Field reports: South Hill group presents BLUFF Talks

PARKS – Speakers will take 10 minutes apiece this week to tell personal stories or offer perspectives on what connects the public to the trails and natural area of High Drive Bluff Park, better known as the Spokane’s South Hill bluff.

BLUFF Talks, a fundraiser for Friends of the Bluff, is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln.

Speakers, each with a different perspective of the bluff and its 24 miles of trails, include:

Jack Nisbet, a local author, naturalist and historian, speaking on “the (really) early days of Hangman Creek.”

Pat Keegan, president of Friends of the Bluff, speaking on the group’s projects and why they matter to the public.

Nate Hutchens, trail builder with Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance, speaking on how the club strives for single-track trail nirvana in Eastern Washington.

Leroy Eadie, Spokane Parks and Recreation director, speaking on plans the city has for the Bluff and its other open-space parks.

Guy Gifford, Department of Natural Resources Firewise coordinator, speaking on programs to confront the threat of wildfire on the bluff.

Gunhild Swanson and Chris Morlan, a mother-son duo of accomplished runners, speaking on bluff trails as a training ground. Swanson is a 72-year-old world-class ultrarunner. Morlan’s a Brooks-sponsored ambassador and coach of the Spokane Distance Project.

“There’ll be good stories, good company and good beer, all for a good cause,” such as trail work, tree thinning, weed control and litter pickup, said Marit Fischer, Friends of the Bluff board member, noting a $10 donation is suggested.

Forest Service taking

job applications open this week

FORESTS – The U.S. Forest Service will be accepting applications Tuesday through Nov. 20 for more than 1,000 seasonal spring and summer jobs in Oregon and Washington.

Positions are available deal with fire, recreation, natural resources, timber, engineering, visitor services, and archeology. This includes 40 jobs on the Colville National Forest in northeast Washington.

Submit applications online at www.USAJOBS.gov. Officials recommend that applicants create a profile on USAJOBS to save time once hiring begins.

Most current and upcoming Forest Service job opportunities across the nation can be found online at fsoutreach.gdcii.com/Outreach.

Information about temporary employment in the Pacific Northwest Region is at fs.usda.gov/main/r6/jobs.

Wuerthner to speak in CdA

on role of wilderness

PUBLIC LANDS – A former Alaska wilderness ranger, now activist, photographer and author, George Wuerthner will present a program, “Why Wilderness?” on Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Club, 209 Sherman Ave.

Wuerthner, who’s written 38 books on America’s wild places and serves as Advocate-Organizer for Wilderness Watch, is being sponsored by Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness and Idaho Conservation League.

The presentation will discuss challenges facing wilderness areas, how citizens can be involved and efforts in Congress to weaken or repeal the Wilderness Act.

“We’re excited to have someone with George Wuerthner’s extensive background and connection to the topic of Wilderness come to the Panhandle,” said Phil Hough, executive director of FSPW. “I’m looking forward to hearing George’s unique perspective on Wilderness.”

For the Nov. 15 event, doors will open at 6:00 PM, and the presentation will follow at 6:30 PM at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Club (209 Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene). The event is free and includes a no-host bar.

For more information, visit scotchmanpeaks.org or call (208) 265-4236.

Fly fishing auction, butterfly program

in Spokane this week

CLUBS – Public programs by area outdoors groups this week:

Conserving Threatened Butterflies, by Ann Potter, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 6 p.m. Wednesday in Room 1B of the Downtown Public Library, 906 W. Main St, for Washington Butterfly Association.

Annual Fly Auction, with auctioneer Rick Butterfield, 7 p.m., Wednesday, at St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy, for Spokane Fly Fishers.

Winter recreation groups gather

at Snowlander Expo

WINTERSPORTS – The annual Snowlander expo and winter party will feature equipment vendors, winter recreation groups and resorts, music and 50 beers and ciders Friday, 4-9 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., at Spokane Convention Center.

Idaho issues fines for bypassing

hunter check stations

HUNTING – Fines were issued last week to hunters and anglers who neglected to stop at Idaho Fish and Game Department sportsman check stations.

At one state on SR 55 near Horseshoe Bend, 17 sportsmen were chased down for bypassing the mandatory stops and about half of them face fines from $25 to $1,000.

Officers have heard all the excuses. “ ‘I didn’t feel like stopping. I had to pee.’ ‘I didn’t have anything, so I didn’t want to talk to you,’ ” said Charlie Justus, regional conservation officer for Idaho Fish and Game.

The state collects important data for managing game and fish at the stations, agency officials said.

In Washington, stopping at hunter check stations is encouraged but not mandatory. The exception is if the station is operated by the Fish and Wildlife Department enforcement division.

“In that case, it’s a mandatory stop and will be signed accordingly,” officer Dan Rahn in Spokane said.