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

3/24/2016

 
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Kit Lane, Ed DeHaan, Russ Hall, Bob Hudson, Bob McKinstry, David Meeks ready to greet rain-soaked Friends. John McPherson holding the door for Ann Webster as she escapes the rain to go view the Bill Kilborn Photo Contest.
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Carmelo Echevarria helps Lori Enblom shop, while others browse on the porch.
It rained hard for the 2016 Friends Annual Meeting as it had for the 2015 Annual Meeting, even though we moved the meeting from February to March. At least it was not as cold as in 2015!  Despite the torrential rain during the 9:00 to 10:00 registration hour, more than 130 people came out for the day on the refuge.

The sales on the porch, where our Friends Booth retreated to stay dry-ish, were brisk. Our new hats and re-stocked tee-shirts sold well, meaning more revenue for our projects and more awareness of Friends of Refuges when we wear our Friends-logo items around town.
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Bill Dummitt and Anne Lindgren ready to register the Members when they arrive.
The Bill Kilborn Photo Contest had 36 entries and sales of the entries brought almost $500 in revenue that will cover the cost of the new benches on the Tram Ridge Trail. Thanks to all the photographers and the bidders on the photos. Before they went up for sale, we all got to vote on our favorite photos. The winners were  Ben West in first place, a tie in second by Ann Kamzelski and Frank Morgan, and Don Gambrell for 3rd place.  The rest of us who entered were happy to be part of it, and to have many of our photos sold to help fund the benches.
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Joyce DeHaan, Susan Kadar, and Brenda Boleyn consider their photo contest votes.
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Ann Kamzelski and Donna Bushnell helping organize the Bill Kilborn Photo Contest
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Voting, then bidding on favorites.
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Milli Chapell and her dog Sophia visit with Donna Bushnell as others browse at the Bill Kilborn Photo Contest
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Votes being considered
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Ben West and his 1st place photo
The meeting itself was entertaining and got a nice write up in the Cedar Key News. Donna Bushnell led a fun installation of officers, as usual. Newly elected President Maria Sgambati highlighted the year's accomplishments and future plans. Featured speaker Dr. Tom Hoctor gave us an overview of the Big Bend of Florida as a key component of the state's conservation picture. Kenny McCain and lots of Friends members provided great lunch fare and desserts.
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left to right at installation of officers and directors: Maria Sgambati, Bill Dummitt, Peg Hall, Libby Cagle, Russ Hall, Donna Bushnell, Bob McKinstry, Debbie Meeks, Paul Ramey, Margy Van Landingham
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On the far right is John McPherson, who wasn't in the photo above.
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Roger McDaniels explaining the Brazilian Pepper Eradication Project
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Featured Speaker, Dr. Tom Hoctor, from University of Florida
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John Nesbitt and Ron Black, the volunteer Shell Mound Unit who welcome visitors and maintain the area
And then came lunch, with Kenny McCain's ribs and chicken, Bushnells' baked beans, lots of slaw, broccoli, and swamp cabbage, and desserts brought by the members.
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Roger McDaniels, Jerry and Kathy Lawrence waiting for lunch and chatting with other Friends members
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Susan Kadar and Milli Chapell wait in line with Sophia
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Lunch line
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By the time lunch ended, the sky had cleared. Nevertheless many of us chose to stay indoors and hear the presentation by Refuge staff about history, prescribed burning, sustainable forestry, and wildlife preservation. Friends member Jerry Lawrence, who provided the photos below, spoke for all of us saying he found the whole day to be highly informative, especially in regards to how the refuge was acquired over time, its strategic importance to wildlife and resource preservation in the State of Florida, and the vision to take care of the land and water for future generations.
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Refuge Manager Andrew Gude
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Refuge Forester Daniel Barrand
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Refuge Deputy Manager Larry Woodward
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Refuge Fire Specialist and Biologist Vic Doig
Others of us walked the River Trail, or the Tram Ridge Trail with Friend member Donna Thalacker and President-elect Russ Hall as guides.
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Donna Thalacker points out an endangered orchid to Ed DeHaan and Jack Enblom
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It was a great day and we are already looking forward to next year's event.

A New Sign Post on the Lower Suwannee Refuge

3/22/2016

 
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While we were updating the sign, it was interesting that a kayaker stopped and thanked us. Apparently, there has been some confusion as to where the Barnett Creek was located. This would especially be true if one was coming from the Gulf into Barnett Creek Bay or were launching from here and wondered how to get to Barrnett Creek.  Geodetic maps show McCormick Creek actually branching off to the left when coming in from the Gulf.  Where the launch is located is really Barnett Creek.   (submitted by Jay Bushnell)

Photo Contest Honoring Bill Kilborn at the Annual Meeting

3/19/2016

 
            The Friends were saddened and stunned by the unexpected passing of board member, Bill Kilborn. He was a joy to be around. He freely gave many hours of his digital expertise to us and the community.  He is missed but not forgotten.

            Bill’s passion for photography inspired a Bill Kilborn Photo Contest for our Annual meeting on March 19th.  We are asking for donated photos to be judged and auctioned off.  The proceeds will be used to purchase benches memorializing Bill for our hiking trails.  

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Now, you do not have to be a professional photographer to participate.  You do not even have to be a Friends member unless you want to experience the luncheon so get you camera ready! 

Guidelines for participating:  
  1. Your donated photos must be 8”x10” and matted.
  2. The subject must be nature but it can be any location, not just our Refuge.
  3. You may submit 2 entries.
  4. Your name must not be printed on the photo.
  5. Open house guests will anonymously vote to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons.
  6. A silent auction with a minimum bid of $10 will be used to purchase each photo. Those not purchased will be returned to the owner.
Deadline for submitting photos is Thursday, March 17th.
Please submit your photos in a large sealed envelop with your name on the outside. You may drop it off at the Cedar Key Art Center, 257 Second St., mail it to Friends of the Lower Suwannee/Cedar Keys NWR P.O.Box 532 Cedar Key, FL 32625, or call 493-1807 or 352-278-5088 for other arrangements

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Annual Meeting.  

River Trail and Tram Ridge Trail Walks at Annual Meeting

3/19/2016

 
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After lunch at the Annual Meeting, there will be nature walks on the River Trail (above) and the new Tram Ridge Trail (below). Friends board members and Refuge staff members will guide the walks in small groups. Each group can walk at its own pace. We will have guides with differing expertise so you can select the type of walk that appeals to you . . . birds, plants, history, just enjoying the woods, whatever! No prior reservations are needed. And, benches have been installed by Friends and Refuge staff this week!

Keep scrolling for more about the Annual Meeting!

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Paddling Event at Annual Meeting

3/19/2016

 
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In addition to Nature Walks on the River Trail and the new Tram Trail near Refuge headquarters,  in the afternoon of the Annual Meeting, the Friends will conduct a paddle on the Suwannee River. Led by Bill Dummitt and Jay Bushnell, the paddle will launch from Fletchers Landing in the Refuge. We will paddle down river to Little Muddy and Sandfly creeks.  It is an easy paddle of about 2 hours.

Please note that the event will be restricted to 10 boats. Please contact either Bill (314-918-0720) or Jay (493-1807) to reserve your place. You will need your own boat plus life jackets, and perhaps some water to drink.

Coming Soon: Annual Meeting and Open House 

3/19/2016

 
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Friends ever popular Annual Meeting and Refuge Open House will be on Saturday March 19 at refuge headquarters, off State Route 347 near Fowlers Bluff in Levy County. Come and enjoy. Dress for the weather. We spend a lot of time outdoors, and the indoors is essentially a pole barn. Even last year on a cool rainy day, though, all 100+ attendees managed to stay warm and have a great time. Here is the schedule:
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Bill Kilborn
9:00 -- The gates open.
  • Registration begins. Admission is free for Life Members and 2016 Annual Members. You may join or renew your membership at the Registration table. If you are a non-member and choose not to join, the admission is $10/person. You can join or renew online ahead of time. Click on the Join/Renew Now button in the column to the right on this page.
  • The  Bill Kilborn Photo Contest opens for viewing and voting. Click here for details and guidelines.
  • The Friends Booth opens with Friends promotional items for sale
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10:00 -- The program begins.
  • President Greg Lang will overview recent Friends accomplishments and upcoming Friends initiatives.
  • Refuge Manager, Andrew Gude will overview recent Refuge accomplishments and plans for the next year.
  • Installation of Officers - We may be the only non-profit in America that has fun installing its new officers! Donna Bushnell will be master of ceremony for the Installation, which has been a perennial favorite.
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Tram Trail
11:00 -- The keynote presentation.
  • Dr. Tom Hoctor, director of the UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning, will talk about the role of our Refuges and our Friends organization in the landscape conservation of Florida's Big Bend.
  • Results of the Bill Kilborn  Photo Contest announced.

Noon -- Let the afternoon begin.
  • Lunch prepared by our own Kenny McCain will be about at 12:00
  • Nature walks on The River Trail and the new Tram Ridge Trail near headquarters. More here.
  • Paddling on the Suwannee River. Click here for details and to reserve one of the limited spots.

March 10 Nature Hike on Turkey Foot Trail

3/10/2016

 
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photo by Barbara Woodmansee
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We couldn’t ask for a nicer day for a walk in the woods; lots of sunshine and a cool breeze kept the birds out and the biting insects away!  There were eight of us to walk the 2 plus miles on the Turkey Foot Trail.  

There are not an abundance of flowers blooming yet, but the butterflies are starting to show up. We saw Palamedes, Eastern Tiger and Spicebush Swallowtails, Phaon Crescents, a Queen, Viceroy and Cloudless Sulfur.  Not too bad considering our favorite nectar flowers, the “Horrible” thistles, are not in bloom yet!  The woods seemed full of birds, often heard more than seen, but we did see Northern Parula, Pine, Black and White and Yellow-throated Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-headed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, and a Golden-crowned Kinglet.   There were even 3 young alligators floating in Pond 5.

​ It was a great day, but any sunny day in the Lower Suwannee NWR is a great day (especially since there were no bugs or ticks!)

Thursday, March 10 Nature Walk

3/6/2016

 
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Photo taken by Ann Kamzelski
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Now that the weather is warmer, there are more butterflies flitting about and the migratory birds are beginning to arrive.   The first Swallowtail Kite sighting of the season has occurred and while in the woods last week, I saw and heard several Northern Parulas.  I think our next nature walk in the Lower Suwannee NWR will be a longer one than usual, so if you plan to attend, please expect the walk to take much of the morning.  We will walk behind the gates on a grassy trail for 3 miles.

 I hope to see some spring flowers, butterflies, an alligator or two and, hopefully, a Swallowtail Kite flying overhead!  Wear long pants, good walking shoes and please be prepared for ticks.  They should also be more active now!  If you have binoculars, please bring them along for bird and alligator watching!  Since it will be warm, bring water to drink and if you like, a snack.

We will meet at the Cedar Key Town Park parking lot at 8:30am to car pool to the Refuge and will enter the Refuge by way of the south entrance to the Nature Drive off CR 347. If you would like to meet there, we should arrive at the south entrance around 8:45 or 8:50.  From the south entrance we will drive about half way through the Nature Drive to the end of Pond 4 Road.  The walk will begin from there.

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Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532
Cedar Key, FL 32625
[email protected]
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.


  • Home
    • Our Blog
  • About
    • About Friends >
      • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • Current News
      • Contact Us
    • About the Refuges >
      • Our Refuges
      • Places of Interest
      • Hunting Brochure
    • Members
  • Join
    • Donate
  • Maps
    • Paddling Guides
    • Refuge Maps
    • Trail Brochures
    • Places of Interest
  • Vista
    • What is Vista
    • Friends' role
    • The Future
    • Cooks General Restoration
    • Window Restoration
    • Lumbering
  • Wildlife
    • Wildlife Gallery
  • Hunting
    • Overview
    • Maps
    • FWS Hunting Brochure
    • Alternative Mobility Permits
    • Hunter SignUp
  • Fishing
  • Junior Ranger
  • Search
  • Store