Beltzville State Park will hold a Basic Boating Course instructed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Monday, April 9, and Wednesday, 11, from 6-10 p.m. for both sessions.
There is no charge for the two-session course, but all participants must pre-register by calling Beltzville State Park at 610-377-0045 to register and attend both sessions, which supply boaters with practical information so they can make better-informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide students with information via a classroom setting to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water.
Students who successfully complete the course may apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate for a $10 fee. This certificate is required of all operators of personal watercraft, or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, who operate a motorboat of more than 25 hp, and information about this course or boating safety is on the PFBC website at www.fishandboat.com [1].
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Landowners interested in developing backyard habitats beneficial to wildlife can do so with the aid of "Landscaping for Wildlife in Pennsylvania," available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, written by noted outdoors and nature writer Marcus Schneck. This 160-page book contains descriptions, drawings and photos of ideal habitat for a variety of species, from hummingbirds to bats, as well as construction plans for a number of wildlife nesting boxes. Copies of the book may be ordered through the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us [2] by clicking on "General Store" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage and then "Visit the Outdoor Shop," or by calling the agency at 1-888-888-3459.
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Experienced hunters and trappers who are interested in becoming volunteer instructors for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's basic Hunter-Trapper Education, Successful Bowhunting, Successful Furtaking and Successful Turkey Hunting courses, as well as future courses under consideration, are being sought by the agency.
For more information about becoming an instructor, visit the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us [2] and select "Become an HTE Instructor" on the homepage. Individuals also can request an application packet online or by calling the agency's Hunter Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015.
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This year's Pennsylvania Game Commission free "Seedlings for Schools" program, in which students