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Wolf Creek looking for environmental biologist

The Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation is now advertising for an Environmental Biologist with strong skills in natural resource management. It is an exciting position dealing with fisheries, wildlife, rangeland, agriculture, water quality, soil health, natural areas, nuclear power, and all the challenges/opportunities that comes with such diverse (but connected) ecosystem interactions.

The link below provides more information. Please realize job duties listed cover other positions. The natural resource duties are the focus of the current opening.  Application deadline is March 30, 2015.

For more information, go to: http://wolfcreekplant.com/job-opportunities/

Learn how you can help nesting birds

Watching birds at the nest is fun–and fuels bird conservation

Springtime is nesting time, and that means another season of beautiful birdsong, colorful eggs, and downy nestlings. Spring also brings another season of NestWatch, a free citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers have been helping the Lab monitor nesting birds for 50 years, keeping tabs on open-cup nests and actively putting out the welcome mat for species that prefer a cozy cavity.

“Even those who already have birds nesting nearby can support more birds by putting up a nest box, or by landscaping for nesting birds,” says NestWatch project leader Robyn Bailey. “Supplying nesting materials, like wool, cotton, or pet fur is another great way to encourage more birds to take up residence.”

NestWatch provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of nesting birds but it is much more. NestWatch data have been used in more than 130 scientific studies, yielding valuable information for scientists and land managers, such as:

♦ When, where, and how many eggs are laid by certain species across a wide range

♦ How to minimize the effects of forestry and agricultural practices on nesting birds

♦ Revealing that some species, such as Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebirds, are nesting

earlier as spring temperatures have risen.

These discoveries and others are made possible by people who simply enjoy watching birds in their backyard or local park.

“I find observing the behavior of the natural world endlessly fascinating,” says participant Kate Lowry. “NestWatch offers me the chance to channel my efforts into this more organized method that can provide information to real scientists who, in turn, use the data in their studies.”

“Even after five decades there’s a lot learn,” says Bailey. “For example, data on the Eurasian Collared-Dove, a relative newcomer to North America, remains sketchy. We still don’t know how its presence affects our native Mourning Doves, or even how many times they can nest in one year.” Scientists need more data to understand how and why species respond differently to large, continent-level changes in the environment.

NestWatch can be a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. Find out more about the project, sign up, and learn how to locate and monitor nests at NestWatch.org.

Westar Energy to host guided youth turkey hunts

Green Team volunteers from Westar Energy invite youth age 12-17 to participate in their annual spring turkey hunt, April 1-14, 2015, at Jeffrey Energy Center (seven miles north of St. Marys). Hunts will take place primarily in the mornings and on weekends, but weekdays and afternoons are possible based on volunteer guide availability. Registration will be open through Friday, March 20, or until all slots are filled. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with preference for inexperienced mentors. Contact Barb Cornelius at (785) 575-8125 to apply.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult, preferably one who does not have turkey hunting experience. These trips will take place in enclosed blinds around small crop fields scattered through the plant’s property, where turkeys are abundant.

No special clothing, calls or decoys are needed; however hunters must bring a shotgun. Hunters 15 years and younger will need to purchase a youth spring turkey permit. Hunters 16 years and older must have a hunting license or apprentice hunting license, as well as a Unit 3 Turkey Permit.

To purchase a license or permit online, visit www.ksoutdoors.com /License-Permits.

The Westar Energy Green Team is made up of employees and retiree volunteers who take on environmental projects across Kansas. The group completes between 50 and 70 projects per year on weekends and evenings. The Green Team also collaborates with conservation groups, agencies and schools in enhancing and fostering an understanding of the Kansas environment.

Chickadee Checkoff small grants proposals due April 15

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism is accepting proposals for the Chickadee Checkoff Small Grants Program through April 15, 2015. Grant recipients carry out projects focused on wildlife diversity and native nongame wildlife species, while addressing the issues and strategies within the Kansas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, “A Future for Kansas Wildlife.”

The Chickadee Checkoff Program funds a variety of educational, research-based, and habitat enhancement projects, as well as the monitoring of nongame wildlife and habitats. The diverse projects completed as a result of this program have led to numerous publications in scientific journals, educational products, and new information on native nongame wildlife species and their habitats.

Completed proposals must be received at the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office by April 15. To learn about eligibility requirements and to view a list of priority projects for 2015, download the grant guidance document by visiting www.ksoutdoors.com and clicking “Services / Wildlife Diversity / Chickadee Checkoff.”

Six Hunter Education Instructors awarded for excellence

Kansas has certified 535,901 students in Hunter Education since the program’s inception 42 years ago and has done so without paying one person to teach a class. The program, which is carried out by more than 1,200 volunteer instructors across the state, is unique in that it is fueled by passion, not payment. Volunteer instructors, some of whom have devoted the better portion of their lives to share their love of the outdoors with youth, are what make the program possible. It’s because of this unfaltering dedication from volunteers that the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism annually recognizes six special instructors for their contributions.

Dennis Vincent, a veteran instructor of 25 years, has been named the “2014 Instructor of the Year” and for those that know him, that comes as no surprise.

“Dennis is a down-to-earth spokesman for hunting and shooting,” said Kansas Hunter Education coordinator, Kent Barrett. “He is able to communicate with everyone from the politician in the statehouse, to the hunting veteran with 30 years of field experience, to the terrified mother watching her 12-year-old son shoot a shotgun for the first time.”

Vincent will receive a certificate and a 2015 CZ Sharp-Tail 20 gauge side-by-side shotgun as tokens of appreciation for his dedication.

Other instructors recognized for their exemplary involvement, performance, and continued dedication to the program include:

-Marshall Rhea, Region 1

-Larry Noell, Region 2

-William Kreie, Region 3

-Dennis DeLay, Region 4

-Ben Rockers, Region 5

Each regional winner will also receive a certificate of appreciation and a TriStar Viper G2 Synthetic Semi-Automatic 20 gauge shotgun.

For more information on the Hunter Education program and its volunteer instructors, contact program coordinator, Kent Barrett, at [email protected].

To find a Hunter Education class near you, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Services / Education / Hunter.” 

New Leopold Conservation Award® program seeks Kansas nominees

The Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and the Ranchland Trust of Kansas, proudly announces the launch of the Leopold Conservation Award® Program in Kansas, and is accepting applications for the award.

The award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes and celebrates extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation on agricultural lands.

In 2015 the $10,000 award will be presented for the first time to a Kansas farmer, rancher or other private landowner who exemplifies voluntary, responsible stewardship and management of natural resources.

“KACD is pleased to participate in bringing the Leopold Conservation Award Program to Kansas because it provides a valuable opportunity to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our agricultural landowners committed to strong conservation practices and effective stewardship,” said Jim Krueger, Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts.

The award program provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners are recognized as leaders committed to a land ethic. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold emphasized the need for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, calling it “an evolutionary possibility and ecological necessity.”

“RTK is proud to be a partner in the first Leopold Conservation Award in Kansas,” said Bill Eastman, Chair of the Board at Ranchland Trust of Kansas. “This is a great state and this award is a natural extension of the conservation ethic that for generations has guided our agricultural community. We extend our thanks and gratitude to Sand County Foundation for their national leadership in conservation efforts and for allowing us to be a part of this inaugural event.”

The Leopold Conservation Award Program in Kansas is made possible thanks to the generous support of Clean Line Energy Partners, Ducks Unlimited, International Transmission Company, NextEra Energy Resources, Westar Energy, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, DuPont Pioneer, The Mosaic Company and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

The award will be presented on November 23, 2015 at the KACD Annual Convention in Wichita.

Applications for the award must be postmarked by May 29, 2015 and mailed to KACD c/o Jim Krueger, 1008 2500 Avenue, Abilene KS 67410.

For application information, please visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

USDA Opens Public Comment Period for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Interim Final Rule

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting public comments on its interim final rule for the new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) designed to help producers protect working agricultural lands and wetlands. The 2014 Farm Bill consolidated three previous conservation easement programs into ACEP to make it easier for diverse agricultural landowners to fully benefit from conservation initiatives.

“Since 2009, USDA has worked with producers and private landowners to enroll a record number of acres in conservation programs. This interim final rule takes into account recommendations from agricultural landowners and conservation stakeholders about how to better streamline and enhance conservation easement processes,” Vilsack said.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers ACEP, a voluntary program created in the 2014 Farm Bill to protect and restore critical wetlands on private and tribal lands through the wetland reserve easement (WRE) component. ACEP also encourages farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest landowners to keep their private and tribal land in agricultural use through the agricultural land easement (ALE) component.

Under ACEP’s ALE component, tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs are eligible to partner with USDA to purchase conservation easements. NRCS easement programs have been a critical tool in recent years for advancing landscape-scale private lands conservation. In 2014, NRCS used $328 million in ACEP funding to enroll an estimated 143,833 acres of farmland, grassland, and wetlands through 485 new easements.

ACEP’s ALE component offers many benefits to landowners and citizens. The easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Other benefits include environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat, and protection of open space.

Under ACEP’s WRE component, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of wetland reserve easements.

NRCS helps restore, protect, and enhance enrolled wetlands to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals; reduce damage from flooding; recharge groundwater; protect biological diversity; and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.  Under the WRE component, eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling in 30-year contracts that are available only for lands owned by American Indian tribes.

The official notice of the proposed ACEP interim final rule can be found in the Federal Register. Electronic comments during the 60-day comment period must be submitted through regulations.gov. Comments also can be mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. NRCS-2014-0011, Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, USDA-NRCS, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1-1112D, Beltsville, MD 20705.  Please visit the ACEP page or Farm Bill Program Rules page for more information on the ACEP statutory changes.

Comma Butterflies

Comma Butterflies

by Ted Beringer

If you’ve been walking through the woods this early March in northeast Kansas before any leaves have appeared on the trees and long before any nectar producing flowers have begun to bloom, you might be surprised to see a butterfly. If you do, it is probably the Eastern Comma butterfly.

This butterfly has orange on the dorsal surface of both forewings and hindwings in the late winter and spring. Unlike Monarchs that migrate to this latitude only after warm weather has prompted flowers to bloom, the Comma butterfly has hibernated over the winter right here, probably under some leaf litter. Comma butterflies survive by drinking tree sap from broken branches or stumps as temperatures allow sap to flow in late winter.

There are two butterflies in this photo. Notice their scalloped wings. One butterfly has its wings spread open displaying its orange dorsal surface. The other butterfly’s wings are closed, showing only the dorsal surface decorated with an elaborate pattern of tans, browns & whites. This pattern easily camouflages the butterfly from the bark on the tree stump to which it is attached and any leaf litter around it. It is using its proboscis to drink tree sap from the stump. If you look very carefully on the underside of its hindwing, you can detect a very small white, comma-shaped mark with an expanded knob at both ends.

In the summer, Comma butterflies will also feed on rotting fruit. Nettle, wood nettle & false nettle all serve as hosts for their larvae (caterpillars).

For excellent photos of the ovum, larva (caterpillar) & pupa of the Comma butterfly visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonia_c-album.

State seeks national designation for Arkansas River

National water trail status would benefit the public, the river and local communities

Following on the success of the Kansas River being named a national water trail by the National Park Service (NPS) in July 2012, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) wants the same designation for a portion of the Arkansas River in Kansas. That goal is a little closer thanks to technical assistance KDWPT will receive from the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program to develop the designation application. The goal is national water trail recognition for the Arkansas River Water Trail from Great Bend downstream to the Oklahoma border, a network of public river access points providing recreational and conservation opportunities, as well as enhancing the prospects for communities and businesses to attract enthusiastic river-goers and boost local revenues.

The Arkansas River is classified as a “navigable water,” so the right of the public to travel on the water is protected by law. The river provides over 180 miles of publicly navigable water and riparian wildlife habitat in Kansas. The public may use the waterway between the ordinary high-water marks on each bank, but people aren’t allowed to trespass on private property adjacent to the river. As a result, it is important to establish reasonably-spaced public access points at suitable locations. Currently, the Arkansas River Water Trail includes more than 15 public access sites established in partnership with cities, counties and private landowners. KDWPT will work with the NPS to engage additional partners and stakeholders, set priorities to analyze issues and opportunities, improve public information resources, and achieve the national water trail designation.

“Designating the Arkansas River as a national water trail will help draw tourists who enjoy leisurely excursions and want to experience Kansas in a unique way,” said KDWPT Secretary Robin Jennison. “Many people might not think of our state as a place to take a river trip, but the Arkansas and Kansas rivers offer some really great opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy parts of the state that are often overlooked.”

According to Jessica Mounts, KDWPT district fisheries biologist, the project is community-driven and individuals and groups interested in water trail development are encouraged to volunteer. Planning meetings will begin in March, 2015. For more information on meeting dates and locations, contact Jessica Mounts at 316-683-8069 or email [email protected].

Deer seasons to be set at March 26 Commission meeting

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission will meet in Topeka

Deer, antelope, and elk hunting seasons for 2015-2016 will be determined when the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission meets on March 26. The meeting will be held at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Ave., Topeka.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with time for public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period. Topics covered in the general discussion include Secretary’s remarks regarding agency and state fiscal status; an update on the 2015 legislative session; a briefing of the department strategic plan; an update on tourism division activities; a preview of the new department website; webless migratory birds, early migrant bird seasons; and the Fort Riley deer season.

Workshop topics for the afternoon session, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include public land regulations.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 6:30 p.m. at the same location to discuss any remaining workshop items and begin the public hearing. Public hearing items to be discussed and voted on during the evening session include season dates, bag limits, and permit requirements for antelope, elk, and deer. Secretary’s Orders for deer permits will also be discussed.

Time will be available in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., March 27, to complete any unfinished business.

Live video and audio streaming of the meeting can be accessed by visiting www.ksoutdoors.com.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2015 at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th St. N, Wichita.