BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

`Backyard Bird Count' set

The eighth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) - a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society - will be Friday through Monday. During the event, people are encouraged to count birds on one or all four days. They are then asked to report their highest tallies for each bird species. The reports help researchers better understand bird population numbers and distribution across North America. During the 2004 GBBC, for example, participants' reports documented regional declines of the American Crow that may be the result of West Nile virus. Bird count reports may be submitted over the Internet by logging on to: www.birdsource.org/gbbc. Or, for a report form, call Herb Wisner of Lane County Audubon at 344-3634.

Frontier Fair this weekend

The 13th annual Frontier Heritage Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday in the Wheeler Pavilion at the Lane County Events Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene. The event, sponsored by the Fort Umpqua Muzzle Loaders, focuses on pre-1898 America, including the Mountain Man, Civil War and Old West eras. Artifacts and replicas of the period will be on display and for sale, and demonstrations of historic skills such as spinning, wood carving, beadwork, basketry, flintknapping and blacksmithing are scheduled. There will also be a kids' activity center and period music. Event hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 for ages 12 and over.

Oregon wolf plan adopted

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday adopted a state wolf management plan, concluding nearly three years of public discussion that saw nearly 2,000 people submit comments. Wolves were extirpated from Oregon in the 1930s. However, re-established populations in neighboring Idaho continue to thrive, and wildlife managers anticipate wolves eventually will migrate into Oregon. The species remains protected under both state and federal endangered species laws. The 106-page plan describe measures the Department of Fish and Wildlife will take to conserve and manage the species. This includes actions that could be taken to protect livestock from wolf depredation and addressing human safety concerns. Some plan provisions will require action by the state legislature to be implemented.

`Badlands' support noted

Oregon Natural Desert Association says nearly three out of four Deschutes County voters now support creation of a Badlands Wilderness Area, based on results of a poll conducted by Republican polling firm American Viewpoint. Located just 15 miles east of Bend and encompassing nearly 37,000 acres, the Badlands area is filled with canyons, rock cauldrons, precious desert water, lichen-covered lava formations and 1,000-year-old ancient junipers. After hearing a description of the wilderness proposal, including restrictions, 69 percent of voters support the proposal, with 54 percent saying they "strongly favor" wilderness designation, according to John Wilson of American Viewpoint. Fifteen percent of those surveyed said they strongly oppose the proposed wilderness.