Marble Elementary Outreach Event

On Tuesday February 26th, we had an awesome outreach day at Marble Elementary School. This was an fun chance to teach younger students in the community about the natural world around them. 

Liz Brajevich organized the event in accordance to Marble Elementary's Community Learning sessions for their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes. We had the opportunity to educate the students on life cycles of organisms, by showing them a worm bin, as well as presenting different artifacts from different species; including some of the pelts we have, as well as some skulls and the preserved Hawksbill Sea Turtles. 

The volunteers that were at this excellent event did a great job getting the kids involved and interested in the nature and science. Never thought we would see so many young boys and girls overly excited about playing with a bunch of worms!

All things play a role in nature, event the lowly worm!

Liz B. presenting to a class of 1st graders at Marble Elementary School

Katie M. showing students a Leopard Pelt

Sarah fishing for worms to share with the kids

Sarah and Liz B. talking about different species

WORMS!

Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu). Photos courtesy of Katie McKiernan (mckiern3@msu.edu).

Michigan AFS 2013 Annual Meeting

The Michigan State University Fisheries and Wildlife Club took part in the 2013 Meeting of the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. The meeting was on February 19-21 in Gaylord Michigan. The FW Club was able to send 4 members to this meeting.

It is very important to note that the MSU FW Club has just become a Student Subunit of AFS fairly recently, and this was the first AFS meeting that we have had the opportunity to attend as a subunit. It was a great experience to learn about different case studies in fisheries management, hear about a lot of the research being done by current grad students from all across the state, and meet many professionals within the field. After several hours of listening to presentations, there was a great opportunity to network during the social events. 

The MIAFS 2013 Raffle, held in conjunction with the annual meeting in Gaylord, was hosted by both the Michigan State University and the Lake Superior State University Student Subunits of the MIAFS. This was the first year that our Subunit was involved with the raffle, and it was very successful for both schools. Some the items procured by both Subunits include a custom-made flyrod and reel combo, a canoe trip for four on the Pine River, tackle boxes, an Ice Auger, hand tied flies, and so many more items.

We hope to continue keeping our Subunit active with engagement and involvement with fisheries. With recent participation with the Park Lake Ice Fishing Derby, as well as future plans for a Hatchery Field Trip, and a possible long term research project on the Lake Dynamics of Park Lake; we are sure to give LSSU a challenge for the AFS North-Central Division's Most Active Student Subunit Award. 

Left to Right: Becca B., Theresa G., Carrie K., and Claire B.

Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu)

Park Lake Ice Fishing Derby

The MSU FW Club volunteered at the Park Lake 4th Annual Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, February 16th, 2013. With the weather in our favor, there was about 6" of solid, great ice, out at Park Lake in Bath Twp. The Derby had over 60 participants total, including youth and adults. 

We had originally planned to help the Kalamazoo Outdoor Club kids with their fishing, but since they were unable to make it out at the last minute due to the weather, we primarily spent the day out fishing, and measuring the fish caught for the Derby.

With the assistance of Dr. Hayes, we measured and took scales from all of the fish caught that were in the running for the Derby. It was a great experience, and an excellent event. We look forward to participating again next year, and hopefully we can work with the Kalamazoo Outdoor Club then.    

Measuring fish for the derby

Joey R. holding up his catch

Inside the Ice Shanty

Fishes just waiting to be measured

View of Park Lake

Damen K. measuring fish

Carrie K. drilling a hole

Becca B. holding up a catch

Damen K. taking scales from a fish

Shawn S. holding up his catch

Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu). Photos courtesy of Carrie Kozel (kozelca1@msu.edu).

Happy Birthday Darwin!

Celebrating the Father of Evolution

February 12th marks the birthday anniversary of Charles Darwin; and a celebration of science and humanity.  

Charles Darwin (Feb 12 1809 - April 19 1882)

In celebration of the discoveries and life of Darwin, the MSU Museum hosted the spectacular event of Darwin Discovery Day this last Sunday. This event was quite the success with over 590 visitors and 120 curators/volunteers! All of the MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Club members volunteering did an excellent job at being ambassadors for MSU and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. 

"Team Darwin" 2013
(Photo courtesy of MSU Museum)

With our "Conservation Biology" themed booth, we had the awesome opportunity to display many items that were confiscated at the Detroit Metro Airport to help educated others about the stresses put on endangered and threatened species with illegal take.

Ryan R., Katie M., Becca B., and Kelsey S. at the MSU FW Club Booth

We had many different items from endangered species at our table including:

     - Hawksbill sea turtles preserved for display

     - Musical instrument made out of a Hawksbill shell

     - Pelt from a leopard

     - Ivory (jewlery and decorative pieces) from Elephants/Rhinos

     - Bear Gall Bladder (in a dehydrated form)

     - Handbags made from Caiman leather

     - Boots made from sea turtle leather

     - Endangered Birdwing butterflies pinned in a collection

Becca B. talking about Hawksbill sea turtles

Visitors of the event interacting and exploring items

Ryan M. displaying a Hawksbill sea turtle

Ryan M. and Lydia K. showing an instrument made from a Hawksbill sea turtle shell

Katie M., Becca B., and Ryan F. talking about endangered butterfly species

Chris L., Katie M., and Becca B. explaining the importance of conservation biology

Becca B. and Kelsey S. showing items from the table

Katie M. showing a handbag made of Caiman leather

(Photos courtesy of Liz Brajevich unless otherwise noted in caption)
  

Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu)

Come Discover Darwin!

DARWIN DISCOVERY DAY

February 10th, 2013, 1-5PM

MSU Museum

Come out to the Michigan State University Museum to celebrate Darwin Discovery Day: Tails of Scales: Darwin & Reptiles. This FREE event is a great opportunity to learn more about Darwin with many great hands-on activities. The MSU Fisheries & Wildlife Club will be participating in this awesome outreach opportunity, by hosting a booth at the event. We have several club member volunteers to help educate attendees of the event about conservation of endangered species. Come out to support club, and to support the Darwin Discovery Day; and be sure to visit the Club's booth! We will have many neat items on display that were confiscated at the Detroit Metro Airport; to help teach others about the stresses put on endangered species with illegal take. 

Also at the event will be:

- Interesting and unusual specimens from the MSU Museum's natural science collections

- Hands-on activities for kids with MSU 4-H Children's Garden and Dept. of Horticulture

- Ask Darwin:  Rich Bellon, MSU Darwin Scholar, will answer questions about Darwin

- Ask an Expert:  Museum curators and MSU Specialists can help identify backyard curiosities:  bring in a rock, bone, fossil, tooth, or other natural object

-  Live critters with the MSU Herpetology Club

- Tours of the MSU Museum's "Bug Room," where beetles help prepare animal skeletons for inclusion in the collections

- The annual behind-the-scenes tour of MSU Museum Natural Science Research Collections

- Science books and kits at the Museum Store

- MSU Museum's West Gallery: "Hyenas Rule!" and "50,000" part of a series of exhibits featuring NSF-sponsored BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action

- Cake and refreshments for Darwin's Birthday!

For more information on this event, visit http://museum.msu.edu, or send questions to msufwclub@gmil.com. Hope to see you at this AWESOME event! Happy Birthday to Darwin!

 Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu)

Wood Duck Box Work

On January 26th, several MSU FW Club members braved the cold to do some wood duck box work in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources out at Rose Lake. 

It is really important to maintain wood duck boxes when they are put up, to ensure that they are safe for ducks, as well as to ensure that they will be successful for next nesting season. After repairing any damages, removing old nesting materials to add fresh wood shavings, we did work on a total of 19 different wood duck boxes in several different locations throughout the Rose Lake Wildlife Area. 

We did find a few interesting things in the boxes to make note of!

-Two different screech owls in two different boxes

-A very stubborn lazy raccoon in one box

-Feathers of a Red-winged black bird, most likely from previously nesting in the box

-Many many successful duck boxes with egg shells and fluffy down!

Shawn Szabo and Drew Rayner replacing a
damaged wood duck box

Drew Rayner and Matt placing a new
wood duck box

Shawn Szabo marking a wood duck box for
better identification

Written by Becca Blundell (blundel2@msu.edu)

Crested Geckos

1/31 Club Meeting: Crested Geckos! 

 

              

 

At our last meeting we had Lauren Phillips come to talk about Crested Geckos and her breeding program. We learned about their behaviors, diets and reproduction, along with how to care for them as pets. Lauren also brought several of her Crested Geckos for us to hold. 

 

Aren't they adorable?

 

 

Now for some cute Gecko pictures (The real reason you guys are reading this.)

 

 



 

 

 

 

(All pictures shown were taken by Carrie Kozel)