Friday, April 22, 2011 www.greenepublishing.com Farmm & Outoors Madison Enterprise-Recorder 15A SRWMD Governing Board Officers Elected Photo submitted New officers of the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board are pictured from left, Donald "Ray" Curtis, secretary/treasurer; Donald Quincey, chairman; and Alphonas Alexander, vice-chair- man. The Suwannee River Water Management Dis- trict Governing Board held an election of officers on March 8. Donald J. Quincey, Jr., will serve as chair- man; Alphonas Alexander will serve as vice-chair- man; and Donald R. "Ray" Curtis III, will hold the positions of secretary/treasurer. Quincey, a resident of Chiefland, was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in April 2008 to represent the Lower Suwannee River Basin. Quincey earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe Community College in 1976. He is the owner and president of Quincey Cattle Company and is currently the president-elect of the Florida Cattleman's Association. Alphonas Alexander, of Madison, was appoint- ed by Governor Crist in March 2010 and he repre- sents the Upper Suwannee River Basin. Alexander holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Florida A&M University He serves as an independent contractor for The Forestry Company, of Perry, and is a member of the Forestry Stewardship program and the Florida Forestry Association. Donald "Ray" Curtis III, of Perry, was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in March 2010. Curtis rep- resents the Coastal River Basin. Curtis is an attorney with Howard & Curtis, P.A. in Perry He received his Juris Doctorate from Flori- da Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville after earn- ing a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, with a minor in agricultural law, from the University of Florida. Curtis serves as a member of the City of Perry Zoning and Planning Board and the City of Perry Board of Adjustment. Currently he is chair of the City of Perry Code Enforcement Board. SiGN YOVR KIDS VP O FOR OCXLi OVTPOOR ADpMI{TVF2 CIlM? Do your children long to spend their summer days in the great outdoors? Would they love the chance to learn about fish and wildlife from experts, and hike or canoe with other children their age? Then it's time to sign them up for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp. The facility is located in the Ocala National Forest, and regis- tration for the 2011 summer sessions has already be- gun. The summer camp is for boys and girls, ages 9- 15, and focuses on fish and wildlife conservation, outdoor skills and firearm safety This year, the camp offers six one-week sessions beginning June 19. The camp's primary goal is to help children be- come conservation-minded and good stewards of our fish and wildlife resources. They learn these skills and values through fun and educational, hands-on activities such as fishing, canoeing, swim- ming, hiking, archery and many other outdoor pro- grams. Tuition is still only $295 per camper per week and includes lodging, food, program materials and instruction. Each week-long session is divided into four groups, based on individual interest: hunter safety, archery and bowhunting skills, wilderness outdoor skills, and the new and exciting angler's program. "Campers who want to learn about fish and fish- ing, will want to sign up for our new Anglers Fish Camp," said Greg Workman, director of the Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp. "They learn about fish bi- ology, identification, fishing techniques and boating safety, and enjoy many traditional camp activities, such as swimming and canoeing. Each camper will receive a rod and reel with tackle when they com- plete the program." For the camper who wants to take the state-man- dated hunter safety course, the hunter safety group is the way to go. The wilderness outdoor skills group will experi- ence several outdoor adventures, including an overnight primitive camping trip and hiking on the Florida Trail. Before leaving base camp, campers prepare for the experience by learning the funda- mentals of surviving in the wilderness, orienteer- ing, backpacking and preparing a campsite. The Ocala Conservation Center is on a 57-acre peninsula, rich in history and wildlife, in Marion County. It is 20 miles east of Ocala, on Lake Eaton, in the heart of the Ocala National Forest. The facilities are rustic, yet comfortable, with air-conditioned cabins and dining hall. The classrooms are fishing piers, shooting ranges, nature trails, Lake Eaton and the vast Ocala National Forest. For more information or to register, go to www.OcalaAdventureCamp.com or call 352-625-2804. AsI See It Florida's outdoors has positive impact on people and economy Florida attracts people who enjoy the outdoors: anglers trying to lure the big one, birdwatchers waiting in silence, kids trying to catch a glimpse of everything from manatees and alligators to Mickey Mouse, retirees who saved a lifetime to come down, and people from all walks of life wanting to enjoy our warm rays and vast outdoor recreational oppor- tunities. Our state is known for hosting millions of visi- tors each year - some 41 million, to be exact. We are lucky to live in a state that affords us the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors most months of the year. Just ask those visiting from the North. Where else can you experience temperatures in the 80s in the middle of February? While it is no secret that Florida has diverse recreational resources, what you might not know about the fiscal impact of fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing in Florida could surprise you. Fish and wildlife contribute to Florida's tourism industry Each year, $20 billion and 250,000 jobs come directly from fish and wildlife in the state, and an ad- ditional $18 billion and another 200,000 jobs are the indirect benefit of boating in state waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) oversees these waterways and protects fishing and hunting resources for this gen- eration and beyond. Those of us who work for the FWC are thankful that we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor while positively impacting others by cre- ating jobs and revenue. In fiscal year 2011-12 alone, the combined rev- enue from recreational fishing license sales and fed- eral aid through the Sport Fish Restoration Program is projected to be $45,229,260. In today's economy, where Florida families are doing more with less, I am proud that the FWC does its part every year to contribute to the state's economy in a winning way. Wildlife viewing is a significant economic en- gine in Florida, accounting for $5.6 billion and 51,367 jobs of the $20 billion and 250,000 jobs noted earlier. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail repre- sents only one aspect of wildlife viewing enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. The FWC partnered with the Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation to create this network of 500 birding sites and 2,000 miles of self- guided highway trails throughout Florida. During the February FWC Commission meeting in Apalachicola, my fellow commissioners and I ex- perienced first-hand the impact of fishing and its role in the economy of the quaint fishing communi- ty We heard from residents and business owners as we conducted our meetings, toured an oyster-pro- cessing company alongside Gov. Rick Scott and en- joyed lunch from the local bounty The community depends on the marine life in its estuaries and Gulf waters. Apalachicola is a piece of Florida locked away in time, guided by the traditions of years past. It re- juvenates us and reminds us of the importance of what we do at the FWC. We take our responsibilities to heart as we consider those who enjoy what Flori- da has to offer and those who make a living from its harvest. 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