 Friends Annual Meeting
Save the Date -- Saturday March 4, 2017
at Refuge Headquarters
The Slate of Officers and Directors to be elected is now available. Details of the Annual Meeting will be sent in a Special Edition of News Brief next week. They will include 2017 goals and plans from the Priorities Committee.
 On Thursday, January 19, the Board will meet at 10 a.m. at Refuge headquarters. All Friends members are welcome. We will be planning the Annual Meeting. You are also welcome to participate in the combined Membership and Communications committees meeting at 9:00 a.m. and in  the Science Team bioblitz project on the Tram Ridge Trail after the meeting. If you don't attend the board meeting, you are still welcome for the bioblitz. Bring a picnic lunch and meet at headquarters at noon. By 12:30 p.m. we will assemble into teams. By 1 p.m., we will be in the field. More details are available on our website.
New Brochures
 Refuge employees are protecting local natural resources through a number recent activities. They led a training workshop on controlled burns, are rebuilding the Shired Island boardwalk and clearing trails on the Dixie County side with views like the photo. Two fire-crew staff members leave soon for new positions.
Thanks so much! Annual membership notices are going out by email. Renewals can be completed online or by mail. If there are glitches, please contact Membership Chair Kit Lane, membership@friendsofrefuges.org.
Tuesdays are Friends Pepper Busting Days
The Brazilian Pepper Control Program on the Refuge and in the Cedar Key area has begun for the season. All equipment will be supplied. It is hard work. Come join the effort and fun. Email Roger McDaniels at friends@friendsofrefuge.org for details and meeting places.
On February 1-3, the Big Bend Science Symposium will again be held in Cedar Key with several activities open to Cedar Key residents. Friends will partner with the Nature Coast Biological Station and provide lunch for participants one of the days.
Recent Friends Nature Walks
 Nature walks were recently held at the Lukens Tract on the Levy County side.and on the Natural Pine Forest trail on the Dixie County side. For information on upcoming Nature Walks, contact Donna Thalacker at friends@friendsofrefuges.org
Seahorse Key Cleanup Days in February
The Refuge and the Seahorse Key Marine Lab will hold a joint cleanup at Seahorse Key on February 20-21, with the Refuge staff working primarily the second day. Mark your calendars for a good work day adventure. More details in the February News Brief.
Advocacy and Information Links
Editor: Peg Hall
Reviewers: Russ Hall, Kit Lane, Paul Ramey
Contact: friends@friendsofrefuges.org
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Friends are developing and producing new trail brochures, including ones for the 