AmmoLand.com

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Overlooked wildlife will be the focus of the 2012 Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7, at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus.

The conference, titled “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife and is open to the public.

“We hope many people are able to attend this conference to learn more about the interesting wildlife we have in Ohio,” said Director Jim Zehringer, director of ODNR.

The Wildlife Diversity Conference has steadily grown in popularity. The first conference, held in 1985, drew 40 people. Last year, 975 people attended the day-long gathering.

The keynote speaker this year, Cindy Hale of the University of Minnesota, will discuss earthworms and their impact to the environment in her presentation, “Dances with Worms: The Great Lakes Worm Watch.”

Other conference topics include discussions of freshwater mussel restoration, aquatic invasive species, a Lake Erie pelagic bird survey, terrestrial crayfish, wildlife orphans, wetland restoration, as well as beavers, porcupines and fishers in Ohio.

The third Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, which features the spotted salamander, will be available to conference attendees.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp will be used to support:

• endangered and threatened native species;
• habitat restoration, land purchases and conservation easements; and
• educational products for students and wildlife enthusiasts.

Anyone who pre-registers online for the conference may purchase this collectable stamp at a discounted price of $12, which is a 20 percent savings. Details about the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp are available at wildohiostamp.com.

Representatives from a range of conservation and natural resource organizations, such as the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Columbus Audubon and Ohio Biological Survey, will present displays and be available to answer questions.

Doors open at 8 a.m. for registration on March 7. The conference begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3:30 p.m.

For more information or to register for the conference online, go to http://bit.ly/WildlifeDiversityConference or call 800-WILDLIFE. The registration cost prior to Feb. 26 is $25. After that date, the admission cost is $35.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. For more information, visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com.

Filed under: Conservation News by Ammoland No Comments »

Larry and Brenda Potterfield

Midway USA

Columbia, MO --(Ammoland.com)- Larry and Brenda Potterfield, Founders of MidwayUSA, are in Dallas, TX this weekend attending the 2012 Dallas Safari Club (DSC) annual convention as the Official Sponsor of the show.

The convention and sporting expo show began Tuesday, January 3, 2012 with exhibitor registration and move-in, and ends Sunday, January 8th at the Dallas Convention Center and Hyatt Regency in Dallas, TX.

Between the usual hustle and bustle of exhibits, seminars and silent auctions, the Potterfields will be attending the first annual Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) at the convention on Friday, January 6. This event is offered to high school students in the Dallas Ecological Foundation’s (DEF) Outdoor Adventures Education program. At the YWCE, students will hear from professional guides, biologists and outfitters regarding wildlife conservation.

“Recruitment of the next generation of outdoorsmen and women is our biggest challenge to maintaining our hunting heritage,” said Ben Carter, Executive Director of the DSC. “Larry and Brenda’s gift has enabled us to bring 400 kids to our show and truly create a positive and educational experience in what the outdoors is all about. We could not have done this without their support”.

In addition to his appearance at the YWCE event, Larry will present the Educator of the Year award during the Friday night dinner and auction. He will also spend some time at the DSC membership booth Saturday, January 7th at 10:00am in the exhibit hall.

“Brenda and I are extremely excited to attend this year’s convention,” said Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “Please meet us at the show and join in the efforts to preserve our hunting traditions.”

About MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA (http://www.midwayusa.com) is a family-owned catalog and internet retailer specializing in Just About Everything℠ for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting. Now celebrating our 35th Anniversary, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career in 1977 by opening a small retail firearms store that would eventually become MidwayUSA. MidwayUSA is still owned by the Potterfield Family and Customer Satisfaction is still our Number One Goal.

For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit our website or call 800-243-3220.

For more information about the DSC, please visit www.biggame.org or call 972-980-9800.

Filed under: Shooting Industry News by Ammoland No Comments »