Jr. Ranger Scavenger Hunt at Tonaquint Park

What: Fall Jr. Ranger Scavenger Hunt
When: September 23, 2011 5pm to 7pm
Where: Tonaquint Park 1851 South Dixie Drive St. George, UT
Cost: Free Family Event
How to participate: Pre-registration deadline is 5pm Thursday Sept. 22,
2011
To pre-register go to: http://www.sgcity.org//recreation/tnc/events.php
or http://www.d-asia.org/ or call 435-688-3200, 435-688-3273 or435-688-3275

Wildlife Icons to Educate Children:
Smokey Bear, Seymour Antelope, Hercules Gila Monster, Tank Tortoise,
& Virgin River Fish are Celebrity Guests at Family Geared Public Lands
Event

St. George, Utah —On Friday September 23, 2011, the public will have an
opportunity to learn more about recreational opportunities on public lands
at the Jr. Ranger Scavenger Hunt. The free educational family event hosted
at the Tonaquint Park at 1851 South Dixie Drive in St. George, Utah will
run from 5pm to7pm.


Geared to families and youth ages 5-18, the event helps families gain a
greater appreciation for public lands resources and opportunities through
fun and educational activities. Each agency hosts a station and provides
engaging, age-appropriate games, activities, educational materials, and
thematic public lands give-a-ways.


Numerous agencies work together to provide the public with this free
activity. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided compliments of the Dixie
Arizona Strip Interpretive Association (D/ASIA) for all participants who
register early. Event sponsors include: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Arizona Strip District Office, the City of St. George, D/ASIA, Dixie
National Forest, National Park Service, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve,
Washington County’s Water Conservancy District, Washington County’s Solid
Waste District, and the Southern Utah Chapter of the Girls Scouts of
America.


The 2011 Jr. Ranger event features the BLM Arizona Strip District’s “Jr.
Fire Fighter Training Course.” The obstacle course will provide children
with an opportunity to meet regional Wildland Fire Fighters, BLM’s mascot
Seymour Antelope, and Smokey Bear and complete the rigors of a Wildland
Fire Fighter’s training.


For the specialists who present from the host of agencies, these events
provide a forum for fostering positive relationships among community
members and natural resource agencies. “It’s an excellent opportunity for
us to be able to give back to our community,” said Wildland Firefighter
Jamie Rogers, who will conduct the Jr. Wildland Fire Fighter Training
Course.


In addition to myriad fun educational games, children will have the chance
to view fascinating native desert wildlife at the event, including live
native fish like Virgin River chub, spinedace, and woundfin, as well as the
25-year-old Red Cliff Desert Reserves’ resident Gila monster “Hercules.”
For children, viewing “Herc,” up close is thrilling as few people ever see
a Gila monster out in the wild in their natural habitat.


In order to enjoy the free food and activities, pre-register at:http://www.sgcity.org//recreation/tnc/events.php or http://www.d-asia.org/
or call 435-688-3200, 435-688-3273 or 435-688-3275.

The BLM manages more land – 245 million acres -- than any other Federal
agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is
primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The
Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700
million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.
The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and
productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present
and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing
such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral
development, and energy production, and by conserving natural,
historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.