The Bi-Weekly e-Newsletter of Venture Outdoors Inc.
304 Forbes Ave, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
For Information and Registration 412-255-0564 (M-F 9-5) or www.ventureoutdoors.org
Welcome to the Outdoors!
What's in this issue? (Left Column)
1. Trail Mix: Making Tracks
2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner
3. Call for Volunteers
4. Lectures with a View
5. Outdoor Announcements and Events
Even More Fun Stuff: (Right Column)
I. Dine & Donate
II. Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight
(Animal Tracking, Fly Fishing Intro, Birding)
III. Banff Film Festival
IV. V.O. in the News
V. Venture Outdoors Activity Listing
VI. TEAM VO MS150 Biking
VII. Venture Outdoors Festival
VIII. Inspirations (M. L. Johnson)
IX. What's Goin' On?
|
1.
Trail Mix - Making Tracks
Welcome to Trail Mix, a Zip-lock bagful of VO-related fun facts, links and puzzlers,
served up fresh with every issue of Contours. Look for helpful information on everything outdoors
along with other interesting tidbits that enhance your awareness and well-being (and your funny bone too).
Piecing together the Picture...
"A track is a window to the past of an animal. Look at the ground as if it were a manuscript of the
animal's life."
~Tom Brown
Animal tracking consists of more than just the tracks themselves. Actually, half of the process
consists of knowing where to look for animals. This is called
Sign Tracking, which includes trails, landscape, "rubbings", etc.
With the actual
tracks, one must measure and make several classifications in order to identify the animal, along with
its sex, health, and size.
If you would like to learn more about tracking,
check out the Animal Tracking Workshop! (see Activity Spotlight)
Puzzler...(see the answer at the bottom of the email)
A Clear Print is when you can see the track clearly in soft soil, with all toes visible.
A Pattern Classification is when there is no clear print and you must tell the track by the general shape and size of track.
The question...
When one comes across a track, what is the general percentage that it would be a Clear Print
or Pattern Classification?
(ie: Clear-50% to Pattern-50%)
2. Venture Outdoors
Membership Corner
Sign up for Membership today and pledge your support to outdoor recreation!
Put yourself in the center of the action! We make it easy for you to become a member with
Venture Outdoors TODAY. Members receive discounts on the hundreds of activities with Venture Outdoors
throughout the year, discounts from local merchants, priority listing on activity waiting lists and
subscriptions to Contours and Adventure Times as well as providing support for the organization that
means so much to you. Read on for some of the great things that come along with Venture Outdoors membership,
and to join, click here!
Become a V.O. Member!
Discover the advantages of a Venture Outdoors membership...call today!
412-255-0564, ext. 26
Or, click here.
|
3. Call for Volunteers
We need a little help here!
General Volunteers
Do you have some time to spare during the week?
If so, we would be happy to include you in our ever-growing family of volunteers. Venture Outdoors staff is in need of volunteers for data entry, mailings and premium shipments as well as various office assistance during regular business hours (M-F, 9-5).
Can't commit to the weekdays? We are always looking for volunteers for our exciting events such as the
Banff Film Festival and Venture Outdoors Festival. Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org today.
Mount Washington Cleanup
On Saturday, April 1st the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh (ECP) will be working with
the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation (CDC) to hold their annual Mount
Washington Cleanup.
Experienced rock climbers and mountaineers from the club will be using their climbing skills
and equipment to safely remove garbage from the steep slopes of Mount Washington along Grandview
Avenue.
Additional volunteers are being sought to help climb over the mountainside and remove garbage
from 9 am until noon. Free food will be provided, plus a post-cleanup party to be held for
volunteers. Those interested in volunteering with the cleanup should contact the ECP's Matt Tolbert
at (412) 687-4354 or drt42@aol.com.
Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance
with the Pittsburgh Trail Advocacy Group
Bring: tools, water and lunch, gloves, and appropriate clothes.
Dates and Location: Sunday, April 2 - Hazelwood
For general information, email trail@bike-pgh.org
Help remove 3 illegal dumpsites
This cleanup is registered as part of the
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great Pennsylvania Cleanup! and organized by
PA CleanWays in cooperation with
The Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program.
Contact: Michelle Dunn, PA CleanWays 1-877-772-3673 or
mdunn@pacleanways.org with any questions and to participate. Please call to register.
Dress for safety: Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and work gloves.
For volunteers age 12-17, call PA CleanWays for participation requirements.
Lunch and drinks will be provided.
Reiber & Frogtown Roads
When: Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 9:00am.
Rain date: Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 9:00am.
Where: Meet at Reiber & Frogtown Roads
Route 318 to Reiber Rd. to Frogtown Rd.
Route 221 and Route 18
in Prosperity, Morris Twp., Washington County
When: Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 9:00 AM.
Where: Meet at the large gravel pull off on Route 221 and Route 18
across from Morris Twp. Park.
Warrior Ridge
Road South of Petersburg, Huntingdon County
When: Sunday, April 23, 2006 at 12:00 noon.
Rain date: Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 12:00 noon.
Where: Meet at Warrior Ridge Dam off of Warrior Ridge Road.
4. Lectures with a View
at the Schenley Park Visitor Center
Mother Nature finds a voice this spring in the
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's
free lecture series,
Schenley Park Lunchtime Series: Lectures with a View.
The 6-week series features speakers on local history, environment, outdoor adventure and art, and is co-sponsored by Venture Outdoors.
Thursdays at Noon (30 min.) at Schenley Park Visitor Center
The Schenley Park Café will be serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, desserts and coffees.
For more information, call 412-682-7275.
March 16 - Fixing Our Broken Food System in Western Pennsylvania: Buying Fresh and Local
David Eson, director of western programs,
PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture
March 23 - A Green Vision for East Liberty
Eric Jester, associate project manager,
and Nathan Wildfire, development assistant,
East Liberty Development Inc.
March 30 - Fierce Friends: How artists have used animals to represent humans' connection with nature
Debbie Starling-Pollard, community liaison,
Carnegie Museum of Art
April 6 - The Return of the Natives:
Local folks restoring urban landscapes
Mary Beth Steisslinger, restoration coordinator,
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
April 13 - The Geology of Pittsburgh's City Parks
(Guided Walk to follow)
Albert Kollar, geologist, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Getting ready to Fly Fish
5. Outdoor Announcements & Events
Get out your planners folks...
Environmental Program Specialist
The Pennsylvania Resources Council, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated, energetic, outgoing,
self-starter capable of working independently for a 40 hour/week program specialist position
in its Pittsburgh regional office. The position would involve the design and implementation
of a commercial recycling campaign targeting Downtown businesses.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
David Mazza, Regional Director
Pennsylvania Resources Council, Inc.
64 S. 14th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Or davem@ccicenter.org
No phone calls please!
SCA - Outdoor Leaders Wanted!!
Spend the summer living and working outdoors leading a Student Conservation Association conservation crew.
Send resume and cover letter by fax or email or call for more details.
(412) 325-1851 phone
(412) 325-1856 fax
threerivers@thesca.org
Global Warming 2006: An Activist's Primer
Saturday, March 25, 2006 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent Auditorium
A free conference on Global Warming...reserve your place now!
RSVP before March 22 by calling PennFuture at 717-214-7920
toll-free in PA 800-321-7775, or online.
Environmental Charter School
Thursday, March 30th 10:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
First floor conference room of Conservation Consultants, Inc.
(64 South 14th Street, South Side)
This is a meeting where you can learn more about a creative and exciting initiative to establish
a K-8 Environmental Charter School in the Regent Square neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Please e-mail Phil Parr at
philip.parr@imagineschools.com to confirm your attendance no later than Friday, March 24
Get Mudluscious!
Mildreds' Daughters Urban Farm's
first Weed 'n Feed of the year!
Saturday, April 1st, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Celebrating the start of our 7th year on the land
Our first day of ownership was April l, 1999
Bless the opening of our straw bale building
Bring gloves and tools for weeding
We'll have a country meal for the feeding
More info: 412-799-0833 or 412-999-4209
"Water: An Endangered Resource"
Documentary to air on PBS...with an appearance from V.O.'s own Sean Brady!
Scheduled to air: Sunday, April 23rd at 5:00 PM
WQED, channel 13, in Pittsburgh
Fineview 'Step Up to the Challenge' 5K
May 7, 2006
This year marks the exciting Eleventh Anniversary of the challenging Fineview 5K Race.
This race is a challenging 5K, perhaps the most challenging around, and we are hoping you
are up for it!
Entry Details:
Participation is open to anyone and includes entry by peoples of all ages.
Prizes are offered according to age groups. Teams are also encouraged to register for
the race. You and/or your team can download the online application form and race map at
our website www.onefineview.org/stepathon.htm.
Registration is only $15 before April 22nd and is $20 any time after.
The entry fee includes a certificate and T-shirt for every participant.
Opening celebration of Great Allegheny Passage in Somerset County
Opening Saturday, May 27th!
Visit the ATA website for more information.
10th Annual Outdoor Extravaganza
Memorial Day Weekend May 26-29, 2006
Base camp at Breakneck Campground
(Near McConnell's Mill & Moraine State Park)
Sponsored by Butler Outdoor Club
We have a weekend full of various outdoor activities:
road bike trips, bike trail trips, mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking on lakes or
streams, caving, sailing on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park, rock climbing and rappelling
at McConnell's Mill State Park, horseback riding and various kinds of hikes.
For more information:
contact Joyce Appel at 724-526-5407 or joyceappel@arm-tek.net
2006 Yockatomac Trek
*The final itinerary and registration forms are now available!*
http://yockatomac.org/yocktrek06/2006brochure.htm
The 2006 Y-Trek dates have been set for June 17 to June 25.
We will be leaving Washington, DC early Saturday afternoon on June 17th and arriving in
McKeesport, PA a little before noon for a closing picnic celebration of the trek on
Sunday June 25th. It has alway been an enjoyable and interesting ride, and this year
there's only about eight miles of Great Allegheny Passage trail left to be completed from
Cumberland through McKeesport.
For more information, check out the ATA website or join the Yoktrek mailing list:
Send an email to join-yoktrek@listserver.atatrail.org. The system will send an e-mail asking for confirmation. To actually join the list one must reply to this confirmation request.
Cycling Events
The Mercer County Trails Association, Inc. are sponsoring the following events in Greenville, PA:
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 - Tour of Mercer County
Saturday, September 16th, 2006 - Pedal the Lakes
For more information, visit www.mctrails.org
|
I. Dine & Donate!
VO is participating in
Eat'n Park's Dine & Donate program.
To download the flyer, click here.
From March 16 to April 30, present
this flyer to any
Eat'n Park location
and they will donate 10% of your check to Venture Outdoors.
One flyer per check...there is no limit to how many times you can participate.
Contact Allison with any questions: aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
Thanks for supporting Venture Outdoors!
II. The Venture Outdoors
Activity Spotlight
Check it out!
Saturday, March 25
Fly-Fishing: Intro 1
Time to brush off the dust from that fly rod you've been meaning to use and learn the basics from an instructor dedicated to both a fun and responsible approach to fishing. Topics will include the basics of rods, reels, line, tippets, knots and flies, plus hands-on practice in a variety of casting techniques. Taught by Cyndi Zibrida and Dale Kotowski, of Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited.
Location: Ohiopyle
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $50.00 member/$60.00 non-member
Sunday, March 26
Animal Tracking Workshop
Learn the ins and outs of tracking from Jeff Yeckel, trained at Tom Brown Jr.'s Tracker School. This workshop starts with a morning teaching session of the basic principles of tracking, followed by an afternoon of hands-on experience in the field. We will learn to identify the tracks of different local animals and their patterns of behavior.
Location: South Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $20.00 member/$25.00 non-member
Sunday, April 2
Birding
Join us for an outing of bird watching around the Pittsburgh area. Michelle Dunn will teach the basics of bird watching as you enjoy a leisurely hike to observe local birds and, if we are lucky, migrating birds too. Various habitats such as grasslands, woodlands and marshes will be hiked.
Location: Boyce-Mayview Park
Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member
See anything interesting?
For a complete listing
of activities,
check out our website: www.ventureoutdoors.org.
III. Banff Film Festival
400 tickets sold already!
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Thursday, April 13
AND
Friday, April 14
7:00 PM, Byham Theatre
The best in outdoor adventure films
is coming to town again…now for TWO nights, with different
films showing each night! Venture Outdoors and title sponsor
Mountain Dreams
are pleased to present this year's festival, which
includes stunning international film productions on mountain themes ranging from mountaineering
to ice and rock climbing to snowboarding to wildlife environmental issues and unique cultural
encounters.
For the last 3 years, we have SOLD OUT.
Order tickets today! Call 412-255-0564.
Click here for more details on this great event.
IV. V.O.
in the News
Check out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news media:
3-02-06 Pittsburgh Post Gazette (Brew Crew...)
2-27-06 Pittsburgh LIVE (...warm-up after hike)
1-17-06
Pittsburgh LIVE (Why Walk?)
12-21-05
Cranberry Journal (Snowshoeing)
12-06-05 Pittsburgh LIVE (Snow days)
V.
The Venture Outdoors
Activity Listing
So much to do, so little time...
Saturday, March 18 - Sunday, March 19
Outdoor Leadership Weekend Workshop
Location: Camp Guyasuta, Sharpsburg
Time: Saturday 7:00 AM - Sunday 4:00 PM
Cost: $35.00 member/$35.00 non-member
Saturday, March 18
Curry Hike
Location: Frick Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member
Monday, March 20
Night Hike - Spring Equinox
Location: South Park
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$12.00 non-member
Wednesday, March 22
Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop
Location: Venture Outdoors Offices
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 member/$8.00 non-member
Thursday, March 23
All Terrain Evening Hikes - Spring Series
Location: Fall Run Park Shaler
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10 member/$12 non-member
Saturday, March 25 - Sunday, March 26
Backpacking Essentials
(Preparation meeting:
Tuesday, March 21
6:30pm - 8:30pm
at the Venture Outdoors Office)
Location: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member
Saturday, March 25 Activities
Aviary & Arboretum Hikes
Location: North Side of Pittsburgh
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $20.00 member/$25.00 non-member
Fly-Fishing: Intro 1
*Activity Spotlight!*
Sunday, March 26
Animal Tracking Workshop
*Activity Spotlight!*
Saturday, April 1 Activities
Day Trek
Location: Ohiopyle State Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member
Map & Compass
Location: Riverview Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member/$35.00 non-member
Saturday, April 23 Activities
Birding
*Activity Spotlight!*
Intro to Kayaking:
Get in, Get wet, Get comfortable!
Location: Sarah Heinz House, Northside
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member
VI. TEAM VO MS150 Biking
There is still time to join!
Imagine yourself, a member of TEAM VENTURE OUTDOORS, biking the MS150's "Escape to the Lake (Erie)."
Yes, you! Last year over 1,400 cyclists rode the one-way tour over scenic back roads as the finale to raising over $800,000 to help the fight against MS. Here’s an opportunity to have great fun, meet a challenge and do fundraising all as a team of great people for a great cause. This is a goal you can accomplish; it’s a very doable challenge for everyone interested.
The ride is a fundraiser; therefore, each person is required to raise the amount designated by the MS Society for participation. Any additional funds raised will qualify the team for prizes based on the most dollars brought in. For more details, click here.
Email Team Captain Jeanette Tuttle-Hamer at tutham@earthlink.net to discuss the details and training for TEAM VO!
VII. Venture Outdoors Festival
Save the Date!
V.O. Festival
Saturday, May 20, 2006
FREE Activities including: Biking, Kayaking, Dragon Boats, River Tours, Kids' Activities and much more!
North Shore - Downtown Pittsburgh
VIII. Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go: hmmm...
"Walk Softly
Earth receives
Foot and paw,
Hoof and claw
With equal grace.
But,
It is the way of
The wild,
Not to over step
The bounds of hospitality.
This is a wild place.
Follow me
And leave no trace,
That wind, rain and snow
Cannot erase."
- M. L. Johnson
IX. What's Goin' On?
More action-packed activities from groups all around the region.
Wednesday, March 15
Going the Distance (long-distance cycling clinic)
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Wednesday, March 22
Intro to Trail Maintenance
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Saturday, March 25
The Schenley Spring Fling Disc Golf Tournament
Location: Schenley Park Disc Golf Course
Time: Two Rounds starting at 9:00 AM
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Wednesday, March 29
Adventure Racing 101
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Organization: REI
Saturday, April 22
The 2006 Indiana Open Disc Golf Tournament
PDGA Sanctioned C-Tier Event
Location: IUP College Lodge Disc Golf Course
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Sunday, April 23
The 2006 Ironwood Disc Golf Tournament
PDGA Sanctioned B-Tier Event
Location: Moraine State Park Golf Course
Cost: Free
Organization: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society
Complete Listings at www.ventureoutdoors.org
Questions? Call us 412-255-0564
Contours is an e-newsletter of Venture Outdoors and is published every two
weeks.
|
|
PUZZLER ANSWER: Clear Print-5%, Pattern Classification-95%
Since many tracks are not clear prints, it is necessary to look at many other factors,
including the
Sign Tracking mentioned above.
For more information, check out the
Outdoor Action Guide to Animal Tracking by Rick Curtis.
(Copyright © 1999 Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University)
Or, sign up for the Animal Tracking Workshop with Jeff Yeckel!
|
|