Podcasts about wildlife management institute

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is a cornerstone of wildlife management and conservation efforts in the United States and Canada. This model has played a critical role in the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife populations, shaping conservation policies and practices not only in North America but also influencing global conservation strategies. This essay explores the history of the North American Model, its self-sufficient funding mechanisms, key founders, its influence on other countries, and modern applications. Historical Background The origins of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when unregulated hunting, habitat destruction, and market hunting had severely depleted wildlife populations. Prominent conservationists recognized the urgent need for a structured approach to wildlife conservation. Theodore Roosevelt, a former U.S. president and passionate outdoorsman, played a pivotal role in the conservation movement, establishing national parks and wildlife refuges. George Bird Grinnell, an influential naturalist and editor, co-founded the Boone and Crockett Club with Roosevelt in 1887, advocating for the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Aldo Leopold, often regarded as the father of wildlife ecology, furthered the cause with his seminal work "A Sand County Almanac," emphasizing the ethical responsibility humans have toward the natural world. The conservation movement gained momentum with the establishment of the Boone and Crockett Club, which was instrumental in advocating for wildlife protection laws and the creation of protected areas. The passage of the Lacey Act in 1900, which prohibited the interstate transport of illegally taken wildlife, marked a significant legislative milestone in conservation history. Self-Sufficient Funding Mechanisms One of the unique aspects of the North American Model is its self-sufficient funding mechanisms, primarily through the "user-pays, public-benefits" approach. This system ensures that those who utilize wildlife resources contribute directly to their conservation. The model's funding mechanisms are largely derived from hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and excise taxes on hunting, fishing, and boating equipment. The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 are pivotal in this funding strategy. These acts impose excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and related equipment, with the collected funds being allocated to state wildlife agencies for conservation efforts. This financial framework has generated billions of dollars for wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and research, creating a sustainable source of funding that has enabled continuous and effective wildlife management. Key Founders The success of the North American Model can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of key founders and various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the public. The dedication of early conservationists like Theodore Roosevelt, George Bird Grinnell, and Aldo Leopold laid the foundation for modern wildlife conservation. Roosevelt's establishment of national parks and refuges, Grinnell's advocacy through the Boone and Crockett Club, and Leopold's pioneering ecological research and writings all contributed to the development and implementation of the model. These visionaries recognized the intrinsic value of wildlife and natural habitats and worked tirelessly to ensure their protection for future generations. Government agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies, alongside their Canadian counterparts, have played crucial roles in implementing conservation programs, enforcing regulations, and managing wildlife habitats. Non-profit organizations, including the Boone and Crockett Club, the Wildlife Management Institute, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wildlife Federation, have been instrumental in advocacy, education, and funding for conservation projects. Hunters and anglers, as primary funders of conservation through license fees and excise taxes, have also been pivotal in supporting and promoting sustainable wildlife management practices. Influence on Other Countries The principles and practices of the North American Model have had a significant impact on wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. Countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia have looked to this model as a blueprint for developing their own conservation strategies. The emphasis on sustainable use, science-based management, and the involvement of local communities has resonated globally. Learn more Here: https://youtu.be/yEmr1zGwi3g  For instance, the community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programs in southern Africa draw heavily from the North American Model. These programs empower local communities to manage and benefit from wildlife resources, promoting conservation through sustainable use and local stewardship. By adopting the user-pays approach and involving local stakeholders, these programs have successfully balanced conservation goals with the economic needs of communities. Modern Applications In contemporary times, the North American Model continues to evolve to address emerging conservation challenges. Climate change, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity loss require adaptive management strategies and innovative solutions. Urban wildlife management has become increasingly important as urban areas expand, necessitating programs focused on coexisting with urban wildlife, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and preserving urban green spaces. Modern technology, including GPS tracking, remote sensing, and data analytics, enhances wildlife monitoring, research, and management, providing valuable insights into wildlife behavior, habitat use, and population dynamics. Conclusion The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation stands as a testament to the power of collaborative, science-based, and sustainably funded conservation efforts. Its historical roots, innovative funding mechanisms, and the dedication of key founders and stakeholders have not only preserved North America's rich wildlife heritage but also served as an inspiration for global conservation initiatives. As we face new environmental challenges, the principles of the North American Model continue to guide and inform effective and adaptive wildlife conservation strategies.  

A conversation with Jonathon Gassett, Ph.D., former Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Southeastern Representative of the Wildlife Management Institute, National Conservation Leadership Institute and Patrick Berry, former Director of Vermont fish and Wildlife Department and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers “Those who cannot remember history are condemned to repeat it.” Why does the US and Canada have a tradition of public hunting and wildlife conservation based on the public ownership of wildlife? Why don't we hunt elk in fenced enclosures in Wyoming, as many hunt whitetails in Texas? Why are we not like Scotland, where hunters pay to stalk red deer on huge private estates? How about South Africa, where almost all “hunting preserves” are high fenced? Why do we have what we have? Why is it imperiled from all sides right now?  Political attacks on Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds from the right, ballot initiatives to ban mountain lion hunting and take away the authority of wildlife biologists from the left. The wholesale dismantling of state fish and game agencies by both left and right. Scorn for the public trust. Hunting and the conservation upon which it is based is under massive fire from all sides, and from a growing apathy and indifference of masses of Americans who don't have access to it, and so don't understand or care about the careful stewardship of wildlife and fisheries that created a miracle of restoration almost 100 years ago. Today's podcast episode is a conversation with experts at a time of crisis.

In this episode (#232) of Leupold's Hunt Talk Radio, Randy and Andrew McKean explore more of the efforts to marginalize hunters and hunting in wildlife management. In this episode we are joined by Tony Wasley, former Director of Nevada Department of Wildlife, now with the Wildlife Management Institute focusing on the relevancy of hunting and hunters in a rapidly changing society. Nevada is one of the most diverse and urbanized states, forcing Tony and his Commission to address rapidly changing demographics, lower participation, and maintaining relevance in an urbanized populace. Tony shares his research and what messages are proven winners and failures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the seven principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is; wildlife is to be managed by the best science available, not opinion, conjecture, or how some would like it to be. Keith sits down with Steve Williams, past Chief of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and current president of the Wildlife Management Institute to discuss how this cornerstone of wildlife management came about, its contributions over the past century, and what challenges we face in keeping science at the forefront of wildlife policy and management.

In the final episode of the CWD Chronicles, we bring back Matt Dunfee from the Wildlife Management Institute to put a bow on the series, help us affirm good information, throw away bad information, respond to listener questions, and look to the future of managing and living with CWD. Links: CWD Chronicles FULL SHOW ARCHIVE: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles Recent and Ongoing CWD Research and Management Projects: https://cwd-info.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CWD-RESEARCH-SUMMARIES-MASTER-6-29-21.pdf CWD in North America: https://cwd-info.org/map-chronic-wasting-disease-in-north-america/ Carcass Importation Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/state-and-province-carcass-import-regulations/ CWD-Related Hunting Regulations: https://cwd-info.org/cwd-hunting-regulations-map/ Show notes: 5:14 – Aaron shares a little background on Matt for those who didn't catch episode one. 6:34 – Quick overview of previous topics covered in the CWD Chronicles Episodes 1-5. 9:18 – Ashley shares a few other things that we hope to look at as we wrap up this series. *A few take-aways from previous episodes: Get tested. Support intensive management actions when necessary. Don't congregate animals. 11:53 – Within the past six months, we have four new states with CWD positive tests! 13:09 – Matt reflects on the broader picture which has been reinforced over this series. “The first one is never the first one, we find this disease as we test more for it.” 17:00 – Aaron chips in that in this episode we are highlighting questions from our listeners. 19:05 – First listener question from John Matis in Loveland, CO. John says: I'd like to know why all the deer aren't dead?  If chronic wasting disease is so contagious, and results in 100% fatalities, then why haven't all the deer and elk died? Or is there genetic selection taking place, where the animals are developing immunity or resistance to the disease? Why not let natural selection take place?  21:57 – Can a fawn be born CWD positive? Ashley points out that younger populations have other implications beyond just total numbers. 24:50 – Second listener question from Gary Maerz in Westbury, NY. Gary asks: Have state agencies considered a program that allows the issuance of additional tags if a hunter harvests a CWD positive deer, after verified by testing? 29:08 – Third listener question from Austin Moon in Cheyenne, WY. Austin asks: Why is CWD more prevalent in deer than in other ungulates? 34:07 – Fourth listener question from Sarah Mueller in Pennsylvania. Sarah says: We are just now on the edge of the CWD zone, should I get my deer tested? Can I eat the meat if it's CWD positive? I'm nervous about using my good knives to butcher if I get prions that will never come off on them. Other states have lived with CWD for years but Pennsylvania is pretty new – how do I navigate this? 38:00 – Ashley asks about the potential of prions penetrating the handles of her knives. 39:00 – Aaron asks if we, as a sporting community, should just take on as a sporting community that everyone should get tested 100% of the time. 43:22 – Should we be testing pronghorn if they are harvested in a CWD hot zone given the fact that the disease has been documented to jump species? “When nothing is sure, anything is possible.” 45:43 - Unpacking the logistics of universal testing. Meaning that every cervid out there is tested. 54:50 - What if every research project out there at any given point could take a tiny “punch” sample from their ears for surveillance and tracking disease distribution. 1:00:47 - How can the nonsporting public engage in the issues regarding CWD? Taking a look at the North American model of wildlife conservation. 1:05:50 - It seems like there's not really an end point in sight. Matt discusses some simple things to consider regarding wildlife conservation, getting involved, hunting with CWD on the mind, etc. “This is your heritage. Treat it as such.” 1:07:34 - Pointing to the future, looking at a crystal ball, where are we at in 20 years? 1:12:46 - How can we bridge the gap of being in it 100% or just putting the blinders on because folks are bored of dealing with CWD. “Rather than getting angry and just calling someone an idiot, let's get curious and say where did you get that perspective… let me listen to yours so you will listen to mine. We know as humans that gets us a lot more ground than shame, gilt or ridicule.” 1:15:30 – Closing statements from Ashley and Aaron. “If everyone would listen to this podcast series, I think we would get where we need to go. This is definitely a long form conversation and I think at the end of this if folks do take the time to listen to the whole thing, they can come to a good solid perspective on not just CWD but a lot of other things.” -Matt Dunfee, the Wildlife Management Institute

In this episode of The Duck Hunter's Podcast, Joel chats with Brad Bortner, of the Wildlife Management Institute, about the HIP program and how the federal government uses that information to evaluate hunter effort and annual harvest. 

Hunting in the U.S. has grown over the past few decades to be a billion-dollar industry. That has implications for entrepreneurs in Missouri, where hunting-related businesses draw outsiders to spend time — and money — in rural communities. During the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. has seen "unprecedented spikes" in hunting and fishing, according to Matt Dunfee of the Wildlife Management Institute. However, that hasn't necessarily translated into improved profits for local businesses. The latest installment of our Outstate series on entrepreneurship in small-town Missouri took us to Macon, in the northeast corner of the state, where a wide array of businesses depend on hunting. Plus, the mid-Missouri town of Eldon has been hit by hardship in back-to-back years. In the spring of 2019, a tornado ripped through the town of about 4,600. This year, Eldon finds itself grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We checked in with the publisher of the local newspaper to get a sense of how businesses in Eldon are faring.

In conjunction with Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s celebration of National Hunting & Fishing week, host Bob St. Pierre and the organization’s Hunting Heritage Program Manger Colby Kerber take a deep dive into the hunting community’s R3 initiative with Matt Dunfee. Dunfee is the Wildlife Management Institute’s Director of Special Programs and one of the principle architects behind the R3 movement to address America’s precipitous decline in hunters. Colby also announces the organization’s launch of the Mentor Pledge being sponsored by ALPS OutdoorZ. Episode highlights: • Colby shares his experience as a first-generation hunter and the memorable duck hunt in college that hooked him. • Matt explains the Wildlife Management Institute’s role as a “think tank” for natural resources. He also discusses how that work led to a deep dive into the loss of hunters and potential ramifications for the rapid decline in license sales. • Matt also details the struggles of the hunting community as its efforts successfully cloned middle aged white males but didn’t adapt to reflect America’s changing demographics. • Bob and Matt also debate the comparison of hunting as a sport or a lifestyle and the ways to change the conversation to make it more inclusive. • The group also discusses the importance of mentorship. As Matt says, “become a mentor, and your circle of friends will grow exponentially”. • In the end, they review tips for mentors and how Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever can help hunters be mentors. Take Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Hunter Mentor Challenge this hunting season!

Looking into the year ahead, hear about the conservation leadership, stewardship, and commitment of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, along with the Wildlife Management Institute’s conservation priorities for 2020. President of the Wildlife Management Institute, Steve Williams, and the Sr. Director of Conservation for Bass Pro Shops, Bob Ziehmer, touch on topics like climate change, upcoming projects, and more. Finally, Bass Pro Shops Communications Manager Katie Mitchell has the latest updates on happenings at Bass Pro and Cabela's stores nationwide.

My guest on this episode, Dr. Matt Wagner, is someone who I know enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. Dr. Wagner is the definitive expert on wildlife conservation, range land management, and the Texas laws and policies governing them. I could invite him on every episode of this show and I know that I’d never grow tired of hearing what he has to say. Dr. Wagner spent 28 years with the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, most recently as Deputy Director. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Biology Department at Texas State University, where he teaches Wildlife Law and Policy. He also works under contract as a project administer with the Wildlife Management Institute, which has supported game management, biological diversity, and ecology since its founding in 1911. As if that is not enough, Dr. Wagner has extensive experience working with and advising private landowners such as me. And Dr. Wagner is a believer in the important role that privately owned land plays in the well-being of wildlife and wildlife habitat. On this edition of RANCHCAST with LEM LEWIS, Dr. Wagner and I will discuss two big issues impacting wildlife conservation in Texas.  One is the the loss of connection between people and the rural lifestyle, and two, the distribution and allocation of water. Because Dr. Wagner is so knowledgeable, he and I also explore the impact of exotic wildlife and the efforts to manage them. We talk about statewide land stewardship programs and we even review efforts to privatized white tailed deer. And finally Dr. Wagner and I discuss the subject of chronic wasting disease in Texas. If you own a ranch, are thinking about buying a ranch, or simply love the ranching lifestyle, you're going to want to hear what Dr. Matt Wagner has to say.

Hardy Face Paint – Meet the owners of Hardy FacePaint Hello. We are Brian and Mariah Hardy, creators of HARDY FACEPAINT and avid, responsible hunters just like you. Brian had always used face masks, preferring the convenience of masks to the mess and trouble of paint. However, all of that changed the first time Brian went bowhunting in Kansas, the ultimate whitetail hunting state. As a big buck came into his line of sight, Brian drew back on his bow only to have his facemask catch on his release! There was nothing for him to do except draw down and watch as the buck of a lifetime walk away. Determined to never experience a facemask mishap like this again, Brian purchased every face paint product on the market. No matter what he tried, the paint ended up feeling greasy, messy, and itchy. Some of the products smelled like crayons. As any good bowhunter will tell you, it is imperative to be scent- free on the hunt. Mariah had never liked face masks as they would constantly ride up on her face and hindered her shooting. However, as someone with sensitive skin, she didn’t have the option of using harsh and irritating face paints. Not only that, Mariah is also a safe cosmetic advocate who lives a wholefood and organic lifestyle, so the toxic and harmful ingredients of face paint were not only impractical for her, but also in conflict with her values. Brian and Mariah became increasingly frustrated trying to find a camouflage face paint that was not only made with quality ingredients, but was also effective, safe, gentle, and easy to both apply and remove. After exhausting all of the existing options, they decided to take matters into their own hands. They left no detail unconsidered when creating HARDY FACEPAINT. They thought about what hunting face paint would ideally look, smell, and feel like. They researched ingredients, safety, and effectiveness, as well as ease of application and removal. They essentially dreamed up a hunter’s perfect face paint and engineered HARDY FACEPAINT to be exactly that. IBO – The International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) was created in 1984 by a dedicated group of bowhunters who shared the desire to ensure that bowhunting and the ideals of wildlife conservation survive, expand and flourish to be shared, enjoyed and passed on to future generations. By its charter, the International Bowhunting Organization’s purpose is “To promote, encourage, and foster the sport of bowhunting; further bowhunter education; act as a political coordinator and liaison for the protection and advancement of bowhunting; function as a clearinghouse for essential bowhunter information; and adhere to the basic ideal of the unification of bowhunters.” Soon after its inception, the IBO launched the Triple Crown of Bowhunting, consisting of three national tournaments hosted in separate states. Utilizing identical rules and classes, the Triple Crown culminates with the crowning of national champions of various age, gender, and equipment classes. The series continues to expand each year and has become the undisputed indicator of the best individual performers and equipment in the sport of 3-D archery and bowhunting. In 1989, the IBO established a series of sanctioned tournaments worldwide in which participants may qualify to compete in an annual finale to be held in a large and accommodating, destination-type venue. Presently, hundreds of local and regional bowhunting clubs host qualifying events for the opportunity to participate in 3D Archery’s largest and most prestigious event, The IBO World Championship. National Deer Alliance – NDA’s Initiative The mission of the National Deer Alliance (NDA) is to serve as the guardian of wild deer conservation (white-tailed deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, Coues deer, and Key deer), and our hunting heritage. Formally incorporated in May 2015, the NDA is driven to assemble and unite a diverse group of stakeholders that includes hunters, managers, and the hunting industry to help create positive outcomes for deer and deer hunting. A strong board of directors that represents organizations and groups such as the Mule Deer Foundation, Quality Deer Management Association, Whitetails Unlimited, Archery Trade Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Wildlife Management Institute, Vista Outdoor, and Bass Pro Shops, leads NDA. The Need – Deer are the most commonly pursued and economically important game animal in North America. Despite the fact that 83% of the more than 14,000,000 hunters in the United States identified as deer hunters, there was no national organization geared toward protecting the interests of all deer hunters and the deer hunting industry before the formation of NDA. Amazingly, less than 1% of deer hunters belong to a national conservation organization dedicated to the protection of deer and our deer hunting heritage. This is where NDA comes in. The time has come for deer hunters, managers, and the hunting industry to organize and provide a united front to address current and emerging threats to deer hunting and our heritage.

So much going on I had to do two episodes this week. With another government shutdown looming how does that avvect you and me as the sportsman. Maybe more than you realize. Dr. Steve Williams of the Wildlife Management Institute talks about that. Plus big public land vote this week and I have a story to illustrate why we can't just do nothing. 

Lisa Wahle of the Wildlife Management Institute is interviewed by URI student Gabriella Jeronimo.

News for Mid-October Hello Listener! Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per month. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger. Busy bunny bussing around London causes commuter commotion https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/bunny-rabbit-bus-london/ Have you heard the one about the London Overground and the hare? One fluffy bunny is going viral after hopping aboard a London bus and casually going for a ride, without an owner in sight. Twitter user Matt Hepburn captured the Petter Cottontail (or Cottontransit, perhaps? Cottontrain?) aboard the bus with a single photo and the only caption that could possibly describe the seriousness and serendipity of the situation: “There’s a rabbit on my bus.” Naturally, the internet wanted to know, where did he come from? And where did he go? Where did he come from, this Cottontail Joe? Well, apparently this li’l bun gets around and was spotted on the Overground once before. Perhaps the bus bunny was bugging out over being a tad bit tardy for a seemingly momentous occasion? Could it have been related to at least one of these bunnies in Manchester? It’s OK though—Hepburn was able to talk to the bunny’s owner, and as it turns out, this is like, a normal day for it. “Apparently he does this often,” Hepburn wrote, stating the owner was sitting a few seats away. However, though it’s not completely clear if the hare is the one who “does this” and rides the bus often, or if the owner rides the bus with the bunny often, but just gives it space. In fact, this “laid back space hippy” of an owner has sparked more questions than answers: If he rides with the rabbit, does he wait for the rabbit’s signal to hop off the bus? If the rabbit rides alone, how does it reach the buttons letting the driver know it would like to get off at the last stop? What circumstances in this world have brought together a bus-riding rabbit and a space hippy? The world may never know.   Steampunk Alice in Wonderland coming to Bristol http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-09-29/steampunk-alice-in-wonderland-coming-to-bristol/ Rehearsals are gathering pace for a production of Alice in Wonderland... with a twist! The young actors at ITV WEST Television Workshop are bringing a steampunk-themed family version of the classic tale to Bristol next week. The show will be performed by a cast of more than 30 actors aged from 9 to 59. It is suitable for all ages. Alice is bored. Sitting on the riverbank with her Sister who has her head stuck in a book. Again. Nothing exciting ever happens to Alice. Ever. That is, until a sarcastic and frenetic White Rabbit appears with a waistcoat and a pocket watch, obsessing over how late he is. I mean, have you seen a rabbit with a watch before? Alice hasn't! Then he rudely disappears down a rabbit hole... Should Alice stay on the riverbank, bored out of her mind? Or follow him down into a utopia of Steampunk madness - with grinning cats, chaotic twins, mad tea parties and a crazy Queen who's lost some tarts? Boredom loses. Curiosity wins. Welcome to Wonderland. – ITV Television Workshop Alice in Wonderland is being performed at the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton from Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th October @ 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at£10/£12 and are available by calling the box office on 0117 3157800 or from the Redgrave website at www.redgravetheatre.com.   Fish and Game to take ownership of New England cottontail habitat http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170928/NEWS01/170929214/-1/mobile?template=mobileart MANCHESTER — The endangered New England cottontail has found a friend in the state Fish and Game Department, which soon is expected to own a prime piece of the rabbit’s habitat. The Fish and Game Department said it is glad to take over ownership of 57 acres of conservation land near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, saving the airport about $30,000 a year. “We’re happy to take it,” said Glenn Normandeau, executive director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. “We’re actively doing management at the property to help with the rabbit situation.” The endangered cottontail needs thick shrub cover, which can be found on the site, to avoid predators, which is “pretty much everything,” he said. Airport officials are working to transfer ownership to Fish and Game. Deputy Airport Director Tom Malafronte said the airport was spending $30,000 annually in recent years to maintain the site, including picking up discarded tires and construction materials. In 2001, the airport purchased the property in Manchester and Londonderry for $1.1 million to offset filling in 13 acres of wetlands as part of expanding the southern portion of the airport’s north-south runway more than a decade ago. “Preserving the New England cottontail habitat was an important consideration for NH Fish and Game, and one of the reasons that we felt strongly that they would be best suited to own and manage the property,” Malafronte said. To protect the endangered species, the state has closed off areas of the Merrimack Valley area from Concord south as well as a section of Rochester south to near Exeter from hunting any cottontail rabbit year-round to avoid any confusion. “Just because it’s difficult to tell them apart” from other more populated rabbit species, Normandeau said. The protection means people can’t harm, harass, injure or kill the rabbits, which run 15 to 17 inches long with brown and gray coats. Humans sometimes confuse them with Eastern cottontails. “I’m not aware we’ve ever prosecuted anyone for the taking of a listed species, but we certainly try to discourage it,” said Normandeau, who’s been to the property several times. He called the parcel southwest of the airport “a good wildlife spot in the middle of what’s become a pretty significantly developed area.” The Londonderry-Merrimack area “is definitely one of the hot spots of their existing populations,” Normandeau said. A notice in the Federal Register last week said Fish and Game would “continue to maintain the property in its natural state as a wildlife corridor in perpetuity.” Had homes or businesses been built on that land, it “would probably eliminate the rabbit’s habitat, which in effect means they’re going to disappear, leave the area,” Normandeau said.     The innocent reason Hefner named Playboy girls ‘bunnies’ http://nypost.com/2017/09/28/the-innocent-reason-hefner-named-playboy-girls-bunnies/ Hugh Hefner’s Playboy empire was as famous for its “Bunnies” as it was for its saucy centerfolds. The stunning waitresses, dressed in skin-tight bodices with rabbit ears and tails, became an iconic part of the mogul’s brand — serving at his parties, his clubs and even on his private jet. But have you ever wondered why they were called “Bunnies” in the first place? According to the magazine mogul — who died Wednesday at the age of 91 — the real inspiration behind the Playboy Bunny was a student bar from his college days. When Hefner was a student at Illinois University, in the 1940s, his favorite hangout was a bar called Bunny’s Tavern named after its original owner, Bernard “Bunny” Fitzsimmons. The bar, which opened in 1936, was a favorite for poverty-stricken students because of its 35-cent daily food specials and draft beer for 10 cents a glass. When Hefner set up his Playboy empire, in the 1950s, he came up with his rabbit logo and consequently the Bunny girls as a tribute, which he revealed in a letter to the bar which now hangs on its wall. However, he also admitted that the Bunny costume was a saucy reference to the sexual reputation of rabbits. The iconic costume was designed by Zelda Wynn Valdes and made its formal debut at the opening of the first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1960. Bunnies, who were chosen after a series of auditions, were given designated roles — so they could be a Door Bunny, a Cigarette Bunny, a Floor Bunny or a Playmate Bunny. There were also trained flight attendants, known as Jet Bunnies, who served on the Playboy Big Bunny Jet. Every Bunny went through a strict training regimen and had to be able to identify 143 brands of liquor and know how to garnish 20 cocktails. They also had to master the “Bunny stance” — with legs together, back arched and hips tucked under — as well as the “Bunny perch” for sitting on the back of a chair and the “Bunny dip,” which required them to bend their knees to serve drinks elegantly. Dating customers was forbidden and clients were banned from touching the girls in the clubs.     Giant rabbit, moon sculptures welcome coming Mid-Autumn Festival in Jinan, East China’s Shandong http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1068642.shtml Inflatable sculptures of a moon and rabbit are displayed on Baihuazhou lake in Jinan, East China’s Shandong Province on September 27, 2017. The illuminated moon model measures six meters tall, while the rabbit stands at a respectable four meters.   Ikea’s Latest Acquisition Will Help Assemble Your Ikea Furniture http://fortune.com/2017/09/28/ikea-task-rabbit/ One of the most popular jobs on TaskRabbit, a service that lets you hire workers for quick gigs, is assembling Ikea furniture. So perhaps it's no surprise that the Swedish retail giant has reportedly acquired the startup for an undisclosed price. TaskRabbit has only a few dozen full-time employees, but it is a platform for a large number of independent contractors who help customers with all sorts of errands, handymen tasks and, of course, furniture assembly. According to tech news site Recode, Ikea will treat TaskRabbit, which is reportedly profitable, as an independent subsidiary and keep on its CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot. Recode sees the deal as a strategic acquisition at a time of rapid change in the world of retail and home delivery: The purchase of TaskRabbit was fueled by Ikea’s need to further bolster its digital customer service capabilities to better compete with rivals likes Amazon, which has stepped up its home goods and installation offerings. The purchase is Ikea’s first step into the on-demand platform space. TaskRabbit had already struck a pilot partnership with Ikea around furniture assembly in the United Kingdom and also had marketed its workers ability to put together Ikea items in the U.S. and elsewhere. TaskRabbit has received investments from a number of prominent venture capital firms, including Shasta Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Founders Fund. Currently, customers are able to hire "rabbits" in around 40 U.S. cities. TaskRabbit is one of the most high profile of the so-called "gig economy" companies, which connect customers with workers on an independent contractor basis. Other such companies include home cleaning service Handy, and the car-hailing services Uber and lyft. The "gig" business model is popular with investors because it can grow quickly, and allows companies to try to avoid the costs and legal entanglements of hiring staff. In recent years, however, workers on such services have won several court challenges claiming they are not contractors, but are instead employees. Ikea did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the acquisition.     The Peter Rabbit film trailer has been released - and it looks incredible http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/film-news/peter-rabbit-film-trailer-been-13676775 The new trailer for the forthcoming Peter Rabbit movie has been released. The jaw-dropping trailer ahead of the CGI/live-action film has left viewers stunned - and fans ready to see it. The film is being shot in Cumbria and takes in the stunning scenery of Windermere and Ambleside that inspired Beatrix Potter to write her stories. Billed by Sony Pictures Animation as a 'contemporary comedy with attitude', it follows the story of Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers. Starring James Corden as the voice of the titular bunny, Peter Rabbit promises thrills, spills and badgers playing darts with hedgehogs. The film features voice roles played by Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki, and live-action roles played by Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne and Sam Neill. The film is scheduled to be released on February 9, 2018.   5 Rabbit Cervecería Papi Chulo Bottle Release Details https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/5-rabbit-cerveceria-papi-chulo-bottle-release-details/ (Bedford Park, IL) – At 8.5% abv, Papi Chulo was produced using the Solera method by incorporating 3 vintages blended over 4 years. It is aggressively sour. Acerola, also known as Barbados cherry, is native to Central and South America and is considered a superfood due to its nutritive value and antioxidant powers. If you love sour beers, you do not want to miss this release! 5 Rabbit Papi Chulo The bottle release will take place at our brewery in Bedford Park, on Saturday 10/7/17 at 2pm. These bottles are limited and we will do our best to spread them out as much as possible. We are anticipating to offer 2 bottles per person, however if turnout is larger than expected this number may change. Thank you in advance for understanding.     Short Film Friday: ‘Rabbit’s Blood’ Is The Best Kind Of Weird Read more at Film School Rejects: https://filmschoolrejects.com/short-film-friday-rabbits-blood-best-kind-weird/#ixzz4uJc3hxBW Lynchian” doesn’t really begin to describe it. A stark, darkly funny animation whose styles evoke those of Japan and Eastern Europe, Rabbit’s Blood creates an odd world at the intersection of cartoonishness and realism. The fluctuating colors filling in the clothes combined with the jarringly natural sound design make for an uneasy viewing experience that can create moments of fear and humor as easily as it puts us on edge. Animator Sarina Nihei finds a bit of Don Hertzfeldt and David Lynch, then jostles them together with a repugnant cuteness that’s almost too much to watch. https://vimeo.com/232458407       After the latest supermarket chicken scandal, is it time to reappraise the humble bunny? http://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/after-supermarket-chicken-scandal-time-554274 In 1947 the Government came up with a cunning way of measuring inflation. The Retail Price Index took a typical British shopping basket and measured the average cost of its contents. This exercise, carried out annually, allowed statisticians to work out inflation and its effect on the public. Alongside the corned beef, herrings, boiled sweets and cauliflower that typified the diet of the day was wild rabbit. Since the 12 Century, when bunnies were introduced to this country to be raised in managed warrens, they had been a staple of the British diet, particularly in rural areas. We may refer to modern times as “austerity Britain” but with a gourmet burger joint on every corner and supermarket shelves groaning I think the levels of austerity in this country pale into insignificance compared to the post war era, when rabbit would have provided a welcome and tasty protein hit. I’m not sure why rabbit fell out of favor. The deliberate introduction of myxomatosis in an attempt to control burgeoning bunny populations probably had something to do with it, even though this horrible disease apparently doesn’t affect the meat. The introduction of battery farming made the price of poultry tumble, and steadily chicken has replaced rabbit on the nation’s dinner table. With the latest story about dodgy practices at one of the country’s largest processing plants I wonder if it’s time to reappraise the humble bunny. Trendy chefs tell us we’re supposed to eat lean, sustainable, local, organic produce, something our grandparents were doing decades ago when they tucked into a rabbit stew. I was going to describe the Guardian’s revelations about 2 Sisters as shocking, but really only the naive can be even surprised at their undercover reporter’s findings. We all know that cheap meat involves an “ask no questions” pact between producer and consumer. When Aldi sells you a kilo of chicken for £1.79, it’s with a nudge and a wink – we’re getting ridiculously cheap meat – just so long as we don’t glimpse behind the plastic curtains of the processing plants it uses. Evacuee Teddy Neale, 14, with a catch of rabbits on August 10,1944. And the real shame is that while chickens live out pointless and short lives in unpleasant conditions, farmers are obliged by law (The Pests Act 1954 if you’re interested) to kill the rabbits that run wild in the fields next to the battery sheds. There are between 35m and 45m in this country and they breed like, well, rabbits. Yet because there is no longer a market for these animals most will end up buried and rotting – it’s an incredible and epic waste of a natural resource and I think something of a national scandal. So next time you pass a proper butcher why not invest a couple of quid in an animal which has led a wild and free life in a field close to your home?     TOKiMONSTA puts forth her beat-making savvy on ‘Lune Rouge’ after nearly losing it all http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/tokimonsta-brings-beats-losing-musical-abilities-article-1.3532927 TOKiMONSTA is back — and doing better than ever. The seasoned Los Angeles producer, real name Jennifer Lee, has reemerged with her third full-length record after a tumultuous time in her life — she had two surgeries for a rare brain disorder called Moyamoya she was diagnosed with in 2015. Lee penned an essay detailing her experience regaining the ability to speak as well as comprehend and make music after the surgeries, the first time she publicly addressed her health scare. The artist, whose name translates to rabbit monster (toki means rabbit in Korean), caught up with the Daily News at Panorama over the summer to talk about her love of making beats and “Lune Rouge,” which officially drops Friday. “In a generation where everyone is very playlist-focused, I would say that this album is a playlist of songs for one person,” Lee said. “It represents who I am right now as an artist, how I’ve progressed over the many years that have passed since the last one … I just set the intentions to make the kind of music that makes me happy.” The new music will likely make listeners happy, too. “Lune Rouge” offers 11 hypnotizing tracks suited for the likes of hip-hop and R&B collaborators Yuna, Joey Purp and Isaiah Rashad. MAD creates inflatable pavilion shaped like a rabbit's head https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/01/mad-inflatable-pavilion-rabbit-ears-beijing-design-week/ For this year's Beijing Design Week, architecture studio MAD has created an inflatable pavilion with two big floppy ears. Beijing-based MAD created the giant-rabbit-shaped pavilion in a hutong – one of the city's old courtyard-house neighbourhoods – near Lama Temple. Titled Wonderland, it is designed to provide a public space where children in the area can meet and play with each other. Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. The inflatable structure is white and its two lop ears protrude at a jaunty angle. "Through the form of a rabbit, Wonderland brings a carefree spirit and sense of whimsy to this old Beijing neighbourhood," said MAD. "Its playful attitude provides an escape from reality." Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. At night, the interior of a structure is illuminated with a white light that provides a safe environment for children to socialise. "Surrounded by its soft walls, under the blue sky and green trees, children can play, daydream and drift off into their own fantasy wonderland, in pursuit of happiness," added MAD. Beijing Design Week pavilion by MAD architects. Led by architect Ma Yansong, MAD is best known for projects including the undulating Harbin Opera House, the horseshoe-shaped Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort and the twisted Absolute Towers. The firm – which ranked at number 61 on the inaugural Dezeen Hot List – is currently working on a variety of projects in California, including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which recently gained approval from Los Angeles city officials. Let sleeping dogs – and their masters – lie http://www.kansas.com/living/health-fitness/article177536371.html President John F. Kennedy’s family had several dogs that cuddled with Caroline and John-John (as well as a beer-swilling rabbit that was a gift from a magician) while they were in Washington. Calvin Coolidge had nine canines lodged in the White House’s family quarters. And the Obamas’ Portuguese water dog, Bo, was allowed to sleep on the bed with the first lady when the president was out of town. Meet the People Rescuing Cuban Cuisine https://www.cntraveler.com/story/meet-the-people-rescuing-cuban-cuisine Even if you’ve never been here, you probably know that only 20 years ago the people on this island just 90 miles from Florida were starving. When the 37-year-old Soto was growing up, during the “special period” when resources vanished after the collapse of the Soviet Union, he and his parents, both government employees, lived on little more than bread, rice, and occasionally beans. Sometimes a meal was simply sugar water. “Cuba has the most complicated relationship with food,” Soto says. “People will tell you there’s no food in Cuba. Or there are no traditions anymore; we lost all our traditions”—of hearty lunches of Caribbean staples like roasted suckling pork or rich gumbos. As food became increasingly scarce, cooking techniques and recipes were forgotten. “And I thought, Even the absence of food is a story about food.” But when he started work on the film two years ago, Soto discovered a new turn in Cuba’s culinary evolution: Young entrepreneurs have picked up the mantle from Nuñez del Valle to open dynamic, pulsating restaurants like O’Reilly 304 and Otramanera that serve lamb burgers and sous vide lobster and innovative takes on standards like pressed pork sandwiches. As the regime has loosened restrictions on private businesses, and as tourists come flooding in from around the world, Cuban cuisine is in the midst of a remarkable renaissance. The question is whether this ambitious new generation of restaurant rookies will chase gastronomic trendiness or help restore and reinterpret all that was lost—the kind of deeply satisfying simplicity that travelers are hungering for today. The difference today is that some can—and that travelers are coming here to eat it, too. “Enrique is the godfather of the new paladares,” says Soto, the Havana-born producer-director of the forthcoming documentary Cuban Food Stories and an expert on the island’s cooking. Back when Nuñez del Valle opened one of the country’s first paladares, or privately owned restaurants, they’d just been legalized by the regime and were limited to 12 seats. Now, La Guarida (“the Animal Den”) has expanded to 100, with an elegant shaded patio that’s drawn the likes of Prince Albert II, Jack Nicholson, and Julian Schnabel—plus today’s young crowd in cool summer garb. After a lunch of lobster ceviche, roasted rabbit with caponata sauce, and pavé of suckling pig with crispy skin, Nuñez del Valle sits down with us for coffee and a selection of Montecristos and Cohibas. His own fat cigar in hand and a glass of Havana Club Selección de Maestros close by, the godfather settles into his chair but doesn’t want to take too much credit for what he’s started. “It’s the new generation that’s trying to do gastronomy differently,” he says in Spanish as Soto translates. “They’re doing a great job of rescuing Cuban cuisine. Like thousands of others, Cano jumped at the chance to list his place on Airbnb, which started operating in Cuba in 2015, and which suddenly turned his relatively modest farm into an ecotourism destination, on the radar of people worldwide. (During my visit, a German-Australian couple happens to be staying in Cano’s $33-a-night one-bedroom cabin. “We love it,” they tell us before setting out on a hike, “though it’s very rustic.”) Cano also puts on epic lunch spreads, given enough notice through Airbnb, centered around a young pig rubbed with garlic and salt and roasted over a wood fire until the skin crackles. As Soto and I watch, Cano plops the cooked pig onto a wooden table and swiftly hacks the meat into hand-size pieces with a machete. His wife, who goes by “China,” then lays out a plastic tablecloth and platters of avocado, black beans, cucumber-and-tomato salad, rice, taro chips, and yucca. We eat overlooking the fields, the thatched tobacco-curing hutch, and chickens pecking at the dirt. It’s a fabulous country spread, made all the more remarkable in that Cano grew all of the food himself—and raised the pig. After our meal, we have coffee from beans he grew, lightened with milk he collected at 5 a.m. Cano then pulls out a white plastic bag filled with tobacco leaves he cultivated and cured, and he rolls us each a cigar. Considering the surroundings and the straight-from-the-field leaf, it rates as the best I’ve ever smoked.   Will the Bunny Park become a housing complex? https://citizen.co.za/news/1681935/will-the-bunny-park-become-a-housing-complex/ The park will keep at least 50 sterilised rabbits. More than 2 000 rabbits were donated from Benoni Bunny Park to Johannesburg Zoo as food for carnivores. Fifty rabbits were, however, left behind at the bunny park so that visitors could enjoy still enjoy them, but they are not happy with current small number of bunnies, Benoni City Times reports. One of the visitors John Priestley wrote to the media as follows: It saddens me greatly to read about the ongoing saga of our beloved Bunny Park. For a facility that has given joy and happiness for decades to so many children, to be limited to 50 sterilised rabbits in an enclosure, is a travesty. A child might as well sit at home and look at pictures of bunnies and farm animals on a computer screen. The fun was when a child could spend a day outdoors running around clutching a carrot trying to feed the ever-elusive rabbit and seeing farm animals up close. The outing, costing no more than a few vegetables, made it accessible to all. Well done to the council for spending money on the park and making it more attractive, but please don’t let the whole concept of a bunny park be destroyed by the ‘experts’. You cannot but wonder if all these changes means authorities have an ulterior motive planned for the future. Perhaps a housing complex?   Age before beauty – Grants bring attention to need for ‘young forests’ in N.H. http://www.concordmonitor.com/young-forests-ecology-environment-cottontail-songbird-12908739 YoungForest.org is the name of a website created by the institute and a number of other organizations to help convince people that healthy forests in New Hampshire and other locations need trees with a mix of ages – even if that requires cutting down a lot of trees now and then so that new ones can grow. “We don’t have a lot of age diversity in our forests,” said Scott Hall, a senior bird conservation biologist for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, noting that most of New England’s forest were cut a century ago for logging or farmland and have since grown back. “We have a resilience problem when all the trees you have are 60 to 100 years old. You need more diversity.” The topic came up last week when the NFWF said it was giving about $1.2 million to 10 environmental projects in New England, combined with $1.4 million in contributions from private partners including Eversource. Several projects focused on the effects of successional forests. In ecological circles, “succession” refers to the gradual replacement of one type of ecological community by another in the same area – in this case, that means trees growing up in areas that had been cleared by human activity, fire, flooding from beavers or other causes. Young forests, defined loosely as those with most trees less than two decades old, are valuable for a number of species that depend on the plants, insects and animals drawn to them. Those species include the New England cottontail, a small rabbit that is the target of restoration efforts in southeastern New Hampshire, a project that received $175,000 in NFWF grants. The grants will help UNH researchers study how best to estimate the population of this elusive rabbit in 28,800 acres of restored habitat, using capture-recapture methods and “pellet surveys,” in which piles of rabbit fecal pellets are collected or counted. Getting $103,000 is an ongoing UNH project studying songbird populations in rights of way for power lines, to see how they can function as long, skinny strips of young forest. A summer’s worth of counting and banding songbirds caught in nets underneath Eversource transmission towers in Strafford found at least 68 species in the brushy, tangled growth, according to UNH graduate student Erica Holm, working with professor Matt Tarr. “It seems that the rights of way contribute as many species as a clearcut,” she noted. The counter-intuitive idea of the environmental benefits from huge power-line towers reflects the complexity of creating and maintaining young forests. For one thing, they don’t stay young very long – when the trees get too big, the environmental benefits change. Williamson said the Wildlife Management Institute’s goal is to have 10 percent of forestland in the region be young forest – the best they’ve done so far is 6 percent in some areas. “In 10 or 15 years, it’s going to be gone. This is not something we can do once and stop,” Williamson said. “We’re always thinking, “Where can we go next so I have a constant supply of this habitat?’ ” In New England, that requires dealing with private landowners, convincing them to cut down the mature trees and put up with scrubby, bramble-filled properties that don’t have obvious value. “It’s tough to sell the first three years after a clear cut,” Williamson said. “Commercial forestry has to be the driver on this,” he added, noting the effect of commercial firewood prices on woodlot owners’ decision whether to cut mature trees. “When the firewood market goes down, we just sit on our heels,” he said. But he argued that education can change people’s views about the value of even the ugliest of scrubland. “There was a time when people were afraid of wetlands,” Williamson noted. “Old-growth forests were once regarded as a waste of the value of the forest. Native grasslands – another area that we didn’t use to think had any value.” The grants were awarded through the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, a public-private partnership. Kung fu rabbit game Overgrowth adds story mode in final beta version http://deathrattlesports.com/kung-fu-rabbit-game-overgrowth-adds-story-mode-in-final-beta-version/98623 More than nine years after it was announced, Overgrowth’s surreal mix of wild animals, fast-paced martial arts, stealth, and gore is nearly upon us. The last beta version before a proper release arrived this week, bringing with it the game’s full story mode. Those who have purchased the game early will be able to play through the full campaign now, which sees our rabbit hero Turner fight to protect the island of Lugaru from slavers. Expect hand-to-hand combat that relies upon timing and counters, segments where you sneak through shrubbery, and lots of blood. The amount of gore in the game is emphasized by another tweak in this beta: you can now be impaled by spikes. That means some pretty gory clips of Turner’s limp body sliding down a wooden spear, blood spurting. Other changes will make the game’s different animals more distinct. Cat enemies, for example, can now throw smaller weapons such as daggers, while rats can attach bits of the environment to their head as camouflage. Developer Wolfire Games has fixed lots of bugs, too, and added new settings options including a brightness slider. The full change log is here. Overgrowth is currently £22.99/$29.99 on Steam and the Humble Store. There’s no word on a final release date, but it shouldn’t be too long.   One-Of-A-Kind Rabbit Brings $18,000 At Alderfer Auction https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/one-of-a-kind-rabbit-brings-18000-at-alderfer-auction/   HATFIELD, PENN. —Alderfer Auction conducted a two-day auction of dolls on October 3 – 4 both online and at its auction gallery. On October 4 a bisque-headed rabbit with no ears came to the block with a $500/750 estimate—it went on to sell for $18,000 including premium. “This is a wonderful piece—fashioned after the 1920s ‘Jack Rabbit’ series of books by ‘Uncle Dave,’ David Cory, and published by Grosset & Dunlap,” according to Ranae Gabel of Alderfer Auction. The 18-inch tall, rabbit has big stationary brown eyes and an open smiling mouth. It sports a curly gray wig, cloth body with white leather arms, and individual fingers on its hands. It sports a curly gray wig, cloth body with white leather arms, individual fingers on hands. Dressed in cotton plaid dress, red petticoat, white pantaloons and bonnet, the rabbit has on brown oilcloth heeled shoes. The winning bidder said it was a “one-of-a-kind.” Inclusive art studio hides 200 rabbit sculptures in Rochester parks http://wxxinews.org/post/inclusive-art-studio-hides-200-rabbit-sculptures-rochester-parks Sarah Beren is a licensed creative art therapist and owns Spotted Rabbit, a studio with art classes, art therapy and an apprenticeship program for a population within the disability community she saw was underserved. "I went to a training about job development for them. And I started asking, 'Well, what about these people that need staff with them or are nonverbal who can’t be left alone in the community?' " What she found was hardly anything. To fill this void, Beren created the program, which she says gives people who are highly functional yet can’t quite work independently a purpose, a structured schedule and a job - artists sell their work around Rochester. Ellie Anolik is one of those artists; she said her favorite medium is clay. "I like how you can get mad at it, and you can take it all out on the clay.” Beren said they would like to do more shows and participate in galleries, but many art spaces in the city are more “do it yourself”-type spaces presenting a number of challenges to their artists. Allergies are an issue, or how maintained the buildings are; whether or not snow is plowed in the winter. "A lot of the galleries are on the second floor with no wheelchair accessibility. So we've had a lot of potential partnerships with folks, but then it’s like well, our artist can’t come to her own show opening.” The latest project to come out of the studio, with the help of a Livingston Arts grant, is 200 rabbit sculptures. For seven months, artists molded and glazed and baked 200 rabbits, giving them names and hiding them in 41 parks around Rochester. "The idea was that we would have individuals who don’t normally have an opportunity to make public art, make public art. And then also people who may not have an opportunity to go see art or own a piece of artwork actually be able to find it in their local park, pick it up, and take it home." Beren says they have heard back from only 45 owners who have found rabbits, meaning there are many more out there waiting for a new home. Word of the Week: Sterile Plant of the Week: Bread © Copyrighted

This past August, the Minnesota DNR held their "Minnesota Angler and Hunter Recruitment and Retention Conference" to share information on best practices to design and deliver recruitment and retention programs. This audio is a compilation of presentations from Mark Norquist of Modern Carnivore, Matt Dunfee who is the Programs Manager for Wildlife Management Institute and joining them is a new hunter, a gentleman who proclaims himself as an "adult-onset hunter" who takes the audience through his journey from learning in a classroom to finally being outside with his mentor, Mark. Quite the story. While this is just the audio, it is full of useful information - no matter if you want to implement something similar in your area, or wondering why some programs are not working at all. Learn more about Modern Carnivore at www.ModCarn.com  Thanks for Listening and Reviewing!