Holiday gift ideas for conservationists

If you’re trying to save money this holiday shopping season, consider buying products from governmental conservation agencies. Some have extensive “outdoor stores” and many offer state-based magazines and/or calendars at reasonable prices. I suspect that all these products are at least partially subsidized by agency funds, so careful shoppers should take advantage of state-run stores.

Pennsylvania’s Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission, for example, have impressive online outdoor stores. Visit http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ and click on “The Outdoor Shop” icon. At that point you can visit either agency’s shop.

Examples of Game Commission items include:

USubscriptions to Game News ($18), the monthly wildlife/hunting magazine.

UA variety of books, including “Birds of Pennsylvania” ($17.92), “Trees of Pennsylvania and the Northeast” ($19.95) and “Woodcrafting for Wildlife” ($5.66), which includes detailed plans for building nesting structures for a variety of birds, bats and squirrels.

UBeautiful calendars ($8.95).

UWildlife-themed Christmas ornaments.

UAn impressive array of collectable embroidered patches ($5.66) featuring various game and nongame species.

UCollectible wildlife art prints ($125) by award-winning artists.

UAssembled nest boxes for various species: two bluebird boxes for $21 ppd.; kestrel/screech owl box for $28 ppd.; squirrel box for $40 ppd.; and bat houses for $113 ppd. On the main Game Commission page, search “nest box,” then click on “wood product brochure.”

At the Fish and Boat Commission shop you’ll find:

USubscriptions to the monthly Pennsylvania Angler and Boater Magazine ($12/year).

UBooks such as “Pennsylvania Fishes” ($9.43) and “Pennsylvania Amphibians and Reptiles” ($9.43).

UColorful embroidered patches ($4.71) featuring species such as timber rattlesnakes, wood turtles and toads.

UEducational card sets ($2.83) featuring fish, plants, and butterflies and moths.

Michigan also offers an outdoor store at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr (click on “Michigan e-store”). “Landscaping for Wildlife” ($14.95) is an excellent book that is appropriate for backyards throughout the East. Embroidered patches ($5) feature endangered species such as piping plovers and Kirkland’s warblers. And spectacular wildlife prints by Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen can be had for as little as $15. I can’t imagine a better way to start a wildlife art collection.

The West Virginia DNR (http://www.wvdnr.gov, see the “publications” heading) offers a beautiful calendar ($9) each year, and “Wonderful West Virginia” ($18/year, 800-CALL-WVA) has subscribers all across the country. Authoritative books include “Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians” ($26.88) and “Butterflies of West Virginia and their Caterpillars” ($21.58).

New York State Conservationist ($12/year, 800-678-6399) focuses on natural resources and outdoor recreation in New York. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) publishes Conservationist six times per year. It has published continuously since 1946, making it one of the longest-running outdoor magazines in the country.

Another collectible from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as a “Duck Stamp.” Originally created as the federal license required to hunt migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck Stamps have a much larger purpose today.

Since 1934, the sales of Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $700 million, which has been used to help purchase or lease more than 5.2 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the U.S. These lands are now protected in the National Wildlife Refuge System. A current year’s Federal Duck Stamp also serves as an entrance pass for National Wildlife Refuges where admission is normally charged, so it’s great for birders.

People, too, have benefited from the Federal Duck Stamp Program. Hunters have places to hunt and other outdoor enthusiasts have places to hike, watch birds and enjoy nature. Moreover, the protected wetlands help purify water supplies, store floodwater, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and provide spawning areas for fish important to sport and commercial fishermen.

Federal Duck Stamps ($15) are sold in many post offices and outdoor stores across the country. The 2009 Duck Stamp features a male long-tailed duck floating with a decoy.

Finally, if your budget is especially tight this year, the quarterly Wild Ohio magazine is free on request (800-WILDLIFE). It’s beautifully illustrated and includes regular features for both adults and kids.

XSend questions and comments to Dr. Scott Shalaway, R.D. 5, Cameron, W.Va. 26033 or by e-mail via my Web site http://scottshalaway.googlepages.com