FEBRUARY
2012
EVENTS
Thursday, Feb. 9
Become a trained Nature Mapping citizen
scientist!
5:15 to 8 p.m., Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
Conference Room,
330 N. Glenwood (Pre-registration
required)
By recording what wildlife you see in your own backyard, during your commute
or while you’re out exploring, you can make a big contribution to conservation
efforts in the valley – find out how at the Feb. 9 Nature Mapping training.
Nature Mapping is a local project with the goal of “Keeping Common Species
Common.” This training is the first step for volunteers interested in learning
more about the project, about opportunities available once you become trained,
and about how to use the program’s web-based data management tools. To
register, contact project coordinator Megan Smith at Megan@jhwildlife.org or
(307) 739-0968. Nature Mapping Jackson Hole is sponsored by the Jackson Hole
Wildlife Foundation and the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund. For more information,
visit www.naturemappingjh.org.
Thursday, Feb. 9
"Fires, Bugs and Seeing the Forest
for the Trees,"
a presentation by George
Wuerthner
7 p.m., Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community
Center, 5655 Main St., Wilson
Ecologist and author George Wuerthner will share
information about the impacts of fire on forests
and wildlife during this free Feb. 9 presentation
sponsored by the Wyoming Wilderness Association.
Wuerthner, who holds degrees in botany, wildlife
biology and range science, will also discuss
basic fire ecology, pine bark beetles and the
value of dead trees in forest ecosystems. This
month, Bridger-Teton National Forest officials
are expected to release an environmental analysis
of the Teton to Snake Fuels Management Project,
which is intended to reduce the danger of forest
fires next to residences from Teton Village south
along the Fish/Fall Creek Road corridor all the
way to the Snake River Canyon. The organizers
of Wuerthner's talk hope to have information
on how the public can comment on the proposal
available for attendees. For details, contact
Kristen Pope at (307) 203-8382 or Kristen@wildwyo.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Citizen Lobbyist Training
Starts at 8 a.m. at the Plains Hotel in
Cheyenne
The 61st Wyoming Legislature Budget Session will
convene in Cheyenne on Feb. 13. For people who’d
like to get involved in the legislative process,
the nonprofit Equality State Policy Center is
offering a hands-on lobbying workshop on Feb.
15. This annual training is for those who want
to understand the workings of the state’s
legislature, and who want to learn ways that
citizens can influence lawmakers. For details, click
here. For more information about the 61st
Session, click here.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Alliance info lunch on the geology
of Jackson Hole
Noon to 1 p.m., Alliance
office, 685 S. Cache
The geologic story of Jackson Hole covers more
than 2.7 billion years and major periods of mountain-building,
plus volcanic eruptions that changed the face
of the American West. More recently, the region
has been altered by periods of glaciation and
deformation by major earthquakes. On Feb. 15,
The Geologists of Jackson Hole will discuss the
development of the Wyoming Thrust Belt and foreland
uplifts so dramatically seen in the mountains
surrounding Jackson Hole; the Teton Range and
associated Teton Fault, with implications for
residents and structures such as Jackson Lake
Dam; Yellowstone volcanism and its significance
for local geology; and the dramatic evidence
of glaciation throughout Jackson Hole and northwest
Wyoming. Please bring a bag lunch and your questions;
we'll provide snacks and drinks. Contact Claire
Fuller at (307) 733-9417 or Claire@jhalliance.org for
more information.
Saturday, Feb. 18
Annual Sage Grouse Census
9 a.m. to noon, southern half of Jackson
Hole
In March 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
determined that sage grouse warrant protection
under the Endangered Species Act, but that other
more critical species were a priority, so the
grouse have to wait. Meanwhile, sage grouse populations
in Jackson Hole and nationwide continue to decline,
and there's a need to accurately keep track of
the numbers. To keep tabs on the size and health
of our local sage grouse population, biologists
with Craighead Beringia South are planning to
conduct a count across the southern half of the
valley on Feb. 18, and they’d like your
help. If you’re interested in volunteering
for this census, please email beringia@beringiasouth.org with
the name(s) of people in your party, whether
you prefer to cross-country ski or snowshoe,
and how far you’re comfortable traveling,
and they’ll get back to you with details.
For more information, visit www.beringiasouth.com or
call Katie Dahlgren at (307) 734-0581.
Thursday, Feb. 23
"Market Trends and the Comp Plan"
6 p.m., County chambers, 300 S. Willow
The Alliance is pleased to sponsor a Feb. 23
presentation on the market forces driving development
in Teton County. David Viehman, author of "The
Hole Report" and owner of Jackson Hole Real
Estate Associates, will talk about trends in
supply and demand in the local real estate market,
and discuss what sort of development might be
expected in the town and county in coming years.
Christine Walker of the Teton County Housing
Authority will further discuss the intersection
of market forces and our community's workforce
housing goals. Your questions and comments for
the discussion that will follow are welcomed!
As we move toward adopting a new Comprehensive
Plan, this is a key opportunity to carefully
examine the economics that drive development
trends in Jackson Hole. Contact Becky Tillson
at (307) 733-9417 or Rebecca@jhalliance.org for
details.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Annual Moose Day
All day, throughout Jackson Hole
Poor habitat, disease, parasites, predation and
more are all playing a role in recent declines
in Western Wyoming moose populations. (For background
information on this topic by biologist Steve
Kilpatrick, click
here.) Moose Day, a project sponsored by
the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund and Nature
Mapping Jackson Hole, is when community members
are urged to keep an eye out for this particular
species and to report any sightings. If you're
interested in helping out, please contact Megan
Smith at (307) 739-0968 or Megan@jhwildlife.org.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Second Annual "Art of Conservation"
5 to 7 p.m., Altamira Fine Art, 172 Center
St.
You're invited to join us for a very special
fundraising event on Feb. 25 to benefit the
Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and the
Art Association of Jackson Hole. This gala
reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Altamira Fine
Art, 172 Center St., and features informal
artist demonstrations and conversation, plus
an auction of original work by attending renowned
painters R. Tom Gilleon, Dwayne Harty, Marshall
Noice, Amy Ringholz, Mary Roberson, Jared Sanders
and Laurie Stevens, sculptor Greg Woodard,
and photographer Tom Mangelsen.
Your $250 ticket
enters you into drawings to win beautiful work
by these artists, as well as a travel package
to Santa Fe and other items. The event also
features delicious appetizers by Bistro Catering.
To reserve your spot, please contact Andrea
Deaton at (307) 733-9417 or Andrea@jhalliance.org,
or click
here to purchase your ticket online. (Click
here for an article about last year's inaugural
Art of Conservation!)
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