KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY FALL MEETING

Members of the public are welcome to join in on the feathery fun

PRATT – The Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) will hold its fall meeting October 3-5 in Salina. This informative and fun gathering is open to everyone and will include an informal, come-and-go reception at Lakewood Discovery Center on Friday from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. On Saturday a paper session and business meeting will run 9 a.m. - 4:40 p.m., followed by the annual banquet from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. On Sunday, all-day field trips will start at 7 a.m.

The paper session and business meeting will take place at the Sams Hall of Fine Arts on Kansas Wesleyan University campus, where students involved in bird research will have the opportunity to present their results. Time will also be allotted for non-professional birders wishing to share information on less-formal bird observations and research. Following lunch, participants can enjoy a Birdwatchers’ Hour where photographers of all skill levels can showcase their images of birds from Kansas and around the world. During the business meeting, KOS members will vote on new officers and board of directors for 2015, receive a fiscal update on KOS, and address any changes regarding bylaws or rules of operation, if necessary.

The annual banquet is scheduled at the Salina Country Club and will feature an awards ceremony and keynote speaker, Al Batt, a contributing columnist for Birdwatcher’s Digest.

Sunday will conclude the three-day event with all-day field trips led by local experts. Participants will depart from Lakewood Middle School (across from Lakewood Discovery Center) at 7 a.m. Destinations include: Salina, Ottawa State Fishing Lake, Kanopolis Reservoir, McPherson State Fishing Lake and Abilene. A list of species compiled for these areas and a lunch will be provided for all pre-paid participants.

For more information, or to register, visit www.ksbirds.org, or contact Mike Rader atmike.rader@ksoutdoors.com or (620) 672-0708.

SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR ANGLER INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Get certified to teach basic fishing skills in Kansas

PRATT – If you’re passionate about fishing, and have a desire to share that passion with others,  you can still enroll in a Kansas angler education certification course. Fishing’s Future and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism will sponsor a fishing instructor course for 40 volunteers who want to learn about teaching fishing techniques in Kansas. The instructor course will be held Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Guard Training Center, 2930 Scanlan Ave, Salina.

During the certification course, anglers will learn about working with children, sample curriculums, fishing regulations, species identification, ethics, knot-tying and more.

To learn more about the fishing instructor certification program and to register for the Salina course, go towww.fishingsfuture.org, click on “Upcoming Events”, then “Kansas Angler Education Training Program.”

Questions may be directed to either Kevin Reich of Fishing’s Future at kevin.reich@fishingsfuture.org, or Sgt. James Merriman at (785) 826 3761.

SALINA MALL’S BRUCE ZAMRZLA AQUARIUM RE-OPENED MAY 12

May 12 ceremony to include unveiling of the refurbished 15,000-gallon aquarium and kid’s casting event.

SALINA- The Salina Central Mall and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) will host a grand re-opening ceremony of the Bruce Zamrzla Memorial Aquarium on May 12, beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 3 p.m. The Central Mall is located at 2259 S. 9^th St. in Salina.

The 15,000-gallon aquarium is 25 feet long and is home to many amazing species of Kansas fish and turtles. The display was originally constructed in 1987 at the urging of Bruce Zamrzla, who was the district fisheries biologist for the area. “Zam,” as he was affectionately known, was tragically killed in a car accident on April 19, 1994, but he left an amazing legacy as a resource manager and champion of outdoor education. Fittingly, the aquarium was renamed and dedicated in his honor.

The aquarium has long served as an excellent outdoor education exhibit but in recent years had begun to show its age. As part of the Central Mall’s 25^th Anniversary, KDWPT and Central Mall teamed up to restore the aquarium to a first-class attraction. The aquarium features new designs and graphics, an educational PowerPoint display, Kansas fisheries videos, and an updated rustic look and feel. The neon fish formerly on the overhead display have been removed and replaced with a structure designed by Melissa Bowell, a commercial art student at Salina Area Technical College. Bowell’s design was judged the best in a contest with 24 other entries, and she will receive a $1,000 scholarship award for efforts. An amended version of the design has been created and donated by Kasa Fab and will be unveiled at the re-opening event.

The aquarium also received attention. The fish were transferred to the Milford Hatchery for safe keeping while the aquarium was drained, cleaned, and new filtration and water quality devices were added. The fish are in great shape, and the water is now even more crystal clear than Wilson Lake.

The ceremony on Saturday will include presentations by Central Mall staff and KDWPT Assistant Secretary Keith Sexson. A ribbon cutting will be conducted by the Central Mall, Salina Chamber of Commerce, and KDWPT Fisheries Chief Doug Nygren.
Following, the ceremony, Fishing’s Future and the KDWPT Fish KS Aquatic Education Program will host a Kids’ Casting Event. All participants will receive prizes, and a drawing will be held for Central Mall gift cards and a framed fish print.

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