Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
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A Look-Back at 2023 Annual Meeting

3/2/2023

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The sun was shining. The no-see-ums were flocking. It was an almost perfect day for an outdoor Annual Meeting at Refuge headquarters.
Picture of crowd gathering at Annual Meeting
Picture of the merchandise being sold on the porch of the log cabin during Annual Meeting
More than 140 members gathered for the event. They signed in  and visited the welcome tables to chat about Friends Welcome Desk activities in Cedar Key and around the Refuge. The Junior Ranger program launched and several members picked up workbooks so their young friends could participate in the program. The full report from Friends 2020 study of the historical, cultural, and architectural assessment of the Vista property captured a lot of attention with its almost 500 pages of photos, drawings, and stories.
Picture of members at the information tables
Picture of members at the sign-in table
Picture of members at the information tables
Picture of members at the information tables
The new poster that shows all maps and brochures about the Lower Suwannee Refuge was on display. Members were eager for on-the-spot tutorials from the QR-savvy in the crowd. Using a QR code, any map or brochure can be downloaded to your phone while you are on the Refuge, in areas with decent cell tower coverage.
Picture of members tutoring each other on using QR codes
Picture of members tutoring each other on using QR codes
The presentations by Refuge Manager Andrew Gude, outgoing Friends president Debbie Meeks, and incoming Friends president Ginessa Mahar gave broad and deep overviews of Friends actions and impact.
Picture of 1st slide in Meek's presentation
Debbie Meek's Presentation
Picture of 1st slide in Gude's presentation
Andrew Gude's Presentation
Picture of 1st slide in Mahar's presentation
Ginessa Mahar's Presentation
Friends membership chart showed fall off during the pandemic and rising numbers now. The revenues and expenditures reflected similar pandemic trends, plus the increased actions related to Vista, now that the donors have turned it over fully to the Refuge, and to new initiatives such as the Junior Ranger program.
Graph of memberships over the years 2008-2022
Chart of Friends'  Revenues and Expenditures 2021 and 2022
Dr. Ken Sulak's featured presentation was received with great interest and enthusiasm. If you missed it, you missed a detailed and personal look at the stories of Florida's early settlers, their triumphs and hardships.
Picture of Dr. Ken Sulak presenting his talk on Florida history
Another Picture of Dr. Ken Sulak presenting his talk on Florida history
Picture of one of Dr. Sulak's slides
Picture of another of the history slides showing ferry crossings
Lunch was a highlight, as always, with the feast prepared by local stars Ken and Rose McCain.
The River Trail Walk, led by John Thalacker, had more than a dozen participants. The Vista visit had at least that many and especially attracted members who had not previously seen the gifted-property. Hearty folks participated in both walks.
Picture of members gthered at the Cook's House at Vista during the afternoon walk
Picture of the River from the end of the River Trail
It was a welcome change from the virtual meeting two years ago during the height of the pandemic, and from the stormy weather than kept us hunkered down inside the meeting area last year.
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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.


  • Home
    • Current News
  • About
    • About Friends >
      • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • Current News
      • Contact Us
    • About the Refuges >
      • Our Refuges
      • Places of Interest
      • Hunting Brochure
  • Join
    • Donate
  • Maps
    • Paddling Guides
    • Refuge Maps
    • Trail Brochures
    • Places of Interest
  • Wildlife
    • Science
  • Hunt & Fish
    • Hunting
    • FWS Hunting Brochure
    • Fishing
    • Hunter SignUp
  • Search
  • Store
    • Shirts
    • Hats
    • Books
    • Earrings
    • Gift Donation
    • On Sale