One of the Mainline bridges has a new mural. Debbie Meeks fed a few hungry sand gnats while painting this alligator with a red reflector eye.

Hunting:

• Archery season closed on Oct 15.
• The 9-day muzzleloader hunt season closed on Oct. 29.
• The general gun hunt season opened on Nov 4.
• Refuge staff members are increasing the mowing and maintenance on hunting and hiking trails to enhance access for outdoor recreation.

Hydrology:
Work continues restore the natural hydrology of the Lower Suwannee Refuge in order to enhance wildlife habitat and improve fresh water flow into the River and estuary.  The staff members are looking at impediments to natural hydrology. Where their removal would be a net gain for the wildlife, changes are planned.

Interagency Collaboration:

• In December, the Refuge is welcoming international researchers for a mosquito study hosted by the US Department of Agriculture
  
• The Refuge is collaborating with the Nature Coast Biological Station to support attendees at the National Conservation Training Center fisheries/ecological population modeling course being held in Cedar Key.
  
• Collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) on research and management issues especially of lands in close proximity to each other continue.
  
•  Refuge staff members are working with several agency archeologists to care for pottery and bone fragments that became apparent because of erosion of an ancient site on a non-refuge island.
  
• Refuge staff are working with the UF Veterinary School to analyze the remains of a bald eagle found on Atsena Otie. The carcass will later be turned over to the National Eagle Repository.
  
• On December 1, with Friends sponsorship, the Refuges will host the annual Collaborators Luncheon at Refuge headquarters for about 100 researchers and agency colleagues who have worked at and with the Refuges this year.
  

At the end of September, plans were first mentioned for a new Friends Visitor Contact Program.

Plans are moving ahead. All Friends members received an email in mid-October asking if they might be willing to greet visitors at the headquarters a few days a month. About 30 members have already signed up to help develop and participate in the pilot program.  Any who can will meet with Refuge staff members on Wednesday November 8 to talk through the initial plans and work on materials the volunteers will need so they can provide useful information.

 This year, Camper Volunteers will also participate. If that program piques your curiosity, check out the FWS Volunteers page or Resident Volunteers Opportunity page.