2013 Iowa High School and Scholastic Clay Target Program State Championships

The program for the 2013 Iowa High School and Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) State Championship events is now available online at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/shootingsports/eprogram.pdf and contains important information for coaches, athletes, spectators and vendors alike.  We look forward to seeing you at one or more of these events!

This team-based clay target shooting program is changing the lives of grade, middle, and high school students in Iowa and nation-wide. Through organized clay target shooting, youth learn lifelong skills such as firearm safety, teamwork, respect for self and others, mental focus, and self-discipline.

For more information on the Iowa High School and Scholastic Clay Target Program visit http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/EducationTrainingPrograms.aspx or contact Ben Berka Shooting Sports Program Coordinator Ben.Berka@dnr.iowa.gov.

The 2013 Take It Outside Art Contest Winning posters are on the web!!

Follow the link below to the IDNR Education Competitions web site. The winning posters are broken down by age categories.

IDNR Education Competitions - Take It Outside Art Contest Winners
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/EducationCompetitions.aspx

Congratulations to all the participants and winners!!

7 Healthy Facts about Eating Iowa Fish

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Public Health

1. Fish Are Part of a Healthy Diet.
Fish are low in saturated fat and contain protein, calcium, iron, zinc and many vitamins. Eating fish can contribute to a healthy heart, the prevention of diseases and a child’s proper growth. The Iowa Dept. of Public Health recommends eating two meals of fish per week.

2. Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases.

Some people have concerns about whether fish are safe to eat because of chemicals that may be present. Chemicals in the water can occur naturally or because of human impacts such as industrial pollution. The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed.

3. Iowa DNR Tests for Chemicals Regularly.
The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with U.S. EPA, annually tests for chemicals in samples of fish from selected lakes and rivers in Iowa. In the rare cases when chemical levels are found to be elevated, fish consumption advisories are issued according to protocol developed by the Iowa Dept. of Public Health.

 

4. Advisories Are Limited to Specific Water Bodies.
Of the thousands of miles of rivers/streams, along with hundreds of lakes in Iowa, only a small handful currently has consumption advisories. Advisories are printed in the DNR annual fishing regulations, or can be viewed at the DNR website.

 

5. Advisories Suggest Limits, Not Elimination.
Even where safety advisories occur, it does not mean all fish should be avoided. Instead, advisories will either recommend limiting fish consumption to one meal per week, or to avoid eating certain types of fish from that specific location. Despite these warnings, the Dept. of Public Health recommends eating fish from a variety of sources to achieve the most health benefits. In fact, Iowa’s safety advisories offer stricter consumption guidelines than those placed on fish purchased from grocery stores and restaurants.

6. Pan Fish are Different from Predator and Bottom-Feeding Fish.
Chemical concentrations, if present, tend to be higher in bottom-feeding fish such as catfish or carp. Mercury, if present, tends to be higher in predator fish such as walleye, bass and northern pike. Consumption advisories typically focus on these species. Pan fish such as crappie and bluegill carry virtually no risk.

7. If You Are Pregnant, Planning to Become Pregnant, Nursing, or Under Age 12, Special Cautions Apply.

For Iowa-caught fish, people in these categories should limit their consumption of predator fish (walleye, bass, etc.) to one meal per week. They should also limit or eliminate the consumption of several grocery-store fish offerings such as tuna, shark and swordfish. For more information on health issues regarding fish consumption, visit the Iowa Dept. of Public Health’s Web site at www.idph.state.ia.us.

 

Educator Workshops

Teaching Outdoor Skills: Basic Fishing and Archery
June 10 & 11, 2013 (100% attendance is required for credit.)
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (June 10); 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.(June 11)
Russell Wildlife Area & County Conservation Center (2254, 200th St., New Sharon)

Hands-on session will acquaint participants with methodologies and curricular resources to teaching archery and fishing. Participants will receive a basic archery packet and the Fish Iowa! basic spincasting module.

You must register online: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=10734&I=1307959&H=1

Registration deadline is June 3, 2013. Registration fees include materials and 1 license renewal credit for $80 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $150. Meals (June 10 - lunch & supper; June 11- lunch) are included in the registration fee.

A limited number of stipends of $100 are available from the DNR Aquatic Education Program to participants to help defray expenses of attending the course. To be eligible for the stipend, the participant must develop an integrated unit lesson plan using the Fish Iowa! materials that meets the criteria to receive an "A" in the course. Contact the DNR Aquatic Education Program: EdInfo@dnr.iowa.gov for more information.

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Teaching Outdoor Skills: An Introduction to Basic Outdoor Skills
June 24 & 25, 2013 (100% attendance is required for credit.)
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. (June 24); 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(June 25)
Benton County Conservation Center (5718 20th Ave Dr., Vinton)

Hands-on sessions will acquaint participants with a variety of basic outdoor skills and teaching resources/methodologies. Participants will receive introductory instruction and lesson plans for planning outings, map reading, hiking, paddling, fishing, archery, campfire programs, and basic firearm safety/shooting.

You must register online: http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/profdev/coursesdetail.cfm?class=28890

Registration Deadline is June 17, 2013. Registration fees include materials and 1 license renewal credit for $60 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $135. Meals (June 24 - lunch & supper; June 25- lunch) are included in the registration fee.

 

Catch a memory when your favorite young angler hooks their first fish! It’s easy and free to participate!

Simply complete the First Fish Certificate form and mail it in to the address on the form! Or email the information along with a photo to: Holly.Luft@dnr.iowa.gov

Your child will receive a frameable certificate to commemorate this special event!

 

 

 

Iowa Kids “Take It Outside” with IDNR Art Contest

Over 1700 Iowa students, ranging from Kindergarten to grade 12, participated in this year’s Iowa Department of Natural Resources “Take It Outside” Art Contest. Entries showcased children visiting native Iowa wildlife in their natural habitat while camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, wildlife watching, and more.

This year’s art contest theme focused on Iowa’s native wildlife. Iowa is rich in tradition and abundant with wonderful natural resources. Iowans contribute $4.3 billion to Iowa’s economy through our outdoor pursuits -- hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, boating, target shooting, and wildlife-watching. One of the reasons we enjoy outdoors is our fish and wildlife resources. We share our state with all sorts of native animals – a host of invertebrates, 140+ types of fish, over 400 species of birds, almost 60 kinds of mammals, and almost 80 reptiles and amphibians.

Schools were invited to submit posters in the following categories: Kindergarten-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12. All categories were for original hand-drawn artwork. Winners were selected based on portrayal of theme, creative expression, originality, visual appeal, and artistic merit.

Individual winners (by category):
Category I: Grades K-2
1st Place – Drew Boothe, Berg Elementary, Newton
Most Creative – William Getter, Northeast Elementary, Glenwood
Best Use of Color – Pleng Saysuib, Norway Elementary, Norway

Category II: Grades 3-5
1st Place – Gwendolyn Hall, STCE Elementary, Tama
Best Use of Theme – Owen Lucas, Bedford Community Schools
Most Creative – Emily Kono, Center Point-Urbana Primary School, Center Point
Best Use of Color – Lauren Kraemer, Washington Elementary, Fairfield

Category III: Grades 6-8
1st Place – Kelsey Hulbert, West Marshall Middle School, State Center
Best Use of Theme – Caitlyn Gray, Jesup Community Schools
Most Creative – McKenna Klekar, St. Joseph, Marion
Best Use of Color – Ashley Sarver, Seymour Community Schools

Category IV: Grades 9-12
1st Place – Sam Sales, East High School, Sioux City
Best Use of Theme – Teresa Hageman, Turkey Valley High School, Jackson Junction
Most Creative – Darian Reese, Anamosa High School
Best Use of Color – Melissa Molloy, Knoxville Schools

Individual artists who placed first in each category received a prize package of exploration and/or outdoor recreation supplies. Every participant received a certificate from the IDNR. Winning entries will be displayed during the Iowa State Fair at the DNR building.

Grant for natural resources-based recreation experience
Each school that submitted art contest entries was entered in a drawing to receive a grant (total of 4 grants awarded) for a natural resources-based recreation experience at a local outdoor recreation area.

Winning schools:
Forest City Community Middle School and High School, Forest City
Colo-Nesco Elementary, Zearing
Indianola Middle School, Indianola
Roosevelt Middle School, Dubuque

Kids Water Safety: Life Jackets

Spring is here and soon it will be time to head to your local lake or river to go fishing and/or boating. You probably already have your fishing poles and tackle ready to go...but have you checked your family's life jackets yet? Before you head out the doorwith your children this spring check their life jacket! To work properly life jackets must fit properly. Children grow fast so their life jacket from last year may not fit properly this year.  All children 12 & under are required by law to wear a life jacket while boating.

When picking out a life jacket for a child make sure to pick a life jacket that is made for children and meets the proper weight requirements for that child. Always have children try on a life jacket before purchasing it to make sure it fits properly. With the life jacket properly fastened have them hold their hands up over their heads and then pull up on the tops of the arm openings of their life jacket. If the life jacket rides up over their face or chin it is too big. Try the next smaller size or a different brand or fit. DO NOT buy a too big jacket with the hopes that your child will grow into it. Always make sure the life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved.

Small children should have life jackets with a head support, handle, and leg straps. This supports their head in the water and will, in most situations, float them face up. The handle (usually on the head support) makes it easier for adults to grab small child if they are floating in the water. The leg straps help prevent the life jacket from riding up over their head. Infants under six months of age and under sixteen pounds are usually too small for even the smallest rated life jackets. Consider waiting until they are older before you take them out on the water.

Older children do not need head support and leg straps (though some life jackets for older children do come with leg straps). Again, proper fit is the key for safety. Make sure older children and teenagers always wear their life jackets on or around water. Life jackets should be comfortable as well because children may be wearing them for lengths of time. Many teenagers do not like how life jackets look. However, there are many styles that are sleek and “cool” enough looking to satisfy their tastes.

Once you have properly fitted and purchased a life jacket for your child take them into the water and show them how to float in it. When children fall into the water they often panic. Teaching children what to do if they fall into the water and making sure they know how to float is very important. It is important for them to learn that the life jacket will float them as well.  Always make sure that your child’s life jacket is properly secured before going on or in the water.

Remember: A life jacket does not take the place of adult supervision. Never leave children unattended on a boat or around water. It takes only moments for a tragedy to happen.

IDNR: Boating and Lifejackets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV1IC-sYAag

MDNR: Selecting a life vest for your child

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/pfd_selecting.html

 

Life jackets must fit you properly to float you properly!