JUNE, 2020 NEWSLETTER - FRIENDS OF ST. MARKS WILDLIFE REFUGE
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As most of you are undoubtedly aware, the concerns about COVID-19 have changed almost all of our day-to-day activities that we normally take for granted. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, there are no tours, classes or other events scheduled at the Refuge. The Visitor Center is closed. For a more complete Refuge report and to stay updated about the federal government message about activities at the Refuge, please visit the
Refuge Public Health Update.
The editor
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We Need YOU to Become a Member!
Many of you who are receiving this newsletter are folks who have expressed an interest in the Friends and who have a great love for the mission of the Refuge. Sadly, two thirds of the people who receive this newsletter are NOT members of the Friends' group.
As you all may know, the Refuge is a federal property and as such, it cannot raise money independently. The Friends, however, as a 501(c)3 support organization, can provide financial assistance to the Refuge. As a Friends' member, your membership or donations help the Refuge with major projects (such as the accessible walkway leading to the lighthouse to assist people with disabilities), as well as important biological initiatives such as Monarch Milkweed, Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders, Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers and Long-Leaf Pines.
If you'd like to see and hear more about the enthusiasm that your assistance generates, check out the Friends' funded interns who discuss their passions about how they assist in the various initiatives mentioned above. Here are a couple links that will allow you to learn more about each one:
The editor
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Nancy Brand 
Nancy's connection with St. Marks NWR happened as soon as she planned her move to Florida in 1990 and her first year was spent volunteering with school groups along with her young daughter Hannah. As a board member of the SMRA (predecessor to the Friends of St. Marks) for several years, her love for the Refuge has grown through outreach, biking and hiking its trails, field trips, and fishing its waters. A Master's degree in Science Education from Florida State University helped her make numerous nature connections in and around the community which helped further the science teaching in her own classroom.
Nancy describes herself as an amateur birdwatcher, fisherwoman, gardener, and adventurer. Growing up in the Midwest (Peoria, Illinois), she spent most of her time in and around the Illinois River, creeks, and woods surrounding her neighborhood. She was drawn to Silverton, Colorado as a second grade teacher. Her love for the outdoors grew as she took her students on trips to Mesa Verde National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and the Denver Museum of Natural History. Then, a summer Colorado Wildlife class at Keystone Science School connected her with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and their Squawfish Endangered Fish program.
As a recently retired educator (1974-2019), she often serves at the Kearney Center through St. John's Episcopal Church, taking various nature and travel related OLLI classes, supporting St. Francis Wildlife, and volunteering for the Red Cross and Second Harvest when she is not traveling.
Harry F. Chiles
Harry is a life-long Florida resident and a retired attorney. After graduating from law school at the University of Florida in 1980, Harry came to Tallahassee to begin his career with the Florida Attorney General's Office, practicing in the area of civil litigation. Almost 15 years later, when he left to go into private practice, he was Director of Civil Litigation. Harry spent the remainder of his legal career as a partner with the law firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, where he specialized in local government, land use, employment and civil rights litigation, as well as representation of various boards and nonprofit corporations.
Harry has long had a passion for outdoor activities, having been an Eagle Scout, having through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1975, and having hiked in numerous states and countries throughout the world. Upon his retirement in 2014, Harry began volunteering at the St. Marks NWR as part of a crew maintaining the portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail that traverses the Refuge. Harry has been happily married to his wife of 37 years, Mary, and has two grown children.
Preston Earley
Preston is currently a geology student in his third year at Florida State University. He previously worked as a volunteer at the Aucilla Research Institute's archaeological digs in Wakulla Springs State Park, and as a Carney Intern for the Monarch-Milkweed Initiative under the Friends of St. Marks. In the recent past he has also been an employee at Tallahassee Nurseries and Trillium Gardens in Tallahassee, FL.
Preston has lived his whole life just north of the Refuge in Tallahassee, Florida. Raised in a family that taught him the inherent value of our natural world, St. Marks has played an irreplaceable role in his upbringing. Having joined the Friends Board in 2020, he seeks to further connect the Refuge with the citizens of Tallahassee and the greater North Florida community that is his home. Outside of career pursuits, he's currently undergoing catechism at Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church. Interests include ecology, geology, history, and theology.
Rita LeBlanc
Originally from New Hampshire, Rita lived in Boston, DC, West Virginia, and Missouri before settling in Tallahassee in 1989 with her husband, John Haines, and their dog and cat companions. Her background is in advertising and printing, and in 2015 Rita retired from FSU where she worked for 15 years producing training materials for an off-campus institute.
After retirement, she volunteered at the Nature Store and with the Monarch Milkweed Initiative, ultimately becoming the Nature Store manager in 2017. This has been a great experience that allows Rita to get to work with a terrific crew of volunteers who really keep the place running. When not working, Rita loves being outdoors and learning about the native plants, birds and critters that share our space.
Kati Schardl
Kati Schardl is a native Floridian who was born and raised in the Panhandle and grew up camping, canoeing, caving and generally exploring the wilds and wonders of Jackson County. She came to Tallahassee to attend FSU and 40-plus years later is still here. She has been involved in the area's cultural community for more than 30 years, both as a participant and as a chronicler documenting the music and theater scenes for 15 years as an arts and features writer and editor at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Kati currently works as an editor in the Senate bill drafting office for the Florida Legislature. She has picked up writing the weekly music column for the Democrat again and also freelances for such publications as VIRES (the FSU alumni magazine), The Local Palate and Tallahassee Magazine. Kati also serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Council on Culture and Arts. Kati is an avid amateur naturalist and birder who has served as a volunteer ambassador at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, a place she's been visiting and cherishing for decades.
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 Nature Store Update
One door closes...
As you may know, the Nature Store shut down on March 19 due to the COVID pandemic. After several weeks, it became clear that reopening wasn't happening any time soon. So, on May 6, we launched an online store with a limited selection of t-shirts. Amazingly, orders started coming in. Since then, we've been slowly expanding what we offer. Most recently, the very popular mesh vest (12 pockets! Great for fishing, hiking, birding, and photography) was
 added,
as well as some St. Marks Lighthouse caps, tote bags, and a selection of our ever-popular earrings. However, if there's anything the Nature Store has carried that you want, please contact us at
[email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.
Text and photos courtesy Nature Store Manager / Board of Directors member, Rita LeBlanc
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Monarch Milkweed Initiative Travels to Cascades Park
The Monarch Milkweed Initiative went on the road recently. As a result of Friends' support, Refuge staff and Friends' interns assistance, along with the help from crews of workers from the City of Tallahassee, 1000 Asclepias incarnata and tuberosa plants were planted at Cascades Park in late May.
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Milkweed Along Lighthouse Road 
Photo courtesy the editor.
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Art is Soothing
The calming effect of art during difficult circumstances is profound. What more perfect time to enjoy the art that is around us than now?
This 1930s art pottery vase was made by the Van Briggle Co, which was founded in Colorado by Artus and Anne Van Briggle. Art Nouveau styled pottery such as this was favored by Artus and Anne, and it influenced the pottery company's designs throughout its history of production.
The beautiful iridescent, matt glaze used on this pot is subtle and pleasing . . . It's coloration and flowing lines are perfect attributes in showcasing these intriguing flying insects.
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Distance
Yourself
Responsibly
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Birding Surveys Assist Our Visitors
Don Morrow and Matt Johnstone, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge volunteers and expert birders lead in-depth bird tours at the Refuge frequently throughout the year. Both Don and Matt keep us up-to-date on what we can see from week-to-week. To see what THEY see, so that YOU can see them, check out their sightings on our website.
Go there now.
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All tours, classes and events are canceled until further notice.
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Have you considered including the Refuge in your will? We would appreciate hearing from you if so. The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge can provide information and guide you through the process. Just call the Refuge at 850-925-6121, and ask to be contacted by the Friends' Development Committee,
or email us.
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Reflections newsletter is a benefit of membership for Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. It also serves as an important supplement to
Both the newsletter and the web site provide members and the public information about volunteer activities and events at the Refuge.
Reflections Editor, Phillip M. Pollock
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