With the cooling temperatures and the feel of fall none too far away, there is truly no better time to get outdoors and experience why Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery offers something for the entire family! 

 

Have you ever wanted to learn more about photography? Are you an

avid fan of the outdoors as well? If so, here is the perfect class for

you! Whether you are somewhat camera savvy but wish to learn

more or have some experience under your belt but are looking to fine

tune you skills, join us for an intermediate photography class designed

for nature enthusiasts with a fundamental understanding of

photography.  Beginners are also welcome too. You do not need

elaborate or expensive equipment for this workshop; however, a

camera that allows manual settings will give you more options. Just

bring your digital camera, a tripod (if you have one) and a love for the

outdoors. You will receive instruction about composition guidelines

and how to use depth of field and shutter speed to dramatically

improve your photographs. We will also cover ethics of nature

photography and creating a great outdoor photograph. During a

guided nature walk, you will have a hands-on opportunity to

photograph nature’s diverse beauty along the Cumberland River.

Come capture the vibrant colors and new life of late summer/early

fall. The workshop is set for Saturday, September 19^th, 2009 and

will begin at 8 a.m. CST and conclude at 12 p.m. CST. The cost is

$35.00, which includes all instructional materials and an 8 x 10 print

of your favorite shot you took during the class. Participants need to

bring their own camera. Please contact Environmental

Education/Outreach Specialist Amanda Patrick at 270-343-3797 or

via email at Amanda_Patrick@fws.gov to register for the event.

 

On Tuesday, September 22^nd and Wednesday, September 23^rd, 2009, Environmental Concern, Inc. (based in St. Michael, Maryland) will be at the hatchery to lead a two-day WOW! – Wonders of Wetland Workshop.  WOW! introduces you to basic

wetland ecology, including soil, water, and plants, as well as wetland

functions and values through fun and interactive activities in lesson

plan format. It’s a great program to use when looking for an

engaging, hands-on curriculum or just fun activities that bring

wetlands alive for your participants or children. This two day

workshop series will offer the WOW! facilitator course on Tuesday

followed by a WOW! educator course on Wednesday. WOW!

Facilitators are able to teach their own WOW! workshops to

educators in their community by helping to bring wetland education

into the hands of your fellow educators! Participants must have

completed a WOW! workshop, so if you have never taken a WOW!

course and would like to become a facilitator, please make plans to

register for both days. Adding to the theme of wetlands education, on

Thursday, September 24^th, 2009, the hatchery will also offer a

POW! – Planning of Wetlands Workshop.  Through this training,

you’ll head through the process of creating, restoring or enhancing a

wetland on school grounds or within the community. POW!

incorporates activities that allow students to fully participate in

designing, preparing, and monitoring a schoolyard wetland and

utilizing it as an outdoor classroom. Program times for all dates are 9

a.m. – 4 p.m. CST, and the cost for the WOW! facilitator is $40.00

while the WOW! educator course is $45.00. Registration fees for the

POW! event are $50.00.  All fees include programming, curriculum

materials and snacks. When registering, $5.00 off for two

workshops or $10.00 off for all three.  Pre-registration is

required. For more information and/or to register, visit

www.wetland.org or call 410-745-9620.

 

On Tuesday, September 29^th, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST, Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery will sponsor the 2^nd Annual Catch a Smile Senior Fishing Derby. The event is free and is open to anyone 62 years of age or older. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. CST.  Hamburgers and other refreshments will be provided, and several door prizes will also be given away. All Kentucky Sport Fishing Regulations will apply, and seniors must bring their own fishing gear and bait. It’s sure to be a day of great fishing fun, so come on out and enjoy an exciting day of trout fishing!

 

Following the senior event, the hatchery will also sponsor the 2^nd Annual Reaching for Rainbows Special Kids Fishing Derby for students from Russell and Clinton counties on Wednesday, September 30^th, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST. The event is free and is open area students who are severely disabled and have extra special needs. Hamburgers and other refreshments will be provided as will prizes. All Kentucky Sport Fishing Regulations will apply, and participants will have access to rods, reels and bait as part of the day’s activities. Participants may also bring their own fishing tackle and bait if they choose. Pre-registration will be conducted through the local school district and is required for event attendance. 

 

Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is proud to sponsor educational workshops and events that help the public learn more about our incredible natural and cultural heritage.  For information on these or other programs at the hatchery, including how to register and/or how you can be involved as a volunteer, please contact Amanda Patrick, Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist, at 270-343-3797 or via email:  Amanda_Patrick@fws.gov