It is gratifying to read these reports and look at the pictures of a job well done. But it can not take the place of having your boots on the ground and seeing for yourself. That’s why I was very excited to be invited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to travel with them to Kodiak Island, Alaska to check out a possible conservation project they were considering funding. Wildlife Forever would oversee the project if approved. This trip would also give me the opportunity to see for myself the results of one U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service funded project Wildlife Forever completed nearly two years ago.

For the past five years Wildlife Forever has been working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to remove old logging roads on Kodiak Island. Doing so limits illegal beach access, helps stop the poaching of brown bears and protects salmon streams from siltation. We have been effectively returning the roads to the forest.

I was thrilled with the results. What is left of the roads is virtually impassable and sitka spruce trees are already edging into the old road bed. Another couple of years and all signs of any road should be gone. I am hoping for another invitation around then to see how much more nature has reclaimed. If the invitation comes, I will report back.

I have posted some captioned photographs from the trip on the new Wildlife Forever Facebook page. Take a “timeout for wildlife” to see the photographs and join our new Facebook group.

WWWildlife Forever

With the popularity of online “social media” chances are, you may be on Facebook, have your own Squidoo lens or be looking to connect through Linked In. These and many other sites provide exceptional opportunities to dialogue with friends across the street or on the other side of the world.

Online social media sites provide quick communication for anyone.

To best keep-in-touch with our friends across America, Wildlife Forever is a part of a growing number of social media sites. Here is the most up-to-date list of where you can find Wildlife Forever online.

Facebook: Wildlife Forever’s Facebook group page is open to any and all. You can post questions, relevant links, photos and connect with others who are interested in conserving America’s wildlife heritage. The Wildlife Forever staff makes frequent posts about their work and experiences such as Doug Grann’s recent trip to Alaska to check on the results of a past conservation project and tour the site of a prospective project.

The most recent question posed to the group: What was your most recent wildlife experience? Stop by, join up and post about one of your “wild” experiences.

Squidoo: If you ever wanted to have your own web site but were concerned that it would be too difficult, then check out Squidoo. Through their module based layout, anyone can build a Squidoo lens (web page) on any topic. Even better, you can raise money for yourself, your favorite charity or both.

Wildlife Forever’s lens is open to everyone to visit and has many features including a monthly project update and links to our Zazzle store. But the most popular feature is a link list of every state’s DNR. Be sure to bookmark this site for quick access to your DNR.

If you already have a Squidoo lens, select Wildlife Forever as your charity of choice.

MyOutdoorTV: Who needs television when you have the Internet? You’ll find an incredible number of outdoor related televisions shows and professional videos at MyOutdoorTV. Wildlife Forever has several videos including one from the TV show “This Happened To Me” in which they recreate the time when Doug Grann was attacked by a bobcat who thought he was a wild turkey.

GoodSearch: In a year, how often do you search the web through Google, Yahoo or one of the many search engines? Goodsearch donates 1¢ to Wildlife Forever every time you search through their portal. It doesn’t sound like much, but when thousands are searching, the money adds up fast. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation earned $11,500 and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital earned $10,100. There is also a shopping portal to major retailers that donate money to Wildlife Forever.

GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo and you can easily add the GoodSearch search window to your browser’s toolbar. With your help, we could easily break the earnings record of $27,000 (You can watch how much is being raised on the GoodSearch site). Start “clicking for critters” whenever you search the web by using GoodSearch.

LinkedIn: Wildlife Forever recently created our own group page for LinkedIn members. LinkedIn is a free site that simplifies connecting with business contacts, college buddies, family or whoever you may know. It is an exceptional way to keep up on the job market, too. Join us on LinkedIn where you can post questions, discussion topics and more.

Zazzle: The Wildlife Forever Zazzle store carries an array of official “conservation wear”. T-shirts, caps, mugs, bumper stickers to name a few. You’ll also find hundreds of items featuring the winning art from the State-fish Art Contest, coffee and travel mugs, tote bags, caps, even neckties. How about a business card with a jumping largemouth bass? There is something for everyone and a hefty part of each purchase supports America’s fish and wildlife. Please stop by and take a look.

Run Wild: Wildlife Forever’s grant and education coordinator, Pat Conzemius, is running his first marathon and it is a fundraiser for Wildlife Forever. You can track his training with his blog plus donate or pledge per mile. The Twin Cities Marathon is one of America’s most attended 26.2 mile runs and it takes place in October.

State-Fish Art Contest: Each year, thousands of children from across the country enter the State-Fish Art Contest. They may not know it, but they are having fun while learning about fish, fishing and aquatic conservation. If there are children in your life in grades 4 – 12, get them involved. For teachers and homeschoolers, there is a free downloadable lesson plan. Check out this year’s winners.

Wildlife Forever Home: Chances are, you’ve been here, but there is so much to see. Here are a few of the lesser visited pages: The Fireside Club, Projects In Your State, “Adopt”-A-Bear, add the Wildlife Forever logo to your email signature, Memorial Donations, donate old cell phones, Invasive Species Central.

We will update the list as Wildlife Forever’s online presence continues to grow.

Pure Strain Muskies Established In New Jersey

For years, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked tiger muskies in selected lakes and reservoirs. Tiger muskies, pike/muskie hybrids, are less costly to raise to the appropriate size for release, and tolerate a wider range of water quality than true muskies.
Though graterul for the state's efforts, the New Jersey chapter of Muskies Inc. longed for expanded opportunities to pursue pure-strain muskies, both for their greater potential size and increased fishing challenge.

Previous support from FishAmerica and Wildlife Forever had funded successful pure-strain stocking in a couple of New Jersey reservoirs. These fish were now old enough to strip for eggs and milt, providing a ready source for establishing true muskies in new waterways, thus increasing angling opportunities.

However, cost continued to be an issue. Studies had shown that the best return on a muskie stocking investment is realized from the release of yearlings (10- to 15-inch fish), which have a much higher survival rate than muskie fry. To restart the pure-strain program, the department needed money to raise the young fish to that size.

A Tiger Muskie yearling is the most economical size to ensure a successful stocking.

Enter a grant from Wildlife Forever and FishAmerica, which provided the necessary funds to raise the muskies from eggs to yearlings. The first batch of 'homegrown' Jersey 'skis was added to Canistear Reservoir. If results from past pure-strain stocking are any indication, New Jersey anglers will soon match wits with 30-pound plus muskies.

Wildlife Forever Studies The Great Bears

Biologists take measurements of a tranquilized brown bear.

Biologists were able to piece together a more complete picture of the brown bear population on the southern tip of Kodiak Island, Alaska thanks to Wildlife Forever's support.

The multi-year study provided information on population density and denning patterns. Helicopters were used to find and then tranquilize brown bears who were then fitted with radio tracking collars. And in a first of a kind project, Wildlife Forever funded the removal of the collars once the study was concluded.

Noteworthy items include one adult male that did not den up all winter. In addition, 17 adult females produced 13 cubs of which eight survived into the summer for a survival rate of 62%. This is 12% greater than the average.

New Member-Only Benefit
The Right Choice for Group Auto & Home Insurance™

Wildlife Forever has put the power of group discounts to work for you. Partnering with Unitrin Direct preferred insurance, Wildlife Forever has negotiated special group rates on auto and home insurance to save you money.

You can get a free no-obligation quote. Nothing to lose but plenty to gain.

You can take advantage of these benefits:

• Member-only discount            
• Convenient payment options
• Outstanding customer service
• 24/7 claims service

All of this is available to you through Unitrin Direct preferred insurance company, a company that is rated ‘Excellent’ by A. M. Best for financial strength and has been working with groups for more than 35 years.   A non-commissioned, licensed counselor is ready to help determine your insurance needs and help you save money. It’s fast, free and confidential. 

Discover if this new member benefit can help you reduce your insurance costs. The quote is free and there is no obligation. You can call: 800-637-2782 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Or go to their web site for an immediate quote: Wildlife Forever Members-Only Home & Auto

REQUIRED LAWYER SPEAK:  ­Unitrin Direct preferred insurance coverage underwritten by Merastar Insurance Company, Chat­tanooga, TN, 37411 and Unitrin Direct Insurance Company, Chicago, IL 60601. In Florida and Louisiana, homeowners underwritten by Merastar Insurance Company or American Strategic Insurance, which is not an affiliated company. In Texas, homeown­ers underwritten by Consolidated Lloyds or American Strategic Insurance, which are not affiliated companies. In New Jersey, auto by Unitrin Direct Insurance Company, an affiliated company, or Pro­gressive, which is not an affiliated company. Availability of coverage, discounts, on-line quotes and payment options may vary. In some states, a home inspection may be required to obtain a quote. A.M. Best’s ratings reflect current opinion of a company’s financial condition, subject to change, and are not a warranty of any company’s ability to meet its obligations. Unitrin Direct insurance companies are subsidiaries of Unitrin, Inc. which has over 6 million policy holders and $8.8B in assets. As of 2009, The Unitrin Property & Casualty Insurance Group is rated “A-” excellent by AM Best and has $2.7B in admitted assets, $1.8B in liabilities and required reserves, $0.9B in surplus. © 1998-2009 Unitrin Direct Auto Insurance. All Rights Reserved.

"Crazy Legs" Pat Continues Training,

Still Far From Goal

Wildlife Forever's Program Director, Pat Conzemius, continues his training for the Twin Cities Marathon in early October. His daily runs are topped off each week now by an 18-mile run on the weekend.

Pat's athletic goals are the easy part of the effort. His fundraising goals are still falling short. Currently, slightly more than $4,200 has been either pledged or donated in support of his first marathon.

Consider giving Pat a boost with your pledge or donation. You can do either and keep an eye on his training through his blog postings.