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Ron Black, Protector of Shell Mound, Retires

10/13/2021

 
Picture of Ron Black at the headquarters building
Ron at the headquarters building
Parting is such sweet sorrow, particularly when it involves Ron Black, a person that has given selflessly to the Refuges for over 10 years. He may disagree and say his contributions were somewhat selfish because of his love of nature, the Refuges and especially, Shell Mound.

Ron retired from the Refuge this past September. 
Ron’s career started in the Navy right out of high school. Next stop was college, graduating in natural resources. First job out of college in 1964 was with the U.S. Forest Service. He spent 30 years in government service before retiring and moving with his wife, Christine, to Cedar Key. 
​Apparently, retirement wasn’t for him. As a Friends volunteer, he agreed to a 10-year commitment in 2009 to undertake the maintenance of the Refuge’s Shell Mound archaeology and recreational site which was not staffed at the time.
Picture of Ron, second from right at top, when he was on Friends' board of directors
Ron, second from right at top, when he was on Friends' board of directors
Picture of Ron, on the right, working with the rest of the refuge staff to build a board walk at Shell Mound
Ron is on the right, working with the rest of the refuge staff to build a board walk at Shell Mound
His responsibilities at Shell Mound varied from maintaining trails, trimming vegetation, and facilities management, to giving impromptu guided tours to visitors of the archaeological site when his maintenance schedule allowed. He and other Friends’ volunteers worked with UF Archaeologist Ken Sassaman providing input as it related to the culture and history of the people who constructed Shell Mound. 
When he completed his 10-year volunteering promise a few years ago, Refuge Manager Andrew Gude quickly hired him as a part-time Shell Mound Unit Manager to continue the important work he had been doing. Ron put it this way, “When l exchanged the blue volunteer clothing for the brown uniform, I felt that I had come full circle, because my first job out of college was essentially the same as the Ranger position at Shell Mound Archaeology site.” 

Picture of Ron at Summer Solstice 2021
Ron at Summer Solstice 2021
Andrew Gude related that, “Ron will be sorely missed. He was a highly dedicated staff member who always interacted with the public, guiding them around the Shell Mound area and interpreting the history of the unit. We wish Ron the best in his full retirement (it might be his third).”
Picture - View from the Mound overlooking the fishing pier
View from the Mound overlooking the fishing pier
Picture of the ceremonial plaza in the center of the Shell Mound
The ceremonial plaza in the center of the Shell Mound
Picture of Shell Mound view at sunset
Sunset at Shell Mound
Picture of sunrise at Shell Mound
Sunrise at Shell Mound
“What a gift Ron has been to the Refuges," said Friends' president Peg Hall. "He has provided thirteen years of dedicated service, personal friendship, and protection of the area's precious natural resources. He’s irreplaceable and we’re so grateful.”
Robert Charles Martin
11/15/2021 03:38:47 pm

Very good article, Ron was one of my instructors at Hocking College and had a huge impact on my career and guided me throughout working 30 years in resource management.
His impact on the resource will continue for many years because of his interaction with his past students and visitors.
Thank you Ron for all your efforts!!!

Peg Hall
11/15/2021 04:20:50 pm

Thanks so much for your comment. Ron is the best. We will be sure he and Christine see your note.

Vic Doig link
11/16/2021 08:21:00 am

Ron Black is a hero of conservation and selfless contribution. His efforts even went way beyond Shell Mound - he often did bird surveys, exotic plant control work, and kept up the Nature Drive, etc. He is a great man and is sorely missed!

Peg
11/19/2021 04:12:08 pm

How true! Ron was a role model for all who love nature and are advocates for conserving it.


Comments are closed.

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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.

  • Explore
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