BUFFALO ROUNDUP

The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation will hold the 21st Annual Bison Roundup next week. It will start on Wednesday.

The public is invited to attend a modern, western roundup from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Oct. 27, horseback riders will move the Antelope Island bison herd from the southern tip of the island to the handling facility located at the park's northern end.

Visitors may view progress of the riders from the east-side road leading to the Fielding Garr Ranch.

Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars for a closer view of the animals and handlers.

From Nov. 2 through 4, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, visitors may observe as the bison are weighed, blood-tested, inoculated and scanned. All bison have a microchip implanted behind the ear, which serves as permanent identification and stores the animal's health history.

For information call 801-209-4678.

WILDFIRE REHAB

Three months after the biggest wildfire in Utah's history, work is under way to restore the Milford Flat area in southwestern Utah. Other areas are also undergoing restoration work.

Almost 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat is being improved northeast of Price. Along with providing better rangeland for wildlife and livestock, it should also help reduce the number of fires in the area.

Part of the project involves breaking up expanses of pinyon-juniper woodland using heavy equipment.

After the trees are removed, an airplane flies low over the area and broadcasts a mixture of shrub and grass seeds, which should provide an excellent food source for wildlife.

GEOCACHE SEARCH

More than 5,400 visitors have found the 50 hidden geocaches in 41 parks and museums as part of the Utah State Parks 50th Anniversary Geocache Adventure. Geocache Organizer Bob Hanover said that not all of the coveted 500 limited-edition geocoins have been found.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt using a global positioning satellite receiver. Participants enter coordinates into a GPS unit, which leads them to hidden geocaches. Throughout the year, all participating parks offer free rental of Magellan GPS units to anyone who wants to play.

Inside each cache, visitors find free small gifts.

For information visit www.stateparks.utah.gov or call 801-38-7220 or 1-877-UT-PARKS.