Youth Field Day
Warren County Youth Field Day will be held July 30, Saturday, at Chapman State Park. All youth are invited at no charge, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Get information and pre-register by phoning 726-1222. It is preferred that participants be pre-registered by July 23.
Trail Meeting
The Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country National Scenic Trail will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 18, at the Lion's Den in Sheffield. The group has had two very successful events this summer so far and more are planned. The A-100 Challenge had 52 register and 44 actually attempt it. The Geo Trail is gaining notoriety with many e-mails and phone calls. The NCT in the ANF is growing in popularity. The chapter has a Student Conservation Association crew here all summer, and they have helped update the trail. Much more work is necessary. Attend the meeting and become a member of the longest trail in the United States. Any question, contact Keith Klos at 484-7420.
Other matters
At their recent meeting, the Board of Game Commissioners addressed these matters:
- Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to reduce the applicability of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) tag to bobcats and international exports only. CITES is a comprehensive conservation treaty signed by 175 countries, including the United States, which regulates the commercial trade of wildlife species and works to ensure that international trade of species is sustainable and does not threaten their survival. In relevant part, CITES requires permanent tags to be affixed to carcasses or parts of species being exported internationally. The bobcat, while not threatened with extinction, is listed in CITES and trade is controlled in order to protect endangered cats that have fur and parts similar in appearance; therefore, CITES applies to international exportation of this species; and
- Gave approval to solicit public comments on draft wildlife management plans for ruffed grouse and bobwhite quail, which were developed by the Bureau of Wildlife Management. The plans will be posted on the agencies website, and a news release will be issued announcing public comment until Sept. 1.