Third Annual General Membership Meeting A Success

Friends members register attendees

Kris Williams from The Caretta Research Project presented "Sea Turtle Conservation and Research in Georgia".  Click HERE to read the project's 2010 Annual Report.  The Caretta ( from the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta ) Project is one of the longest continuously-running sea turtle tagging and protection project in the U.S., working mostly on Wassaw Island and Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuges.  The project volunteers spend most of each night from mid-May through early August patrolling the beaches to identify and protect sea turtle nests.

Chris Williams reporting on the Caretta Project

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Jane Griess, Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex Project Director, gave her annual State-of-the-Refuges talk including an update on the fresh-water diversion system repairs and the Savannah Harbor Deepening plans.  We also had a productive discussion about the future of the Friends group and issues of concern to the members.

Five Board of Directors positions were filled.  Dot Bambach, John Crawford, and Rick Shields were all re-elected to two-year terms.  Dave Chafin and Tim Kilty were elected to their first term on the board.  Congratulations and good luck to you all!

After the meeting many members remained to assist in projects on the refuge. Considerable progress was made in repairing the drainage issues on the Beech Hill Nature Trail and most of the interpretive signs along the trail were installed. Another group of volunteers went to the Solomon Tract for invasive species control activities.

All-in-all, everyone had a good time, shared some good refreshments and barbecue, and came away energized for the coming year's activities.   

Harris Neck Land Dispute Update

The ongoing dispute over the ownership of the land that is now Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge took an unusual turn last month. House Resolution 610 was introduced with six sponsors calling on the state of Georgia to recognize the Harris Neck Land Trust as the legal entity attempting to force the return of the land at Harris Neck to its previous owners.

The resolution would have had the Georgia House of Representatives go on record as supporting the destruction of Harris Neck as a National Wildlife Refuge and the return of the property.

Your friends group is watching this issue closely and has been in contact with our friends and representatives in the Georgia House.  It doesn't look like this resolution will pass in the session.

To read the resolution, click HERE. If you want more information you may go to our website and click on the Harris Neck Resource Page.