IN West County Winter 2017 | Page 12

Continued RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL • WIRING • RE-WIRING • SERVICE CALLS • 42' BUCKET TRUCK 814-474-4744 www.knorrelectric.com 8141 Avonia Road Fairview, PA 16415 Service You Can Depend On Master #372 | PA #014354 10 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West County The University of Oregon hosted the inaugural NCATA National Championships in 2011. Other past hosts include Baylor University (2012 and 2016), Quinnipiac University (2013), Azusa Pacific University (2014 and 2017) and Fairmont State University (2015). Baylor will be defending its crown after winning the last three national championships. All three titles came via victories over Oregon. The Ducks won the first five NCATA national championships, before the Bears captured the last three. “We are honored to have been selected to host the NCATA National Championships,” said Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk. “Our host group led by Gannon University and the Erie Sports Commission wanted an opportunity to really showcase and support this rapidly growing intercollegiate sport. I know the City of Erie and surrounding region will truly enjoy watching these extremely talented student- athletes compete for the national titles that will be at stake.” Gannon will be hosting a national championship for the second time in the span of four years after hosting the 2014 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight at the Erie Insurance Arena. The Golden Knights have also hosted numerous NCAA regionals for women’s basketball, men’s basketball, wrestling, women’s volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s soccer. Additionally, the university has been the host site for countless conference championships and the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division II Championships. OBSERVING WILDLIFE AT PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK Nearly four million visitors each year enjoy the natural beauty that Presque Isle has to offer. With this many visitors, the challenge of minimizing the impact to flora and fauna is daunting. To ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife, proper etiquette must be observed. This includes watching from a distance and not feeding the animals. Feeding wild animals threatens not only the safety of humans, but wildlife as well. Certain species, such as coyote and geese, can become reliant on humans for food. When this happens, the wild animals don’t get a proper diet, such as when people feed bread to Canada Geese who require aquatic vegetation. They simply fill up on non-nutritious things and become weak even though they have a full stomach. Even after a short period of receiving handouts from well-meaning visitors, these animals may alter their normal routines in order to maximize their exposure to humans to seek food rewards. This can lead to unintended consequences such as chasing, scratches, bites, disease and vehicle strikes. Vehicle strikes have taken a heavy toll on our resident foxes in recent years. Other wildlife, such as owls, use the peninsula for nesting, feeding and shelter during times of migration. Eagles may nest at the park. It is important to give these animals the space they need so that they don’t abandon their nesting efforts. For example, 1,000 feet of buffer space for eagle nest viewing and 200 feet for an owl nest is recommended. Some of these animals, such as hawks, owls, and all other birds of prey are protected by federal law. Harassment of these animals is prohibited by law and violators face arrest and/ or fines. Harassment includes approaching nesting areas too close, attempting to startle a bird into flight to get that great picture, lingering too long, and shouting or yelling to get an animal’s attention. For more information contact the Park Office located on the second floor of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 814.833.7424 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays. FISHING ROD LOANER PROGRAM AT TREC If you like to fish or want to try fishing, you can borrow a rod, reel, and basic tackle from the TREC on a first-come, first-served basis. This is made possible through a partnership with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and