GFP News - November 10, 2010

  • GFP, DOH to Give Away 300 Nature Backpacks to Daycares, Preschools
  • Custer State Park to Hold Annual Bison Auction

GFP, DOH to Give Away 300 Nature Backpacks to Daycares, Preschools

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department and South Dakota Department of Health are teaming up in an effort to increase the amount of active time pre-school-aged children spend outdoors.

Applications are now available for the Children in Nature Backpack Grant, which awards a nature backpack to child-care providers and preschools. The backpacks contain a variety of items to encourage daily outdoor activity, such as insect nets, magnifying glasses, binoculars, flying discs, activity idea books, fishing gear and more. The backpacks and contents are valued at about $100 each.

"The nature backpack program is a perfect opportunity for the two state departments to partner with caregivers to get kids outside," said GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk. "Keeping kids physically active and connecting them with nature is very important, both for the children as individuals and for society as a whole."

Studies show children who play outside are healthier, have higher self-esteem, are good problem-solvers, have good self-discipline and do better in school.

"At the same time, we're engaging tomorrow's conservation leaders and introducing them to our state's traditions of hunting and fishing," added Vonk. "Our unique outdoor treasures depend on the next generation to preserve them."

Three hundred backpacks will be awarded next year to eligible applicants, such as child care facilities, home child-care providers, or established preschools. Child-care providers must be licensed in South Dakota.

Backpacks will be awarded to those who demonstrate a need and the commitment to use the items frequently.

This is the second installment of the grant program. The Game, Fish and Parks Department awarded backpacks this year to 180 child-care providers across the state. Follow-up surveys showed that child-care providers were going outside more often and spending longer periods of time outside.

The backpack grant program is offered as part of the Game, Fish and Parks Department's participation in the nationwide Children in Nature initiative. The initiative seeks to make nature and the outdoors a daily part of children's lives.

The Department of Health is participating in the backpack program as part of its Healthy South Dakota Initiative to encourage increased physical activity.

More information and the application form can be found online or by calling 605-773-7048. Applications are due Jan. 14, 2011. Backpacks will be awarded in April.

-GFP-

Custer State Park to Hold Annual Bison Auction

CUSTER, S.D. - The 2010 Custer State Park Fall Classic Bison Auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, at the park corrals.

This year's offering includes thirteen mature bred cows, nine 2-year-old heifers, ten yearling heifers, fifty heifer calves, sixty-one bull calves, twenty-three yearling bulls, four 2-year-old grade bulls, seven 2-year-old breeding bulls, and nineteen burros.

The auction will begin Saturday morning at 10 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time) at the Custer State Park Buffalo corrals, located 15 miles east of Custer on Highway 16A and then 9 miles south on the Wildlife Loop Road. Signs will be posted to assist in locating the corrals. A buyer's reception will be held prior to the auction on Friday, Nov. 19, from 7-8 p.m. at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park.

For the past 45 years, the park has made its surplus bison available for sale to the private sector. A significant amount of park revenue comes from the bison sale and goes toward continued operations of the state park system.

For additional information about the upcoming bison auction, contact Custer State Park at 605-255-4515 or e-mail questions to CusterStatePark@state.sd.us.

-GFP-