NJOA LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH DEP COMMISSIONER BOB MARTIN, ATTENDS WRITERS WORKSHOP, PEQUEST OPEN HOUSE AND PROMOTES QUAIL IN THE CLASSROOOM.
Trenton, NJ -(AmmoLand.com)- The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance met with DEP Commissioner Bob Martin and Deputy Commissioner David Glass about several key sportsman-related issues last week in hopes of resolution.
The meeting was extremely productive in establishing firm lines of communications between the NJOA and the Department of Environmental Protection. A day later NJOA Leadership attended the Outdoor Writers Workshop at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area where Commissioner Martin as well as Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda addressed the group and covered hot issues like staffing, funding and outdoor initiatives throughout the state.
Division Biologists followed with presentations on everything from bear hunting to butterflys as well as fresh and saltwater fishing. Lunch was provided by the Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs and the Jersey Coast Anglers Association where networking opportunities and side discussions were encouraged.
The NJOA then attended the Pequest Trout Hatchery Open House over the weekend where despite high winds on Sunday thousands enjoyed the grounds and activities. The NJOA fully supports the Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs Program which was a key concept on display at the Kiddie Tank and Education Pond where many youngsters caught their first fish and had their picture taken with Division Staff and Wildlife Conservation Corps Volunteers from Trout Unlimited.
Lastly the NJOA is in need of volunteers to lead and support the NJOA EPs Quail in the Classroom Program. Created in 2009 as a way to educate and engage the community through students to learn about habitat creation, maintenance and stewardship, this program has reached thousands of students and their families throughout the state.
The program consists of students incubating and hatching Northern bobwhite quail eggs. Then they care for the brooding chicks for a period of time before returning them to the program for rearing during the summer and release in the fall. The students and teachers are also required to do a wildlife habitat project in their community as well as a communication project related to their experience.
Email Pgalie@njquailproject.org if interested. Volunteers are needed for Leadership, Education, Equipment, Egg distribution, Chick transport and Supplies.
The program is in its 9th year and a lot of information has been learned as well as students engaged and it continues to grow.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT-GET READY TO VISIT THE NEW WEB SITE AT www.njoutdooralliance.org which is under construction!!
About NJOA:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earth’s resources.
For more information, visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org.