To biologists, Canada geese are an outstanding conservation success story. Once extirpated from the state as a breeding species, Ohio now supports a healthy, growing population. However, to a landowner they can be viewed as nuisances that create conflict.

Learn more about conflict management with Canada geese during a free public program on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6- 8 p.m. The program will take place at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife District One Headquarters, located at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus.

The seminar will be led by Division of Wildlife staff that specializes in dealing with goose conflicts. Topics to be covered will not only include conflict management but also Canada goose biology, ecology and population trends. This program is best suited for ages 16 and up. The program is free but pre-registration is required as seating is limited. ODNR, Division of Wildlife at (614) 644-3925 or email [email protected]. You can learn more about Canada geese in Ohio at wildohio.gov.

• The Division of Wildlife will host a Passport to Fishing instructors’ workshop on Monday, Feb. 22. The program will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wildlife District One Headquarter located at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus.

The workshop is a free one-day instructor training program that qualifies individuals to become Division of Wildlife certified fishing instructors, similar to a hunter education instructor. Pre- registration is required as seating is limited, participants will also be required to take part in a background check.

By becoming a certified instructor, you will be able to help reconnect students with the outdoors. Resources available include grants, equipment, brochures, and training.

Passport to Fishing was developed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and adopted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Workshops teach volunteers the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program with a fishing event. These instructors then go back to their communities with a written curriculum and training aids, to teach beginning anglers the basics of fishing.

To register for the workshop, please e-mail Jordan Phillips at [email protected] or call (614) 644-3925. For additional class information and other educational opportunities, visit wildohio.gov. (Click on the Education and Outdoor Discovery tab on the left side of the web page)

• A free seminar featuring basic steelhead angling in northeast Ohio’s tributaries will be offered on Feb. 24, according to the ODNR. Phil Hillman from the Division of Wildlife will cover Ohio’s steelhead program and discuss basic steelhead fishing techniques in a Wednesday seminar from 7-9 p.m. The location of the seminar is Wildlife District Three headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron.

While the seminar is free, pre-registration is required as spaces are limited. Please call Joe Ferrara at the ODNR Division of Wildlife at (330) 245-3030 to pre-register.

• The 2016 Wildlife Diversity Conference will take place on Tuesday, April 12 at the Ohio Union, located at 1739 N High Street on the campus of The Ohio State University. Doors will open at 8 a.m. with a welcome beginning at 9 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Wildlife in the Danger Zone: Top Guns in Flight.” We will also have some exciting new products for you including a “Common Bees and Wasps” field guide just in time for spring! Online registration will open mid-February.

• Educators who work with students pre-kindergarten through high school are invited to attend a free workshop on Friday, March 25, according to ODNR.

The workshop focuses on two supplemental curriculums that help teach wildlife-related conservation concepts using everyday subject areas like math, science, and social studies. Growing Up WILD (for ages 3-7 years) and traditional Project WILD & Aquatic WILD (K-12) guidebooks will be provided to all participants who stay for the duration of the program.

The workshop will take place at Wildlife District Three headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Drive in Akron (Portage Lakes) from 9 a.m-3:30 p.m. All educators including classroom teachers, youth group leaders, naturalists, program volunteers, and home-school educators are welcome to attend. There is no workshop fee but pre-registration is required as spaces are limited. Contact Jamey Emmert at (330) 245-3020 or [email protected] with questions and to pre-register.

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s senses of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Workshop participants will take home an easy-to-use book containing nearly 30 field-tested activities focusing on wildlife and nature. These activities blend social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive skills to help foster learning and are correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards and the Head Start Domains.

Project WILD & Aquatic WILD involves young people and wildlife, a proven formula for generating interest and participation while teaching common academic disciplines from kindergarten through high school. This is a supplementary education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation, and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. Project WILD is an ideal way to supplement your curriculum and fire the imagination of your students.

The Growing Up WILD portion (3 hours) is eligible for Step-Up-to-Quality credits. A total of six hours is eligible for Continuing Education Units. Attending this workshop qualifies participants for WILD School Sites grant funding.

Until next time, Good Hunting and Good Fishing!

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Water and Wings by Ken Parrott

Ken Parrott is an Agricultural Science teacher with Northmor High School.