OUTDOOR BRIEFS

PUT WATER IN YOUR CAR

Water is the key to summer survival

How much water do you have in your car or truck right this minute? A supply of emergency water is something you should never leave home without.

"Every year, people drive into the desert heat without thinking to put water in their vehicle. For those who have car or other problems along the way, that mistake can be quite costly -- even deadly," said Martin Olson, hunter education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife Southern Region.

If you are going to leave town, even to go someplace close, Olson also recommends that people file a trip plan. That means telling a responsible adult where you will be going, when you plan on leaving and returning, and who will be going with you.

CONSERVATION LESSONS

Project WILD returns to Southern Nevada

After a brief hiatus, Project WILD is making its way back to Southern Nevada classrooms. Project WILD is a nationwide program that provides teachers with training and supplementary materials that can help them present conservation and environmental education subject matter to their students. The program emphasizes wildlife and the environment.

"The Project WILD in-service curriculum is designed for teachers whose students range from kindergarten through grade 12 and can be adapted to all learning styles and abilities," said Margie Klein, wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "But more than that, the program can be integrated into different subject areas, especially the power standard subjects of writing, math, and science."

Books and other materials are designed to help those teachers who are looking for innovative ways to integrate their subjects with the real world.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT

Be safe when taking pets outdoors

Taking pets into the outdoors is popular activity with many pet owners. As pet lovers venture with their faithful companions, they should remember to keep their pets safe, but there is always a chance the might encounter another critter while out in the wild.

At home, there may be little chance of a wild-domestic animal encounter. However, the closer a pet owner gets to the edge of town, the higher the odds that such an encounter might take place. Cats and small dogs make easy prey, especially when confined to a small yard or tied up outside.

One of the biggest dangers for canine companions comes from the area's five species of rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake bites can be fatal if the dog doesn't receive medical treatment.

If you are enjoying a quiet day outside, remember to be courteous to other recreationists and keep your pet close at hand. It's important to consider the harmful effects that pet encounters may have on the wildlife, as well. A domestic animal can surprise and scare a small wild animal. Some very small animals can literally be scared to death.