We lose a Friend

Sue Chapman, long-time supporter of the refuge system and operator of Swamp Girls Kayak Tours, died on February 25th.  Sue was elected last year to the Friends group Board of Directors, and helped out enormously with the development of The Gator Hole, our book and nature store.

Sue had been ill for some time, but had recently been able to visit the VC and was looking forward to the membership meeting on March 26th.

A Celebration of Sue's life will be held Sunday, March 27th, from 2-6 PM at Sergeant Jasper Park in Hardeeville.  To view Sue's obituary and Guest Book click HERE.     

 
Our condolences go out to Sue's friends and family, she will be missed.

General Membership Meeting

The Third Annual General Membership Meeting of the Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges will be held on Saturday, March 26th, from 10AM to 2PM at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center.  Our keynote speaker will be Kris Williams from The Caretta Research Project discussing  "Sea Turtle Conservation and Research in Georgia".   

Jane Griess, Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Project Director, will give her annual State-of-the-Refuges talk, and Rick Shields, Friends Group President, will report of the past year's Friends group activities.  Before and during the meeting The Gator Hole will be offering 20% off all merchandise.

The meeting also features light refreshments, door prizes, and the election of Board of Director's members.  Your Board will also be soliciting your input on determining the course the Friends group should take over the next few years. 

After a quick lunch we will move outside to complete the signage on the Beech Hill Interpretive Trail at the VC in our first effort to combine the annual meeting with a volunteer opportunity.

Everyone is welcome, but only members in good standing may vote or have a shot at a door prize.  Hope to see you there! 

Kid's Day Celebration

On Saturday, March 12, at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center the service is sponsoring the second kid's craft day in celebration of the 108th anniversary of the refuge system and the first anniversary of the opening of the Visitor Center.  They will kick off the new Junior Refuge Ranger program with outdoor related activities and challenges of kids, with the promise of a refuge patch when the challenge is completed.

Another date to save!

It's hard to believe that it has been a year since the Savannah NWR Visitor center opened.  The US F&WS is planning a one-year anninversary celebration on March 12th at the VC.  Watch here for more details.

Savannah NWR Controlled burn

The billowing black smoke from a controlled burn on Savannah NWR caught the attention of the local media yesterday.  Check out their coverage at WTOC.
Controlled burning is an important part of managing the impoundments and other marsh areas of this and other refuges.  It clears away unwanted vegetation to allow new growth to emerge and reduces the fuel load so that when wild fires occur, they are smaller and easier to manage.

Save the Date

The Third Annual General Membership meeting of the Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges will be held on Saturday, March 26, at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center.  This is the first time the neeting will be held on a Saturday and for the first time will include an outdoor activity.  Details to follow.

More closures at Savannah NWR

F&WS announced today that the parking area across from the exit of the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive and the dikes on either side of the diversion canal north of SC 170 will close until further notice starting tomorrow, February 2, 2011.  This is related to the ongoing construction on the freshwater diversion canal.
The parking area on SC 170 between the Wildlife Drive entrance and exit will remain open and allow access to hiking and biking on the dikes north of the highway.  These dikes, which are normally closed from December thru March, are now open to the public.

The official press release is found HERE.