Ducks Unlimited and partners help return ancestral land for conservation protection

SUFFOLK, Va. – Oct. 24, 2022 – In a precedent-setting land transfer, Ducks Unlimited has acquired from a private owner more than 500 acres of ancestral land of the Nansemond Indian Nation and then returned it to the Tribe for protection and stewardship. This historic gift of the forested wetlands of Cross Swamp will enable the Tribe to develop a conservation program, educate tribal youth about their historic ties to the land, and strengthen coastal resilience for future generations. This project received support from Dominion Energy, the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant program, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.

After decades of work to achieve federal recognition, which occurred in 2018, and more than 350 years of efforts to reacquire access to their ancestral territory, the Nansemond Indian Nation celebrates this achievement for equity and conservation. Read more

WEST POINT, MS & MILWAUKEE, WI – Over the last few years, people have been spending more time outside and discovering new interests, contributing to the rising popularity of outdoor recreational activities like hunting, fishing and hiking. However, as these passions become more widespread, there is an increased need for trusted outdoor security measures. To help hunters, anglers and land managers alike safeguard their equipment this Fall, Mossy Oak teamed up with leading padlock security and safety brand, Master Lock, to introduce a line of new camouflage security solutions to meet the needs of modern outdoor enthusiasts.

Available to purchase exclusively online at Lowes.com and in Lowe’s retail stores across the country, the new collection features Master Lock’s 5400D Portable Lock Box and 8418 Python™ Adjustable Locking Cable solutions. Both products are now outfitted in two of Mossy Oak’s iconic camouflage designs for ultimate end-user versatility, including the Country DNA™ pattern for concealment and the Blaze™ pattern for visibility.

As two leading brands within their respective industries who share a dedication to innovation, the partnership allows Mossy Oak and Master Lock to not only support consumers’ interests, but also help solve the unique challenges outdoor enthusiasts face when pursuing their passions. Read more

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a hotline for reporting displaced vessels still on Florida state waters because of Hurricane Ian.

When Hurricane Ian swept across the state, thousands of vessels were displaced by wind and storm surge. Some were pushed ashore, some damaged in marinas and private docks, others relocated but still afloat and some partially or fully sunken.

“We take this matter seriously and understand the hardship that Hurricane Ian has placed upon our residents,” said Boating and Waterways Section Leader Maj. Rob Beaton. “FWC officers are diligently working to determine the current number and ownership of storm-related displaced vessels across the state. We are committed to helping boat owners find their vessels and facilitate the removal of vessels from state waters that are posing a threat to the environment or blocking waterways.” Read more

Contact: Carol Lyn Parrish, Carollyn.Parrish@MyFWC.com
Shannon Knowles, Shannon.Knowles@MyFWC.com

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Ian Recovery

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by business owners impacted by Hurricane Ian in Cape Coral to hold a discussion on recovery efforts. Business owners discussed ways to reopen safely to get customers back in the door. Additionally, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Secretary Dane Eagle highlighted resources that have been made available, including activating the Emergency Bridge Loan program. More than $4.8 million has already been awarded to 106 businesses that were impacted by the storm. Full remarks can be found here.

Additionally, Governor DeSantis highlighted the resources available at Disaster Recovery Centers for businesses. Florida is awaiting federal approval on a $30 million request for the Dislocated Worker Grant Program. This program will provide disaster relief employment through temporary jobs to Floridians who were impacted by Hurricane Ian. Businesses in southwest Florida have continued to go out of their way to help their employees, and the state of Florida will continue to find ways to assist them.

There are currently 18,396 reported power outages. In Lee and Collier counties, there are fewer than 500 accounts on the mainland that remain without power that can receive it. More than 42,000 linemen have already restored power to over 2.6 million accounts across the state, representing over 99% of accounts restored since the peak. There are currently 13 fueling depot stations open statewide, and a mobile fuel truck has been deployed to Arcadia to support residents without access to fuel. Read more

Panel offers insights on designing with mass timber

If you’re interested in the possibilities of emerging mass timber construction, register now for the upcoming “Designing in Mass Timber – Current Work and Lessons Learned” webinar, set for noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.

Panelists include Anna Anderson, project manager/designer for the architecture and design firm Lord Aeck Sargent; Ben Ridderbos, director of Lord Aeck Sargent; and Matt Kantner, associate engineer at Equilibrium Consulting. Brian Craig of the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute will moderate the panel.

Mass timber construction allows for the building of large and tall structures using engineered wood, and often goes up faster than traditional steel and concrete construction. It is also growing in popularity due to the use of renewable materials. Read more

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NRA Donates More Than $170,000 to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

NRA’s Free Online Hunter Education Course Recognized by the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association of America was pleased to present a donation of $173,911 to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for their residents’ use of NRA’s award-winning, free online hunter education course. Peter Churchbourne, Director of the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum, presented a ceremonial check during a meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission on September 16, 2022, in Spencer, TN.

“We are so grateful for the partnership with NRA to provide completely online and free hunter education for all Tennesseans,” said Jenifer Wisniewski, Director of Marketing and Special Projects for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “This course is truly cutting-edge and the best course out there for someone looking to get their hunter education online. We are also grateful for the funding that the agency receives as a result of our residents taking this course.” Read more

Visitors to Straits and Cheboygan state parks can look forward to new camping amenities and greater conveniences, thanks to a slice of the $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds dedicated last March to support Michigan state parks and trails.

In June, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced these ARPA-funded projects as two of the first 11 “shovel ready” state park projects to get underway.

“The bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan made some of the largest infrastructure investments in Michigan history, including the biggest one-time investment in our state parks ever,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s combined $2.96 million investment in Straits and Cheboygan state parks will have an estimated economic impact of $12 million on local economies and improve facilities at both parks, making them more accessible to families. Parks are vital to the Michigan economy, supporting tens of thousands of recreation and tourism jobs, generations billions in economic values, and offering Michiganders and visitors special places to make memories, explore the outdoors and enjoy time with loved ones.” Read more

Weighing only 4 oz., device allows you to send and receive messages, trigger an interactive SOS and be notified that help is on the way — even without a cellphone

OLATHE, KS — September 27, 2022 – Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced inReach® Messenger, a new communication-focused device with global two-way texting, location sharing, and SOS capabilities1. Built for those who want a quick and easy way to reach loved ones when they’re without cellular coverage, inReach Messenger provides seamless satellite communication either as a standalone device or when paired to the new Garmin Messenger companion app for smartphones. This new app leverages Wi-Fi®, cellular and satellite connectivity for two-way texting and group messaging. The Messenger companion app will automatically choose between Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite connectivity to ensure every message is sent and received. In the event of an emergency, the inReach Messenger and Messenger App2 can send an SOS message to the 24/7 staffed Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC).

“Garmin inReach devices are trusted by hundreds of thousands of users globally for communication and peace of mind. The new inReach Messenger is no exception, but with its multiple communication networks, ease-of-use, and smartphone compatibility, it is a perfect device for those who want to easily keep in touch when outside of cell coverage,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Like all inReach devices, inReach Messenger has the ability to send an SOS message to the Garmin IERCC, which has responded to more than 9,000 inReach SOS incidents.”

Streamlined Communication

When paired with the inReach Messenger, users can sync with their smartphone’s contacts list with the companion app to make staying in touch even easier. For the most efficient messaging, the companion app will send messages, post to social media or communicate with fellow adventurers through a cellular or Wi-Fi connection when available, then automatically switch to the 100% global Iridium® satellite network when no longer in cellular or Wi-Fi range.

To keep all friends and family up to date on a trip, the new Messenger companion app supports group text chats with friends and family, even those without inReach devices. Users can continue in-app conversations at home using their Wi-Fi or cellular connection without having to change settings. Read more