Shepherd Of The Hills Hatchery Newsletter

[Phil Lilley]

2008 May Newsletter from the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

Conservation Center

Greetings from the Hatchery!

Contents

[1] Earth Day Wrap up

[2] Landscaping To Attract Wildlife - Friday, May 16th @ 7pm

[3] What's Bugging You? (Chiggers, mosquitoes, ticks, & Fleas) -Tuesday, May 20th @ 7pm

[4] Family Fishing Fair - Saturday, June 7th 10am-2pm

[5] FREE Fly Tying Classes

[6] Ask a Naturalist “Was the Hatchery in any danger with the flood gates open?”

Making Reservations: Because the Hatchery is open 7 days a week, you may call any day from 9am to 5pm. This includes Saturday and Sunday. We ask that reservations be made by phone, not by email.

1. Earth Day - Wrap Up

A big thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the 4th Annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 19th. The weather was excellent and we had an attendance of 525 people. A special thanks to Christy Hubinsky (Table Rock State Park), Kirk Kopper (Table Rock Water Quality Volunteer), Cindy Rains (White River Electric Coop), and Jack Coe (Hybrid Car). The Hatchery is continuing to become more green in its operation, but we cannot do it alone. Anything you can do to reuse, reduce or recycle will help people, plants, animals, and the environment. We look forward to next year's event which will actually take place on April 22, 2009...the actual Earth Day.

2. Landscaping to Attract Wildlife - Friday, May 16th @ 7pm

Ages: Families and Individuals

This is not a scout program, so EACH family must make their own reservation.

Reservations Required

Wander out your backdoor and find yourself surrounded by spring wildflowers. Hear mockingbirds singing and bullfrogs calling. See yellow butterflies and green hummingbirds darting from flower to flower. Smell the spicy fragrance of pine. When you landscape to attract wildlife, you gain the enjoyment of nature’s beauty at the same time that you welcome creatures who come to live, eat, and raise their young in your space.

At the Landscaping to Attract Wildlife program we will tour the Hatchery’s Butterfly Garden, Glade Rock Garden, and view the easy new

compost bin. We will discuss planning your own landscape and review a variety of grasses, vines, wildflowers, shrubs, trees, water features

and other methods of attracting wildlife. Beginning your landscape project should soon bring you friends of butterflies, a variety of birds, frogs, toads, and an occasional lizard. Enjoy your new neighbors and the beauty they bring to your life.

For more information or to make reservations call (417) 334-4865 ext 0

3. What's Bugging You? (Chiggers, Ticks, Mosquitoes & Fleas) - Tuesday,

May 20th @ 7pm

Ages: Families, Individuals, and Scouts

Ever wonder what is waiting for you in the grass and weeds? What are these pesky critters and how can we avoid them. Come to the Hatchery

Conservation Center to learn what these animals can do and not do to you. You will also be amazed at what things you can do to avoid them.

By learning more about these pesky critters, you can better enjoy the outdoors.

To make reservations call (417) 334-4865 ext 0

4. Family Fishing Fair - Saturday, June 7th 10am - 2pm

Ages: All ages (great for Scouts and Families)

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

This is our biggest event of the year and coincides with Free Fishing Weekend across the state. In addition to lots of great learning stations, we are finally able to have actual fishing at this year's event. To fish, you must participate some of the stations which include: Fly tying, knot tying, bait and fly casting, fish print art, fish maze, where to fish, fish cleaning & cooking, and many more. All kids will receive a free goodie bag so look for the information table before you get started. As in year's past, there will be two special performances of the Fishin Magicians who will wow you with their comedy and knowledge. Again, fishing will be allowed this year, but only after participating in some of the stations. You may bring your own fishing pole or you may borrow one of ours. Either way, you will have a great day learning about fish and the aquatic environment. For more information or directions call (417) 334-4865 ext 0

5. FREE Fly Tying Classes - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month

May 13th and May 27th @ 7pm

Free fly tying classes are being offered local fishing guide, Jeremy Hunt. Reservations for these classes are being taken by Jeremy Hunt at

(417) 294-0759. This class is designed for both the beginner and the expert. If you have them, bring your vice, scissors, bobbin, and whip

finisher. If you do not have these items, let Jeremy know when you make reservations.

6. Ask a Naturalist

Brenda from Kimberling City asks, “Was the Hatchery in any danger with the flood gates open?”

Brenda, you asked a common question during late March and April. Although all 10 flood gates were open to 2 feet, we were not in any

danger of flooding at the Hatchery. We did have minor flooding in the picnic area and portions of our hiking trails. For the most part the water was a positive things for many of the fish, not just the trout. Fishermen were catching walleye and white bass near outlets #1 and #2.

The fish were able to go places they had not ever been before such as the grass lawns of some parks and picnic areas. Some fish, however, got caught in ditches and were not able to return to the lake. Only a few died. For the most part, the opening of the flood gates was a good

thing for the fish and visitation for the hatchery.

If you have a question that you would like to have a Naturalist answer, send your question to John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov . We would love to answer it for you and share this information with other readers in our Ask A Naturalist spot.

We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the Shepherd of the Hills newsletter. Have a great spring and keep learning about the forest,

fish, and wildlife resources around us.

Cheers!

John Miller

Naturalist Program Supervisor

Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center

483 Hatchery Road

Branson MO 65616

(417) 334 4865 ext 0

John.Miller@mdc.mo.gov