Harold Nugent’s Legacy

In 2004 the Friends, then FAVOR, donated $100 to obtain a mounted 5-foot gator for alligator-educator and Board member Harold Nugent.  If you knew Harold, you know his passion was crocodilians and for his wife, Susan, not necessarily in that order! (He’d have liked that joke).

After years visiting Alachua schools and civic groups throughout central Florida, the gator is now sitting on the front counter at Lower Suwannee NWR headquarters.  Sadly, our gator-champion, Dr. Harold Nugent passed away suddenly in October and the gator has been waiting quietly.  

A week before the holiday season, Susan Nugent asked Ranger Pam Darty if she might want to use the gator for Environmental Education at the Refuge.  (Pam never turns down any native mount). A week later, Susan brought lesson plans, posters, and games along with the handsome mount to the Lower Suwannee office.

Harold would be happy to know the gator will return to the classrooms and libraries across the tri-county area. If your kids are in school, if you know an elementary school teacher, or your scouting group needs close-up exposure to wildlife, have them call Ranger Pam at 352/493-0238 for a free presentation. Perhaps we can have the gator as part of an education program when we have a booth at local festivals. That might be fun!

River Cleanup Results

When  all the counting was done, it turned out that  during the four-hour Great Suwannee River Cleanup event over 4700 pounds of trash were removed from the 18 miles we covered, including eighteen 55 gallon blue plastic barrels, an abandoned boat with motor attached, and 15 tires. Way to go, Team!

Thanks for the Great Suwannee River Cleanup

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to the Friends members, the Refuge director and staff, and friends of Friends members who came to work on the Great Suwannee River Cleanup! It was an amazing day. The Friends launched from three sites, Camp Azalea, Fowlers Bluff, and the Town of Suwannee. The photos attest to both the fun we had, and the productivity of the cleanup crews. More than 3,000 pounds of trash were collected by more than the more than 85 who came. What a team!

 

We had no plans for swimming on December 4...but a bit of boat rescue seemed necessary! Check it out. Did we have fun???

 

See more on our Facebook page, Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

The Friends Help with the Interagency Luncheon

On Wednesday, December 1, more than 70 representatives of various regional agencies that share goals and missions similar to the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges' gathered at refuge headquarters for their Annual Interagency Luncheon featuring batter-fried mullet, swamp cabbage, and covered dishes by the Friends of the Refuges and some of the attendees. It was an excellent opportunity to share information about projects and reconnect with colleagues.