, it would flow north toward the Powder River drainage several miles away. I performed calculations that showed the basin was large enough to contain the refinery effluent water indefinitely if evaporation and other factors were taken into consideration. It was estimated that the refinery could send process water effluent to the lake for a minimum of 50 years.
The Engineering Department provided and implemented a plan for a two stage facility at Soda Lake for the refinery process water. They installed an embankment that separated the two stages. The upper stage (settlement pond), was connected to the lower stage (full capacity lake) by a conduit channel under the embankment.
All refinery process water, including sludge from softening water for the steam generating boilers, was included in the water sent to Soda Lake. The boiler house sludge acted as an oil adsorbent to capture the 30 to 40 ppm oil and it held it at the bottom of the settlement pond. Other contaminants were also adsorbed and held in the settlement pond. Cleaner water proceeded through the conduit channel into the full capacity lake.
All together about ten years went into the conception, planning, data accumulation, and execution of developing a viable method to eliminate process water from the North Platte River. To my best recollection water was directed from the refinery to Soda Lake in 1958. Soda Lake provided a method for the refinery to keep the water in the North Platte River cleaner and now Soda Lake is providing a vibrant habitat for a wide variety of birds and animals. What a wonderful result from all that effort and expense!! Let’s work to keep it! Fred Dawson
Congratulations to Murie Audubon Board Member Fred Eiserman on his upcoming induction into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made contributions toward conserving Wyoming’s wildlife heritage. A dinner and ceremony to honor the inductees is open to the public and will be held Friday, Sept. 12, at the Ramada Riverside in Casper, in conjunction with the annual Wyoming Hunting & Fishing Heritage Expo. Tickets can be purchased for $30 by calling the foundation at 307-777-4529. Complimentary tickets are available for Expo volunteers.
Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees named
(Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - Casper Journal—Excerpt)
Fred Eiserman, Casper: Throughout his 28-year Game and Fish career, Eiserman was a driving force in Wyoming fisheries management. He served as the first fisheries management coordinator for the Game and Fish and was the steward for the evolution of the Game and Fish system of regional fisheries management crews located in each of the state’s major drainages.
Among other accomplishments, Eiserman played an important role in the planning and operation of what was then the largest stream rehabilitation in North America, the rotenone treatment of 425 miles of the Green River system in Wyoming and Utah shortly before completion of Flaming Gorge and Fontenelle dams.
Eiserman has been an important influence in recognition of the Wyoming fisheries program as a model for others in the Western U.S.
Congratulations to Theresa Lembke from Cottonwood Elementary as one of the recipients for $500 from Murie Audubon. Theresa and her co-worker, Brian Doner, are 5th Grade teachers and will be receiving Audubon Adventures this year. They left on August 25th with over forty-five students for the Teton Science School in Jackson.
Pictured are Ann Hines, Jim Brown (presenting the check), Theresa Lembke, Brian Doner and Jessica Ryan, Audubon Wyoming Community Naturalist. Some of the students will give a short presentation at the September meeting. Education Chair—Ann Hines
Sponsorship for Audubon Adventures is starting off with a bang. We have five classes sponsored. Thanks to Whitney Bradley, Don and Hallie Harris and Lois Layton for a good start for the school year. 45 classrooms have been enrolled. Education Chairman—Ann Hines
BIRD
NOTESJuly and August typically see a lot of hummingbird reports around the state and the Rocky Mountain region, (and the July Yard Bird Report does reflect that). Warblers are “on the move.” Wilson’s, Tennessee, and Townsend’s have been reported, and a Canada Warbler was seen in North Casper along the river. Many people are reporting large numbers of grackles and red-winged blackbirds ‘swarming” the feeders – with a lot of immature birds mixed in. These “teenagers” come in varied shapes and plumages. The young grackles seem to look particularly scruffy, with colors ranging from dull gray with spots of greenish iridescence, especially on the tops of their heads, to full-dress glossy purple-blue. This time of year bird identification is always more challenging – young birds haven’t gotten their adult plumage yet, and the adults are molting into their winter plumage.
July Birds – For the month of July, Wayne and I received 176 yard bird selections from 17 states plus Yukon Territory, Madagascar and Tanzania with 86 different species reported. The most reported species was the Rufous Hummingbird; in second place was Black-headed Grosbeak, another frequently reported bird for July. Third place was a three-way tie – Lazuli Bunting, American Goldfinch, and House Finch.
Casper: Jim Herold – Rufous Hummingbird, Pat Classen – Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Cecil Foote – House Finch, Chris Michelson – Common Nighthawk, Rose-Mary King – Yellow Warbler, Ann Hines – Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Casper College Greenhouse – Osprey, Barb Yonts – Rufous Hummingbird, Bob Yonts – American Goldfinch, Bruce Walgren – Warbling Vireo, Donna Walgren – Black-headed Grosbeak; AW Garden Creek Center: Chris Michelson – Black-chinned Hummingbird, Bruce Walgren – Evening Grosbeak; Cheyenne: Barb Gorges – Lesser Goldfinch; Dubois: Anna Moscicki – Rufous Hummingbird; Evanston: Patti Gorman – House Finch, Tim Gorman; Riverton: Suzanne Hargis – Rufous Hummingbird, Bob Hargis – Calliope Hummingbird.
Thanks to all who helped with the Yard Bird Project in July. Send your bird notes and yard bird reports to Donna Walgren, 4311 S. Center St., Casper, WY 82601, or email to Piranga@bresnan.net, or phone 234-7455. Donna Walgren
By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune energy reporter
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The state's plan to protect sage grouse and its habitat in Wyoming includes a map of "core" areas where energy developers, agriculture and other users may face special stipulations from state agencies.
The success of the plan, according to those who helped formulate it, largely depends on the cooperation of the energy industry and the Bureau of Land Management, which controls more than 60 percent of the mineral estate in Wyoming but is not beholden to the state's authority.
Some believe the BLM has sent mixed signals regarding its pledge of cooperation.
The BLM proceeded with an oil and gas lease sale on Tuesday that included more than 50,000 acres within the state's identified "core" areas for sage grouse. However, the agency pulled, or "deferred," six of 173 lease parcels from the sale so it could further analyze the development implications in some of those core areas, according to the agency.
A day before the sale, Wyoming BLM officials issued a press release warning potential bidders that the agency may reject the sale of any or all parcels from the Tuesday offering if it is determined that formal protests of the parcels have merit.
"If, after evaluating the concerns raised in the protests this office determines they have merit, we may reject a lease offer made at the sale and may refund all monies paid," the BLM stated.
Most of the 173 lease parcels were formally protested in June.
Some conservationists are disappointed that the BLM offered any parcels at all within the state's core areas, while some in the energy industry say it's an opportunity for both industry and the BLM to prove their commitment to the state's effort to protect sage grouse.
"As an industry, we're going to have to step up to the plate and prove we can develop in core areas without a negative impact," said Paul Ullrich, community liaison for natural gas developer EnCana.
Ullrich, who served on the governor's Sage Grouse Implementation Team, said he believes the state has come up with a "workable" plan to protect sage grouse and sage grouse habitat in Wyoming. The state's new stipulations mandate that developers must prove in advance that a proposed project in the "core" areas result in no negative impact to the sage grouse. Ullrich said it's an opportunity for industry to apply new drilling and restoration techniques.
But whether the industry should proceed at a density of one well per 40 acres, one well per 80 acres or even one well per 640 acres within core areas should be decided on a site by site basis, Ullrich said.
"It's incumbent upon industry to come into core areas and prove that we can do it without negatively impacting sage grouse. And that's going to be a big challenge for industry," said Ullrich.
Audubon Wyoming executive director Brian Rutledge also served on the governor's sage grouse implementation team. Rutledge said it is also incumbent upon industry to show some restraint by not nominating federal lease parcels in the state's core sage grouse areas. And whether BLM is fully committed to the state's plan to protect the bird remains to be seen.
"This is a bit of a mystery," Rutledge said, referring to the BLM's sale of lease parcels within core areas. "Why continue to exacerbate the problem by continuing to sell these leases when we clearly recognize they are part of the survival plan for these birds -- not to mention a slew of other species?"
Wyoming BLM spokeswoman Teresa Howes said the agency is currently in discussions at its state headquarters about how to coordinate with the state on its sage grouse plan. It's likely that the BLM's various field offices across the state will not act in uniform, she said.
"We have to be really agile as we look at this and manage for both energy and sage grouse habitat. And we appreciate people's patience," Howes said.
Regarding the BLM's sale of oil and gas leases within the state's core areas, Howes said the agency still has time to determine whether to add stipulations, reject any sales or do nothing.
"So we're looking at those parcels and saying we need to maybe defer those as we collaborate and look at the mapping efforts with the state," said Howes.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to decide before year's end whether to list the game bird under the Endangered Species Act -- a move that could have a chilling effect on Wyoming's booming energy industry.
Energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 577-6069 or dustin.bleizeffer@trib.com.
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) has called on the Federal Courts to respect the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) interim management strategy regarding the sage grouse.
The BLM today released an interim approach to managing and protecting the sage grouse in the Powder River Basin. The strategy supports Wyoming's efforts to enforce its Sage Grouse management plan.
"With this BLM plan in place, Wyoming has once again demonstrated that we are committed to protecting the sage grouse. Its listing under the Endangered Species Act is simply not warranted," Barrasso said.
Barrasso commended the efforts of the BLM and the people of Wyoming in developing the strategy. In doing so, he called on outside groups not to interfere.
"The BLM decision includes protections for the grouse developed by experts in Wyoming. As a matter of principal, Washington lawyers and special interest groups in San Francisco and New York should now respect our stewardship of the state and respect the people of Wyoming," Barrasso said.
"The State of Wyoming has worked for years to protect the bird and its habitat. It is now time for all parties to move on and let the new state restrictions be recognized by the federal courts."
(Press Release—Thursday, August 14, 2008 )
Since the first Auduboners came together over a century ago, united in their commitment to protect birds, Audubon has owed its success to the passion, determination and hard work of grassroots activists and volunteers. Our visionary founders would be especially proud recent successes we’ve achieved together:
In June, Florida’s legislature renewed the state’s landmark Florida Forever program for another ten years. Providing $300 million annually for land acquisition that reaches every county in the state, the effort is among the largest in the nation. Renewal of the measure is testament to the hard work of Audubon of Florida and the entire Florida Forever Coalition. And it received an important boost from many Florida Chapters that contacted the Governor and Legislators to ensure passage.
Years of effort by Audubon and its grassroots were also recently rewarded when the Bureau of Land Management deferred for ten years additional oil and gas leasing around Teshekpuk Lake in the Northeast National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Audubon, the Wilderness Society, and other conservation and sporting groups united in legal action to block administration efforts to open the area to drilling. Chapter-based grassroots activists working with Audubon’s Alaska and national policy experts were instrumental in amplifying the political pressure. Though falling short of permanent protection, the decision acknowledges the vital importance of the Teshekpuk wetlands habitat for more than one million migratory birds. Additionally, it and provides time to work together to establish lasting protection.
The tireless efforts of Audubon Offices and Chapters in Wyoming and Colorado, along with other conservationists and some seemingly unlikely allies, are generating significant progress in the fight to slow the rush for energy drilling on BLM lands. In Wyoming, the state’s Sage Grouse Implementation Team, which includes Audubon, oil and gas industry representative, state agencies, ranchers and other conservation groups, has developed a plan for protecting the most critical habitat areas for sage-grouse while at the same time allowing responsible energy extraction. In Colorado, Audubon is supporting Governor Bill Ritter’s rule-making process that will also offer protection of sage-grouse and other species. The efforts provide new hope for safeguarding an iconic western ecosystem amid ever-growing demands for energy extraction.
Further west, protection of 240,000 contiguous acres of ecologically significant wild lands was recently secured under a precedent-setting agreement brokered by Audubon California and five other environmental groups with the Tejon Ranch Company. Protecting a spectacular area just an hour from the congestion of Los Angeles, the agreement will preclude development on 90 percent of Tejon’s rich natural habitat. It safeguards areas essential to the continuing recovery of the California condor, as well as to more than two dozen state and federally listed plant and animal species. The agreement also provides new public access, allowing Californians to enjoy its inspiring landscape firsthand.
And back east, South Carolina’s 15,000-acre Francis Beidler Forest Sanctuary became the first site in the state and the first Audubon locale to be recognized as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Significance. The distinction provides both recognition and a boost for ongoing years of Audubon efforts to protect the world’s largest remaining tract of virgin blackwater bald cypress and tupelo gum forest. Home to over 140 bird species, it is an Important Bird Area of global significance. Armed with this latest recognition of their efforts, Audubon South Carolina continues to build awareness of the vital importance of the site, to expand the Sanctuary, and to minimize impacts from sprawl, mining and forestry operations, and agricultural pollution.
Recent months also brought progress of a different kind—the kind that will inspire the next generation of conservations and secure the victories of tomorrow. We celebrated the grand opening the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center in Seattle, Washington and held groundbreakings for new facilities in Phoenix, Columbus, Ohio, and two in Dallas. Four of the five are urban centers that attract diverse audiences, open new eyes to nature and often convert once-blighted landscapes into beacons of hope. The local involvement and excitement surrounding these new Centers offers solid evidence that they will make a difference for conservation in their communities and beyond.
This list of our progress is certainly incomplete. Over the past few months, all of you have been involved in sowing the seeds of conservation successes too numerous to mention. Together, we are making a difference for birds, for their habitat and for the future we share. The intertwined contributions of individual Chapters, state and national programs are not always easy to trace, but it’s what we achieve together that really counts. As our founders so clearly understood, we succeed through the conservation passion and commitment we share.
John Flicker- President (From Audubon Chapter Networker – Summer 2008)
With the help of several volunteers, we have finally released back into the wild, found homes for, or re-located all of the birds in the Layton Flight Barn and the nearby HOE House out at Stacey Scott’s Eagle Ridge Ranch. We want to thank all the following people for taking their time to help us with these birds – we would not have been able to accomplish all this without them: Kelley Bacon, John Bruno, Chase Frits, Rosie Hayford, Ryan Jones, Jesse Knoll, Lynn Lange, Jena Marquand, and Becky Zook.
On May 10, (with the help of Ryan, John, and Jesse) we moved 3 of the 4 Ferruginous Hawks out at the Flight Barn to Gillette, where rehabber Diane Morse (N.E.W. Bird) hacked them out after training with live prey.
Our fourth Ferruginous Hawk was unable to fly well enough to be released. Luckily, we were able to find a home for the bird at Cedar Run Refuge in New Jersey as an education bird. (This is the same facility where we sent 2 young Bald Eagles in March.)
In preparation for release of the Golden Eagles in the other half of the Flight Barn, Bruce and I travelled to Thermopolis where we met Susan Ahalt (Ironside Bird Rescue in Cody) – she brought us a hutch of rabbits. Ryan helped us situate the rabbits to begin live prey training with the eagles. Over the next 4 weeks, Kelley, Chase, and Rosie helped separate and move around the 3 eagles within the 2 halves of the Flight Barn, giving each bird the experience of taking a rabbit. (It is vitally important that each bird be able to find and kill its own food to survive in the wild.)
In June, Jesse, John, Ryan, Becky, Kelley, and
Chase help us capture the 3 Golden Eagles and transport them southwest of Casper
to a remote area of Charles and Pete Scott’s ranch where the birds were
released. (Another plus for this release location – it is in the middle of a
prairie dog town!!)
That same day, Becky, Ryan, John, and Jesse helped move the 3 Great Horned Owls from the HOE House to the Flight Barn, where they would now have the whole barn in which to fly and exercise their wings. These birds would continue to be fed by Lynn and Jena. (One of these owls is an older bird, unable to be released, and used as a surrogate to hospitalized young Great Horns.)
Later in June, we received 3 more young Great Horned Owls that were placed in the large cages in Lois Layton’s back yard. We brought the surrogate owl in to place with the young owls. One of the remaining owls in the Flight Barn (which may not be releasable) was later brought in and also placed with the young owls. The remaining Great Horned was released there at Stacey’s.
We still had an American White Pelican in our backyard. (He was named Pacer by the kids next door because of his habit of going back and forth with outstretched wings in his pen.) On June 8, Pacer was released at JTL Ponds – he was VERY happy to be back out on his own!!
On August 11 we went to Martin’s Cove to get an immature Golden Eagle. The bird couldn’t fly well and has no visible injuries; West Nile is suspected. It is in one of Lois’s backyard cages, is eating very well, and is very alert. Hopefully, this bird, as well as the young owls, will be able to be moved out to the Flight Barn where they can rebuild their strength and exercise their wings in preparation for their eventual release. Bruce and Donna Walgren
Audubon Wyoming’s newest community naturalist, Jess Ryan, began connecting people with nature this month (May, 2008). Jess was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and has lived in Wyoming for the past few years. She attended Teton Science Schools Professional Residency in Environmental Education with an emphasis in Natural History Interpretation. She finished a dual master's degree at the University of Wyoming majoring in Natural Science and Environment and Natural Resources. Jess has also worked for the National Park Service. Her goal is to help people connect with nature using the amazing 450 acre outdoor classroom and indoor exhibit area at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek. She is an inspiring educator that will focus her field trips on our local flora and fauna. She will lead field trips at the center as well as visit local schools to give nature related programs. Jess at can be contacted at the Center at (307) 473-1987 or jryan@audubon.org.
Mac Blewer was recently hired as Grassroots Coordinator for Audubon Wyoming. He will be concentrating on organizing, media, grassroots policy efforts regarding the Sagebrush Conservation Initiative and key oil and gas development issues impacting the Cowboy State.
Says Blewer, “I loved my time in the east- exploring the Chesapeake Bay, seeing the monuments lit up at night in Washington, DC, lobbying Congress on wildlands protection…but deep down, I knew that I needed to return to the deserts and mountains of Wyoming. My heart lay in the sagebrush country and I had to get back here.”
Mac came to Audubon with a long history of community outreach and grassroots coordination. He served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Outdoor Council for six years and was National Wetlands Campaign Organizer for the National Audubon Society in Washington, D.C. Mac also worked for the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Conservation Association on various public lands protection issues.
“We are delighted to have Mac onboard. His enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and public lands protection will come in handy with all of the issues impacting sage-grouse and sagebrush country today,” says Brian Rutledge, Executive Director and Vice President of Audubon Wyoming.
The advocate will be leading a public trip in the northern Red Desert on September 27 and 28 for Audubon Wyoming. The Red Desert shelters North America’s largest desert elk herd, the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails, numerous Native American holy sites and over 350 wildlife species including cougar, coyote, sage-grouse, golden eagles and ferruginous hawks. Citizens will have the opportunity to hike up Oregon Buttes and through the labyrinthine, rainbow colored Honeycomb Buttes.
Says Blewer, “I am honored to be working for Audubon again and am especially excited about working with volunteers on many of the issues that affect this incredible state. From the Red Desert to the Powder River Basin, this is a pivotal time for Wyoming. I can’t think of a better time to be working on wildlife conservation in the West.
Kevin Doherty is the new senior sagebrush ecologist for Audubon Wyoming. Kevin comes to Audubon with a wide variety of biological research experience including, 4 years field technician experience with a wide variety of avian species, and 6 years graduate education leading to a M.S. in wildlife conservation with a minor in statistics from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in wildlife conservation at The University of Montana that will be completed this winter. Kevin’s biological interests include linking habitat selection to fitness, large scale habitat ecology and GIS methods, and the consequences of anthropogenic change. Kevin comes to Audubon to put these interests to good use by developing conservation planning tools and management decision support for sage-grouse and other key species of the sagebrush ecosystem. Kevin gave a program on Sage-Grouse at our May Membership meeting.
RECERTIFICATION
Sponsored by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS and Audubon Wyoming
DATES: October 25th-26th. 2008
COST: $200.00 Payment in full upon registration
LOCATION: Audubon Center at Garden Creek: Casper, Wyoming
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Fast paced and hands-on, this two- or three-day course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel in the outdoors. Whether spending time in the backcountry is your passion or your profession, you should never have to ask, "What do I do now?" On this course, you'll learn how to prepare for the unexpected. WMI's curriculum is unique and includes many advanced topics that other programs leave out such as dislocation reduction, focused spinal assessment and epinephrine administration. In just two days, you'll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. This course is ideal for trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals in remote locations. WMI's course is pre-approved by such organizations as the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and other governmental agencies. This course does not include CPR.
AUDUBON
WYOMING RED DESERT RETREATThe Red Desert shelters North America’s largest desert elk herd, the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails, numerous Native American holy sites and over 350 wildlife species including cougar, coyote, sage grouse, golden eagles and ferruginous hawks.
Please join Audubon Wyoming Grassroots Coordinator Mac Blewer for a two-day expedition in the Jack Morrow Hills Area of the northern Red Desert on September 27. Participants will hike up Oregon Buttes and throughout the labyrinthine, rainbow colored Honeycomb Buttes. There will be opportunities to see wild horses, desert elk, antelope and ferruginous hawks.
Citizens should bring camping equipment, binoculars, sunscreen and sufficient water and food.
For more details, please contact Mac Blewer at mblewer@audubon.org, or (307) 745-4848. Participants should meet up at 6:30 AM outside of the Wyoming Outdoor Council (262 Lincoln Street) in Lander on the morning of the 27th.
If you’ve purchased sunflower seeds lately, you are aware of a significant price increase. Currently 50 pounds of seeds are selling for around $30!! In February 2008, $22 per 50 pounds was the going rate. Sunflower seed harvest usually takes place in October and November and we’re hoping that the increase in supply at that time will lower the price. Therefore, we will not conduct our seed sale until this year’s harvest comes into the bin. We will let you know about the dates of the seed sale as soon as we know. In the meantime, you may have to purchase enough to get you by until we have our sale. Also, this high price of seeds has been tough on the Audubon Center, so they really could use your donations of seed to fill the feeders that we all enjoy watching. Contact Jess or Larry at the Center (473-1987) or jryan@audubon.org if you can help with seeds. Bruce Walgren
On Saturday, August 23, 36 people gathered at the Garden Creek Audubon Center to go on the nature walk along the creek, led by JP Cavigelli. Though the birds were not as active as we had hoped, the morning was very enjoyable and educational. JP and Larry Keffer helped us with bird sighting and identification; Jim Brown gave us lots of geology information; and Dwaine Wagoner shared his expertise on Wyoming butterflies and also on the vegetation we hiked through. (For more on Wyoming’s butterflies, be sure to join us for Dwaine’s presentation at Murie’s meeting on Sept. 19!!)
Birds sighted include: American Goldfinch, Broad-tailed Hummers (of various gender and age), Mourning Dove, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Turkey Vulture, Great Horned Owl, House Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Black-capped Chickadee, Swainson’s Hawk, Yellow Warbler, and Wilson’s Warbler.
Thanks to all who helped make this outing a great success; we can truly say, “A good time was had by all.” Donna Walgren
October 11, 2008—Field Trip to Soda Lake—more details in the October Plains and Peaks
Audubon Wyoming will be hosting an “Enchanted Forest” evening on October 24, 2008 for families highlighting the natural world at night!
Murie’s Board decided at the September 2nd meeting to host a monthly event at ACGC. Our Nature Walk in August was very successful and we would like to continue hosting a monthly community event. Please contact Jim Brown, President, if you have suggestions as to what kind of activity you would like to participate in at the Center.
Feeder-fillers are needed at ACGC on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. If you have a 1/2 to 1 hour to spare each week, please give Rose-Mary King a call. We want to have someone signed up for every day of the week—that way if you can’t come on a certain week, there will be others filling the feeders the rest of the days.
Also needed is someone of an engineering leaning who could redesign the area holding the feeders—a system where the feeders would be suspended from pulleys which could be lowered for filling and raised out of the deer’s reach. With the rising costs, the seeds should be for the birds and not the deer!
Murie’s Annual Banquet and Fundraiser will be February 21, 2009 at the Parkway Plaza. The first meeting of the Banquet committee will be September 23rd at Rose-Mary King’s home, 3551 E. 21st Street at 7:00. If you would be interested in helping with the planning, please attend. Help is needed with procuring raffle and silent auction items and making centerpieces (Ann Hines is heading this sub-committee). Always lots of last minute things to do, as well!
