Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
Reflections Newsletter, April, 2021
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COVID-19 Virus Update
As most of you are undoubtedly aware, the concerns about COVID-19 have changed almost all of our day-to-day activities that we normally take for granted. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, there are no tours, classes or other events scheduled at the Refuge.
Visitors are NOT allowed access to the Visitor Center at this time. However, at the VC parking area, a phone number is posted to call (850-925-6121) regarding entrance fees and passes. A staff person will then meet you at the VC ramp entrance to assist. For any payments, we suggest credit card use to avoid contact with cash.
Restrooms at the VC are therefore not open as well. However, the Mounds' restrooms are still open, and there is a portalet in the VC parking lot as well as at the salt water boat ramp. Thank you.
For a more complete Refuge report and to stay updated about the federal government message about activities at the Refuge, please visit the Refuge Public Health Update. |
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Friends of St. Marks NWR Awarded
Friends Group of the Year for 2021
It's Official!
The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge received the Molly Krival 2021 Friends Group of the Year Award by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The Friends will be honored in a virtual ceremony in Washington, DC in August 2021. The award honors Molly Krival who mentored new and existing Friends groups across the entire country as an effort to support national wildlife refuges. There are currently 185 Friends groups that support national wildlife refuges in the United States. The Krival award :
- Recognizes innovation and excellence in advancing the mission of the refuge system;
- Provides a positive community influence;
- Works as an advocate to protect natural resources;
- Strives to influence support for the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge and the refuge system as a whole.
This is a tremendous honor for the Friends. It is a reflection on all the dedicated volunteers, previous Board members, and Refuge staff who have worked in unison through the years. This recognition is a wonderful validation of everything that we do in our work for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Thank you all for your continued support of the Friends.
Text courtesy and photo Phillip Pollock
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Change Never Felt So Good - Thank You For Voting
While so many constraints have been in place over the past year, I wanted you to be aware of the continued work of the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. The Friends' Board of Directors has faithfully met monthly throughout this time via the virtual platform of Zoom. We've dealt with some very critical concerns during this time, interacting safely with each other and Refuge staff in our own remote spaces. Here we are in a recent meeting, and I thought everyone might be interested to see us in action. Our commitment to the Refuge never wavers.
Speaking of changes, Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge recently sent you (if you're a Friends' member) an email asking for your vote on three items:
- We propose expanding the definition of Membership to make becoming a member more inclusive and easier. Going forward all Donors who give $10 or more annually will be Members; (53 Yes votes, 1 No vote)
- To improve our efficiency and enable us to be more responsive to Refuge needs, we are asking you to allow the Board to make operational and organizational changes without a vote from the membership. The bylaws will still require a vote from the membership on new Board members; (47 Yes votes, 7 No votes) and
- acceptance of new Board of Directors members Myrtle Bailey, Nancy Brand, and Rusty Ennemoser. (54 Yes votes, 0 No votes)
After the vote tally was counted, you overwhelmingly agreed that we should move forward on the first two, and on the third, you unanimously approved of our new slate of Board directors.
As we begin to put each of these measures in place, we will give you details of our successes. All of these changes will make your "Friend" experience even more worthwhile as we continue to support the Refuge. Thank you all.
Text and photo, Phillip Pollock
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Restore Our Earth
Earth Day 2021 is celebrated from April 20-22 this year. However, as a Friend of the Refuge you undoubtedly understand that earth day is every day. The theme of Earth Day this year is 'Restore Our Earth'.
This year as we consider the theme of 'Restore Our Earth', people around the globe are going to be looking at climate change and how we adjust to the challenges it presents. Each year, Earth Day allows us to think about better ways to co-exist with the world we live in.
Text and photo courtesy Phillip Pollock
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Photo Contest Inspired by Lou and Betsy Kellenberger
Lou and Betsy Kellenberger were longtime volunteers and Board of Directors participants for many, many years. In addition to their volunteer service they were both extremely good photographers. The Kellenbergers are often inspiration for many others who enjoy photography. If you're interested in continuing their memory, consider this Maclay Gardens contest. For more information, contact Gary Griffin at heb121@comcast.net.
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French sculptor Auguste Rodin said,
"To the artist, there is never anything ugly in nature."
Drive down Lighthouse Road most any day and you are likely to see artists at work, immersing themselves in the abundant sights and sounds of the Refuge. Photographers, whether using high tech equipment or just a cell phone, are always on the lookout for that perfect image of a bird, an alligator, or a magnificent sunrise or sunset. Painters find inspiration in the colors of the water or the sky, the coastal marshes, or the ubiquitous sabal palms. Perhaps the cacophony of bird calls inspires musicians and poets. And certainly, our famous lighthouse inspires art of every kind. There will come a time when painting classes will begin and when photographers will meet, but until that time, fill your heart with the beauties at the Refuge and see for yourself that, as Rodin said, "to the artist, there is never anything ugly in nature."
Text and photos courtesy Board of Directors members, Rusty Ennemoser and Phillip Pollock, respectively
Caption: Photographer and oil painters work at capturing the essence of the Refuge.
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What a Long, Strange Year
It’s Been . . .
The Nature Store has been closed just over a year now, and the impact on Friends’ revenue has been profound. The store generates about half the money the Friends raises for the Refuge, so we certainly needed an alternative. Consequently, the online store was born last May. Though sales have been steady, they’re still less than 20% of what the actual Nature Store would generate. Hopefully, we’ll be reopening by fall of this year (or sooner) and can come back stronger than ever!
A recent effort to expand sales was offering a 15% discount for the month of March on purchases over $20. This proved so successful that we extended it through the end of April. Now is a great time to browse what’s available, get some cool stuff, help the Refuge, and save a few bucks in the process. You can go to the store now!
If there’s anything you’ve seen at the Nature Store, but don’t find online, just contact us (naturestoremanager@gmail.com) and we’ll try to accommodate your request. Same goes for if you want something shipped that’s listed as “pickup only.” We definitely aim to please.
Have you considered getting more involved with your Refuge? In anticipation of reopening, we’re hoping to lure a few new volunteers to work in the Nature Store. Typically, this means working the front desk at the Visitor’s Center 1 day a week (or every other week). Volunteers sell passes, ring up Nature Store sales, and generally help Refuge staff in the Visitors Center. Behind the scenes opportunities are also available. If you’d like to learn more, contact Rita ( naturestoremanager@gmail.com) for information.
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Finally, thanks to all of you who’ve been supporting the Refuge by shopping at the Nature Store. Also, we so appreciate the folks who have continued to promote the online store via Twitter and FaceBook—especially Jeff VanderMeer (at right), whose fans continue to keep Area X shirts & totes our all-time best-selling items. Thanks, Friends!
Rita LeBlanc, Board of Directors member and Volunteer Nature Store Manager
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They're Back - Butterflies Begin to Make Their Annual Appearance
Zebra Swallowtail
The zebra swallowtail is a relatively common butterfly species that is found, generously, in the southeastern quadrant of North America. In part, they are distinguishable by the pale blue/green strips along their wings. Adult males fly in the understory near host plants to find females. This particular butterfly was photographed along the Tower Pond Trail at the Refuge, finding the cool comfort of a fern bed to its liking.
These beautiful butterflies (primarily the males) engage in an activity referred to as 'puddling' along the ground. They supplement their diet with moisture and minerals from free-standing water. Pawpaws are the only host plant these beautiful Swallowtails seek out for food in their larval state. However, as adults, they secure nectar from a variety of smaller flowered plants, such as verbena and milkweed.
As we move through April and on into the warm months, the butterfly numbers and diversity will increase. They make driving and walking along the roadsides beautiful adventures. Enjoy!
Photo and text, Phillip Pollock
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Bird Reports Assist Visitors
Don Morrow and Matt Johnstone, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge volunteers and expert birders, lead in-depth bird tours at the Refuge frequently throughout the year. Both Don and Matt keep us up-to-date on what we can see from week-to-week. To see what THEY see, so that YOU can see them, check out their sightings on our website.
Photo and text, Phillip Pollock
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Have you considered including the Refuge in your will? We would appreciate hearing from you if so. The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge can provide information and guide you through the process. Just call the Refuge at 850-925-6121, and ask to be contacted by the Friends' Development Committee, or email us. |
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Reflections newsletter is a benefit of membership for Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.
It also serves as an important supplement to
Both the newsletter and the web site provide members and the public information about volunteer activities and events at the Refuge.
Reflections editor: Phillip M. Pollock
Reflections Editor, Phillip M. Pollock
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