Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges

  • Home
  • About Us
    • The Board
    • Our Mission and Goals
    • Our Code of Ethics
    • Volunteer Projects
    • Volunteer Chat Room
    • Calendar of Events
    • Contact Us
  • Join Friends
    • Join or Renew
    • Members
  • Maps/Trails
    • Interactive Refuge Map
    • Lower Suwannee NWR Map
    • Walk/Bike/Drive Trails >
      • Adventures on the Refuges
      • Barnett Creek Trail
      • CR 349 Refuge Cycling Tour
      • Dennis Creek Trail
      • Dixie Mainline- FWS Guide
      • Hiking Trails Along the Dixie Mainline
      • Nature Drive Guide
      • River Walk & Tram Ridge Trail
      • Shell Mound Trail
      • Turkey Foot Loop Trail
    • Paddling Trails >
      • Overview
      • Details: Paddles 1 - 4 >
        • 1. Fishbone Creek
        • 2. Shired Creek
        • 3. Sanders Creek
        • 4. Cat Island
      • Details: Paddles 5 - 8 >
        • 5. Lock Creek
        • 6. Lock Shingle Creek
        • 7. Gopher River
        • 8. Sandfly Creek
      • Details: Paddles 9 - 12 >
        • 9. Barnett McCormick Creek
        • 10. Shell Mound - Hog Island
        • 11. Shell Mound - Long Cabbage Island
        • 12. Atsena Otie
    • Kayak-fishing Trails
  • Science, Butterflies
    • iNaturalist Project
    • Primer on Butterflies of the Lower Suwanee NWR
    • Shell Mound Archaeological Guide
  • Records, Newsletters
    • News Briefs
    • Minutes
    • Financial Reports
    • Bylaws
    • Archives

More Refuge Happenings

5/8/2017

0 Comments

 
We only have 6 staff members these days, but lots has been happening.
Black Bears and Birds -- Vic Doig attended the Black Bear Working Group meeting. Vic also is continuing with quail and nesting bird counts.

Fire is a big issue. Vic recently led a Fire Refresher course for Tall Timbers and University of Florida fire teams. The Refuges continue in Fire Severity code and are setting record dryness records. Refuge Forester Daniel Barrand is at Okefenokee NWR assisting with forestry planning on the wildfire at that refuge.
Picture
Picture
Roads -- Jason Coates is leading a road maintenance effort on the Dixie Mainline and continues to lead volunteers in Dixie on numerous projects.

Research -- Refuge staff members are working with the University of Florida and others on a proposal for an 8-year research and monitoring project to be potentially funded by Gulf Spill monies.

Cooperation -- The Refuge hosted staff members from several other regional National Wildlife Refuges for a workforce planning meeting and the Annual Hunt Meeting.
Picture
Picture
Suwannee River Water Management District -- Refuge Manage Andrew Gude and Friends President Russ Hall welcomed the Board and Staff of the Suwannee River Water Management District to Cedar Keys NWR and the town of Cedar Key. Friends thanked the Board and staff for their many years of partnership with the Refuges leading to acquisition of lands and improved management of public areas. Much to the regret of all potential participants, the gusty winds on May 4th and 5th precluded the planned boat tour of the Cedar Keys Refuge islands.​​

Paddling Project -- Nature Coast Biological Station has funded a summer intern at the Refuge. He will add to the self-guided paddling project that Friends initiated and provide views of the Refuges from the water for recreational paddling and kayak fishing enthusiasts.
Picture
Picture
​Seahorse Key -- Cedar Keys NWR has temporarily opened the seasonally closed waters around Seahorse Key, given there are no nesting birds to protect.

Forest to Sea Tour -- Refuge staff members participated in the tour highlighting the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which is advancing the Lower Suwannee and Gulf Watershed Project. Other participants were from:
  • The Conservation Fund’s DC and Florida offices,
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State of Florida and Gainesville offices,
  • Lyme Timber national and local offices,
  • Campbell Global Timber,
  • State of Florida FWC and DEP,
  • Suwannee River Water Management District, and
  • Nature Coast Biological Station 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    April Staffing at Visitor Center
    Visitor Center Hours
    10am to 3pm


    The Refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk.

    Visitors are welcome to walk or bicycle around yellow Refuge gates.
    Contact Us
    Join/Renew/Give

    We have a monthly email News Brief
    SUBSCRIBE
    READ IT


    Like us on Facebook

    The official government Refuge websites
    CEDAR KEY NWR
    
    LOWER SUWANNEE NWR

    "Escape to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge" video by Visit Florida

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

Picture
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532
Cedar Key, FL 32625
friends@friendsofrefuges.org

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.


Photo used under Creative Commons from csath07
✕