OUTDOOR BRIEFS

ANNUAL EVENT

School kids gear up to raise rainbow trout

Every January since 2001, teachers and students at approximately 50 Clark County schools set up 10-gallon aquariums that will serve as table-top hatcheries for rainbow trout. The schools are part of the Trout in the Classroom program sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Participating schools receive about 200 trout eggs each year and students have the opportunity to see them hatch and then raise the fish in the classroom.

After the fish are large enough, the students will have the opportunity to see their fish released into a predetermined body of water. The program is tailored to students in grades four through six.

"This is a unique opportunity for young people to get a first-hand look at one of nature's wonders while participating in the conservation process," said NDOW Angler Education Coordinator Ivy Santee.

Teachers who are new to the Trout in the Classroom program must complete a training program in which they learn about the equipment they will be using and what they need to know about hatching trout eggs. The NDOW will receive and distribute the trout eggs on Tuesday.

The fertilized eggs will hatch in about five to seven days after they are placed in the aquariums. Then, depending on the water temperature, it will take as long as a month before the tiny fish are ready to be released.

This year NDOW has set up an aquarium in the lobby of their Las Vegas office so those who are interested in the Trout in the Classroom program can stop by and monitor the progress of the eggs and eventually the fish that hatch from them. Visitors will get a close-up look at the various stages the fish go through until they develop into swim-up fry.

"Everyone in encouraged to come by and get a look at the eggs, and eventually the fish. They can also help us predict the day the eggs will hatch. If people are interested, they can help with the release of these fish into Lorenzi Park Pond at 4 p.m. March 14.

More information about the Trout in the Classroom program can be found on the NDOW Web site (www.ndow.org) or by visiting the NDOW office at 4747 Vegas Drive, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

POSSIBLE TAG CHANGES

Two panels scheduled meetings in Las Vegas

Both the Clark County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife and the State Board of Wildlife Commissioners will be meeting in Las Vegas this week to discuss items of importance to Nevada's sportsmen and women. On the agendas for both meetings will be possible changes in big game tag application waiting periods and the return of big game tags. Both are action items.

The County Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Those who have concerns or ideas about topics not included on the agenda may address those during the public comment period. After discussing and voting on its agenda items, the board will pass its recommendations on to the Wildlife Commission, which will be meeting Friday and Saturday at the same address.

In addition to application waiting periods and return of big game tags, the commission meeting agenda includes reports on the Nevada Department of Wildlife trout production program, wild land black bear population assessment, and the White Pine County Elk Management Plan. The full agenda and support material is available online at www.ndow.org. Follow the "Learn & Participate" link. ANNUAL HONOR

Warren honored as Employee of the Year

Each year Nevada Department of Wildlife employees nominate one of their own to receive the Ted C. Frantz Employee of the Year Award. In 2007 69 NDOW employees -- constituting one-third of the agency staff -- endorsed Mark Warren, the agency's staff fisheries biologist, to receive the honor.

The award recognizes extraordinary achievement in management or enhancement of wildlife resources by a department employee that goes above and beyond normal activities. As a biologist, Warren has coordinated countless projects during his 40-year tenure with the department, including the testing of the state's fish for heavy metals and accomplishing his career dream of creating a "How to Fish Nevada" guide, which has been extremely popular with the angling public. Under his direction, regional fishable waters maps and species abundance guides have been completed.

As the fisheries biologist for the Truckee River for 17 years, Warren is a defender of the river he loves.

Equally as important as his technical expertise, Warren brings a winning attitude to NDOW. One nomination form stated, "He is the most devoted, passionate and inspirational agency employee that I, as well as others, look up to. His dedication and hard work should be rewarded."

Warren officially retired in September 2007, but he contributes to the agency on a part-time basis.

"Thank you, Mark, for your extraordinary achievement, your passion for the people and the resource and the angler, and your selfless giving of yourself to the agency and for wildlife," said Ken Mayer, NDOW's director. "You exemplify the best of us all, and set a standard for others to emulate."