WALK GEORGIA

The fall session of Walk Georgia opens this Sunday, August 23. Registration will be open through September 8. Activity may be logged September 6 - October 31.

Grab your tennis shoes, tune up your bike, or pump up your basketball and join us as we explore our great state.

What is Walk Georgia?
Walk Georgia is an 8-week program to increase your physical activity in a fun, community-oriented way. You may participate as an individual and track your progress with other individuals in your county and state OR form a team of four to exercise together.
The online component of Walk Georgia provides an activity record to keep track of your weekly physical activity and time. The activity that you record is translated into "walked" miles, based on average rigor of the chosen activity and the time you were active.
When you accumulate miles, you will be able to navigate a map of Georgia and chart your course to "walk" Georgia. As you move throughout this virtual state, you will be able to view fun facts about each county you visit and learn new ways to improve your health. You will also be able to see how you compare to other individuals throughout the state.
We hope you will be inspired to join us and others in your county as we get more active and become healthier!

Participate as an individual or build your dream team and get registered at http://www.walkgeorgia.org.

For assistance with account registration visit: http://www.walkgeorgia.org/public/acctCreation_participant.html.

We recommend registering schools or large groups by September 3. Schools or groups may access the school registration kit at http://www.walkgeorgia.org/index.cfm?public=schoolKit.

To get started, go to the Walk Georgia website and create your account. For more information, contact your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1 or email walkga@uga.edu.
http://www.walkgeorgia.org
Move more and enjoy living more!
The Walk Georgia Task Force

Hunters Education Skills Challenge (ALBANY,GA)

The Hunter Education Skills Challenge offers participants an opportunity to advance their outdoor education skills through competition. The program includes events that simulate realistic conditions in order to reinforce and test a young hunter's skills and it would be a great opportunity for 4-H members.

Who can participate?
Any youth (18 years of age and younger) who have completed a hunter education course. The competition includes two divisions: Junior (14 years of age and younger) and Senior (ages 15-18).

How can I get involved?
Youth first compete in a local challenge. Saturday, August 29, 2009 at Chickasawhatchee WMA in Albany 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

How does it work?
Each challenge involves organized competition consisting of six components: archery, air rifle, safety trail challenge, orienteering, wildlife identification and a responsibility exam. Different components of the competition are worth different points for a maximum possible score of 500. The top 10 scoring participants at each local challenge event (in each division) are eligible to participate in the state challenge.

ArcheryComprised of 10 three-dimensional animal targets. Scoring is based on the Archery Shooters Association scoring system. Maximum score: 120

Air RiffleComprised of 10 shots at 10 yards. Shooters shoot two shots at each approved position in the Georgia Hunter Education Guide Book and two shots in their preferred position. Maximum score: 100

Wildlife IdentificationComprised of 20 items (hides, skulls, pictures, tracks, etc.) that participants have to identify. Maximum score: 100

Safety Trail ChallengeComprised of six locations at which a shooter must decide if they have a safe shot. There are six locations. Maximum score: 60

OrienteeringComprised of six flagged spots. Each participant must correctly take bearings and write down degrees of location. Maximum score: 60

ResponsibilityWritten test comprised of 30 questions that participants must answer. Maximum score: 60

The Hunter Education Skills Challenge offers youth an opportunity to advance their outdoor education skills through competition. This is an advanced hunter education program that takes youth who have received their hunter education to the next level by transferring the skills they learn in the classroom into the outdoors.

Volunteers are needed at event venues to help youth in the various competitive sections. Volunteers can help with all components, including archery, air-rifle, orienteering, shoot/don't shoot scenarios, wildlife identification and the responsibility exam. Most challenges are two to three hours. If you would like to help at one of the events, please contact Jennifer Pittman at 770.918.6416 or Jennifer.Pittman@dnr.state.ga.us.

Cotton & Peanut Research Field Day, September 9, Tifton, GA

Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual UGA Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day scheduled for September 9, 2009.
The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with lunch; a detailed schedule of speakers and stops will be forthcoming. The field day is being sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission.
Lunch will be included only for those who register by September 3.

To confirm your attendance, contact Debbie Rutland, Department of Entomology at (229)
386-3424.

Urban Tree Field Day

Thomas County Extension will conduct an urban tree field day at Cherokee Lake on Friday, August 14th, from 9AM to 11AM. We will meet at the boat ramp and picnic area.

The field day is open to all interested in learning more about our urban tree canopy. The program will consist of tree identification, what type of tree to plant in urban settings, economic and ecological benefits of trees, and also some information on the GPS/GIS tree mapping of Thomasville currently going on. We will have various experts on hand to lead the field day.

Come learn at this hands-on opportunity how to identify trees and how we benefit from trees. This is a great learning event for all. For more information contact R.J. Byrne at the Thomas County Extension Office 229.225.4130.

University of Georgia (SW DISTRICT) Recruitment Event

WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 2009

TIME: 5:30 pm

WHERE: UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center

WHO: 10th-12th grade students and college
transfer students interested in UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences - Parents Welcome

WHAT: Information on the college, admissions to
UGA, financial aid, and more!

10th-12th Graders:
To sign up, contact your local County
Extension Office (229)-225-4130, or email akcarter@uga.edu, or SW District office

(229)-386-3414 or email scromer@uga.edu.

Transfer Students:
Contact Erin Womack at (229) 386-3528 or
ewomack@uga.edu for more information.

Please register by August 28, 2009