Time is running out for your chance to register a student for the Youth Conservation school set for August 3 through 8.

For over 30 years, the Pike County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs has held the annual Youth Conservation School. Usually held in August, the School is a week-long program starting on Sunday and lasting through Friday. Students stay at the rustically beautiful “Lodge at Lacawac,” located on the grounds of the Lacawac Sanctuary near Lake Wallenpaupack. The educational staff is comprised of professionals in their respective fields who provide a mix of classroom and field study. Students will get dirty and wet with activities such as banding ducks, creating trout habitat, exploring bogs, and sieving for macroinvertebrates among local streams.

The purpose of the School is to foster an interest within the youth of our community in conservation and our outdoor heritage by providing an in-depth program that is designed to offer information on the proper management of our natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable. Of equal importance is the education of our youth about the role of hunting and fishing in the cultural heritage of our country and the present day need for developing and continuing a good conservation oriented “sportsmen’s ethic”. The understanding of these issues will assist the students in making intelligent decisions about the future of our natural resources.

Any student who will be 13, 14, or 15 years of age at the time of the school is eligible to attend. Students residing in Pike County, attending the Delaware Valley or Wallenpaupack Area School Districts, or who are sponsored by one of the participating sportsmen’s clubs will be given priority towards admission. In order to maintain the high quality of the program, enrollment is capped at 20 students. Students who have attended the School in past years are not eligible for enrollment.

The fee for the Youth Conservation School is just $50 per student (only $10 per day!). The fee includes the student’s room, board, field trip transportation, and all activities materials. The fee must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable upon acceptance. The remaining cost of the Conservation School is provided by scholarships and grants from local businesses, service organizations, sporting clubs, and generous individuals.

Registrations are due by June 30; so if there is a young person in your life who has an interest in the outdoors, our environment, and the many wonders of the natural world, contact the Pike County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, P.O. Box 681, Milford, PA 18337. You can also contact Chuck Lombearde at 570 409-0605 or check online at www.conservationschool.org. Remember there are only 20 spots open for the conservation school and these places are awarded quickly, so make contact now to be sure that your student has the opportunity to enroll in this great program for the upcoming summer session.

QDMA Plans Wildlife Management Tour June 23rd.

Landowners, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts are invited to a free educational event focused on improving the ability of our native forests to produce better “mast” (nut and fruit) food supplies for deer and other wildlife. The NEPA Branch of QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) is hosting the approximate 2 to 2.5 hour field tour on June 23 starting at 6 pm from the Pike County Conservation District parking lot on Route 402 near the I-84 Interchange.

Bill Pencek, horticulturalist with the Penn State Extension, will lead the first stop on the tour and cover rejuvenating old apple trees to increase their value for wildlife. Pencek will explain how to evaluate trees and restore them to fruit producing condition. He will cover the most important steps to follow and demonstrate pruning and management techniques.

Robin Wildermuth, certified forester and volunteer with The American Chestnut Foundation, will lead the second part of the tour and take the group to a woodlot and chestnut restoration orchard. The group will learn about the mast producing capability of both oaks and chestnut species, the factors that lead to large or small nut crops and discuss their value as a pre-winter food supply for deer and other wildlife.

Plan to attend this event if you are interested in learning about improving mast food supplies for deer and other wildlife. There will be modest walking on the tour, which is open to the public. Visit the NEPA Branch website www.qdmanepa.com to learn more about local activities.