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Show 'Guzzlers' Will Benefit Area's Small Wildlife Jack Soper's Future Farmers of America at Panguitch High School recently' had'a "unique" afternoon' outing installing a "guzzler." A guzzler is a specially designed device to, collect natural precipitation. It has a very low evaporation rate and the water is then available for various wildlife species during dry periods in areas without natural surface water. Students participating in the project did so as a part of the FFA Building Our American Communities program. Since 1971, some 15,000 FFA chapters across the country have conducted valuable community improvement projects as part of the BOAC program which is sponsored by the R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc. Beginning work on the project in November, 1984, 14 members of the Panguitch chapter FFA volunteered their time and effort. The BOAC committee as headed by Jeff Veater and members included Dave Ipson, Dale Ipson, Troy Josie, Tony Knighton, Robert Miller, Ralph Perkins, Duane Sawyer, Wayne Sawyer, Eddie Callies and Stuart Reynolds. As the last president of the disbanded Panguitch Wildlife Club, Soper .wanted to use some of the, club's funds to help wildlife in the area. Using his FFA members to accomplish that goal seemed a logical and worthwhile course to take. Soper contacted wildlife officer Norman McKee of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. McKee advised that a new fiberglass water-collecting device was now available from California. According to McKee, "we decided to purchase two small-game size guzzlers. One has already been placed in Panguitch Valley east of Panguitch Airport. The other will be located in the Sage Hen Hollow area south of Panguitch. These locations will serve primarily ,sage grouse populations in the area. However, other small wildlife species are also expected to use the sites for watering,"McKee concluded. Approximately $1,100 of the wildlife club's funds were used to purchase the guzzlers. Since the fiberglass designed guzzlers are nearly indestructible and are maintenance-free, it is hoped they will serve wildlife in the area for many years. |