Welcome Desk

Friends Welcome Desk at the Refuge Headquarters before the pandemic closed it

Friends Welcome Desk Shares the Chamber's Porch some Saturdays

On several summer Saturdays, Friends members volunteered to staff a Refuge Welcome Desk on the porch of the Cedar Key Chamber's Visitor Center. Summer visitors to the area often are unfamiliar with the refuge and looking for additional side trips to enjoy in the area. The Welcome Desk is a great opportunity to help people learn about the value of the refuge to them as visitors and to the overall quality of life in our region.

Bob and Barbara Hudson reported that the first Saturday in August had started off slow. Then the sun came out and so did the people. They ended up having 65-70 visitors between 10 am and 2 pm. The sunny weather definitely made the difference. About 40% were couples with children of all ages. They loved the brochure that overviews the refuge and the ones on bats and butterflies. Friends membership dollars are at work making those available! 

Like the Hudsons, the others of us who have already volunteered are eager to do it again. If you would like to give it a try, email friends@friendsofrefuges.org. Let's work out a Saturday for you to work with one of us who has done it before or on  your own.