Joe Meyers of USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center-Athens will meet with officials of Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Power, and Georgia Wildlife Resources Division on 17 September 2001 to discuss plans to harvest river cane to feed the Chinese pandas located at the zoo. At certain times of the year, pandas prefer new growth river cane, a native bamboo, which is also an important habitat for Swainson's warblers, a species at risk in the southeastern U.S. Georgia Power allows harvest of river cane on about one million acres of their land in the state. Knowledge of cane management and potential effects of harvesting will be given by Meyers and Georgia Wildlife Division biologists. The overall plan is to facilitate management of river cane in a way that will not affect potential breeding sites of Swainson's warblers and also allow some of the surplus growth to be used by the pandas. 

Contact: J. Michael Meyers (Joe) 706-542-1882

Marshbird Conservation Workshop Held Aug. 21-22 in Denver, Colorado

Marshbird Conservation Workshop A workshop to begin collaborative conservation planning for marshbirds throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States was held August 21-22, in Denver, Colorado. Sixty-four individuals, representing academia, Flyways, IAFWA's Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Committee, Partners in Flight, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, worked for two days to pull together information on species numbers, species status, habitat needs and research and information needs. Over the next year, five teams of biologists will produce documents highlighting continental marshbird conservation priorities.

Contact: Melanie Steinkamp  (301) 497-5753

Public Service Announcement Contacts: USFWS - Nell Baldacchino 301-497-5766 (5763)
(Through October 14, 2001) USGS - B.H. Powell 301-497-5782

Where the Wild Things Are

Celebrate Earth Science Week and National Wildlife Refuge Week at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, Patuxent Research Refuge

Uncover the mysteries of wildlife through a wide variety of hands-on activities for all ages at the 2nd Annual "Patuxent Wildlife Festival" on October 13-14, 2001 from 10AM - 3PM. Wildlife activities will include:

"Behind the Scenes Guided Tours of Patuxent Wildlife Research Center" - see how endangered whooping cranes are raised in captivity for release to the wild and discover the fascinating history of this premier research facility.

"Be a Detective! Investigate the Web of Life" - explore exhibits, meet live animals, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages while you discover how the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provides habitat for a myriad of creatures, great and small, that all play a role in the web of life. Kids become detectives as they look for clues, gather evidence, and uncover the relationship between wildlife and habitat.

"Meet a Researcher" - Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey = s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center will be on hand to tell you about their exciting discoveries.

"Wildlife Conservation Tram Tours" - enjoy a journey through the habitats of Patuxent Research Refuge and discover how research, wildlife management and public involvement are the keys to wildlife conservation.

FREE admission. Event will occur rain or shine.

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road, between the Baltimore- Washington Parkway and Route 197 south of Laurel, Maryland. Please advise us of any special needs at least two weeks in advance so that we may accommodate you. Call 301-497-5763, TDD 301-497- 5779 Visit us on the web for upcoming events and more!!!

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center www.pwrc.usgs.gov

See Previous HiLites:

August 31, 2000
September 21, 2000
September 28, 2000
October 5, 2000
October 16, 2000
October 30, 2000
November 8, 2000
November 16, 2000
November 22, 2000
November 30, 2000
January 4, 2001

March 15, 2001
March 22, 2001
March 29, 2001
April 5, 2001
April 12, 2001
May 17, 2001
May 24, 2001
June 6, 2001
June 21, 2001
August 27, 2001
September 12, 2001