News and Almanac

Teachers' back to school bash set

The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is hosting a "Back To School Bash" for teachers Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One-hour seminars will include Outdoor Classroom Use, Tree Identification and Ecology, Endangered Species, Using Aquatics in the Classroom, Seed Study and Internet Use with the Conservation Department.

Teachers can also pick up conservation education materials and learn about nature center programs and upcoming workshops.

For more information call the Springfield Conservation Nature Center at (417) 888-4237.

St. Louis to host midwest Classic

Ted Nugent, Bill Dance, Ray Eye and other outdoor celebrities will be on hand during the 1997 Outdoor Guide Sportsman's Classic at the America's Center in St. Louis Aug. 21-24.

The event, designed for hunters, anglers, campers and boaters, brings together manufacturers, suppliers, outfitters, fly-in camps and conservation groups. Seminars, headline entertainment and special events highlight the show.

Family Night is Aug. 21, and the entire show includes family fun, including a Rendezvous Village with "mountain folk," a NASCAR stock car display and a children's archery range.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children between the ages of 10 and 16 and free for kids under 10, when accompanied by an adult. Bring a can of food to help Hunters Who Care supply area food pantries and receive $1 off the admission price.

For more information, contact Claudette Roper at (314) 535-2700, ext. 136 or visit the website.

Hear "Voices of the Hills"

Explore the rich culture, history and natural wonders of the Ozarks with "Voices of the Hills," a new audio tape that weaves tales and music to recount the colorful history of Shannon County.

The tape, produced by the Conservation Department, focuses on changes to Shannon County brought by the logging industry, the Depression, World War II and the burgeoning tourist trade. Entertaining and informative, the tape makes a perfect audio companion for weekend drives through the Ozarks.

Tapes cost $5, plus $2 shipping, and can be ordered from Media Library, Conservation Department, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102. Missouri residents add 6.225 percent sales tax. Volume discounts are available.

Nature Scramble Winners drawn

The Nature Scramble's Super Grand Prize winners were drawn recently at the Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City.

Visitors who solved puzzles at designated conservation sites in all four regions of the state won a totebag of prizes and were eligible for a drawing to win a tent, gazebo, camera or binoculars.

Gayle Kelley of Troy, Kan., won the camera, Herb Nimno of Higginsville won binoculars, Theresa Aemisegger of Cuba took home a gazebo and Dennis and Pat Smith of Owensville won a tent.

New commissioner from Bonne Terre

Howard L. Wood of Bonne Terre was appointed to the Conservation Commission by Gov. Mel Carnahan to replace outgoing commissioner John Powell.

The Conservation Commission is a 4-member panel that directs the Conservation Department's management of fish, forest and wildlife resources. Members are appointed by the governor to 6-year terms.

Wood, 58, is vice chairman and co-founder of Charter Communications, a St. Louis-based company that is among the country's largest operators of cable television properties.

Wood has been a member of the Conservation Federation for 20 years and served as its president in 1984-85. He is a graduate of John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University, served on the St. Louis Sports Committee and co-chaired the Olympic Festival Organizing Committee.

"Howard is an avid outdoorsman who is committed to wildlife conservation," Carnahan said.

Deer tag lottery system returns

In 1998, the Conservation Department will return to a lottery system for deer permits in some units.

This year, the Conservation Department sold any-deer and first- and second-bonus deer permits on a first-come, first-served basis. The system resulted in delays for some hunters when a large volume of early applications overloaded computers.

The supply of deer hunting permits exceeds demand in most of the state's units, but a lottery system with a random drawing will be used for units where the number of permits available is limited.

Deer permit sales for the 1998 season begin July 1, 1998, and the application deadline for any-deer and bonus tags will be Aug. 15.

Writers workshop uniquely outdoors

Aspiring or experienced outdoor writers can hone their skills at the Missouri Conservationist Outdoor Writing Workshop Sept. 21-26 at the YMCA of the Ozarks in Potosi. This workshops is one of a few in the country devoted solely to outdoor writing.

Outdoor adventure, essay, natural history and memoir writing will be taught by nationally reknowned outdoor writers. For more information or for registration materials, write Outdoor Writing Workshop, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102-0180 or call Charlotte Overby at (573) 751-4115, ext. 247.

All ages can enjoy Ozark trail hike

American Youth Hostels and the Ozark Trail Council are offering a one-week backpacking and camping trip on the Ozark Trail from Oct. 11 to Oct. 18.

The 50-mile hike, open to people of all ages, spans the 20-mile Blair Creek Section and the 30-mile Current River Section of the Ozark Trail, with a midweek break near Eminence.

The package includes experienced leaders, trail shuttle, transportation from St. Louis (if necessary), a T-shirt, one evening meal, maps, patches and an information packet.

The cost is $145 before or $170 after the Sept. 24 deadline. Profits from the hike will benefit American Youth Hostels and the Ozark Trail Council.

For more information write Gateway Council HI/AYH, 7187 Manchester Road, St. Louis 63143-2450 or call (314) 644-4660.