More Junior Rangers Sworn-In!

Another amazing Junior Ranger Day was conducted last week at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge headquarters.

Refuge Deputy Manager John Stark welcomes first bus load

Friends Past-President Debbie Meeks and Refuge Deputy Manager John Stark, and many other staff and volunteers, coordinated the event that included eight-nine (89) 4th graders from Old Town Elementary. The students worked to become Junior Rangers by participating in activities at eight stations set up throughout the Refuge headquarter's property.

John Stark explains the activities for the day ahead

• Refuge staff stations included one at the Refuge's bat house, another displaying a collection of carnivorous plants with plenty of live insects flying around to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the exhibit, and discussions about habitat management including firefighting equipment demonstrations that allowed the kids to climb on the fire truck and sound the siren.

Refuge Manager Andrew Gude pointing out the thousands of bats that inhabit the bat house but don't come out until dusk

• The University of South Florida provided a Public Archeology Coordinator who brought replica Native American tools, weapons and pottery.   
  

UF archaeologist Nigel Rudolf shows students replicas of tools used by Indians

Nigel demonstrates the use of an ancient hunting spear called an atlatl

• The University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue Team provided a station with marine mammal and turtle skulls, and entertaining educational activities.  

UF Marine Scientist Suzanna Mickey and Friends volunteer Jay Bushnell displaying the skulls of various marine animals

• The UF Nature Coast Biological Station provided a turtle station complete with living turtles and shells.
  

UF's Jeremy Geiger showing off a variety of turtle and tortoise shells and a tank with two really cute fresh water turtles.

• Refuge volunteers conducted a scavenger hunt trail walk through the woods.  
• A University of Florida Lepidopterist compiled a collection of native pollinators for a pollinator station. 

UF McGuire Center's Bob Belmont, and Friends volunteer John Douglass present facts and specimens of a variety of beautiful Lepidoptera who serve as pollinators throughout the Refuge

The swearing-in ceremony conducted by Refuge Manager Andrew Gude was especially moving as Andrew explained to the children how at their age he knew he wanted a career that would protect wild lands and animals. Together they recited the Junior Ranger Pledge, and the coveted Junior Ranger badges were distributed.

Andrew preparing to swear in the new Junior Rangers

This says it all! Andrew Gude receives a warm hug from a newly certified Junior Ranger

Thanks to the Friends volunteers who helped make this happen including Debbie Meeks, John McPherson, Denise Feiber,  Sandra Milliner, Pete Tirrell, Jay Bushnell, and John Douglass. Refuge volunteers included Michael Caulking, Robin Gallup, and Rick Gallup.

More Junior Rangers will attempt certification December 8, 2023.