Newsletter
Volume 7 - April 18, 2008
Seedlings For Schools
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation Board of Directors approved a joint project with the Pennsylvania Game Commission called "Seedlings for Schools". The Pennsylvania Game Commission invites Pennsylvania schools to participate in the seedling for school project.
Trees are important to wildlife, people, and the environment. Through Seedlings for Schools students may plant seedlings at home, on school grounds, or in their community. They will discover the vital role of trees in the environment.
This program is primarily for third grade students in Pennsylvania. There is no charge to schools participating in this project. The seedlings will be provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Howard Nursery. The cost of shipping is being covered by; Waste Management, Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, Pheasants Forever Chapter 603, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Mealey's Furniture. This is a great educational program for students.
Shows
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation board members, staff, and volunteers spent time at the following shows:
Cabela's Water Fowl Day, Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association Convention, the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Reading Sport Travel and Outdoor Show, Allegheny Sport and Travel Show, the Altoona Jaffa Sportsmen Show, and Gander Mountain in Williamsport.
We spent a lot of time passing out literature and letting people know that we exist and the work we do. We also raffled off chances to win bears and baskets of bears. The winners from the raffles were:
- Pennsylvania Farm Show raffle winner - David Walton from Carlisle
- Reading Show raffle winner - Linda Madeira from Fleetwood
- Allegheny Show raffle winner - Judy Schlemmer from New Alexandria
- Jaffa Show raffle winner - Jason Predix from Bedford
During three of the sportsmen shows we collected names to win a new Remington 30-06 rifle. This was a free drawing. The rifle was donated to the Foundation and was won by Allen Tuttle, Sr. from Chalk Hills, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
Caterpillar Excavator
The Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has purchased a caterpillar excavator to assist in completing wetland and stream restoration projects throughout Pennsylvania. We plan to work on several crucial habitat improvement projects that fulfill both agencies mission. Mark Roberts, Coordinator of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service stated, "We very much appreciate the assistance and partnership we have with the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation. When like minded people work together the habitat gains can be significant and with the purchase of the excavator we can get much more habitat work accomplished."
Research Center
The excitement is building as JSA Architects work to design the Wildlife Research and Education Center for the Foundation, which will be located in State College. The 60,000 square foot building will house exhibits for the public to view, Pennsylvania Game Commission's wildlife biologists, research facilities, and an auditorium. The basement will feature an up-to-date indoor archery range and labs for Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists and veterinarians. The building will be green certified using the leadership in energy and environmental design green building rating system. Board members John Blaschak and Russ Schleiden will head up the fundraising efforts for the building.
Habitat for Pymatuning
This year the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many sportsmen and women raised close to $20,000 that will be used by Jerry Bish, Land Manager for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to improve wetland impoundments at Pymatuning. Most of the impoundments are over 45 years old and are succumbing to age and losing their value as important wildlife habitat for all wildlife. Jerry is very pleased to receive funding to improve the impoundments that are home to geese, ducks, wetland birds, eagles, and other aquatic species.
Hills' Birthday Donations
Three youngsters donated their birthday money to the Foundation. The three Hills' children Curtis, Kiara, and Spencer went with their parents and grandfather on a trip to see the Pennsylvania Game Commission's elk herd in Elk County. The children were so impressed they decided instead of receiving birthday gifts they asked that money be sent to the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation to be used for habitat work for wildlife. We received $695 from the Hills' children birthday. This is a great story made possible by great parents and very special grandparents, and three generous children.
Future Projects
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation has signed additional contracts with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service totaling $135,000. The money will be used on the following projects: $55,000 for a stream restoration project in Erie County; $80,000 for work in Clearfield County to create wetland; and bank restoration projects in Bald Eagle Creek in York County and Tipton Run in Blair County. Both streams have problems with bank erosion which needs to be corrected.
The Foundation is also working with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed applying for grants that will benefit 19 sites in Centre County for steam bank fencing and stream restoration. This project will create habitat for all birds and mammals plus improve aquatic life.
The Foundation will be working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to restore and create new wetlands adjacent to Black Lick Creek in Vintondale area of Cambria County. The Foundation approved $20,000 for this project.
New Board Member
March 5, 2008 Jim Gebicki was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation. Mr. Gebicki currently works for Waste Management in Public Relations. Mr. Gebicki has enjoyed wildlife his entire life and is very excited to become a member of the board.
Minor League Baseball
The State College Spikes, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be doing two promotions with the Foundation. On Friday, July 18, 2008 the Spikes and the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation will host Going Green Series -- Hemp Jersey Off The Back Silent Auction. This is a silent auction where fans can bid for the actual game jersey worn by the players. All money raised will go towards habitat for wildlife. On Tuesday, August 12, 2008 the Foundation will join the Spikes for the second night of Going Green Series. During the August 12th game we will pass out literature explaining what the Foundation's goals and mission are. The August 12th game will not included auctioning off jerseys.
Proceeds from the "Five Mile Run" in Allenwood will be given to the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation. This event will be held July 12, 2008 on State Game Land #252. The event is directed by MidPenn Trailblazers. Cost to pre-register by July 1st is $20 or $25 the day of the race. Prizes will be available along with race time refreshment and snacks. Race shirts to all pre-registered participants; limited quantities on race day. For more information call the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation at 814-238-8138 or e-mail questions to info@wildlifeforeveryone.org.
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