Newsletter
Volume 8 - August 14, 2008
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation has been very busy this summer promoting Pennsylvania wildlife and educating young people about the benefits of wildlife to our quality of life. Our major projects include:
Ongoing Projects
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.” Three hundred and twelve Pennsylvania schools participated. Two programs were offered to schools. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Howard Nursery provided third grade teachers with seedlings for students to take home and plant. The second program, “Seedlings for Habitat,” offered seedlings to higher grades for planting on school or community grounds to improve habitat for wildlife. There was no charge for schools participating in this program. The expenses were covered by Waste Management, Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, Pheasants Forever Chapter #603, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Mealey's Furniture.
Schools had two types of trees to choose from – silky dogwood, which is a small flowering tree and Eastern white pine that can grow up to 100 feet tall. This educational program was very well received. The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, Waste Management, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission intend to expand the program to more schools to get more youngsters involved.
Educational Grant
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and Honey Brook Rod and Gun Club of Honey Brook, Chester County, Pennsylvania provided funds for Raptor Box Educational Kits. The kits will be used in schools by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the southeast part of the state. The purpose of the kits is to educate youngster to the types of birds and mammals that make their home in Pennsylvania.
New Projects
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation has signed additional contracts with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service totaling $145,000. The money will be used for the following projects: $10,000 to create wetlands in Union County; $135,000 for work in Clearfield County to create wetlands; and stream-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 in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to improve 19 sites in Centre County by installing steam-bank fencing and implementing stream restoration. This project will create both terrestrial and aquatic habitat wildlife.
The Foundation will be working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to restore and create new wetlands adjacent to Black Lick Creek in the Vintondale area of Cambria County. The Foundation approved $20,000 for this project.
Marketing Programs
Minor League Baseball
The State College Spikes, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation hosted Going Green Series – Hemp Jersey Off The Back Silent Auction on July 18, 2008. This was a silent auction that allowed fans to bid for the actual game jersey worn by the players. All proceeds from the auction went towards habitat for Pennsylvania wildlife.
On Tuesday, August 12, 2008 the Foundation joined the State College Spikes for the second night of Going Green Series. During the August 12th game the Foundation personnel had the opportunity to meet many sports fans and explain to them the mission and goals of the Foundation. The August 12th game did not included auctioning off jerseys.
Five Mile Run
The “Five Mile Run” in Allenwood was a huge success! This fundraising event was held July 12, 2008 on State Game Land #252. The event was hosted by MidPenn Trailblazers. Eighty-five runners participated in the event and over 60 spectators attended the race. Prizes for the runners were donated by the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. All proceeds from the race went toward habitat for Pennsylvania wildlife. We would like to thank Jessica Schmit, Kelly Buck, Jeffrey Schmit, Sandra Schmit, Joel Heasley, Shelly Heasley, Ruth Ann Helfrick, Kevin Warren, Lori and Al Fox, Mike Schmit, and Theresa Sheets for organizing and volunteering to help with the race. We also would like to thank the following sponsors for donating items for the race: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Mid Penn Trailblazers, Governor's Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation, Weis Markets (Lewisburg and Milton Stores), Jem Pro Services Custom Built Homes, Lock Laces, Apple Hill 4x4, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, Fuel Belt, Engo Blister Management Systems, Lingles Neighborhood Market, Green Ridge Graphics, Road ID, Accelerade, Hylands Labs, Elite Feet, Penn's Cave, Carb BOOM!, and Trail Runner Magazine.
Ag Progress Days
The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation will sponsor a booth August 19 – 21 at Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs. If you attend Ag Progress Days stop by and visit us in Exhibit Building #2.
Wildlife Education and Research Center
The Foundation's Board of Directors signed a contract with The NCS Group, Ltd of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The NCS Group will conduct a study to determine if it is feasible to create a Wildlife Education and Research Center in State College. The study will be completed by the end of October. If the results of the study determine that the Center can be built, NCS Group will start Capital Campaign to raise funds for the building.
The Center will provide a unique opportunity for all residents to support Pennsylvania wildlife. The Foundation's Wildlife Education and Research Center design will ensure Pennsylvania is the vanguard of wildlife conservation. The state of the art education complex will feature a library, theatre, classrooms, and interactive exhibits. The Center will stimulate continuous learning about Pennsylvania's birds, mammals, and their universal benefits.
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