Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : February 9, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Jim Fregonara , Wildlife Resources Section (304) 637-0245 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Wildlife Diversity Day at the Capitol February 28

   “Everyone interested in learning about the diversity of our native wildlife and plants will want to be under the Capitol Dome in the Lower Rotunda on February 28 for our annual Wildlife Diversity Day,” according to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro . This free event will feature live animals and interactive educational exhibits from the Wildlife Resources Section's Wildlife Diversity Program and from other groups active in managing and conserving West Virginia 's unique wildlife resources. Exhibits will be on display in the lower Capitol Rotunda from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

   Legislators, school children and the public will have the unique opportunity to see live eagles, hawks, owls, snakes, butterflies, insects and mammals up close, as well as exhibits on a variety of natural history themes. Invited organizations include: The West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Three Rivers Avian Center, WV Division of Forestry, WV Division of Water and Waste Management, Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Water Resources and Environmental Resources , Law Enforcement and State Parks and Recreation Sections of the Division of Natural Resources, WV Wildlife Center, WV Department of Agriculture Plant Industries, U.S. Park Service's New River Gorge National River, Oglebay Good Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Canaan Valley and Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuges, WV Cave Conservancy, Dupont Washington Works Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Committee, Brooks Bird Club, Butterflies from Heather, Marshall University's Herpetology Laboratory, U.S. Forest Service's Cranberry Mountain Visitor Center and the Schrader Environmental Education Center.

   “I encourage all West Virginians , students, teachers and parents, as well as legislators and their staffs, to take part in all the wildlife activities on February 28. It's a great time to learn about and observe our wildlife up close. Because of this opportunity, this day is always one of the most popular days during the legislative session,” Jezioro said.

   The Wildlife Diversity Program conducts research, management and educational projects in the area of nongame wildlife and botanical resources throughout the state. These animals comprise more than 90 percent of all species statewide. Monitoring federally endangered and threatened species, conducting surveys for birds and other wildlife and collaborating in the publication of wildlife books and guides for distribution to schools are all examples of projects undertaken by the Wildlife Diversity Program. The program is also involved with projects creating wildlife habitat around schools and backyards. For more information about the Wildlife Diversity Day please contact: Jim Fregonara at the Wildlife Diversity Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section, P.O. Box 67 , Elkins , WV 26241 , (304) 637-0245 or jimfregonara@wvdnr.gov .

**DNR**