Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
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Annual Meeting

3/12/2022

14 Comments

 
Great news!
The CDC Covid tracker now rates Levy County as LOW.
Come join us RAIN or SHINE at the Friends Annual Meeting.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for registration and for Friends merchandise.
Presentations begin at 10:00.
Updated April 1

Happily, we are meeting at the Refuge, in-person, for our Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 2.  We re-scheduled from February to April because of the Covid situation. We know this is likely to make the Annual Meeting smaller, since so many of our members have returned to their other-season homes by now. But despite fewer attendees, our day's agenda is mostly back to pre-pandemic normal.
Wouldn't you know . . . the weather forecast, as of March 28, predicts a rainy day. That has happened before and the forecast improved by our meeting day. Indeed, the weather has tended to be good to us. Regardless, we will meet. Rain or shine.
9:30 a.m. 
  • Gates open
  • Check-in. The meeting, including lunch, is free for current and life members. Non-member fee is $10 per person. Membership can be renewed, or fee paid, at check-in.
  • Friends merchandise booth will be open with special Annual Meeting discounts. We can now take credit cards, if the cellular connectivity is good that day. Please bring cash or checks, in case Square won't work. Also, it saves Friends from paying processing fees if you buy with cash or a check. We appreciate being able to use all your purchase for programs.
  • Butterflies of the Lower Suwannee NWR guidebook will be available to purchase.
10:00 a.m.
  • Refuge Update, Refuge Manager Andrew Gude
  • Friends Update, incoming President Debbie Meeks
11:00 a.m. 
  • Featured Presenter -- Dr. Marc Minno
  • Featured Presentation -- Butterflies and Their Host Plants
Marc Minno is a renowned butterfly and native plant expert, having studied the ecology, systematics, and biogeography of butterflies and moths for much of his life.  Since moving to Florida in 1982, Marc and Maria Minno have worked toward conserving the state’s rare, unique, and imperiled plants and animals. 
Picture
12:00  Lunch, catered by Ken and Rose McCain. Board Members are bringing desserts. If any members would like to also bring some, they would be welcome. It is hard to imagine "too many sweets."

1:00    Nature Walk to Vista (rides provided for those who prefer them). Annual Meeting participants will be able, in small groups, to walk through the main house at Vista for short visits, if they wish.
Although everything will probably never be fully back to pre-pandemic normal, the great news is that the Covid-19 Community Level in Levy County has moved from High to Medium.

There are no limits on the number of attendees at events at the Refuge. The CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you are at high risk of illness, staying up-to-date with Covid vaccines, and not attending an event when you have symptoms of being ill.
Further changes are possible, of course. If they come up, we will send a News Brief to inform you. We also will post in this blog and on the homepage of this website.

We look forward to seeing you on April 2 at the Refuge.
See video from the 2021 Annual Meeting here.
See photos from the 2020 Annual Meeting here.
14 Comments
Ken Sulak
3/15/2022 05:21:47 pm

Plan to attend Annjual Get-Together. Looking ahead, I would be interested and available to present a lecture at the next meeting or whenever on: 1) The Magnificent Gulf Sturgeon in the Suwannee River, or 2) Finding Florida - Early Settler River Crossings - Fords, Ferries & Bridges. (Vista, Fowlers Bluff, and Cummer Lumber played a significant role at one point)

Ken Sulak 352-514-9043

Reply
Peg Hall
3/16/2022 10:06:31 am

We are looking forward to this meeting and seeing everyone again.

Thanks so much for your willingness to do a presentation. The topics are perfect. We will be in touch.

Feedback on these topics would be welcome from other readers.

Reply
Ted and sandy palfy
3/17/2022 12:45:08 pm

We will be attending

Reply
Peg
3/17/2022 12:46:26 pm

It will be great to see you!

Reply
jane nogaki
3/18/2022 06:32:37 am

We look forward to attending!
Jane and Rodger Nogaki

Reply
Peg
4/1/2022 01:07:54 pm

It will be great to see you again!

Reply
Nancy Hanson
3/18/2022 04:29:38 pm

Lisa and I will be there. Thanks

Reply
Peg
3/18/2022 04:32:13 pm

Wonderful. I just updated the information about making purchases, the Covid status, and visits to the Vista house!

In a minute, I will post news one the homepage about Suwannee-the-kite. He returned safely!

Reply
David Gruskin
3/25/2022 09:18:57 am

I will be there. Anyone know why sturgeon haven't been jumping since August this year?

Reply
Debbie
3/25/2022 09:56:48 am

Great, we look forward to seeing you.
A member reported seeing a jumping sturgeon last week. They feed in the Gulf during the winter and should be returning to the river now.

Reply
Ken Sulak
3/25/2022 02:48:54 pm

Gulf Sturgeon migrate out to the Gulf to feed in Oct-Nov, begin to return to spawn and/or hang out placidly (except for jumping) in the river in Spring. Early males come in in Feb-Mar. Females arrive later - late Mar-Apr. Those ready to spawn head upriver 100-150 miles to spawn. All others stay in lower river, but move around. No need to jump when swimming. But in late May through Aug-Sept, all sturgeon settle into one of about 10 small holding areas - and jump to swallow air to refill the swimbladder

Reply
Debbie
3/25/2022 03:11:22 pm

Thanks Ken, that is an excellent explanation.

Lori Enblom
3/27/2022 07:19:47 pm

Are we suppose to bring something to share for the lunch?
Looking forward to attending after two years.

Reply
Peg
3/27/2022 07:27:42 pm

Hi Lori. Thanks for asking! The board members are each bringing a gallon of tea or lemonade and a dessert. Most of us thought that would be plenty. But, others of us thought there is no such thing as too much dessert. So, if anyone is willing, it would be great to have you join in the dessert parade! Guess which side of the debate I was on teehee. Eager to see you.

Reply



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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
  • Search
  • Store
    • Shirts
    • Hats
    • Books
    • Earrings
    • Gift Donation
    • On Sale