OUT & ABOUT

OUTSTANDING

State DU tops

Ducks Unlimited recently named Washington the top state in the nation for fundraising and recruiting in 2005, with several new East Side chapters, including Almira-Hartline, Wilson Creek, Washington State University, Okanogan Valley, Republic and St. John.

But their work isn’t done.

The U.S. has lost more than half of its original wetlands and continues to lose wetlands at a rate of about 109,000 acres a year, DU says.

The conservation group, which has 799,000 members in the United States, Canada and Mexico, has launched the largest wetlands conservation campaign in history. The goal is to raise $1.7 billion over the next five years to conserve North America’s wetlands.

OUTSEE

Journey to source of skiing

What: “Journey to the Source,” multimedia documentary follows modern skiers discovering ancient gear and boards still used in remote China, where skiing is thought to have originated.

Who: By Nils Larson, northeastern Washington free-heel skiing guru.

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division.

Cost: Recommended donation $5, benefit for The Lands Council.

Info: 325-9000.

OUTDO

Forest facilities reserved online

A new Web page listing 63 lookouts and rustic cabins for rent has been created by the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and Washington.

Cabins and guard stations that once housed Forest Service rangers and former fire lookouts are available for rent on 14 national forests. Some are available year-round, while others may be rented seasonally. Costs range from $15 to more than $100.

The rentals, with photos and details are at www.fs.fed.us/r6/ recreation/rentals.

OUTLOOK

Best fishing times

Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory list peak fishing times. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after given times. Applies to all time zones.

(* indicates best days.)

Through July 2

* Today

1:15 p.m. 1:45 a.m.

Monday

2:10 p.m. 2:40 a.m.

Tuesday

3:00 p.m. 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday

3:50 p.m. 4:20 a.m.

Thursday

4:35 p.m. 5:05 a.m.

Friday

5:15 p.m. 5:45 a.m.

Saturday

5:55 p.m. 6:25 a.m.

Next Sunday

6:35 p.m. 7:05 a.m.