Standley Lake boat permit application packets are available online or at the Westminster Nature Center at the Standley lake Regional Park, 100th Avenue and Simms Street.

    Informational packets include the application form and instructions and will be accepted between Feb. 4 and Feb. 25 at the nature center. Five hundred and fifty permits will be available for the 2009 season, 20 of which will be reserved for Northglenn and Thornton residents respectively.             The boat quarantine period (time boats have to be out of water), inspection and cleaning process has been expanded due to more knowledge about the threatening Zebra and Quagga mussel on water quality concerns at the lake. There will be a 15-day period in May and September and an 11-day period during June, July and August. Fees remain the same as 2008, $850 for Westminster residents and $950 for non-residents. Questions can be directed to staff at 303-425-1097 or the city Web page at www.ci.westminster.co.us/194.htm

        2009 small-game and fishing licenses will be available at sporting goods and outdoors outlets in March with the new annual renewal date now effective April to April each year, as opposed to the long-standing calendar year renewal schedule. Senior citizens over 64 who have taken advantage of the free state fishing license will be required to pay a nominal $1 fee in 2009 to cover the state search and rescue fee and the Wildlife Public Education Advisory Council surcharge. Base resident fishing license fee for 16 years and older will remain the same at $26 and small game license $21, or the popular combination fishing and small game license at $41.

    If you have not seen Dave Showalter’s Colorado outdoors photography, you are missing some of Colorado’s most impressive nature, landscape and wildlife photography. Showalter is intrigued with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. He has literally walked every square mile to capture the natural beauty of this urban refuge.

    “It’s the daily surprise, which are a metaphor for the whole grassland experience. Something magical happens every day (on the refuge),” Dave is often quoted in sharing his attraction to the refuge.

    The 330 species of wildlife, the newly reintroduced bison and variety of big and small wildgame and birds offer Showalter a new camera experience each time he walks this urban openness.

    Showalter’s work was recently recognized at the Colorado Humanities Book Award event. CH identifies quality art and literary work in Colorado. CH awarded Dave the Colorado Book Top Honors at its annual awards event. The book “Prairie Thunder” contains striking seasonal RMANWR photographs blended with essays about the shortgrass prairie and its abundant wild residents.

    The Colorado Division of Wildlife olunteer Program is a growing attraction for outdoors enthusiast. DOW invites public volunteers to assist and support staff on a wide-ranging list of tasks. Over the 15 years, more than 4,750 volunteers have taken on various roles such as counting bighorn sheep, searching for bats near mines, banding waterfowl, tagging fish, teaching kids to fish and hunt and light duty at the DOW offices. Orientation meetings for new interested volunteers are scheduled in February. Call Mary McCormac at 303-291-7369 or go online to mary.mccormac@state.co.us.

Contact the author at Ron-Hellbusch@comcast.net