Boating Basics Class Offered Online
Two studies show that the Conservation Reserve Program is creating habitat that produce and sustain millions of ducks and grassland birds in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota and northeastern Montana, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announced.
“This new information illustrates the profound effect CRP is having on many bird species,” said administrator Teresa Lasseter.
Researchers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center and the University of Montana conducted the study that analyzes the effect CRP has on grassland birds in the PPR. The FSA commissioned the study by USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, Bismarck.
For waterfowl, researcher focused on five duck species that are most common in the PPR. FSA commissioned the study by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, Bismarck.
A major finding of the waterfowl study is that CRP grassland in the PPR in North Dakota, South Dakota and northeastern Montana helped produce 26 million ducks – 2 million annually – between 1992- 2004 representing five species (mallard, gadwall, blue-winged teal, shoveler and pintail). The study found this represented an estimated 30 percent increase in duck production compared to that expected from the same area without CRP cover.
The study is posted online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/ webapp?areahome&subjectecpa&topicnra.
– Farm Service Agency
Lake Sakakawea State Park will host a guided hike on the North Country Trail within the park near Riverdale on June 2.
The focus of the three-mile hike will be the flora and fauna of the Missouri Breaks ecosystem. Participants should meet at the park Visitors Center at 10 a.m., where snacks and drinks will be available.
For more information, contact Lake Sakakawea State Park at 701- 487-3315 or via e-mail at lssp@nd.gov.
The hike is one of four planned in North Dakota to walk along the North Country National Scenic Trail.
The Lonetree Chapter of the North Country Trail Association and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Lonetree Wildlife Management Area will host a birding hike on the North Country Trail. The group will meet at the Lonetree WMA’s Coal Mine Lake Campground at 7 a.m. and then will hike about two miles.
Others are planned near Fort Ransom State Park and the Sheyenne National Grasslands.
The North Country National Scenic Trail links communities, forests and prairies across seven northern states.
– North Country Trail Association
North Dakota’s Boating Basics Course is now available for students to take online. However, unlike the home-study course, it is not offered for free.
Nancy Boldt, boat and water safety coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, says the online provider will charge students $24 to take the course.
“The online provider is charging for the fee, and the money stays with them. It doesn’t come to the Game and Fish Department,” Boldt said. “This is a nice alternative to the department’s free home- study course.”
Students interested in taking the course online can access http:/ /boaterexam.com, and choose the option “North Dakota.” Upon completion of the test, and providing a credit card number, students will be able to print out a temporary certification card and within 10 days a permanent card will be mailed.
The Boating Basics Course is for youth ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor. Major insurance companies also give adult boat owners who pass the course a premium discount on boat insurance.
The course covers legal requirements, navigation rules, getting under way, accidents and special topics. Each part has 2-5 chapters that elaborate on topics such as weather, rules of the road, laws, life saving and first aid.
For more information on boating basics, send an e-mail to Nancy Boldt at ndgf@nd.gov or call 701-328-6312.
– North Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentThe following fields overflowed:PAGE = 1C 2C 3C 4C
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