Q: How do I get my child involved in a school archery program?

A: If the school your child attends does not offer archery as either a physical education activity or an elective class, contacting California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) can get that process started.

School children aim colorful bows and arrows as they participate in the National Archery in Schools Program.
School children set sights on their targets as they participate in the National Archery in Schools Program. Credit: Courtesy photo

The California National Archery in the Schools Program (CalNASP) is administered by CDFW in consultation with the California Department of Education.

Nearly 400 schools in California offer archery instruction and competition, involving students from grades 4-12.

Archery in schools is an excellent opportunity for students to be part of a team sport and is equally available to kids in urban or rural settings.

The sport promotes participation, and doesn’t discourage based on gender, size or experience, with roughly two thirds of school archery participants being first-time archers.

To start CalNASP, a school must confirm that target archery is covered under the school district’s general liability policy.

Start-up equipment costs roughly $3,200, and funding options are available for qualifying campuses through the CDFW NASP Equipment Grant program. There is no annual cost to schools once accepted into NASP.

Contact Leticia.Palamidessi@wildlife.ca.gov for information on bringing archery to your school.

CDFW lands are open on Christmas

Q: I’m thinking of taking family members to a CDFW Ecological Reserve or Wildlife Area on Christmas Day. Are those facilities open on holidays?

A: CDFW operates hundreds of ecological reserves and wildlife areas around the state, providing a great family outing opportunity on holidays throughout the year including Christmas Day.

Because Christmas is a holiday, visitor and interpretive centers are closed, but activities such as sightseeing, birdwatching and hiking are still open to the public.

Please make sure to visit CDFW Lands for the full list of spaces managed by CDFW. You’ll want to double-check if the state reserve or wildlife area you’re considering isn’t closed due to an emergency or for another reason.

In Southern California, Batiquitos Lagoon Ecological Reserve (San Diego County), Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Orange County), and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve (Orange County) offer fabulous opportunities for hiking and sightseeing.

Moving north, wildlife areas like Gray Lodge (Butte County) and Hill Slough (Solano County) offer excellent sightseeing and bird-watching experiences. These properties are wetlands, so hiking options aren’t as plentiful. Please note a Lands Pass is required at Gray Lodge for anyone over the age of 16.

The Bay Area offers great getaways as well, like San Bruno Ecological Reserve (San Mateo County). The reserve itself is small, but it’s adjacent to a large county park and provides beautiful views. A walk next to the bay is possible through Redwood Shores Ecological Reserve (also San Mateo County).

This is just a short list of CDFW reserves and wildlife areas. Once again, visit the CDFW website CDFW Lands for specific operating hours and recreational possibilities, at the land you’re interested in visiting. Happy Holidays.

Streambed Alteration

Q: With the possibility of another above average rainy season, can I redirect a rising stream that’s threatening my home or property?

A: It’s a good time to address this issue. Projects that can affect rivers, streams and lakes may require notifying CDFW. Those projects may include vegetation removal, road crossings and flood control channels.

The best advice is contacting CDFW early to begin discussions on work that might be anticipated.

Fish and Game Code section 1602 requires any entity (person, state, local government agency or public utility) to notify CDFW if a project would substantially obstruct or divert the natural flow of any river, stream or lake or substantially change or use material from the bed, bank or channel.

Under normal circumstances, a lake or streambed alteration agreement from CDFW may be required before beginning such work.

Advance notification is not required for immediate emergency work necessary to protect life or property, under Fish and Game Code section 1610. Although, CDFW must be notified in writing within 14 days after the beginning of that work.

Emergency means “a sudden, unexpected occurrence involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent the loss of, or damage to, life, health, property or essential public services.”

If possible, consult CDFW before beginning emergency work, which may help staff identify ways to minimize impacts to resources, while addressing emergency needs.

A map of the CDFW regional offices with links to contact information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/regions.

CDFW appreciates your cooperation in conserving California’s fish, wildlife and plant resources.