Nature Bowl Winners to Help Plant Fish in Jenkinson Lake May 30

Media Contacts:
Bruce Forman, DFG Region 2, (916) 358-2353 or (916) 591-1161
Kyle Orr, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8958

Students from six northern California elementary schools will get a hands-on nature experience next week – their reward for a job well done in the 28th annual Nature Bowl competition. The winners of the competition, students from Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento and Yolo counties, will assist the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) with stocking trout at Jenkinson Lake on May 30.

What: DFG Trout Plant

Who:  Elementary school students from the following schools:
Third and Fourth Grade Winning Teams

• First place: EurekaElementary School,GraniteBay
• Second place: Lake ForestElementary School, El Dorado Hills
• Third place: LatrobeElementary School, Shingle Springs

Fifth and Sixth Grade Winning Teams

• First place: Lake ForestElementary School, El Dorado Hills
• Second place: LatrobeElementary School, Shingle Springs
• Third place (three-way tie): MaryDeterding Elementary School, Carmichael Fred T. KorematsuElementary School, Davis Jackson Elementary School, El Dorado Hills

When: Wednesday, May 30
Meet at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (20001 Nimbus Road, Gold River)
at 8:30 a.m. Arrive at the lake to stock approximately 10:30 a.m.

Where: Jenkinson Lake (a.k.a. Sly Park Lake), Pollock Pines

Click here for a map

The Nature Bowl is a regional, cooperative team competition focusing on activities and questions regarding environmental science and natural resource conservation topics that correlate to the California Education Standards for Science.  This year’s event was held in March and April, with the winning teams earning honors on May 5.

“Nature Bowl participants have spent months building a scientific foundation and learning about valuation of the natural world and how our actions can help reduce threats to the environment,” said Bruce Forman, DFG Nature Bowl Coordinator. “The competition is designed to prepare youth for real-world issues, so letting them help with an actual trout plant is a fitting reward for their hard work.”

More than 500 youths participate in the Nature Bowl each year. Students forming 82 teams from seven counties competed in Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yolo counties.

San Diego Students Take Top Honors in DFG State Archery Competition

Media Contact:
Lesa Johnston, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8933

Two San Diego students are the top shots in the California National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) second annual Virtual State Archery Tournament. Billy Decanay and Michelle Lizarraga, both seniors at Kearny High School, had the highest scores in the statewide tournament. Both students, along with the first through fifth ranking individuals in each division (elementary, middle and high school) can move onto the national competition.

“We are very proud of all the students who participated in the Virtual State Archery Tournament and we would especially like to commend the two top shooters from Kearny High School,” said California NASP Program Manager Lesa Johnston. “It’s great to see young people interested in a sport that requires dedication and focus to be proficient. Archery is a lifelong sport and can easily translate into other outdoor pursuits.”

The Virtual State Archery Tournament is designed to give students the opportunity to challenge their mastery of the sport in a supportive environment in which they can compete with other students statewide. Students compete in their own gymnasiums and their scores are posted in a national database where the state and individual scores and rankings are available. Decanay was the top male shooter and top overall shooter in the state competition, and Lizarraga was the top female shooter of the competition.

Both archers will each receive a new Genesis Special Edition compound bow donated by the manufacturer at a special school ceremony in May.

CalNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program and is hosted by the California Department of Fish and Game. Funding for CalNASP is provided by the Federal Aid and Wildlife Restoration Act. For more information, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/nasp.

Applications for Deer and Pig Hunting Open up in Western Merced County

Media Contact: Loni Hext, DFG’s Los Banos Wildlife Area, (209) 826-0463

Opening weekend requires tags, access permit and reservations

Applications are being accepted for a limited number of deer and pig hunt access permits on opening weekend, August 11-12, of the Zone A season. Specific locations for this huntn include Upper and Lower Cottonwood Creek and the San Luis Reservoir wildlife area.

Interested parties will need to fill out an application for an access permit which can be obtained by calling the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 – 4:30 p.m. or online at www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region4/cottonwoodcreek.html. The application can be submitted via e-mail to lhext@dfg.ca.gov or mailed to DFG’s Los Banos office at 18110 W. Henry Miller Ave. Los Banos, CA 93635.

Applications must be received before 4:30 p.m. on July 5.  The drawing will be held July 6 at 11 a.m. at the Los Banos office and is open to the public. Successful applicants will be notified by mail within five working days of the lottery. Applicants may not apply for both days or for multiple areas.

Reservations are required for access to the wildlife areas and only 45 permits will be issued for each day. Reservations will be selected via a computerized drawing. Applicants will be allowed to apply for a one-day hunt on one area only and successful candidates will receive special permits in the mail stating what area and day they may hunt.

Junior license holders must apply with an adult hunter. Up to three persons may apply as one party by including all the required information on the 2012 Zone A application form. Only official applications will be accepted. An individual’s name may appear in the drawing only once and multiple applications received will be rejected.