OUTDOOR BRIEFS

STOCKED WATER

NDOW makes sure urban ponds have fish

Have you ever wondered where the fish in the local ponds come from and what kinds of fish inhabit the ponds? The Nevada Department of Wildlife makes sure that those ponds are stocked on a regular basis, but the time of year determines the type of fish that are stocked. During the winter months, starting in November and continuing through March, rainbow trout, raised in one of NDOW state fish hatcheries, are released into the ponds of Lorenzi Park, Sunset Park, Floyd Lamb Park and Boulder City pond approximately every two weeks on Tuesdays.

It's a different story in the warmer spring and summer months. Channel catfish are the species that is planted into the ponds, and weather and equipment problems are less likely. But the catfish are not raised in Nevada and instead are purchased from a private company and delivered once a month starting in April and continuing through the summer until October.

ART CONTEST

Junior Duck Stamp Contest now accepting entries

While the kids are on vacation and looking for something to do, get them busy observing wildlife and entering an art contest. The 2010 Junior Duck Stamp Contest, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is accepting entries now through March 15. The Junior Duck Stamp Contest is an educational program designed to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl conservation to students. Students research one of 46 species of duck, swan or goose, listed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and then conclude their learning by illustrating the species, using any of a number of artistic mediums. Scenes should depict birds in their natural habitat. Students are also encouraged to write a conservation message.

Junior Duck Stamps are similar to the Federal Duck Stamps and sell for $5 each at post offices and wildlife refuges.

The contest is open to K-12 students across the United States and its territories. Students from around the United States submit artistic renderings to their state, territory or district competition. Winners from these competitions are then submitted to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. One image from the 53 Best of Show entries will become the next Junior Duck Stamp. Prizes are $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place and a $500 award is given for the best conservation message. The national winner, along with one parent or guardian and the winner's teacher, will receive a free trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the first day of sale ceremony.

The contest Web site has resources to help kids get outside and explore their environment. Rules and entry forms are available at www.fws.gov/juniorduck or (800) 344-9453. The state coordinator in Nevada for the contest is Donna Withers, (775) 4223-5287, Ext. 231, or donna_withers@fws.gov.