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Friends of the Savannah 
Coastal Wildlife Refuges

November 10, 2013
Friends:
     Cooler weather is here, the oppressive heat and humidity gone for a few months, perfect for getting out to your favorite refuge.
     We survived the government shutdown, although our all-day extravaganza at Pinckney Island NWR was cancelled.  Operationally, everything is back to normal now, but we face the potential for another shutdown soon unless our elected leaders can come to a budget agreement.  Let us hope that the damage done by the last shutdown will deter them from doing it to us again.
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Refuge Week 2013 Activities Went On!
Sam with display
      Refuge Week 2013 took place in the midst of the partial federal government shutdown.  Fortunately, only one of our three planned events was scheduled to take place on refuge property, so the weekend was not a total washout.
 
    Activities began on Friday, October 11 at the Palmetto Electric Coop in Hardeeville.  We were very fortunate to have Samuel Koltinsky, a documentary film producer, introduce the first local showing of his film "America's Darling", a documentary on the life and work of Jay N. "Ding" Darling.  The film had recently been awarded the 
2013 Conservation Media Award
 
by
 

     Sam also displayed his collection of Darling artifacts and spoke to the attendees about his experiences making the film and working with the Darling family.
 
     "America's Darling" is the first in a series that Sam and his  production company are working on entitled "Heroes of Conservation".  Sam was so impressed with the staff and volunteers with whom he met during his visit with us that he plans to return to Savannah in the spring to do filming and interviews for his film currently in production.
 
     For those of you who missed the showing, copies of the DVD are on sale at The Gator Hole at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center.
                                                                              
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And on...Cruising the Savannah River with "TR"
TR auctioning off his bear.
 
     For the third straight year, we wrapped up Refuge Week with a Sunday afternoon cruise up the Savannah River into the Savannah NWR.  And once again, Theodore Roosevelt (in the person of Joe Wiegand) shared with us stories of his life and times as a state politician, a "Rough-Rider", and as the 26th President of the United States.  More than 180 Friends and other guests joined us on a perfect fall afternoon on the reproduction paddle steamer operated by the 
     
     Joe has already asked for the dates for Refuge Week 2014 so he can join us once again.  Hope you can join us as well!
 
     Special thanks to Howard and Patricia Hackney for their winning bid of $250 in the Teddy Bear auction. 
 
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Friends Photo Contest Winners Announced  
"Hard Work" by Sarah Lemmons
      
     The winners of the Second Annual Friends Photo Contest were announced during the Refuge Cruise.  A total of 19 entries won awards in three categories and two age divisions.   
 
     Sarah Lemmons won Best in Show for her photo "Hard Work", while Brittany Harris  took Best in Show (Youth Division) for her entry, "Hiking". 

     Thanks to all who entered the contest, and a special thanks to our judges: Joe Wiegand ("TR"), Sam Koltinsky, and Sharon Lindsay.  Choosing among so many excellent entries was not easy!  Thanks also to 
the staff of the Red Roof Inn in Hardeeville who allowed us to use their public area for the judging.
 
"Hiking" by Brittany Harris
   
     Click HERE for a complete list of the winning entries, all of which are currently on display in the auditorium of the Savannah NWR Visitor Center.
 
     Click HERE 
to see the winning entries on our new Flickr site.

     Watch you inbox for an announcement of our Third Annual contest to be announced soon.
 
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Friends Member Honored by FWS
   
Dot receives award from Region 4 Director Cynthia Dohner
  
     Many of you know Dot Bambach from her many years of devoted service to Ogeechee Audubon and to the Friends.  Dot served on the organizing committee for the Friends and has served on our Board of Directors since our very first election more than 6 years ago.  She has served as our Secretary, and currently is our Treasurer.  She is an active volunteer with more than 3300 volunteer hours and counting.
 
     On October 30, 2013, Dot was honored for her many contributions with the US Fish and Wildlife Service 2013 Southeast Regional Director's Volunteer Service Award.  We are all proud of Dot's dedication and accomplishments and glad to see her win this much-deserved award!
 
     To see photos from the Award Ceremony and to see others who were honored, click HERE.
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Refuges ARE Essential! 
Signs like this went up across the nation.

     The National Wildlife Refuge System was almost completely closed down during the recent partial federal government shutdown because refuges were considered "non-essential".

     A new Department of Interior Report titled Banking on Nature documents the amazing return on investment that Americans get from the refuge system, which is the largest system of protected lands and waters in the world.  
 
     The document shows that, considering economic factors such as employment, ecotourism, and visitation, every dollar the federal government invests in managing the National Wildlife Refuge System returns nearly five dollars to the communities that surround them.  
 
     Unfortunately the ability of the US FWS to continue to maintain our refuges is being eroded by budget cuts.  Refuge budgets have been cut by $50 million since 2010 and more cuts are looming.  This will mean more deferred maintenance, more habitat degradation, curtailing research, closing of some refuges, and staff reductions.
 
     The budget debate for 2014 is heating up again with a January 15, 2014 deadline.  If no agreement is reached by then, we may face another shutdown of "nonessential" services.  Now is the time to contact your US Senators and Congresspersons to encourage them to support funding for the refuge system at a level that will at least maintain the Services' ability to perform their mission.
 
Maintaining our Refuge System IS ESSENTIAL!! 
 

    

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Another Great Sea Turtle Summer!
loggerhead
 
 
     This past summer, the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative  documented 2,291 loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on Georgia's barrier islands.  Many of the nests were on Wassaw and Blackbeard Islands.  
 
     This is the most nests ever recorded in the 25 years that comprehensive records have been kept.  This year was the fourth consecutive record-breaking year with 50 more nests this year than last.   Eighteen green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests were also found, mostly on Cumberland Island.
     
     While these numbers document a positive trend, continued conservation efforts are essential to keep these gentle giants on the road to recovery, as they still face many challenges, including death in fishing nets and nest predation by raccoons and feral hogs.
     
     If you are interested in helping to protect these turtles, contact the Caretta Research Project.

      

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Swampgirls Raise Donations for the Friends

     Friends group Board member Linda Etchells lead a fund-raising paddle down the Savannah River with the Swampgirls for Refuge Week again this year raising $670 for the Friends.  Thanks to Linda and all who participated. 
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Your Chance to Voice Your Opinion
     The US FWS Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex staff is proposing a change in the fee system for hunting on the refuges in the complex.  There is currently a $15 permit fee charged only to the 80 hunters who are selected for lottery hunts.  Non-lottery hunters are not charged.

     The funds collected each year do not nearly cover the expenses that the Complex incurs to support the numerous hunts. 

 

     The proposed change would impose a once-per-season $25 hunt permit fee to participate in any or all Complex hunts that season.  Hunters chosen for lottery hunts would be charged an additional $5 fee.  Seventy-five percent of the fees would be credited to the Complex and used to support and improve hunting programs and facilities.

 

     The Complex is soliciting your opinions on this change, and has extended the public comment period until December 13, 2013.

 

     For more information, and how to make your opinion known, check out the Complex Press Release
or visit the Complex web site. 
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Welcome New Life Member!

     Since our last newsletter, the Friends have welcomed John Kane of Savannah as a Patron and a new Life Member.  Howard and Patricia Hackney from Tybee Island have joined at the Sponsor 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? Please consider an additional donation to the Friends or giving a membership to a loved one as a gift this Holiday season.  With the dismal financial outlook for the refuge system, volunteers and donations will be ever more important.

     To contribute, send your check to our PO box address below, or  go to the website to pay with credit card or PayPal.
 

     The Friends group is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Your contribution to FSCWR may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.  Consult your tax adviser or the IRS to determine whether this contribution is deductible. 
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