 |
 |
| |
The IBIS Online
The
quarterly newsletter of FAVOR - The Friends and
Volunteers of Refuges, Lower Suwannee & Cedar
Keys NWR .
Alert: The oil spill is just off shore of
several refuges in Louisiana. Federal,
State and County officials are
coordinating with the Coast Guard in
identifying key areas for protection in the
event we have oil closing in on our
shores.
BP has a volunteer #
1-866-448-5816 and a wildlife hotline #
1-866-557-140. We have been asked by
the region to provide staff expertise and
availability to the region for assisting
these refuges. We will also document
current conditions of our refuges with
surveys, photos etc.and then continue
that effort. If in the oil path, we will need
to have oversight capability on any
wildlife rescues, spill containments and
cleanup operations.
This may take
significant manpower coordinating rescue
and cleanup crews to prevent additional
damage to the fragile marsh and marine
ecosystems. Please have those that are
interested in volunteering contact Pam
(493-2038 x223) or Jay (493-1807) with
availability, expertise, boat experience
etc. and any special training or
experience in hazmat/hazwoper (or
willing to train) or other expertise in oil
response etc.
The agency will be looking
for folks with specific experience on top of
just a list of general volunteers. Folks
can also contact BP as well. As we gear
up for this more information will be
provided.
Thanks to the Friends! Daryl
Magnuson |
 |
A
WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
It was great seeing everyone at the annual meeting. With outstanding fellowship, goodfood, an educational and informative speaker and fun programs, it does not get any better than that. The Friends Board recognized Kenny McCain and his lovely wife, Rose with chef aprons and a diner date for two at the Island Room, for all the wonderful food they have prepared for us over the years. We continue to expand our active base of volunteers. As we increase in membership, we develop a stronger advocacy base for conservation. Equally important, we expand the fellowship of folks who share our interests and we have more fun. As you have seen, this commitment to conservation involves working closely with other organization with the same interest. Programs sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Cedar Key Garden Club,and the Cedar Key Library are just a few organizations with whom we cooperate. Our motto is “We are all in this together.”
Sincerely,
Jay Bushnell, Your President
|
| |
ANNUAL MEETING IN PHOTO REVIEW
It was great to see everyone. Although it
was a little chilly, it turned out to be a fun
day. Of course, some folks were lucky with
the raffle. David
Tegeder’s presentation
on the Cross Florida
Barge Canal was both
informative and
entertaining. The
book, Ditch of
Dreams: the Cross
Florida Barge Canal
and the Struggle for
Florida’s Future, David coauthored with
Steven Noll, provides a case study on how
politics and personalities can affect history.
After David’s presentation, everyone was
treated to Kenny’s chicken, ribs and swamp
cabbage, supplemented with the fixings
provided by the Friends members, yum.
The afternoon was filled with field trips,
historical descriptions of life on the
Suwannee, and refuge habitat management
demonstrations.
Now let’s relive some of the moments.
<< Left
Donnie Tummond finally receives the
duck stamp she won in the raffle. As Jay
stressed, the purchase of Federal Duck
Stamps is one of the best conservation programs available with $.99 of every dollar
going to conservation.
Right >>
CD
Tummond
describes
early life on
the
Suwannee
to over 30
folks,
which
illustrates a
major
interest in
learning
about our
heritage.
Below >>
Friends T shirts and water bottles for sale

Right >>
One of the many lucky raffle winners.
|
 |
LOOKING FOR YOUR PLACE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE?
Being a member of the Friends Group in
itself strengthens our advocacy base. All of
us should take pride in our membership.
Don’t be bashful let others know what a great
organization we have. They will want to join
us too. They can get an application from our
web page, www.friendsofrefuges.org . Better
yet, get an application for them.
The diversity of our membership has
provided a rich pool of different strengthens.
Our ability to continue to nurture the
strengths of our members will enhance our
organization. For some of you who have the
time and would like to become more actively
involved we are looking to recruit you.
Listed here are some of areas we have
identified where we would like to expand our
active participation base:
New Electronic Communications Role:
The Friends group would like to upgrade
its presence on the web and perhaps start
being active on Facebook. We are
establishing a new E-Communications role
that focuses on getting timely information
out to the members. We have technical
support and do not need web design or
coding skills, but we do need someone to
keep the site content fresh, fun, interesting,
and useful.
Is there a member who might be willing
to consider taking on the E-Communications,
or helping with it? If you would be willing to
talk about the possibility, please contact Peg
Hall @ peg@peghall.com or 352-339-4710
Creative skills in design and/or writing:
Do you enjoy creating artful and
informative displays? Do you have
experience with photo journalism? Do you
have editorial experiences?
There is a need to continue to update our
hard copy story board descriptions. We also need a good pamphlet, a DVD presentation
about the uniqueness of our Refuges, and help
with public releases about programs,
presentations and events.
Interested? Contact Marci Wilcox,
813-215-0050, marciwilcox@verizon.net
Organize and lead outdoor adventures:
For you that enjoy the outdoor
experiences available in our Refuges, here is
an opportunity to be active in participating,
organizing or guiding outdoor activities. The
types of activities could be doing bird
censuses, plant censuses, working the
butterfly garden, hiking, bike rides, paddling,
or nature walks to name a few. Maybe you
have a new activity you would like to try.
Interested? Contact Joan Stephens,
jstep624@hotmail.com, 352-463-1095
Wildlife photography:
We are truly fortunate. Our Refuges and
the surrounding area provide some of the
most outstanding wildlife photo ops. We
have had photo safaris lead by professionals
but what we would like to do is develop a
group of folks who love to take wildlife
photos. Ones skill with the camera does not
have to be professional. It would simply be
an opportunity to share your interests and in
the process hone your skills in taking photos
and developing them.
Interested? Contact Bob Hudson,
352-332-6373, bobhudson@bellsouth.net
Historical Research:
There is a need to tell the stories about the
prehistory and history of the refuges. When
riding through the refuge, have you ever
wondered about the history of the area? Who
were the pioneers that carved the roads or
lived on the islands? How did they subsist?
Imagine living on the Suwannee River or life
on the saltwater marshes where folks made a
living by fishing or off timber in the early
20th century! What are the stories to be told
about the formation of the Refuges themselves or the formation of the Friends
Group? For you who have an interest and/or
skill in historical research, here is an
opportunity to apply your talents.
Interested? Contact Jay Bushnell
djbushne@bellsouth.net or 352-493-1807
Participation on the Board:
Your board is made up of folks who work
closely in an atmosphere of cooperation and
mutual respect. We work hard (and of course,
play) to develop our commitment to
conservation. If you have the time and
interest, contact one of our board members
listed at the end of this issue. |
|
 |
WHOOPING CRANE OPPORTUNITY
by Donna Bushnell
Thanks to our manager, John Kasbohm,
several members of the board were able to
take advantage of a rare opportunity to visit
the whooping cranes at the Chassahowitzka
NWR. What a treat! These birds are
descendants of the 21 individual whopping
cranes alive in 1941.
Today the species
numbers are close to 500, but they are still
threatened by power lines, oil and chemical
spills, drought, disease and wetland habitat
loss. Each year new chicks are raised in Wisconsin and are taught their migratory
route to and from Florida by following an
ultralight aircraft (that looks like a crane) for
1200 miles across seven states. Preventing
exposure to humans and human voices is
critical to the success of the cranes in the
wild. So we were able to observe the 15 birds
from a camouflaged hut in a remote area
reached by airboats. We watched as a
researcher dressed in a crane costume fed and
recorded information about the cranes. The
researchers do this twice every day, making
sure that the birds are resting at night in safe
areas. Once they head north, the researchers
track them from the ground to be sure they
get back to Wisconsin safely!
It was definitely a unique and special
opportunity for board members. For more
information about the whopping crane
population and how you can help this project
visit www.bringbackthecranes.org |
 |
CEDAR KEY ART FESTIVAL
by Joan Stephens
Even though we got blown away early
Sunday morning, we still managed to pass out
a lot of materials about the Refuges. Thanks
to Bob & Carol McCallister, Marci & Jim
Wilcox, John & Donna Thalacker, Debbie
Lyon-Dye, Joyce DeHaan, Peg & Russ Hall
for helping set up and man the booth. Also
thanks to Ron Black, Bob Hudson and
Marcella & John Bamford for offering to help
on Sunday afternoon.
There was some great art. Several folks
commented on the outstanding quality of the
art. Our very own board member, Sean
Dowie won first place ribbon for his
photography. You that participated in his
photo workshop at the annual meeting will
recognize the photo of ibis along the shore
line. Congratulations Sean!
|
 |
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please RSVP so that you can be contacted if an event is cancelled. When you call, you can also get more information and directions.
Monday, 3rd-Bird/Nature Walk
9:00 a.m. @ Fire
Station on CR 349 near Town of Suwannee-Joan
Stephens-352-463-1095.
Sunday, 16th-Wildlife Photographic
Outing
9:00 a.m. @ Shellmound-Jay
Bushnell-493-1807
Sunday, 23rd-Shired Creek Paddle
10:00
a.m. departing at 10:30 to take advantage of
tides at Shired boat ramp off CR 357-bring
lunch/water/suntan lotion-2-2.5 hour paddle-
Mark Gluckman-352-331-6279 |
 |
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
New Life Member: Joyce Tarnow
Renewals: Simpkins, Max & Nits Cox, Dale Evans, Mark &
Lee Gluckman, Jack & Tina Hardee, Rod &
Ginger Hunt, Bill Kilborn, Elaine Hammond &
Wm. Kronenberg , George & Dianne Leath,
William & Dawn McKinstry, John McPherson,
Bill & Terry Merkel, Frank Molitor, Duane &
Pamela Morse, Dennis & Beth Ricker, Bill &
Donna Rogers, Nancy & Jerry Salamon, Allan &
Susan Woodward, John Andrews, Rose Marie
Lewis, Jean Rigg, George Sresovich
New Members: Agnes Ballard, Ed & Mary Blazey, Jane & John
Crowe, Jim Garrison, Stephen Grogan, Mary Pat
& Scott Hankla, Gunther Krutzikowsky, Patrick
McElhone, The Pelts, Joe Seeance, Rick Stepp,
Ralph & Joan Selby
FRIENDS BOARD
Jay Bushnell - President
Marci Wilcox - VP
Bob Hudson - Secretary
Joan Stephens - Treasurer
Directors - John Thalacker, Sean Dowie, Ed DeHaan, Doug Maple, Richard Herman, Rod Hunt, and Mark Gluckman. |
 |
USEFUL
WEB PAGES
Tides: www.saltwatertides.com
Flooding: http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/index.php?wfo=tae
Weather: http://www.wunder.com |
|
| Your
financial support through fund raising activities
and Membership dues
make it possible for FAVOR to support your
Refuges. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
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 |
| |
|

| |
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FRIENDS CONFERENCE April 9-11, 2010
by Jay Bushnell
The South East Friends Conference was
hosted by the Friends of the Chassahowitzka
Wildlife Refuge Complex and the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service in Crystal River. Over
160 participants from all over the Southeast
attended. You were well represented with
Ranger Pam Darty, Marci Wilcox, Manager
John Kasbohm, and Jay Bushnell attending.

The common theme of the breakout sessions was how to deal with climate
change. Without attempting to identify the
causes of the climate change, the challenge
for refuges is how to adapt. Because of the
rapid changes occurring the motto is “Habitats in Motion.” One can read more
about the strategic plan at FWS.gov entitled
Rising to the Challenge: Strategic Plans.
There were graphic photographic
examples of how climate change has already
impacted refuges along the Atlantic Coast in
North Carolina. It occurred to me that this
should be a project for the Friends.
Assessment of habitat changes will become
an important component of a refuges ability
to adapt. If we can find old areal photos and
compare them to more recent photos we
would be able to identify changes.
Perhaps the most important message from
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife folks was that the
Friends groups have been and must continue
to be the vanguard for advocacy for
conservation. They clearly recognize our
importance. It is our resolve to build
coalitions. Perhaps a model example of a
coalition would be Cooperative Alliance For
Refuge Enhancement (CARE). This coalition
is made up of 22 organization that include
sportsmen and environmentalist. It is also our
willingness to lobby our Congressional
delegations that distinguishes us. Finally, it is
our pride and perseverance to spread the word
in our local areas that makes the Friends
groups so vital to conservation.
The Friends of the Chassahowitzka
provide a case study example of how
effective a Friends group can be. It was Lace
Blue-McLean, her team of Friends volunteers,
and community representatives that
succeeded in mobilizing the community to
acquire Three Sisters Springs. Surrounded by
the city of Crystal River, the Springs are a
major winter habitat for manatees. Their
motto was to think big. Their strategy was to
marshal the entire community. They provided
ownership of the process to the entire
community. They built a coalition of success.
Congratulations to the Friends of the
Chassahowitzka.
|
| |
 |
 |
A SIGNATURE PLAN
by Mark Gluckman
As paddlers know, our refuges provide
outstanding kayak/canoe experiences. Mark
Gluckman, an avid paddler, heads up a
committee to develop a signature identity for
the our refuges by developing a paddling
guide. Equally important, the guide will also
focus on habitat identification. Here Russ
and Peg Hall are working with Mark to
prepare a strategy for developing this plan.

For the Friends of the Refuge, this guide
is an educational tool to help us become
better advocates, educators, stewards and
ambassadors of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges. In
essence, we also become more
knowledgeable about our refuges.
For Refuge visitors, this Guide is meant to
foster wonder, respect, excitement and
enhancement of your Refuge. By paddling,
they will experience the uniqueness of the
54,000 acre Suwannee Basin and Gulf
ecosystems. They will learn about the ecocommunities,
the plants that define them, the
animals that inhabit them, and the migratory
fish and birds that visit our refuges. They will
learn about the endangered species that live in
the refuge such as the Gulf Sturgeon and
newly forming west Indian manatee colony
that is seeking its new home in our Refuge.
The motto will be “Take photographs and
leave with memories.”
Although paddle trails will be outlined for
all skill levels, experienced paddlers will have opportunities to test their physical endurance
and navigational skills. The challenges will
include careful consideration of prevailing
winds, changing tides and river currents. The
waters of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar
Keys Wildlife Refuge, be they the mighty
Suwannee River and its wonderful tributary
creeks, or its saltwater marshes and its islands
will provide the paddling experience of a
lifetime. |
 |
|
| |
PARTNERS IN PROTECTION
by Pam Darty
In early April, Lecanto Elementary School
third graders visited the Lower Suwannee for
two very different lessons. Thankfully,
Ranger Pam Darty was able to enlist the help
of Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission
Outreach Specialist, Jennifer Saranzak .
Ranger Pam interpreted the archaeological
site, Shell Mound and explained the uses of
food, ceremonial, and medicinal plants as
well as addressing the benefits of living
adjacent to the estuary. Ms. Sarazan’s
specialty is marine fisheries so she had some
of her group use a seine net to capture fish,
shrimp, and miscellaneous marine life while
others dug in the mud to find ‘critters’ that
live in the salt marsh . They learned that these
‘critters’ are important food for shore birds.
With replicas of bird skulls donated by the
Friends to the Refuge Education Program,
she showed them how wading birds feed with
their specialized bills.
After each class had participated in both
lessons, they enjoyed a picnic. Armed with
coloring books and refuge posters, these
students carried home the conservation
message. |
| |
 |
| |
CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY
by Donna Bushnell
Chiefland Elementary School
kindergartners celebrated Earth Day with a
pine tree planting. Refuge Forester Daniel
Barrand partnered with the Division of
Forestry - Andrews State Nursery, which
donated 160 pine seedlings for the
youngsters.

On Earth Day, Barrand took co-workers
Terry Kelly, Jason Coates, Jaclyn
Solodovnick, and Pam Darty to help 150 budding-ecologists learn the benefits of trees
for wildlife and people. Terry provided
encouragement and Earth Day stickers to
decorate the plastic pots.

Jason hoisted bagsof potting
soil to fill
the pots for
planting.
Jaclyn
helped the
little ones
centering
the trees in
the pots.
Pam
echoed the
mantra
‘dirt is our friend’, but it was not apparent
that these neat and tidy kids believed her.
Daniel ended the lesson by having the kids
help him plant trees at the school with a
dibble stick, a tool of the trade. |
 |
 |
| |
APRIL NATURE WALK
April’s nature walk led by Donna Thalacker,
provided information about the lives of
butterflies from egg through caterpillar, pupae
and finally emerging as a magnificent
butterfly. These gorgeous creatures play a
vital role in pollination. After a short power
point presentation, we went out on the Refuge
and found a male Tiger Swallowtail feeding
on willow flowers. Tiger Swallowtail
butterfly females have two color types, some
are the same yellow tiger stripe as the male
though with some slightly different coloration
near the tails, and other are black. We saw a
number of different species including a
Spicebush Swallowtail and a Phaon Crescent among others. The Phaon Crescent is quite
small and flies close to the ground as its larval
food is a grass.
Next Month, May, will be the last Nature
Walk for the spring season. We will start
again in the fall. On May 3rd our walk will
again be in Dixie County. We will meet at the
Fire Station on 349 just before entering the
town of Suwannee at 9AM. Please call me if
you plan to attend, Joan Stephens
352-463-1095.
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
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. |
| |
|
|
|