FAYETTEVILLE — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in conjunction with Fayetteville Power and Sail Squadron, is offering a boating-related workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville.

The course, Basic Weather and Forecasting, is designed for boaters who want to learn more about weather and forecasting and how to operate their vessels safely in all weather conditions. Among the topics that will be covered in the two-night course are:

— What causes weather

— How weather systems move

— Why winds blow

— What clouds tell us

— How storms and fronts create foul weather

— Why fog forms

— Where to get the best professional forecasts

— How to refine them using your own observations

Participants will receive a waterproof McGraw Hill Captain’s Quick Guide – Onboard Weather Forecasting, which is designed for onboard and field use. They also will receive a student guide with slide images and notes written especially for the seminar.

A $28 registration fee to cover the cost of the materials will be collected by Fayetteville Sail & Power Squadron, which is a local organization dedicated to boating safety through educational programs, as part of the United States Power Squadrons.

“Because fishing and boating often go hand-in-hand, the Pechmann Center and Fayetteville Sail and Power have forged a partnership to bring the public programs that promote boating safety and teach advanced seamanship skills,” said Pechmann Center Director Tom Carpenter. “Other courses may include, ‘Paddlesmart, How to use a chart,’ and ‘Tides and Currents’.”

Pre-registration online is required. For additional information about the seminars contact Carpenter at Thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org or 910-868-5003, ext. 15.

The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road, across from Lake Rim. Wildlife Commission staff at the Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. Most programs are free and open to the public.

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Nominations sought

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The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominations for the Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award, which recognizes individuals who provide leadership in the conservation of wildlife diversity in North Carolina.

The Wildlife Commission will accept nominations through Jan. 29. Nominators must submit a completed nomination form and a detailed essay of the nominee’s contributions to nongame wildlife conservation in North Carolina. Submissions that fail to follow length guidelines will be disqualified and returned to the nominator.

Submit nominations by:

— E-mail to melinda.huebner@ncwildlife.org

— Mail to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, c/o Melinda Huebner, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1700

— Fax to 919-707-0028

In addition to this year’s nominations, nominations submitted in 2014 and 2015 will be considered. Nominations submitted before 2014 will be considered upon request.

The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee will recommend nominees for consideration by the wildlife commissioners at their April 21, 2016 meeting. The winner will be announced at the commissioners’ meeting in July.

The award is named for the late Thomas Quay, who was a retired professor of zoology at N.C. State University and self-described “full-time volunteer and unpaid environmental activist.” The 2016 Quay Award will mark the 11th time the Wildlife Commission has recognized a leader in conservation of wildlife diversity with this award.

For information on the nomination process, contact Melinda Huebner at 919-707-0224.

Geared toward boaters

Staff report