Friends of Refuges
November News Brief
Happy Thanksgiving!
Board to Meet at the Refuge
Hooray! Hooray! Finally, we are back to holding our meeting at the Refuge. Come and join us on Tues., Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. All meetings are open to all. We will plan the Winter Solstice gathering and talk about the Annual Meeting.
Thank You for the Sale Purchases
The Holiday Sale in the Online Store continues. Shop Here.
Shirts, earrings, hats, Blue Goose Passports . . . all great stocking stuffers!
Hundreds of Festival Booth Visitors
Woot! Woot! Friends again welcomed visitors at the Cedar Key Seafood Festival. People wanted to know all about our refuges, their history, what to see and do, how to show their support. They bought plenty of merchandise and told us they liked our new table cover. Read more here.
Ron Black - How We Will Miss You
Ron has retired, after being the Refuge presence at Shell Mound for more than a decade. He greeted the visitors, gave informal and personal tours, kept the grounds and building clean, and really cared about our knowing the value of the place and its legacy. Read more here.
Refuge Update
Read Refuge Manager Andrew Gude's update about September's Seahorse Key Open House, visiting the Refuge safely during the popular hunt season, mowing that respects wildflower and butterfly habitat, initial rehab at Fishbone Creek, and ongoing Vista planning.
It's Native American Heritage Month
Take a hike on a crisp fall day along the Shell Mound trail and read about the gatherings hosted by Native communities that took place centuries ago. Walk out on the fishing pier and soak in the beauty of the Gulf. Follow the Dennis Creek Trail around the area where the Native peoples gathered to celebrate. Read more here.
Celebrate Winter Solstice with Friends
Winter Solstice can be chilly. So, bring a jacket and come for a bit of solstice magic, and a warm drink and snack. Mark your calendars: Winter Solstice with Friends at Shell Mound on Tues., Dec. 21. All are welcome. At 4 p.m., we will meet at the parking area near the fishing pier. We will walk the trail, then go to the fishing pier to watch the sunset.
Friends Highlighted in Coalition Newsletter
The Coalition for Refuge Friends and Advocates highlighted both Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys NWRs and Friends of St. Mark's NWR in their fall newsletter. Read more here. And, note the very cool mobile Visitor Center. We sure could use one of those!
How is Your Life List Coming Along?
Fall is a great time to add to your list of butterflies you have observed on the Refuge. Remember to check the website's butterfly page for information on what you can see at this time of year and take a butterfly hike on one of these beautiful days.
2022 Annual Meeting: Save the Date
Friends Annual Meeting is set for the last Saturday in February, as always. That is Sat., Feb. 26, 2022. We hope to hold an in-person event at the Refuge. Mark your calendars and plan to be there.
Friends of Refuges
