Survey for Jackrabbits in Arkansas Thursday, September 25, 2008

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is conducting an observation survey throughout the state, and seeks the help of Arkansas residents.

While cottontail and swamp rabbits are common, jackrabbits have not been seen in Arkansas since the late 1980s. One of the last known jackrabbit populations was in FortChaffee until the early 1970s.

The black-tailed jackrabbit once was found across northwestern and western Arkansas. It was common in Benton, Crawford and Washington counties in the mid-1950s, but has become rare in Arkansas because of changes in farming practices. Jackrabbits can be seen early or late in the day and thrive in prairies, pastures, hay fields and orchards.

Residents can help the AGFC by recording any jackrabbit sightings and submitting them to http://www.agfc.com/jackrabbit. They also may call Blake Sasse, AGFC nongame mammal program coordinator, at (877) 470-3650 to report jackrabbits. Old sightings will benefit the survey as well.

Jackrabbits are much larger than cottontails and swamp rabbits and can jump as high as 3 feet. The Web page includes drawings of cottontails, swamp rabbits and jackrabbits for identification.

Stream Team gets $1,700 Grant Sunday, August 3, 2008

From George Lauster: Our Stream Team has been awarded a $1,700 grant by the AGFC Stream Team program. The grant is for purchase of supplies for the stream team to sample the Little Maumelle River off the Kingfisher Trail. Dip nets, sorting trays, chemistry kit and waders will be purchased with the grant. Thanks to Steve Filipek (AGFC) and Lindsay Stoker (CAMN) for arranging for the grant.

Remember that on Sept 13 8 AM till noon we will have an in-depth advanced training class on stream ecology and sampling with the CAMN Little Maumelle Stream Team. Bring waders or be prepared to get wet. Hope to see you there.

Arkansas Has It All Thursday, July 31, 2008

July 30 – I went to the Arkansas Has It All program at the beautiful 4-H center in Ferndale. I joined teachers from all over the state and PMSP interpreters Sarah and Kristina to listen to the programs offered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. I attended Progect Wild first and learned about black bears in Arkansas. The fun story/exercise had us imitating bears searching for food while some of us had special needs. From what we were able bring back to our den, we graphed our intact of food and water. Some of us didn’t survive. Next I went to the Stream Team. There we were introduced to macroinvertebrates and how they showed the health of a stream running through the camp. Our group determined the stream was in good shape by the ones we were able to log. We found a water penny which is one of the sensitive species. Since it was so hot, we certainly didn’t mind standing in the stream for an hour. Then it was off to Project Wild which was combined with Project Learning Tree. Our exercise there was a clues game which was entertaining and educational. I guessed two of the animals and missed two. Then we were introduced to Project Learning Tree. We pretended to be trees and were able to graph the things we received from the environment to determine how big the rings in the wood might be during a certain time frame. I was touched by a diseased tree so my chances of survival were limited. The AGFC, ADEQ and American Forest Foundation did a superior job of organizing and presenting the information. I hope that CAMN will be able to schedule a time with enough people interested to host a class. The benefits to CAMN would be numerous. First it would help those of us who are hesitant to present a program to children because we don’t feel we have enough information about a certain subject. Second it will help us be aware of the wonderful job these agencies are doing to bring awareness of wildlife and the environment to children and adults all over Arkansas.