FRIENDS of Lower Suwannee | The IBIS Newsletter Online


The IBIS Online The quarterly newsletter of FAVOR - The Friends and Volunteers of Refuges, Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys NWR .

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Friends, I trust all is well with everyone. Before the summer heat set in, several Friends did a clean up detail over on the Dixie Mainline side of the Refuge. We removed several truckloads of trash. Our participation with the International Coastal Cleanup at Cedar Key was equally successful. Great group of folks and we had a lot of fun! Your board has an action packed Fall set up for you. As a part of the Friends public service educational outreach, state archeologist, Jim Dunbar, will kick off our slate of presentations. His presentation, "Florida's Prehistory - When Shorelines Were on the Move," will describe the evolution of Paleo-Indian cultures in Florida and specifically in our area. You are in for an informative treat. Our push for increased funding for the National Wildlife Refuge system has had some success. The House approved funding of $451million but the Senate only approved $411 million. Both houses of Congress have to agree to a compromise funding level. With the National Wildlife Refuge System a main bulwark of our National conservation efforts, it amazing to me that we don't better fund the 500+ Refuges. Please take a minute to contact your representative or senator. Starting at the end of the month, we again will sponsor participation events in the Refuge. Check the schedule in this IBIS for times and places. I have been on a couple of bird/plant identification walks with Joan Stephens and Loye Barnard. I had a great time learning how to identify birds and plants that I had not noticed before. This proves that even an old Florida Cracker can learn new things. Sincerely, Jay Bushnell, Your President

PROGRAM ON NOVEMBER 17 "Florida's Prehistory - When Shorelines Were on the Move" Presented by Jim Dunbar Location, location, location . . . . They say Florida real estate is all about location. Or is it? What about timing? Some places once turf now lie under the surf, and where people once stood we now float on boats and go fishing. More than 20,000 years ago sea level dipped to its lowest ice age level with much of the ocean's water trapped in huge northern glaciers. After that time the glaciers began melting, and as the sea slowly refilled, it encroached over land. By the time it was over the Florida peninsula had shrunk to less than half of its glacial size. Even today, we are reminded by hurricanes that locations such as New Orleans lie mostly below sea level. This makes one realize the water level in the ocean is neither steady nor stable; it is on the move. Although we may never see the level of the ocean noticeably change, there was a time, within one person's lifetime, when sea level rise was not only noticeable, it was also impacting those who live on the coast or along the margins of rivers and lakes.

The Florida shoreline as it appreared 20,000 years ago.		If you like ancient mysteries you will be fascinated by the little known yet intriguing aspects of how human life-ways were effected by Florida's changing shoreline and inland water table. This presentation will introduce the archaeological hypotheses surrounding Florida's changing landscapes and what archaeologists have determined by putting these hypotheses to the test. It is a presentation dealing with things such as site occupation and abandonment, the former resulting from opportunity, the latter often demanded by necessity. It also deals with a time span from about 14,500 years ago to just before European contact around AD 1500.

Finally, this presentation will discuss some of the important local archaeological resources of the Florida Big Bend and Suwannee River-Cedar Keys area. Jim Dunbar works for the Bureau of Archaeological Research for the State of Florida. He has a BA from the University of Florida and a Masters from Florida State University. He has a long list of publications describing his research. One of his most recent article, "Temporal Problems and Alternative Toward the Establishment of Paleo-Indian Site Chronologies in Florida," was published in the March 2007 issue of The Florida Anthropologist. Some of his most interesting research was the archeology he did out in the Gulf of Mexico where he identify former paleoindian sites. Be sure to ask him about this research.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING On September 12, 2007 the board met with all members present along with John Kazbohm and Shannon Ludwig. John gave a report on Refuge projects. The Treasurer, Barney Barnard, gave his report on the funds incoming and out going and then resigned as Treasurer although he will remain on the board. It was decided that Joan Stephens will become Treasurer and Marianne McEuen will take over as Secretary.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS: Sherry Beauchamp Betty & Gene Baker Lonna C. Bear Donna Jo Brooks John & Pat Casey Frank H. Couch Mac & Nita Cox Colin & Linda Dale Dolores Dishman Mr. Gambrells James & Tina Hale Elaine Hammond & Wm Kronenberg Russ & Kay McCallister Richard & Linda Hendrie Lia King & Joseph Hatin Rod & Ginger Hunt Bill & Terry Merkel Anne Miller & Eugene Benedict Bill & Amy Nelson Alan & Jackie Richards Steve Slovak Donna Kreft & John Thalacker Alber Vogt Jerry Vohwinkle Bruce & Roberta Wilson John Wilson

THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS David & Carolyn Atherton John & Lucille Andrews Barney & Loye Barnard Peter Bellincampi & Judith Okeefe Ron & Christine Black Joe & Karen Bolton Greg & Christine Brannan Teri & Rory Brennan Gerry & Connie Chancey Kathy Chappell Amelia Cline Evonne Cline Jim & Marilyn Clugston Colin & Linda Dale RoseMary Danesi Eddie & Joyce DeHaan Sean Dowie Ron Legaueux & Cathy Simpkins Ron & Toni Ferguson Kevin & Linda Flynn Claude & Sarah Fouse Truett and Merri George Mark and Lee Gluckman George & Joanne Griffin James & Tina Hale Bill & Janet Hall Sandra & Harold Harmon Drs K McCarthy & K. Hartigan Bill & Martha Healy Thomas J. Higgins Mary Anne Burdett & Allan Hodgkins Bob & Barbara Hudson Judith Johnson Dr. Nancy Kicherer Pat Kromer George & Dianne Leath Rosemarie Lewis Tom & Sherry Liebet Annette & Mark Long Gil & Gina Lucas Doug & Barbara Maple Mark & Rebecca Masio Carol & Rod McQueen Harold & Barbara Mines John Moran Duane & Pamela Morse Philip & Sandra Muldrow Bob & Stephanie Nugent Michael Pfaller & Beverly Ringenberg Kenneth & Anita Roesch Art & Edda Ross James Perran Ross Jean Skaife Bill & Susan Seyfarth Earl & Dorothy Starnes Troy & Charlene Stephens John & Jaime Stephens Judy Stockman Laurie & John Tate Richard & Marilyn Travers Bob & Jeri Treat Jack Tyson Larry VanDruff Margy Vanlandingham Penny Weber Allan & Susan Woodward


			REFUGES Lower Suwannee and Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuges

			VOLUNTEERS Volunteer opportunities for members who want to become more involved

			EDUCATION Education opportunities with teachers, students and community leaders

			CALENDAR Educational and recreational event schedules for the refuges

			MEMBERSHIP Information and application for membership in FRIENDS



	PHOTO SAFARI presented by Sean M. Dowie On Saturday December 15, 2007 at 10:00am, Sean Dowie will be leading a Photo Safari for FAVOR Members thru LSNWR on Dixie Main line Road in Beautiful Dixie County. Sean will explain some of the basics of wild life photography while leading a hike thru the refuge. Ware comfortable shoes that can get wet. Members will meet @ the South entrance to Dixie Main Line Rd. Contact Mr. Dowie at (352) 339-9270* for more information.* For over 20 years Award Winning Photographer Sean M. Dowie has photographed Florida's well-known and not so well known places, on occasion slipping away to some nearby Islands. His credits include Natures Best, Travel & Leisure, Audubon, Coastal Living, Travel Florida highways, Florida living and Outdoor Photographer to name but a few. Sean's work is exhibited in galleries, museums and cooperatives and private collections across the country. In his own words: "ENJOY AND RESPECT WHAT YOU SEE for it is ours to pass on to the generations yet to come and our doings that will be remembered."



	YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS While so many students enjoy the summer by spending time at the springs or going on the family vacation, the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) at the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges is working on improvements for the refuges. The YCC crew (Ashley Long, Sierra Quesnell, Joshua Loyd, and Branden Jenkins) worked along-side the refuge staff learning about refuge projects and management techniques such as controlled burns, law enforcement, forestry, and visitor services. Sierra even developed a presentation about the Youth Conservation Corps opportunity. The hard-working crew has completed boundary posting, facilities and trail maintenance, landscaping, and much more. The students, coming from Cedar Key School, Dixie and Chiefland High Schools worked on refuge projects in both counties. The legacy they leave behind is the rebuilt Salt Creek observation deck and the completion of the 1,000 feet long River Trail Loop. The River Loop winds through a picturesque swamp adjacent to the historic Suwannee River offering a safe trek to observe pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, and a spectacular array of colorful butterflies and flowers. Youth Conservation Corps 2007, after ten weeks of employment, accomplished an amazing amount of work that benefits our wildlife and our visiting public.

	YCC STUDENT TURNED REFUGE AMBASSADOR Ashley Long, a former YCC '07 and senior at Dixie High School has chosen the refuges to reap the benefits of her Senior Girl Scout project. Before she worked for the refuges over the summer, she thought she wanted to be an orthodontist. Not now! She became addicted to the satisfaction of a job well done over her long hot, humid summer. She is taking on the mission of making her community aware of her experience and the value of the refuge to all of us. She started by writing a column for the Dixie County Advocate, then she came to headquarters to design an exhibit for National Wildlife Refuge Week, later she will be introducing Pam and the refuge Environmental Education Programs to Dixie High School. Ashley will create the exhibit featuring the Seahorse Key Marine Field Lab studies being done regarding the "white" snakes and birds of the island for the Openhouse at Seahorse Key. She will join Pam staffing the exhibit. Refuges can always use a youthful ambassador to get the word out to teachers and other students who don't realize the wonder nor recognize the benefits of the refuge for the nature coast. Come out and cheer her on while you enjoy the openhouse on Seahorse Key.

	REFUGE WORKDAY Shell Mound and Atsena Otie In preparation for fall events including the Cedar Keys Seafood and Birding festivals, Refuge Friends and staff will be holding a workday on October 10 to clean-up high public use areas at Shell Mound and Atsena Otie. We will be trimming trails, picking up trash and making sure these areas look their best. If you would like to participate, please RSVP to Pam at 493-0238 ext. 223 and plan to meet at Refuge headquarters at 8:00 a.m. on October 10.



	NATURE WALKS The migration season is in full swing and we need to get out there. There are birds, butterflies and many wildflowers...and we need to see them! This time of year birds come through that we will only see in migration or as winter visitors. The winter visitors we can enjoy for a few months but the season is very short for the migrants heading on to Central and South America. Many of songbirds we think of as ours actually spend only the breeding season in the US. Then they head for Central and South America where habitat destruction is one of the many causes for the decline in birds everywhere. Not only to they have to contend with that destruction out side of the US, they also have to deal with that here and with insecticides that can kill or weaken them. Another menace are cats, nice domestic kittys, that take a large toll of birds and small animals. Even the cat you feed still kills...that is the nature of a carnivore and one can't easily (if at all) change it. So do join us the first Monday of each month and we'll try to find exciting things to see on the Refuge Contact Joan Stephens at (352) 463-1095* for more information.*

	VOLUNTEERING The reason for volunteering is to give something back. We all enjoy the peace of our Refuge but to keep it takes all of us. There are many ways to do this: Advocating for the National Wildlife System. Supporting efforts to keep the funding up to sustainable levels. Educating our children and the community in the necessity of keeping these habitats available for wildlife, for protection of our water and our spirits. Volunteering to achieve these goals by talking and writing to legislators, providing literature from our booth at the festivals, letting the community at large know how important all this is, helping with cleanups and last but not least. Funding these efforts. These are just a few of the things we may do to help the Refuge.

	Your financial support through fund raising activities and Membership dues make it possible for FAVOR to support your Refuges.