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South Dakota Fish, Game & Parks and DOH Work To Get Kids Outside

South Dakota Fish, Game & Parks

PIERRE, S.D. --(Ammoland.com)- The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and the Department of Health teamed up in an effort to increase the amount of time pre-school age children spend outdoors.

The two departments recently awarded nature backpacks, filled with items to encourage outdoor activities, to childcare providers and pre-schools across the state. Based on class sizes provided by applicants, the backpacks will reach over 7,500 children.

“The nature backpack program is a perfect opportunity for the GFP and the Department of Health to partner with caregivers in getting kids outside,” said GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk. “Keeping kids physically active and connecting them with nature is very important, both for the children as individuals and for our society as a whole.”

Studies show children who play outside are healthier, have higher self-esteem, are good problem-solvers, have good self-discipline and do better in school.

This is the second installment of the grant program. In 2010, the Game, Fish and Parks reached 4,780 children by awarding backpacks to 180 childcare providers across the state. Follow-up surveys showed that childcare providers were going outside more often and spending longer periods of time outside each time.

Vonk said that the grant provided for 300 backpacks, and a few currently remain unassigned. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants. Applications are available at www.gfp.sg.gov.

The Game, Fish and Parks and Department of Health plan to pair up again to offer the grant program next year, focusing on after-school and out-of-school programs. Applications for that installment will be available this fall.

More information on other opportunities provided by GFP can be found at GFP’s Children in Nature webpage.

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Ducks Unlimited Wetlands For Kids Day A Record Success

Ducks Unlimited Wetlands For Kids Day A Record Success

Ducks Unlimited

ST. LOUIS, Mo. --(Ammoland.com)- The Missouri Department of Conservation and Ducks Unlimited hosted the 13th Annual Wetlands for Kids Day at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area April 2.

More than 4,500 attendees came out to enjoy the beautiful day and learn more about wildlife and wetlands.

New sponsors U.S. Bank and the Dana Brown Foundation provided financial support for this year’s event.

“This was a record year for attendance,” said Dan Crigler, private land conservationist for the MDC. “It is fantastic to see these children enjoying outdoor activities and learning about wetlands and wildlife.”

All children who registered at the event received a free goodie bag and a complimentary DU Greenwing membership courtesy of U.S. Bank and the Dana Brown Foundation. Greenwing is the designation for Ducks Unlimited members under the age of 18. Many Missouri outdoor organizations participated, running booths and events that introduced children to various aspects of the natural world.

“It takes extraordinary dedication and cooperation from multiple groups to make an event like this possible,” said DU Missouri State Chairman Dave Hakes. “We registered 1,500 Greenwing members and had more than 20 demonstration and activity stations.”

Activities included a duck wing maze that led participants through a path to help them identify ducks using only the wing; air rifle and archery target shooting; casting lessons; coloring contests; and many others. Members of the Ozark Fly Fishers Association demonstrated the art of fly tying and provided each child with his/her own fly. Sorenson Kennels once again showcased retriever training with several of their best dogs.

Children crawled inside an artificial beaver lodge built by MDC staff to learn about the importance of beavers to wetlands. A live-animal exhibit of fish, reptiles and amphibians gave visitors a close look at wetland-dependent wildlife. Volunteers from the World Bird Sanctuary brought a great-horned owl, American kestrel, peregrine falcon and barn owl to give attendees the opportunity to see these large birds up close. Children were provided a native tree seedling to plant at home courtesy of the MDC and the George O. White nursery.

Wetlands for Kids Day is held annually from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday in April at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. Visit www.ducks.org

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