New Federal Duck Stamp Flies Into Stores
One of the Most Successful Conservation Programs Continues to Raise Millions of Dollars for Birds and Habitat
Canada geese are flying to new heights as the stars of the 2017-2018 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, which went on sale today. The 84th Federal Duck Stamp debuted at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Little Rock, Ark.
Painted by five-time Federal Duck Stamp Contest artist James Hautman of Chaska, Minn., the new stamp will raise millions of dollars for habitat conservation to benefit wildlife and the American people. The Federal Duck Stamp plays an important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales of this iconic stamp have raised more than $950 million to conserve nearly six million acres of wetlands habitat on national wildlife refuges around the nation.
“The American sportsmen heritage is not just something we talk about. Sportsmen and anglers are the strongest wildlife and habitat conservationists around, and the Duck Stamp is the perfect example of this,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “The stamp’s impact goes beyond waterfowl, it also helps provide habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife and clean water for our communities. The lands set aside using Duck Stamp dollars provide opportunities for the American people to enjoy the great outdoors through hunting, fishing, and birdwatching, and help ensure this piece of American heritage will endure for generations.”
Last fall, a panel of five judges chose Hautman’s art from among 152 entries in the 2016 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. His fifth win puts him in elite company: Only two other artists – one of them his brother, Joseph – have won five first-place awards.
“The Federal Duck Stamp is the nation’s most unique and successful conservation stamp. This program has been fueled largely by waterfowl hunters, who are required to buy a Duck Stamp each year and often buy more than one,” said Greg Sheehan, Service acting director. “Birders and other outdoors enthusiasts, artists and stamp collectors also buy Duck Stamps, recognizing their benefit to species and habitat conservation beyond waterfowl, as well as their artistic value."
Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $25 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports wetlands conservation for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
A current Federal Duck Stamp is also good for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee. The Service is responsible for managing more than 850 million acres of lands and waters in the Refuge System, including 566 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. Refuges offer world-class public recreation, from fishing, hunting and wildlife observation to photography and environmental education.
The 2017-2018 Junior Duck Stamp, which also went on sale today, features a pair of trumpeter swans painted by Isaac Schreiber, 12, of Duffield, Va. Judges selected his entry as the winner during the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest in April from among the best-of-show winners from all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The national contest is the culmination of a year-long educational program that helps students explore their natural world and learn about wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Competing artists submit a “visual term paper” – a drawing or painting of a goose, duck or swam – to demonstrate what they learned. The winning art is made into a stamp that raises funds to support youth conservation education. Some 3,000 Junior Duck Stamps are sold annually for $5 each.
The 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest to select the 2018-2019 stamp will be held Sept. 15 and 16 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
The new Duck Stamps are available for purchase online, at many sporting goods and retail stores, and some post offices and national wildlife refuges. Find all buying options at http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/buy-duck-stamp.php.
Learn more about the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps at https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
===================================
The Utah Patients Coalition will hold a news conference in the presentation room of the State Capitol before filing the proposed initiative with the lieutenant governor, thereby beginning the process of placing it on the 2018 ballot
WHAT: News conference to launch the Utah Patients Coalition’s 2018 medical cannabis initiative campaign, followed by the filing of the proposed initiative with the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office
=====================
Tooele County files motion to sell UMC by public auction
Tooele County, UT – The Tooele County Commission has petitioned the court to allow the Utah Motorsports Campus to be sold through a public auction. This comes in response to a previous court decision in the pending lawsuit between Center Point Management, LLC and Tooele County.
The County Commission continues to believe that it is their duty to ensure that UMC is not simply sold to the highest bidder, but rather, sold to a buyer that has experience in successfully managing and developing property, and will continue to preserve its identity as a public racetrack. The UMC property continues to be a long-term investment for the residents of Tooele County, as it maintains its world-class presence in motorsports, and serves as an economic engine to bring manufacturing, education, and tourism to the county. Yet, after litigation, a judge ruled that the county has no option but to sell to the highest bidder. While the county disagrees with the ruling, it will not continue to spend resources on an uncertain challenge that will place a burden on the taxpayers and continue to delay a resolution. County residents particularly those stakeholders of the racetrack, deserve to have this matter, and the uncertainty that has accompanied it, resolved sooner rather than later.
Please see our statement issued below.
“As a Commission, we have fiercely advocated that the Utah Motorsports Campus continue to be managed and operated as a public racetrack. We hope this will be at the hands of a reputable company who understands the importance of this tourism draw to Tooele County. UMC is an economic driver in Tooele County and directly correlates to hundreds of jobs. This is a long-term investment for our community.”
==========================
Vice President Michael Pence received a mission briefing from U.S. Air Force General Lori J. Robinson, the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command inside the Alternate Command Center at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station June 23, 2017. For hi-res images of the visit please visit, https://www.dvidshub.net/image/3512297/vice-president-visits-cheyenne-mountain.
Very Respectfully,
NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs
=========================
Outstanding Competition Highlights Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour in Mantua, Utah
MANTUA, Utah (June 24, 2017)—The second stop of the 2017 Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour brought the world’s top wakeboarders to Mantua Reservoir in Mantua, Utah on Saturday. For the second time in a row this year, the action-packed day was one for the history books.
At the competition in Birmingham, Ala., in May, the best-of-two finals round made tour history when five of six riders scored in the 90s. As if to solidify the record-breaking level of talent this year, Saturday’s finals round saw all six riders score above 90 points, with an astonishing .43-point difference among the top three athletes.
Defending Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour champion Mike Dowdy—the only American to make it to finals—proved his skill once again, coming in first place with 97.83 points. At 97.50 points, 2016 Rookie of the Year Nic Rapa (AUS) took second place after landing his first-ever double flip in a competition, beating world champion Harley Clifford (AUS) by a mere .1 point.
As a testament to the unbelievable level of competition on the water, Team Supra rider Cory Teunissen followed in fourth place despite landing two double flips and a 1080 spin—a champion-level set—in the finals round.
Aussie Tony Iacconi, who also landed his first double flip in a competition on Saturday, took home fifth place, and Team Supra athlete Shota Tezuka came in sixth.
In the wakesurf division, 17-year-old Parker Payne took first place after landing a rarely seen wake transfer, a high-risk/high-reward maneuver where the rider transitions from one side of the boat’s wake to the other mid-run. In second place was Noah Flegel, the only athlete qualified for the both wakesurf and wakeboard, while Grant Witherell rounded out the top three.
The Supra Boats SA550 is the official tow boat for the tour again in 2017. Purpose-built to create clean, consistent and controlled wakes, it is designed to push athletes to new levels while preserving strict handling and a balanced ride for those onboard.
The Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour continues July 22 at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Co.
Full results below. For more information, visit supraboatspwt.com.
Pro Men's Wakeboard
- Riders in bold advance -
Quarter Finals Heat 1
1. Nic Rapa - 88.33
2. Tony Iacconi - 85.33
3. Noah Flegel - 81.67
4. Jake Pelot - 71.67
Quarter Finals Heat 2
1. Cory Teunissen - 91.33
2. Parker Siegele - 82.67
3. Tony Carroll - 77.33
4. Gordon Harrison - 45.00
Quarter Finals Heat 3
1. Mike Dowdy - 92.33
2. Damien Adam - 81.00
3. Christian Primrose - 78.67
4. Dean Smith - 36.67
Quarter Finals Heat 4
1. Harley Clifford - 93.33
2. Shota Tezuka - 88.33
3. Massi Piffaretti - 87.33
4. Austin Hair - 73.33
Semi Finals Heat 1
1. Mike Dowdy - 93.33
2. Cory Teunissen - 89.33
3. Shota Tezuka - 84.00
4. Parker Siegele - 80.00
Semi Finals Heat 2
1. Harley Clifford - 93.67
2. Nic Rapa - 90.00
3. Tony Iacconi - 51.67
4. Damien Adam - 40.00
Finals
1. Mike Dowdy - 97.83
2. Nic Rapa - 97.50
2. Harley Clifford - 97.40
3. Cory Teunissen - 96.80
5. Tony Iacconi - 95.00
6. Shota Tezuka - 90.67
Pro Men's Wakesurf
- Riders in bold advance -
Semi Finals
1. Noah Flegel - 80.40
2. Parker Payne - 80.40
3. Grant Witherell - 60.40
4. Aaron Witherell - 58.40
5. Sean Silveira - 54.00
6. Reed Hansen - 47.50
Finals
1. Parker Payne - 77.50
2. Noah Flegel - 71.50
3. Grant Witherell - 49.70
===================
Joni Franks announces release of ‘Corky Tails Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush’
HOWARD, Colo. – Author Joni Franks has a strong passion for mountain beauty, environmental protection and animals. In her recently published book “Corky Tails Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush Meets the Shuns” (published by Xlibris), Franks addresses the plight of the vanishing forests and the consequences of deforestation.
The book follows main protagonist Sagebrush, who journeys into the deepest recesses of the forest. Sagebrush discovers the tiny unknown creatures called Shuns, who are now homeless due to the giant tree-cutting machines that the humans have sent to clear the forest. Sagebrush befriends the Shuns and vows to save them.
“The tale is told through Sagebrush, who sees the world thru innocent eyes. Sagebrush and a young ranch woman work together to offer the homeless Shuns a chance to live out their dreams,” the author depicts the story of the book.
A snippet from the book:
There was a deep, low grumbling, groaning noise coming from deep within the forest, where no grumbling, groaning noise should be heard. Sagebrush, the tailless puppy, felt the vibration of the earth before she heard the noise, as the sun began to rise over the Rocky Mountains and the cattle ranch she called home.
“Corky Tails Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush”
By Joni Franks
Hardcover | 8.5 x 8.5 in | 34 pages | ISBN 9781543428001
Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5 in | 34 pages | ISBN 9781543427998
E-Book | 34 pages | ISBN 9781543427981
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Joni Franks lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. She has a passion for mountain beauty, environmental protection and animals. Franks owned a cattle ranch, raising both registered cattle and dogs. She is inspired by her beautiful Welsh corgi, Sagebrush, and by the plight of the vanishing forests and the consequences of deforestation. She is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.
