Refuge Update

The Refuge law enforcement officer and fire crew members have been called on to work in communities around Florida and also in the Carolinas to help with Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew related efforts. Staff member Jason Coates has particularly been assisting staff of Dixie County along with Refuge Friends and volunteers from the Town of Suwannee in removing Hurricane Hermine debris from the refuge marshes.
 
Refuge Fire Crew chief and Biologist Vic Doig represented the Refuge at the Florida Black Bear Working Group meeting recently. Vic also presented at the University of Florida's Wildlife Colloquium and separately at the University of Florida's Natural Resources Career Symposium.

Larry Woodward, Refuge Deputy Manager, met  with the California Swamp Hunt Club in Dixie County. The California Swamp, which is adjacent to the Refuge, was put under a conservation easement recently facilitated by The Conservation fund.