Outdoor Alerts Archives - Outdoor Writers Association of America

More Wildlife Habitat Protected in Idaho

OWAA Developer — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 20:39:35 +0000

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation worked with a north Idaho landowner who appreciates the wildlife values of their land to permanently protect nearly 1,000 acres of prime habitat.
“We are grateful that the Barbieri family believes in the importance of conservation and has an appreciation of wildlife and our mission,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Their land lies within an area that is both extremely popular for recreation and experiencing pressure to develop which highlights why this transaction is so vital.”
“The Barbieri family is proud to permanently protect this undeveloped land at beautiful Priest Lake,” said Tom Barbieri, president of Huckleberry Bay Company. “It is likely the most enduring and satisfying real estate transaction I’ve ever done, which is somewhat ironic being a developer.” added Barbieri, who is also president of real estate company Goodale & Barbieri in Spokane, Washington.
RMEF originally worked with the Barbieri family in 2007 to create a 587-acre conservation easement near Priest Lake in the Idaho panhandle. This latest transaction adds two more parcels of their property amounting to 357 acres which brings the overall total to 944 acres.
The property overlooks Priest Lake to the west and borders the Priest Lake State Forest to the east, which then adjoins the Kaniksu National Forest. Featuring a mixture of open grasslands, forestland and riparian habitat, the land provides valuable winter range for elk. Additionally, it offers important habitat for moose, deer, grizzly and black bears, and is an important travel corridor for those species as well as wolverine and lynx.
RMEF works with willing landowners to establish conservation easements to protect crucial elk winter and summer ranges, migration corridors, calving grounds and other areas vital to elk and other wildlife.
###
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

The post More Wildlife Habitat Protected in Idaho appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Wildlife Habitat Management Wins in Court

OWAA Developer — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:23:50 +0000

MISSOULA, Mont. — A U.S. District Court judge ruled a habitat management project in west-central Montana designed to benefit wildlife will go forward as planned.
The Johnny Crow Project will utilize prescribed burning and the removal of invasive junipers into grasslands in the Elkhorn Mountains as part of an effort to rejuvenate forage for elk and other wildlife.
The judge denied claims by two environmental groups and ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and partners.
“This is a big win-win,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “It is a victory for wildlife and it is a victory for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Like so many other areas in elk country, it is in need of active treatments to create early seral conditions of grasslands, sage brush and forbs that are vital for bird and animal life.”
In March 2017, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued what’s called a “categorical exclusion” which exempts the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from completing an environmental assessment for certain actions determined to not significantly impact the environment. In January 2018, RMEF filed a brief in support of the USFS decision.
“We have seen time and time again that active management with a focus on wildlife habitat in the form of prescribed burns, thinning and other treatments triggers the growth of new grasses and forbs that benefits elk and a wide array of wildlife species,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer.
The Elkhorn Mountains lie within a unique wildlife management situation. Managed jointly by the USFS, Bureau of Land Management and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, they are within the only unit in the entire Forest Service system that is designated by Congress with a focus on wildlife and wildlife habitat.
The Elkhorns are also recognized as a location featuring some of the best elk hunting in Montana.
In a somewhat similar case, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied claims by several environmental groups approximately six months ago and ruled in favor of active forest management in southwestern Montana.
“We have seen time and time again that interference by environmental groups only thwarts efforts by wildlife habitat and forest managers to try to improve the condition of our forests. Such litigation only harms forests and wildlife as litigants seek payouts in the form of taxpayer dollars to pad their bottom line,” added Weaver.
RMEF is a long-time advocate for active habitat and forest management as a benefit for wildlife and wild landscapes.
###
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

The post Wildlife Habitat Management Wins in Court appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

$400K in RMEF Grants Spice Up Idaho Elk Country

OWAA Developer — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 22:34:08 +0000

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded $396,140 in grant funding for habitat stewardship work, research and hunting heritage projects in Idaho.
“There is a substantial need for scientific data to get a better handle on struggling elk populations in parts of Idaho,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “This grant funding also assists wolf management and supports thinning, noxious weed control, prescribed burning and other projects designed to enhance habitat and improve forest management across the state.”
Idaho is home to more than 8,600 RMEF members and 16 chapters.
“Thanks to the time and effort put forth by our volunteers who work diligently to raise these funds, we can put this money back on the ground to assist elk and elk habitat for years to come,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.
Twenty-three projects positively affect more than 11,600 acres of wildlife habitat across Ada, Bear Lake, Bonner, Boundary, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lincoln, Shoshone, Twin Falls and Washington Counties. There are also six projects of statewide benefit.
Since 1985, RMEF and its partners completed 553 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects with a combined value of more than $67.3 million. These projects protected or enhanced 487,193 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 24,817 acres.
Here is a sampling of the 2018 projects, listed by county:
Ada County
• Rehab 1,779 acres of crucial winter range for elk and mule deer that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and was damaged in the MM14 Wildfire of 2016. The project focuses on hand-planting 125,000 antelope bitterbrush seedlings.
Fremont County
• Thin 222 acres of overly dense lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir to protect important wildlife habitat, promote aspen regeneration and expansion, and improve overall forest health. The BLM-managed land lies within the Shotgun Valley and surrounding areas and was previously subjected to an epidemic level of mountain pine beetle infestation.
Clearwater County
• Provide Torstenson Family Endowment (TFE) funding for ongoing scientific research that monitors elk responses to landscape restoration in the Clearwater Basin of north-central Idaho. Elk populations in the region drastically declined over the last three decades due to the loss of early seral habitat, increased human pressure, and later, the reintroduction of wolves (also benefits Idaho County).
Idaho project partners include the Caribou-Targhee, Idaho Panhandle, Payette, Salmon-Challis and Sawtooth National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fish and Game Department, and sportsmen, government, civic, schools and other organizations.
TFE funds are used solely to further RMEF’s core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage.
###
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

The post $400K in RMEF Grants Spice Up Idaho Elk Country appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Bigger, Better Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo Coming to Las Vegas

OWAA Developer — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 01:41:25 +0000

MISSOULA, Mont.—The biggest western lifestyle bash of the year is almost here and the 2018 version promises to be bigger and better than ever.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo, presented by Cinch, begins its 10-day run in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) December 6-15 in Las Vegas. It will take place in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, upstairs from Cowboy Christmas.
“The expo provides us a unique opportunity to reach out to more than 150,000 people from all walks of life and from all across our nation,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO, “where we aim to celebrate our mission and the good work we’re doing to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.”
New this year is the Cowboys for Conservation Calcutta, presented by Reachoutwest. It will take place at the Realtree Live Stage (booth #1136). The Calcutta gives attendees the opportunity to win big money by taking part in an auction for all 120 WNFR contestants while also raising funds for RMEF. There will also be a daily auction for a team of contestants, one from each event.
Other Realtree Live Stage events include the Cowboys for Conservation Show highlighted by interviews with WNFR contestants, CanCooker cooking demonstrations and country music performances by Easton Corbin, Glen Templeton, Andy Griggs and others.
Additional expo features include the RMEF Great Elk Tour, MTN OPS Archery Range, Junior NFR competition in the Wrangler Rodeo Arena, special booth appearances and autograph sessions, and the RMEF Cowboy Country Raffle (booth #819) that will give away an elk hunt, Polaris Ranger side-by-side, Rambo electric bike and packages from Leupold and YETI as well as other prizes.
The 132,000-square-foot expo floor showcases hunting, outdoor industry leaders and other exhibitors featuring firearms, archery equipment, optics, outfitter and guide services, hunting apparel and western lifestyle gear and clothing.
“We appreciate our conservation partners who bring so much to the table by both supporting and helping us celebrate our conservation mission at the expo,” said Steve Decker, RMEF vice president of Marketing.
In addition to presenting sponsor Cinch, other expo sponsors include Alps OutdoorZ, Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s, Browning, Chevrolet, Henry, The Mirage, MTN OPS, Peak/Blue Def, Realtree, Remington, Traeger, Weatherby, and YETI.
The show floor is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
###
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

The post Bigger, Better Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo Coming to Las Vegas appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

RMEF Reaches 100 Projects in Tennessee Elk Country

OWAA Developer — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 19:18:01 +0000

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation awarded $37,916 in grant funding to benefit elk habitat and hunting heritage efforts in Tennessee.
“We are grateful for the support of our 2,200 members across Tennessee and our volunteers among eight chapters who dedicate their time and talents to raise these funds for elk and elk habitat in the Volunteer State,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.
Since 1990, RMEF and its partners completed 100 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Tennessee with a combined value of more than $2 million. These projects protected or enhanced 77,805 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 74,000 acres.
RMEF also assisted with the successful restoration of wild, free-ranging elk onto their historic Tennessee range in 2000 and subsequent years.
“There are more than 400 elk in Tennessee and they need quality habitat and forage openings that will allow the population to grow and expand its range,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “A major part of this 2018 funding is geared toward doing exactly that.”
Here are the 2018 projects, listed by county:
Bedford County

Provide funding for an event hosted by RMEF’s Duck River Chapter in Shelbyville that offers education to youth about conservation, air rifle shooting and archery.

Campbell County

Convert 40 acres of young forest habitat to meadow forage openings as part of an effort to create an eight-mile wildlife habitat corridor southwest of the elk viewing tower at Hatfield Knob. The project aims to increase connectivity with existing habitat enhancement sites and expand the elk population on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.
Provide funding to assist with seeding, fertilizing and noxious weed treatments across 34 acres to enhance habitat for elk and other wildlife immediately adjacent to the Hatfield Knob tower.

Monroe County

Provide Torstenson Family Endowment (TFE) funding for Eco Days, a three-day camp in Tellico Plains for middle schoolers from across the county to learn about conservation, natural resources, forestry and wildlife while taking part in various outdoor activities.

White County

Provide funding for the purchase of air rifles and other supplies to benefit the White County 4-H air rifle team as it seeks to accommodate additional participants.

Tennessee project partners include the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Cherokee National Forest, Mildred Edwards Trust Fund and civic, sportsmen, and conservation organizations and groups.
RMEF uses TFE funding solely to further its core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage.
###
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.

The post RMEF Reaches 100 Projects in Tennessee Elk Country appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Steller.co Announces Epix Trip Storytelling Contest with Prize for Two to Tahiti Valued at $29,000

OWAA Developer — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 19:23:01 +0000

August 8, 2018, Kirkland, Washington – Steller.co, the travel social media community and Apple Editors’ Choice app, is offering an extraordinary opportunity to win a trip for two to Tahiti. The prize includes seven nights, including four at The Brando, two at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, and one at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa. Air is included from San Francisco or Los Angeles, as well as inter-island transfers. In addition, adidas Outdoor will supply each traveler with $1000 of its award-winning gear. There is no cost to enter.
Entries can be made on any Android or iOS device in just a few minutes. Search for Steller in your mobile app store, and download the app. Then build an amazing travel story using photos and video from your phone, hashtag #epixtrip in your story, publish, enter the contest, and share the story. It is quick and easy, just a few minutes from concept to publication, and the results serve as an evergreen memory of a travel experience.
“I am a passionate traveler and photographer, and wanted a place to collect, preserve and share the incredible stories that come from every trip,” says Richard McAniff, founder of Steller, and former Microsoft, Samsung and VMWare executive. “At Steller we are excited at how the travel community has embraced the Steller platform to tell first-person stories that inspire and validate travel destinations and experiences across the globe.”
“With the continued global growth of smartphones and the increases in camera and picture quality everyone can easily create stories that are educational, beautiful and engaging. Something that is not possible with Instagram and other social media platforms.” Says Richard McAniff. “We are excited to launch the EpixTrip contest to bring more travelers onto Steller and celebrate incredible travel experiences and stories.”
The narrative power of the platform has been discovered by such as National Geographic, The African Wildlife Foundation, photographer Jimmy Chin, actor Jared Leto, REI, Eddie Bauer, Vasque, GoPro, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Land Rover, and even Toyota.
“Steller is the best travel storytelling tool and community, allowing the right mix of stills, video and text, producing a lasting ledger of a special time and place, says Richard Bangs, award winning travel author and television personality. “Unlike other social apps, it is focused on travel and the tales and lifestyle that come of it. Keeping quality and meaning forefront, Steller has teamed with adidas Outdoor to offer up this extraordinary contest.”
[button link=”https://steller.co/epixtrip/?utm_source=press%20release&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=contest%20announcement”]Enter the Contest[/button]
###

For more information, or to request interviews with Richard McAniff, Richard Bangs, or other Steller associates, contact:
Denice Brewer
5350 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA
DeniceB@eta.network │ 425.278.6011
About Steller.co
Steller is visual storytelling community reimagined for today’s mobilefirst travelers. From a day-long outing to an epic expedition, from a wine-tasting to an Everest climb, Steller lets everyone capture and share personal stories with expressive and elegant design, simply and conveniently on your mobile device or via the web at www.steller.co.

The post Steller.co Announces Epix Trip Storytelling Contest with Prize for Two to Tahiti Valued at $29,000 appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Editorial Fellow at Grist

kelsey — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:10:52 +0000

Want to grow as a journalist while absorbing a universe of green knowledge? Apply for the Grist Fellowship Program. We are an independent nonprofit media organization that shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 2,000,000 and growing. At Grist, we use humor and real talk to connect big issues like climate change to the places where people live, work, and play.

What is the Grist Fellowship Program?

The Grist Fellowship Program is an opportunity to hone your skills at a national news outlet and deepen your knowledge of environmental issues. We’re looking for early-career journalists with a variety of skills, from traditional reporting to multimedia whizbangery. We will offer exposure to the leading sustainability thinkers and theories of our time, real-world experience at a fast-paced news site, and the occasional scrumptious snacks.

What is expected of the fellows?

Fellows will work full-time, making daily contributions to Grist’s editorial operations including (but not limited to) research, reporting, story ideas, writing, and multimedia projects. Working closely with the fellowship program manager, each fellow will also identify a long-term special project to produce in collaboration with others on the team. We will encourage full participation in staff discussions and meetings, seek input on issues large and small, and laugh politely (or heartily, depending on the circumstances) at all your jokes.

What are the details?

Fellows work out of Grist’s Seattle office. Fellows must make a six-month commitment. The fellowship pays $2,250 per month. In special cases the fellowship will be renewable once by mutual agreement between the fellow and Grist. Renewal candidates will be considered alongside the applicant pool for the next fellowship cycle.

Who should apply?

Curious, self-motivated, hard-working individuals who want to raise the bar for environmental journalism and who have a profound interest in growing as a storyteller. We are looking for writers, reporters, and editors, as well as all-stars in areas such as video, social media, data visualization, animation, and multimedia programming. Candidates are most likely college graduates or j-school grads with some experience in the field.

THE APPLICATION

Applicants must submit the following in one PDF attachment:

1. A resume and cover letter. We are looking for a succinct, thoughtful cover letter that displays your qualifications, enthusiasm, and communication style.

2. Pitch two short-form story ideas for the Grist website. These stories would fall into the Gristmill or Grist List sections. Each story idea should be a brief paragraph.

3. You got the assignment! Pick one of the ideas you pitched in the above section and write the actual story. The story should run no longer than 400 words. Please include a link to an image or video that you would run with the story. (Note: We do not intend to publish this assignment, so don’t worry about whether you have the rights to the image or video.)

4. Pitch a feature story idea. What aspect of the environmental/sustainability story are you passionate about covering? How would you explore that passion in the form of a feature story for Grist? Please specify how you would approach the feature, including target sources, length and format, potential angle, multimedia aspects, etc. Pitch should be no longer than 300 words.

5. Three samples of your work. Writing samples can be newspaper or magazine clips, blog posts, or unpublished pieces. We will gladly accept links to multimedia samples (video, illustration, infographic, podcast, etc.), but cannot review original files.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications should be emailed to fellowships@grist.org. Please include all materials in one PDF attachment. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For fellowships that begin in August 2014, please submit applications by April 25, 2014.

No phone calls, please and thank you.

Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.

The post Editorial Fellow at Grist appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

TRCP Board Strengthened by Three New Additions

kelsey — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:28:16 +0000

[level-non-member]
Jo Ann Barefoot, Scott Blackwell and Leslie Ketner bring expertise, passion to leadership of national sportsman-conservation group
WASHINGTON – Jo Ann Barefoot, Scott Blackwell and Leslie Ketner have joined the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s board of directors, bringing a unique set of skills, diversity and influence to the leadership of the national sportsman-conservation group.
Members, remember to log in to view the rest of this post.
[/level-non-member]
[level-membersupporter]
Jo Ann Barefoot, Scott Blackwell and Leslie Ketner bring expertise, passion to leadership of national sportsman-conservation group
WASHINGTON – Jo Ann Barefoot, Scott Blackwell and Leslie Ketner have joined the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s board of directors, bringing a unique set of skills, diversity and influence to the leadership of the national sportsman-conservation group.
“American sportsmen are well served by the strength, diversity and expertise represented on the TRCP board of directors. Our three new board members are exceptional additions to our leadership,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. “Avid hunters and anglers, they also are dedicated to what Theodore Roosevelt called a ‘life in the open,’ and Roosevelt no doubt would be gratified to see such committed conservationists and outdoorsmen carry on his legacy.”
Jo Ann Barefoot has more than 35 years of management, strategy, regulatory and consulting experience focused on consumer financial protection and currently is senior advisor with Treliant Risk Advisors. A former deputy comptroller of the currency and partner at KPMG, she has advised most of America’s largest financial institutions, scores of community banks and numerous nonprofits and government agencies. She is a frequent speaker and media source on financial issues, has authored several books and more than 150 articles, and has testified before Congress and federal officials. Barefoot also has a strong track record in nonprofit management and governance, including chairing The Nature Conservancy’s Ohio chapter and its global trustee council.
“It’s an honor and a joy to join the talented board and staff of the TRCP in this important work of fostering healthy wild lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans,” said Barefoot. “The TRCP lives up to its name – it’s a true partnership, uniquely effective in weaving disparate viewpoints into cooperation, consensus and progress. As an avid fly fisherman, I believe people’s lives are profoundly enriched by contact with nature, and I’m proud to join the TRCP in helping to strengthen and safeguard America’s legacy of accessible wild places.”
Scott Blackwell is president of the Remington Outdoor Company, one of the largest firearms and ammunition manufacturers in the world that includes such iconic brands as Remington, Marlin, Barnes Bullets and Mountain Khakis. An avid outdoorsman and angler, he enjoys bird and upland game hunting, as well as fresh- and saltwater fly fishing. An active member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, TRCP and Safari Club International, he dedicates his time to wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. He is a benefactor member of the National Rifle Association, inductee of the NRA Golden Ring of Freedom, and serves as a director of the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance.
“I am honored to join the board of directors of the TRCP as they lead the charge to ensure that future generations of Americans have places to hunt and fish,” said Blackwell. “This is a cause profoundly important to me, both personally, spending time with my kids in the field and on the water, and professionally.
“When it comes to promoting conservation and improving land access for sportsmen and anglers, the TRCP is second to none in its work,” continued Blackwell. “This is an organization that not only understands the great responsibility we have to manage our natural resources wisely, but stands at the vanguard of efforts to promote an outdoor lifestyle that has become a staple of our American identity.”
Leslie Ketner brings more than 20 years of marketing and publishing experience to her clients at Pace Communications, where she serves as a vice president. As editorial director, she led Time Inc.’s Southern Progress Custom Publishing division through its largest period of growth, including development of three magazines and a Web presence for Lowe’s. Her approach to content development mixes with her early experience on the marketing and advertising side with agencies such as Wells Rich Greene and Scali McCabe Sloves. Ketner fox hunted in Virginia and Iowa for many years and now is turning her sporting time more toward fishing and hunting. She loves fly fishing for trout and upland shooting with her husband, Robert, particularly for quail, dove and pheasant.
“I am honored and delighted to be joining the men and women of the TRCP board of directors,” said Ketner. “We all share a passion for the great outdoors – for hunting and fishing and preserving natural resources. I have never seen a board and a staff so seamlessly aligned in purpose and with so many complementary gifts to offer our shared cause.”
“We’re thrilled to have Jo Ann, Scott and Leslie joining the board and adding their diverse skills and experiences to the TRCP,” said Dave Perkins, vice chairman of Orvis and chair of the TRCP board of directors.
[/level-membersupporter]

The post TRCP Board Strengthened by Three New Additions appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Paid internship in Teton Valley

kelsey — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:24:07 +0000

We hike, climb, fish and bike all summer long while cranking out award-winning copy. What are you planning on doing this summer?
The Valley Citizen, an established weekly newspaper in Driggs, Idaho, is looking to fill an internship this summer that could evolve into a full-time position as a reporter.
Serious applicants should be able to swing from features to hard news and city meetings without blinking an eye.
Why would we even need to pay you to work and live in some of the most sought-after mountains and rivers in the West? But we will.
Teton Valley, Idaho, is home to Grand Targhee Resort and the Teton Mountains. Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are in our backyard. Between the ranchers and the skiers and the farmers and the developers, we are also home to some of the most dynamic cultural and political changes this side of the Big Hole Mountains.
You can’t hide in a weekly newspaper. We want someone who is just as concerned about the facts as we are about helping you obtain the experience that will add depth to your resume.
Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
Please send resume and cover letter to Jeannette Boner at jet@valleycitizen.com. Application deadline: when we find the right candidate. Start date: open to college semester schedules. Ideally we are looking for someone who is available Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The post Paid internship in Teton Valley appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Pheasants Forever Praises 2014 Farm Bill, Now Law, For Key Conservation Measures

kelsey — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:12:05 +0000

[level-non-member]
President Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly known as the farm bill, into law. Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever, praised the President for his action, as well as the bipartisan House and Senate support leading to its signature.
Members, remember to log in to view the rest of this post.
[/level-non-member]
[level-membersupporter]
President Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly known as the farm bill, into law. Pheasants Forever and its quail division, Quail Forever, praised the President for his action, as well as the bipartisan House and Senate support leading to its signature. The farm bill addressed Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s top conservation priorities: reauthorizing vital USDA conservation programs, re-linking conservation compliance to crop insurance and “sodsaver,” or native prairie, protection.
“The farm bill remains the single biggest opportunity for wildlife habitat conservation, and this bill included key provisions that conservation and sportsmen’s groups have been fighting years to achieve,” says Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, “Unfortunately, in the time it took to pass this legislation, we’ve lost millions of acres of habitat nationwide. Now the challenge becomes taking all the conservation tools provided by the farm bill and implementing them across the country. Thankfully, policy makers heard our calls, and have provided us with much-needed policies and programs.”
The conservation compliance and sodsaver provisions encourage the protection of the nation’s remaining grasslands and wetlands, while simultaneously preventing soil erosion and improving water quality. “These represent sound natural resources policy,” says Nomsen, “And combined, they represent sound fiscal policy as they will save American taxpayers millions of dollars.”
Wildlife habitat-friendly provisions in the farm bill include:

Reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), including a change to the program that will allow for the enrollment of up to 2 million grassland acres with no cropping history that have never been eligible for CRP enrollment historically.
Re-linkage of conservation compliance connected to crop insurance, which will deter wetland drainage.
Regional “Sodsaver” to protect our country’s last remaining native prairies where it is most threatened – South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska.
$40 million in funding for Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Programs (VPA-HIP). Commonly referred to as “Open Fields,” this funding improves sportsmen’s access while helping improve wildlife conservation efforts.
More than $1 billion allocated for a new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, including provisions targeting wetlands and grasslands.
Additionally, U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs are consolidated from 23 to 13, which will improve delivery of these programs to interested landowners.

“Pheasants Forever thanks Agriculture Committee Chairs Stabenow and Lucas, Senator Cochran and Congressman Peterson, the four principal negotiators of the 2014 Farm Bill,” Nomsen added, “Rural America, landowners, hunters and the general public can all appreciate large elements of the conservation title, and these legislative efforts deserve recognition.”
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 745 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.
[/level-membersupporter]

The post Pheasants Forever Praises 2014 Farm Bill, Now Law, For Key Conservation Measures appeared first on Outdoor Writers Association of America.