Refuge open house Saturday

The Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and Open House will be Saturday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Refuge Headquarters off Route 347.

Friends of the refuge

   “The Past and Future of Oysters and Oystercatchers in the Big Bend” by Peter Frederick, research professor with the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, will be the featured presentation.

   A lunch of barbecue chicken and ribs with swamp cabbage will be provided free to Friends members and for $10 per person for nonmembers. Folks are encouraged to bring a favorite dessert for a pot luck contribution. 

   The refuge staff will show off the Environmental Education Classroom, the Fire Equipment and Marsh Master, and the Special Operations Response Team trailer. Other activities will include the Third Annual Silent Auction, hayrides with a naturalist, boat rides on the Suwannee River, self-guided walks on the River Trail, and a group paddle on Sandfly Creek. You need to provide your own kayak or canoe for the group paddle. Space is limited to 10 boats. Send an email to friends@friendsofrefuges.org to reserve a space. 

   The public is welcome to attend. More information is available on our website www.friendsofrefuges.org.