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Friends of the Savannah
Coastal Wildlife Refuges
August 29, 2013
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Friends:
The unofficial end of the summer season is upon us, with the promise of beautiful days and cooler nights just ahead. Troubled times also lay ahead, unfortunately, as our national leaders will soon be battling over deficits and budgets. Our local refuges have already been impacted, with a hiring freeze and a proposed budget cut of more than 25%.
Be sure to keep up with the issues and speak out on the issues that you feel are important. This newsletter and the Friends website will endeavor to keep you informed, and share how you can make your voices heard.
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Join the Friends for Refuge Week 2013 Activities!
 Once again this year, the Friends will join with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to celebrate Refuge Week 2013. This year our activities will focus on Pinckney Island NWR. If you are not familiar with the refuge, this will be a great time to get to know it better. Activities will begin at 7 PM on Friday, October 11 at the Palmetto Electric Coop Community Room on Hwy 278 in Hardeeville. We are very fortunate to have with us Jay Koltinsky, a documentary film producer, to introduce the first local showing of his award-winning film "America's Darling", a documentary on the life and work of Jay N. "Ding" Darling. There is no charge for the showing, but seating is limited, so please go to our website to save your seat. Find out more about the documentary HERE. |
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More Refuge Week Activities
Refuge Week activities continue bright and early Saturday, October 12 at Pinckney Island NWR. We have a long list of activities planned including a presentation by our favorite Theodore Roosevelt reenactor Joe Wiegand. This will be Joe's third consecutive year with us during Refuge Week, and he has developed a loyal following locally. He presents our first conservation president with energy, humor, and authenticity and he is not to be missed. TR will also join us ion the cruise the next day. Watch your e-mail inbox for more details and the opportunity to sign up for the planned activities.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cruising the Savannah River with "TR" 
We wrap up Refuge Week 2013 with a Sunday afternoon cruise up the Savannah Rive into the Savannah NWR. During the cruise Theodore Roosevelt (in the person of Joe Wiegand) will regale us with stories of his life and times as a state politician, a "Rough-Rider", and as the 26th President of the United States. This cruise is back by popular demand with great reviews form the past two years.
Friends group members may receive free cruise tickets (which don't include lunch), but tickets are limited and registration is required.
Registration will open September 15th, watch your in box for details as the time approaches.
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Savannah NWR Visitor Center Hours Reduced  The Savannah NWR Visitor Center will begin operating on a reduced schedule effective immediately due to budgetary and staff constraints. The hours are now 9AM to 4PM Monday through Saturday. The wildlife drive remains open daily from sunup to sundown.
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Living with Alligators
Many of us who frequent the refuges become quite nonchalant around alligators. We know that they are typically non-aggressive around people, but we must remember that they are unpredictable wild animals, with the weapons to seriously injure or kill pets, children, and full-grown adults.
A recent incident on Hilton Head should remind us to use care when around these ancient predators. While the 50 year-old women survived with minor injuries, it could have been much worse for her. It did turn out worse for the gator, which was captured and destroyed. ( STORY) - Do not approach gators either in the water or on a bank. That close up photo is just not worth the risk - use your telephoto.
- Take the camera or binoculars away from your eyes occasionally and look around, be aware of what other critters might be near by.
- Never, never, never feed alligators. Fed alligators quickly learn to associate humans with an easy meal and will overcome their natural inclination to move away from people and begin to approach them looking for a handout. This can lead to a tragic outcome for you, and frequently results in the destruction of the gator as a menace to the public. Remember "A fed gator is a dead gator". It is also against the law with significant penalties attached if you are caught.
- Do not swim where gators are present
- Do not bring pets onto the refuges as they attract the attention of gators. It is also against FWS regulations to have dogs on the refuge, even with a leash.
- If you encounter a gator on the trail while walking or biking, make some noise and make sure the gator knows you are there. They will usually move away and allow you to pass. If a gator stands its ground and won't yield, change your itinerary and bike or hike elsewhere.
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Photographers Get Ready!
Calling all photographers!, the Friends Photography Club is now accepting entries for our Second Annual Refuge Photo Contest! Deadline for entries is October 1, 2013. Winners will be announced during Refuge Week activities on Pinckney Island NWR on October 12, 2013. Entries can be mailed in or dropped off at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center.
We will award prizes in a youth and an adult bracket in three categories: wildlife; landscapes/waterscapes; and people in nature.
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Conserving the Future Update
In 2011, nine teams of FWS employees began taking tangible steps to make Conserving the Future a reality. This July 2013 Progress Report is the 6th in a series of quarterly reports, aimed at sharing the progress and impact of the vision on our daily work. For archives on past progress and implementation team work, please visit www.AmericasWildlife.org.
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Legislative Update
The vote on the budget bill mentioned in the last newsletter has been postponed until the congress reconvenes after the Labor Day recess. Watch your inbox for updates as we hear more about this issue. The Fleming bill, which takes away the administration's ability to create new refuges passed the House, but faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
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Welcome new Life Members!
Since our last newsletter, the Friends have welcomed two new Life Members, both of whom were new to the Friends. Susan Kay of Beverly Hills, CA, has joined at the Benefactor Level, while Brad Wittfeld has joined us at the Patron Level.
Life Membership is attained by donating $500 or more to the Friends in a 12 month period.
Is it time for you to upgrade your membership and become a member of this exclusive club? |
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Quick Links...
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E-mail: webmaster@coastalrefuges.org
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