Northwoods could open by Christmas
The International Mountain Biking Association’s Trail Solutions division could have the first mile of the Northwoods/Cedar Glades mountain bike trail system open to the public as early as Christmas Day.
Trail Solutions has a projected start date of Nov. 13, and plans to open each completed section of Phase One of the trail to the public, starting with the first mile, according to Visit Hot Springs.
The overall 44.6-mile project will be constructed on a 2,000-acre tract of unspoiled woodlands the city owns north and west of Park Avenue. The restricted-access, old-growth forest surrounds lakes Sanderson, Dillon and Bethel, formerly used as water sources for the city’s municipal water system.
Phase One of the project, which will have 14.7 to 16.6 miles of trail in a plot of land just east of Cedar Glades Park, is projected to be completed by the end of 2018. About half the cost of Phase One, which will be nearly $1.3 million, is being funded by a $648,421 matching grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
full-time nurse, accompanied Paul on Friday. Paul himself maintains a fulltime career in the aerospace industry.
Raptor Rehab is the largest birds of prey rehabilitation center in the state. Paul and his staff care for more than 200 birds each year and maintain a 50 percent release rate.
Miller and Paul presented several birds of prey, including Gandalf, a rehabilitated vulture making his first public appearance in the center’s educational programs. Also presented were Bogart, a great horned owl; Hope, a red-tailed hawk; Shaheen, a peregrine falcon; and Titus, a barn owl who was brought to the facility this year as an owlet.
Raptor Rehab later moved into an updated facility. The center focuses on birds of prey, but has also taken in ducks, geese, pelicans and other birds. Concerned citizens also go to the center with bobcats, elks, rattlesnakes and other stray animals, but they are turned over to certified professionals.
Birds of prey are tightly regulated. Raptor Rehab can rehabilitate birds of prey, but they cannot breed the animals or keep any of their remains. Guests to their presentations are not allowed to handle the animals.
Paul is one of only a few professionals in the state licensed to handle eagles. He said the center received 11 bald eagles last year with nine released and two were euthanized.
Bald eagles and peregrine falcons were among various species saved by rehabilitators from the brink of extinction after effects were seen by widespread dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane contamination. Paul warned lead poisoning could have a similar impact on animal populations if measures are not taken.
Paul said laws are in place to prevent citizens from attempting to care for birds of prey on their own. He encouraged guests to leave chicks alone they may find in the wild.
“The bird may have a birth defect and was intentionally kicked out of the nest,” Paul said. “Nature takes care of itself. We cannot save everything. It’s just not possible. Nature takes care of itself.”
Darlene Gentles, chairwoman of the Math and Sciences Division, said Friday’s presentation was one of the most popular so far in the series, which began in the spring semester. Engineer Bob Nagy led another popular program about solar power.
“I started out with tools,” Gentles said. “I wanted to have a series on tools humans have used throughout history.”
Gentles said she is looking to develop a program about green energy. She said future programs could also include more animal presentations.
“Now, I just want something for the students to do that is outside of the normal classroom,” Gentles said. “This is not a normal classroom. I am looking for that enrichment opportunity.”