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Show Grant of $1.3 Million Enables Study of Desert Area Ecology Anaconda Official To Head Campaign For Savings Bonds A major grant of $1,350,000 versity of Idaho; University of which will make possible a vari- Nevada; New Mexico State Uniety of research on the ecology of versity; Texas Tech University; desert areas of the western Unit- Brigham Young University; Unied States through the Ecology versity of Utah and Utah State Center at Utah State University was announced recently. The National Science Foundation grant, funding the second year of research on the ecosystems ofarid lands in the West through the Desert Biome Program, USU, was announced by Rep. K. Gunn McKay This is the second major grant for environmental studies at Utah State University within a month. The Rockefeller Foundation awarded USU $600,000 for work emphasizing man in his environment December 16. Rep. McKay noted that a $654,336 NSF grant established the Desert Biome study at Utah State University as part of the International Biological Program in January, 1970. The new NSF grant provides for continuation of the work. Seventeen universities and more than 120 researchers will participate in the ongoing program to analyze various effects of changes on desert lands. Utah State Universitys Ecols ogy Center, administrative and management headquarters for the Desert Biome program, will be the destination for data collected on plants, animals, soils, water chemistry and temperature from a number of test sites. In Logan, the information will be fed into a computer. When sufficient data are fed into the fact bank, questions will be asked regarding effects following changes in climate, modplant cover or ifications. The computer will predict the effect on the site or will indicate that more data is needed in a particular area. On the particular validation site, man will actually manipulate the conditions to match those involved in the computer problem. Results will be recorded regularly, to check the validity of the computer answer. Ultimately, the computer model will be able to answer complex questions on what happens if certain conditions are induced on a particular type of desert land. The forthcoming answer in a matter of minutes rather than observation over five to ten years will mean improved management decisions made without the trial and error method applied to fragile, slow recovering desert lands making up so much of the west. Among the test locations in the Desert Biome are the Curlew Valley, stretching from Locomotive Springs in Northern Utah to the Curlew National Grasslands in Idaho; the Mohave Desert validation site in the southwestern corner of the Nevada Test Site, Saratoga Springs in Death Valley National Monument, and the Tucson Basin Validation Site in Arizona. Efforts have been made to establish validation sites which are representative of western desert types. Since a wide variety of information must be acquired from the literature and field studies, a major talent search for research personnel was undertaken. Response from western institutions was high, indicative of interest in the analysis of ecosystems concept. Universities participating in the newly funded aspect of the Desert Biome program are: Arizona State University; Northern Arizona University; University of Arizona; Ricks College; Uni (D-Uta- man-induce- d h). University. Almost 100 graduate students, plus a number of undergraduates from the above universities will assist with the important program. According to Dr. John M. Neu-holdirector of the Ecology Center at USU, scientists and educators are concerned with the problems of progress. The funding of this program by the National Science Foundation gives us some of the dollars needed to reverse the trend of problems with change. The capacity to arrive at management decisions through the use of the computer in the Desert Biome program is highly important in a time when we are placing so many pressures on some of our most fragile land areas. With access to prompt, valid answers, we avoid trial and error and become aware of changes that will occur without actually putting major land areas to test, Dr. Neuhold said. Biome Director Dr. David Goodall, of Utah State University, leads off a virtual Who's Who list of western researchers. Dr. Goodall, an Australian, did research in plant physiology in lecWest Africa in the mid-40- s, tured at the University of Melbourne, and the University of Gold Coast, (Ghana) was a professor of agricultural botany at the University of Reading, then directed tobacco research at Queensland, Australia. He was senior principal research scientist in the Division of Mathematical Statistics in Perth and an Honorary Reader in Botany, lecturing in plant ecology and biometrics at the University of Western Australia. His career led to the University of California at Irvine, where he was a professor of biological science in the Department of Population and Environmental Biology, then to Utah State University, Logan, where he is professor of Systems Ecology at the Ecology Center. Equally impressive are the varied backgrounds of the more than 100 researchers who will participate in the studies this year. The list of Ph.D. participants includes soil biophysicists, entomologists, nematologists, ornithologists, plant physiologists, limnologists, chemists and mathematicians. d, Birds of Prey Sanctuary Planned The Bureau of Land Management has given public notice of its intention to designate 26,000 acres of public lands as a birds of prey sanctuary. The proposed Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area would cover canyon walls, rims and floor of a 30 mile stretch of the Snake River in Idaho. A high concentration of the golden eagles and prairie falcons inhabit the area and it has been the locale for two nationally televised films. In making the proposal, the BLM joins other state and federal agencies in the protection and perpetuation of these endangered birds. The Utah Division of Fish and Game, under and Game provisions of the Fish Code, have sought to protect the species of birds from indiscriminate shooting. The Division has also cooperated with the Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife Clark L. Wilson, manager of Utah Operations, Anaconda Co., will serve as volunteer chairman of Utahs Take Stock in America 71 United Savings Bonds campaign. Announcement of Mr. Wilsons appointment was made by Wendell E. Giles, Sr., vice president, Continental Bank & Trust Co. Making the announcement on behalf of the Department of the Treasury Mr. Gile said, We are indeed fortunate to have the volunteer services of a man with such a broad range of experience in business and civic activities to lead our Utah endeavors. The new chairman succeeds Glenn A. Cunningham, general manager, South Central District, UPRR Co., who has just concluded a highly successful year as volunteer chairman of Utahs 1970 Savings Bonds campaign. Mr. Wilson will direct the activities of more than 75 volunteers to encourage greater numbers of Utah residents to join or increase their participation in the Payroll Savings or plans, and to buy more Savings Bonds as gifts. Mr. Wilson will hold a series of meetings with Savings Bonds volunteers to map plans for the 1971 campaign. The new 5 per cent rate on Bonds held to maturity or beyond makes them even more valuable. Savings Bonds are an excellent way for each of us to help meet our responsibilities to our families and to our nation. The money we regularly put in Bonds can provide for emergency expenses, as well as for good things such as family vacations, college educations. At the same time were lending money to our government, money that will not add to inflation, to say nothing of personal tax advantages which are unique to this type of saving, he said. Bond-A-Mon- th Moss Calls for Higher Earnings For Social Security Recipients Senator Frank E. Moss, D-Uta- h, has a bill which would increase to $2,520 the annual amount Social Security recipients may earn and still qualify for Social Security benefits. The curent level is $1,680. The Senate had increased the level to $2,400 last year, but the bill did not receive final House passage, so the increase did not take effect. Senator Moss feels the level should be $210 per month, or $2,520 for the year. When the Social Security bill was first passed in 1935, age 65 might have been considered the threshold of old age, but senior citizens today are much more active and live much longer. Many are ready and willing to continue some- contribution to - society. Social Security benefits which have been increased in recent years are in Senator Moss opin- ion stop-ga- p measures designed to keep elderly citizens even with the rest of the population under the impact of inflation. Congressional efforts have failed to meet this limited objective. The U.S. Department of Labor stated last year that an average retired couple living in an urban area would need an income of $4,320 for a moderate standard of living. Given the expected rate of inflation, the figure could rise to $4,500 for 1971. But the average couple on Social Security receives $196 per month, or $2,352 in annual benefits. For a majority of them, this is their only income. Rather than simply raise the benefits to $4,500 per year, Senator Moss feels elderly citizens should be allowed to earn more outside income and retain their benefit payments. The glow seen near the sun just before sunrise and just after sunSportsmen and plinkers are set is caused by a myriad of reminded that all birds are pro- meteoritic bits that scatter suntected under Utah law. light in space. in locating eagle nests and banding young birds. - County Ski School Opens Feb. 20 Dates of the Salt Lake County Beginners Ski School have been set, according to Salt Lake County Recreation Supt. Gary Swensen, the always popular activity will get under way Feb. 20 and will run for six consecutive weeks. This is an activity which the recreation department has sponsored for over twenty years and through this program thousansd of county youngsters have had their first experience on the ski slopes. This year Mr. Swensen points out the County Ski School will be held at he Solitude Ski Slopes. Form any years the program has been held at Brighton but this year county officials decided to move the school to the Solitude area. The ski school is for beginning skiers and by county definition, a beginner is one who has (1) never been on skiis before, (2) has never ridden a lift before, and (3) cannot turn on skiis: Mr. Swensen said this program is open to any Salt Lake County resident 8 years of age and up. This includes adults and many combinations are parent-chil- d to enroll in the acexpected tivity. The school enrollment will be limited this year to one thousand persons. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. All registrations must be in person, and registration by mail or phone will not be accepted. Persons desiring to enroll in the school may do so by dropping in to the county recreation administrative offices located on the 4th floor of the County Complex at 2033 South State between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30. Registrations will be held on Feb. 16, 17, 18, 19. A registration fee of $3.00 per person is charged. Puwycatf NATIONWIDE SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR KING OR QUEEN OF HOUSECATS Cate an nature 'a aristocrats, and through history in many lands cats have been accorded high honor, even worshiped as diety. With an estimated 36 million housecats in this country, the feline is far and away Americas most popular house-pe- t. Now, at last, housecats an being recognized as Royalty in the U.S. A nationwide search Is on for the King or Queen of Americas housecats. The Royal Pussycat Pageant of America is looking for royal, not pedigreed, house-cat- s. The champion of all contestant cats will be crowned (with a real crown) King (or Queen) of Americas tabbys with all the pomp and circumstance of a regal coronation at the Hotel Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. Along the way to the throne, these royal pussycats can win a color TV set, $100 spending money, a trip to New York and Miami Beach, perhaps even the gold and pearl crown and necklace, valued at more than $1500. Any housecat is eligible to enter, the Royal Pussycat Pageant, which is sponsored by Tabby cat food. Official entry blanks are available free at participating supermarkets selling Tabby. However, cats may also be entered in the contest merely by sending a descriptive essay about the cat and a photo of the pussycat, along with the winners will then be designated name and address of the owner, Princes or Princesses (depending to: Royal Pussycat Pageant of on the sex of the pussycat) Philadel- earning a medallion, specially America, Box CJLT., ' phia, Pa. 19107. The contest inscribed scroll and more Tabby .closes April 30, 1971. After all the entries are in. cat food. Next, 10 lucky pussycats will be picked as Pretenders to the Throne and the real competi- tion startsfor the $1500 crown. The 10 Pretenders, in addition to winning portable color TV sets, will be flown to New York with .their owners for a gala press reception at the famous Waldorf-Astorilong the New York home of visiting royalty. Then its off to Miami Beach for a week-lon- g tournament at the fabulous Hotel Fontainebleau. The tournament consists of a series of competitive events especially created to test the interest, agility and curiosity of the pussycats. Among the events are a cross country obstacle course, mechanical mouse chasing, high jumping, target ball rolling, hall of mirrors puza, zle the judges will select 100 Members of the Peerage, who will receive Right of Ascension to the Throne certificates and a h aupply of Tabby. One of these cats will eventually be chosen as the King or Queen of Americas housecats. Fifty of the original 100 two-mont- and bell ringing. Under the supervision of Pageant Director Mrs. Virginia cat Hunter, a nationally-know- n fancier, the 10 tabbies will also be judged on owner-designe- d costumes representing their principality. Finally, on stage in the Fontainebleaus plush nightclub LaRonde, one housecat will be crowned King or Queen of all UJ3. Catdom. |