The U.S. FWS has proposed more opportunities to hunt and fish at National Wildlife Refuges in the South Atlantic, the Gulf, and the Mississippi Basin. Should we expect changes to hunting regulations on the Lower Suwannee NWR? The answer is on our website, including a pretty funny comment from Andrew.
Call for Butterfly Survey Volunteers
Board member Barbara Woodmansee is seeking volunteers to participate in a butterfly survey on the Levy County side of the Lower Suwannee Refuge. She will be looking for two particular skippers that have been spotted on the Dixie County side, but not yet seen on the south side of the river. If you'd like to help, contact her at friends@friendsofrefuges.org.
On Friends website, you also can see the results of a survey taken on April 23, 2020 along the Nature Drive.
Following our Swallow-tailed Kite
Suwannee, "our" swallow-tailed kite, is back at the Refuge for nesting season. Tracking data showed his successful migration to Brazil and back to the Lower Suwannee. But now they show his flights to be random over the Refuge. This means it is likely his nest was not successful and he is not feeding chicks. Read more on Friends website, here.
Board Holds May's Meeting by Telephone
Friends' board of directors regularly meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Both February and March meetings were cancelled because of health concerns. In May, the meeting was held by telephone conference call. Read on Friends website about what's been happening on the Refuge and with Friends.
Atsena Otie Project in Florida Archaeology Magazine
UF archaeologist Dr. Ken Sassaman has a new project at the Refuge, on Atsena Otie. In the current issue of Florida Historical Society Archaeological Institute's magazine, he describes the project's goal and how it may provide insights to help community leaders plan for future climate events. Read the full article here.
Information and Advocacy Links
No Roads to Ruin - a coalition of groups opposed to the M-CORES toll road project
