Dedication of Outdoor Classroom Honors Woodbury 6th Grader
What: Dedication of the "Nicole M. Neimy Outdoor Classroom", at the Bass Ponds area of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington.
When: Friday, January 24, 1992, 12:30 p.m.
Why: Each year, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) holds a contest among its employees to promote the purchase of federal duck stamps. Monies from stamp sales are used to purchase habitat for a variety of wild animals and plants; waterfowl hunters are required to purchase a duck stamp each season.
One of the incentive prizes of this years contest was the opportunity to name a portion of a national wildlife refuge after someone, for a period of one year. Employee Pat Percy won this prize and dedicated it to her niece, Nicole M. Neimy, who was recently diagnosed with a serious medical condition. Service lands are normally named only on a permanent basis and only for individuals who are deceased.
Nicole, a 6th grade student at Woodburys Middleton School, has a great love for the natural world. She has her own tackle box and rod, with which she frequently practices casting in her front yard. The biggest fish she ever caught was a HUGE sunfish! Nicole also loves trees, birds, hiking and taking walks outdoors.
Percy chose the outdoor classroom site at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge out of love for her young niece and because Percy recognizes the importance of environmental education for children.
It is hoped that the ponds, creek, hills and fields found in the Outdoor Classroom area will enhance the opportunities for school children to learn more about the natural environment.
Who: Nicole M. Neimys family and 6th grade Middleton School class will attend the dedication, which will be conducted by Regional
Director James C. Gritman.
Background:
Since the Federal Duck Stamp Program began in 1934, the North Central Region (Region 3) has protected about 452,000 acres at a cost of $76 million. In fiscal year 1991 alone, Region 3 has protected about 7,600 acres of habitat at a cost of $4.3 million.
Region 3s 1991-92 duck stamp contest resulted in 46 percent participation by its employees, nearly double that of last year. This represents an increase of duck stamp monies to purchase approximately 10 acres of new land for wildlife.
How to get there: Interstate 494 to 34th Avenue; south to 86th Street; east to the entrance to Bass Ponds; continue through gate to the parking area.
Contact: Joan Guilfoyle, Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Public Affairs, 725-3520.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
