Bemidji News

Friday, May 8, 2009

New International Birding Trail

NEWS ALERT May 8, 2009

What: Minnesota and Manitoba tourism and wildlife officials dedicate the joining of a new international birding trail 500 miles long. (See attached news release for further detail.)

When: Tuesday, May 19^th, 1:00 p.m.

Where: The dedication ceremony will be held at the MN/Manitoba border at the crossing north of Roseau, Minnesota on Highway 310.

Media and guests are invited after the dedication to the City Center in Roseau for brief messages by dignitaries and a reception.

Photo Opp: Dignitaries will participate in a ribbon tying ceremony (instead of a ribbon cutting ceremony) to represent the formation of this new international partnership. A motorcoach of birders and officials from Minnesota's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail begins in Fergus Falls at 8 a.m. and picks up guests along the route, concluding with the 1 p.m. celebration. Media are invited to ride along as guests. Please let us know by May 13^th if you would like to ride the bus.

Because the ceremony is being conducted on an international border attendees are reminded that:

Participants arriving from Canada should proceed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection before parking for the event.
Current documentary requirements are a minimum of government issued photo identification and a birth certificate, or just a passport.
No personal or media photographs of vehicles being inspected due to right of privacy is allowed.
Press representatives should wear visible identification on outside of clothing.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative information will be available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Contact: Jean Bowman, Fergus Falls CVB
800-726-8959
218-205-1251
http://www.mnbirdtrail.com/

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News Release: May 8, 2009 (background to media advisory attached)

Minnesota and Manitoba partner to Create International Birding

The state of Minnesota and the province of Manitoba have formed a novel partnership to create the newest international birding trail in North America. The combined trail is 500-miles long and extends from west central Minnesota northward through Winnipeg to Hecla Island in the Interlake region of Manitoba. The 300-mile Canadian portion of the trail connects in the US near Warroad, Roseau and Lancaster to Minnesota's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, a 200-mile long trail with 45 outstanding wildlife viewing sites.

The new Minnesota/Manitoba birding trail provides a unique opportunity to promote and encourage tourism among Americans, Canadians and International visitors in this ecologically rich region of vast lakes, wetlands, aspen parklands, boreal forest, and prairies. Birds do not recognize political borders and are an ideal symbol of the landscape scale of conservation necessary to preserve healthy ecosystems. Wildlife biologists and tourism officials from Manitoba have worked for the past two years to bring the trail partnership to life.

From the border connection, Minnesota's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail travels south from Warroad to Roseau, then along U.S. Highway 59 through Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls. The trail provides wildlife tourism opportunities where public lands are identified for their exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites include the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area, Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

Manitoba's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail travels northward from the border to 30 sites including the Prairie Shore Interpretive Trail in the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Grand Beach Provincial Park, Rainbow Falls, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Moose Lake Provincial Park, the world-famous Narcisse Snake Dens, and the Black Wolf Hiking Trail on Hecla Island Provincial Park in Lake Winnipeg.

Birding sites in both countries allow people to observe birds and provide and opportunity to connect with the natural resources essential for strong bird populations. Wildlife in this region includes some of the most "sought-after" birds in North America including the LeConte's sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Connecticut warbler, chestnut-collared longspur, marbled godwit, great gray owl, northern hawkowl, and piping plover. Other species that can be seen along the birding trail include sandhill cranes, black bears, timber wolves, American white pelicans, hawks, owls, ducks, gulls, terns, and many species of songbirds.

Cleone Stewart of the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce has seen the Pine-to-Prairie Birding Trail become a nationally known destination for nature enthusiasts over the past ten years. "This new partnership with Manitoba promises to increase the appeal of the entire region as an international nature tourism destination and the benefits that accompany both industries," according to Stewart.

Carrol Henderson, Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has been collaborating with officials for two years to see the combined trail project come to fruition. "I am pleased to see this idea develop into the newest international birding trail in North America," said Henderson. "It is the beginning of great opportunities for both countries."

Minnesota's Pine to Prairie Birding Trail was established in 1998, and is a collaborative effort of tourism agencies (in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Roseau, Thief River Falls and Warroad), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Lakes Area Birding Club and the Minnesota Ornithologists Union.

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

DNR R1 News - Breakfast with the birds at Hayes Lake State Park

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2009

Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Dean Holm, assistant park manager, Hayes Lake State park, 218-425-7504.

Breakfast with the birds at Hayes Lake State Park

The public is invited to Hayes Lake State Park on Saturday, May 16, for "breakfast with the birds." Visitors are encouraged to come for breakfast and stay for a morning of bird watching.

The Friends of Hayes Lake will serve the campfire breakfast at the beach picnic shelter beginning at 8 a.m. The cost is $8, with proceeds going to future Friends of Hayes Lake group projects.

After breakfast, park staff will lead a guided birding tour, looking for a variety of species that have returned to the park for the season.

"Hayes Lake State Park is located on the western edge of Beltrami Island State Forest, which is a vast area of wilderness woodlands and boreal bog," explained Dean Holm, assistant park manager. "The park provides a transition from the forested area on the east to tallgrass aspen parkland on the west, and thus includes a variety of bird habitats with excellent birding opportunities."

According to Holm, up to 16 breeding species of neotropical warblers can be found in the park. He said it is especially interesting to see the presence of nesting Connecticut warblers. Birders may also encounter boreal species, such as the spruce grouse, black-backed woodpecker, evening grosbeak and gray jay.

Reservations, which are required for this breakfast event, may be made by contacting Hayes Lake State Park at 218-425-7504.

A vehicle permit is required to enter the park. Daily permits are available for $5. An annual permit good for year-long access to all 72 of Minnesota's state parks and recreational areas is just $25. Permits are available at the park office.

The entrance to Hayes Lake State Park is located 15 miles south of Roseau on State Highway 89, then nine miles east on Roseau County Road 4.

For more information about the park or to download a bird checklist, visit www.mnstateparks.info.

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Tammi Jalowiec

NW Regional Information Officer

MN Department of Natural Resources

Office: 218-308-2647

Cell: 218-766-8645

tammi.jalowiec@dnr.state.mn.us

Monday, May 4, 2009

DNR R1 News - Red River State Recreation Area to open in May – reserve your campsite now

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 4, 2009

Media contacts: Colleen Coyne, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Gladwin Lynne, Red River SRA park manager, 218-773-4950.

Red River State Recreation Area to open in May – reserve your campsite now

The seasonal facilities at Red River State Recreation Area (SRA) in East Grand Forks are expected to open on schedule during the first full week in May, despite being underwater just weeks ago.

The park office is now open and camping reservations are being accepted for the 2009 season.

"The record flooding this spring made for extra cleanup," said Gladwin Lynne, park manager, "but the park didn't sustain any major damage."

That's because the Red River SRA, which lies between the river and the city's "invisible flood wall," was designed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and built to be a model, modern floodplain campground. The sanitation and shower buildings were designed to minimize structural damage in times of high water, and meet all local, state and federal policies regarding structures in a floodplain. Some of the park's trails consist of mown grass and packed gravel, rather than pavement, in order to minimize flood impacts and associated maintenance costs; and all of the electrical components within the SRA are removable.

Work crews have been busy since the flood waters receded, clearing and cleaning the park's facilities and readying the campground for visitors.

Sherlock Park Campground will open to campers on a first-come, first-served basis beginning May 7, with reserved camping available May 15 through Oct. 4. Campers may reserve any of the 72 campsites through the state park reservation service at 866-85PARKS (866-857-2757), online at www.stayatmnparks.com or by calling the park office.

The River Heights Trailhead will be open to the public May 23. The site includes three picnic shelters, two of which may be reserved through the park office, and a modern restroom. The trailhead is located near a handicapped fishing access and entrance to the Greenway bike trail system.

The Red Lake River public water access is currently under water, but is expected to be open by mid-May.

Red River SRA is part of the Greater Grand Forks Greenway. Located near the Riverwalk Center mall, this unique SRA offers visitors access to outdoor recreational opportunities while still within walking distance of urban shopping and dining experiences.

For information, call the park office at 218-773-4950 or visit www.mnstateparks.info.

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Tammi Jalowiec

NW Regional Information Officer

MN Department of Natural Resources

Office: 218-308-2647

Cell: 218-766-8645

tammi.jalowiec@dnr.state.mn.us

Friday, May 1, 2009

DNR News - Grazing as a habitat management tool on wildlife management areas

Grazing as a habitat management tool on wildlife management areas

Passersby will notice cattle grazing this spring in some unlikely places in Pope and Stevens counties. Beginning in May, livestock will graze on the Sedan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) along Highway 55 northeast of Sedan, the Edwards Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) four miles east of Morris along County Road 10, the Ordway Prairie along County Road 104 south of Terrace, and other lands in the area.

The cooperative project, designed to demonstrate the potential benefits of managed grazing for grassland habitat and wildlife, is being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Pope County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Nature Conservancy, and several local livestock operators.

According to project coordinators, small side-by-side plots on both public and private land will be used to visually demonstrate the similarities and differences of various grassland management practices, such as managed grazing, prescribed burning, haying and idled grasslands.

"The native tall-grass prairies of western Minnesota evolved through a historic regimen of fire, intensive grazing, and rest," explained Richard Olsen, Glenwood DNR assistant area wildlife manager. "Today we mimic these historic grassland disturbances with prescribed fires, hay or biomass harvesting, livestock grazing, and idling or rest."

Fire is currently used on an annual basis on a fraction of acres to simulate the fires of more than a century ago that reinvigorated the prairies. Hay or biomass harvesting is used to suppress woody vegetation, control weeds, and stimulate native grasses.

Both burning and harvesting are widely accepted grassland habitat management tools that have many documented benefits, according to Olsen. Livestock grazing, on the other hand, is an underutilized grassland wildlife management technique. He said managed livestock grazing is compatible and beneficial to grasslands and wildlife.

The USFWS in Morris and the DNR in Glenwood currently provide grazing opportunities on public lands to meet several specific habitat management objectives. "This project will help raise awareness that all grassland management tools are needed to promote healthy and productive grasslands that, in turn, benefit waterfowl, pheasants, and other bird species," Olsen said.

The project is funded through a Working Lands Initiative grant and contributions from Glacial Ridge Pheasants Forever, Glacial Ridge Cattleman's Association, Pope County Pheasant Restoration, Terrace Sportsman, Bar J. Ranch, Pope SWCD, Chippewa River Watershed Project, Jenniges Hidden Acres, Big Valley Milling, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Working Lands Initiative is a public/private partnership for wildlife development on working farms, where local teams work with landowners to meet local needs and priorities.

Cooperators are offering a bus tour on Aug. 20 so the public can see first-hand the positive aspects of grassland management techniques currently being used by public land managers. Call the Pope County SWCD at 320-634-5327 to sign up or learn more about the tour.

For more information on Sedan WMA or DNR grassland management, contact the Glenwood Area Wildlife office at 320-634-0342 or visit www.mndnr.gov.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

“Strategic Leadership Blogging” Workshop

A training session, "Strategic Leadership Blogging", will be presented Thursday, April 23^rd from 2-4 P.M. in the Conference Room at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji.Participants will learn how using a blog in a business, organization or community can help advance projects and ideas.The training will be conducted by Griff Wigley, a seminar leader and weblog coach.

Wigley, based in Northfield, Minnesota, helps business, non-profit, government and civic leaders learn the art of strategic leadership blogging. He co-founded Northfield Citizens Online, a community portal (1995-2006) and launched their citizen journalism/civic blogosphere project in 2004. He was the "Salon Keeper" for the Utne Reader and started its famous online network. Plus, he has the coolest name! For more information about Griff Wigley click here.

The blogging workshop is sponsored by Bemidji Community Internet and Northern Community Internet, both projects of Northern Community Radio, and with funding from the Blandin Foundation.The training is open to anyone. Pre-registration is requested as space is limited. Participants can register by calling 800/662-5799 or online at www.bemidjicommunityinternet.org/register/events.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Bemidji Airport Receives Recovery Funds

Bemidji Airport Receives Recovery Funds
Friday, March 27, 2009

Washington DC – A grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will rehabilitate a runway apron at the Bemidji Regional Airport, Congressman Jim Oberstar announced today.

"This will put people to work in the short term and improve the airport for the long term," Oberstar said. "This type of projects ensures that the transportation infrastructure that creates jobs and builds a healthy economy is in place."

The $500 grant comes from an authorization of $1.1 billion Congress made to the Federal Aviation Administration for airport improvement projects across the country.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Bemidji e-democracy makes final membership push

Jeff Ueland, the local forum manager for the new Bemidji e-Democracy forums is appealing for help to reach their goal of 100 participants. He says the forum will launch the first week in January. He is asking forum participatants and others to forward a simple message to people they think would be interested:

"I am a member of the new Bemidji Area Issues Forum.

Please join me by clicking the below link (the sign up process will take about 1 minute):

http://e-democracy.org/bemidjijoin"

The forum is currently at 73 members and so are very close to getting the site formally up and running.

The Bemidji E-Democracy forum focuses on discussing and exploring local issues brought forth by members of the community. The forum will serve as a sounding board and public venue where people can discuss critical, local issues as they evolve. An initial goal is to get as wide involvement in the community as possible by seeking participation from people of all social, cultural and political persuasions. Diversity of viewpoint is key to the strength of this type of forum and serves to facilitate comprehensive discussion on issues.

For more details, see:

http://e-democracy.org/bemidji