Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
Reflections Newsletter, June, 2021
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COVID-19 Virus Update
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.
Visitors are NOT allowed access to the Visitor Center at this time. However, at the VC parking area, a phone number is posted to call (850-925-6121) regarding entrance fees and passes. A staff person will then meet you at the VC ramp entrance to assist. For any payments, we suggest credit card use to avoid contact with cash.
Restrooms at the VC are therefore not open as well. However, the Mounds' restrooms are still open, and there is a portalet in the VC parking lot as well as at the salt water boat ramp. Thank you.
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. |
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Friends Wildlife and Environmental Initiatives
The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge have long supported the Refuge on major wildlife and environmental initiatives. Currently, the Friends provide the Refuge financial assistance by funding interns who assist staff biologists regarding three major wildlife initiatives; Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders, Red-cockaded Woodpecks, and Longleaf Pines.
Initiative Updates
Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders: The last several months of work show that the salamanders are thriving. Of 156 larvae that were gathered, 133 achieved adult status, were tagged, and released in study ponds. The ratio of larvae/adult survival is about 85% with intern and biologist intervention. Without that, the ratio of animals reaching adult stage would be less that five percent. This is extremely good news.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers: Similarly, 90 Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were banded this spring representing 39 nest cavities of activity this season so far. Surveys that biologist Joe Reinman and interns have conducted thus far show that 55 of these birds have already started foraging with their respective family groups in their respective clusters (zones of activity) at the Refuge.
Longleaf Pines: The Friends third initiative, the Longleaf Pines, will also be making further advances soon. The Refuge is only a few weeks away from seeing designated old growth pines (not Longleaf) sold as part of planned foresting. Once this timber is removed, that acreage will be restored in preparation for Longleaf Pine planting. Why is this important? Over 30 animal species that are either threatened or endangered rely on Longleafs for their habitat in southern environments. One of these species is the Red-cockaded Woodpecker while another is the beautiful Indigo Snake. Longleaf Pines also have the advantage of being much more resilient to climate change.
Current Interns
Currently, Emily Gusman (photo below left) and Emily Munch (photo below right) are two summer interns working with biologist Joe Reinman regarding the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Their enthusiasm is already leaving its environmental imprint. Joe Reinman, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist remarked about both interns saying, "we were getting into the hectic Red-cockaded Woodpecker nesting season (when they arrived). They jumped right in. We worked long days, six days a week to keep up with banding all the nestlings (90 to date). They have been very eager to learn and have progressed very quickly".
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Emily Gusman comes to us from Bakersfield, California.
"I’m so grateful to have this opportunity during this time of hardship and uncertainty. And I’m especially grateful that everyone has been very supportive and great to work with! In my first week, I’ve climbed trees, banded numerous Red-cockaded Woodpecker chicks, assisted with a red wolf health check, and seen a lot of interesting new herps and birds."
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Emily Munch is from New Orleans, Louisiana
"I am not entirely sure what I want to pursue my Masters in, but I know I want it to be related to birds. I am excited to be working with Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, because I think they’re so cool! I also love Longleaf Pines and am excited to be spending my summer in some of my favorite ecosystems surrounded by one of my favorite birds."
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Thank you Contributors
When Friends make a donation, it is possible to specify how a contribution is used. For example, you can specify which of the wildlife initiatives you want to support, or you can designate other projects altogether. These contributions have helped greatly with this work throughout the past years.
In addition, major contributors have truly sustained these wildlife efforts. In the upcoming August issue of Reflections, we will introduce you to each of them.
Thank you everyone. Support for these Wildlife initiatives is so important. These kinds of efforts by all of you make the Refuge prosper. We are indebted to all of you.
Text courtesy, Phillip Pollock; photos courtesy Phillip Pollock (top), Interns, the Refuge
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The Aucilla Tram Road Trail
Take a Virtual Tour on the Trail by Visiting the Friends Website
The Aucilla Tram Road Trail is a long trail that you can hike or cycle - a full 7.5 miles straight back to the Pinhook River bridge. Thousands of board feet of cypress timber have been pulled from neighboring swampland along this pathway that is evidence of historic logging operations in earlier years. Bridges have been replaced along this route, and the road still runs relatively straight back to the river.
Just a quarter of a mile jog off of Lighthouse Road on this trail and then off to the right is a helicopter landing pad (the Helispot) that is used by the Fish and Wildlife Service, primarily for fire crews during prescribed burns. The Helispot is an area of open field that also offers good birding and beautiful, grassy views. It is just one of the many diverse views the Refuge offers.
Much farther down the trail there are other trails that branch off to Stoney Bayou 1 and Stoney Bayou 2, and you can cross the Pinhook River on a boardwalk where you can also connect with the Florida Trail.
Text and photo at bottom courtesy Phillip Pollock; photo above, Bill Everitt
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WeatherSTEM Cameras Celebrate
One Year Anniversary
As of July this year, two WeatherSTEM cameras will have been in place for a full year. They are located at the east end of Levee Trail in the lighthouse parking area. One camera provides a view of the lighthouse (just above) and the second looks toward the pier (top), with a view out into the bay seen in both.
This new WeatherSTEM station was a joint effort of Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the Wakulla County Department of Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and WeatherSTEM.
The cameras were put in place when the Pandemic was just beginning to escalate, and they continue to provide a way for people to take a peek at weather conditions at the lighthouse area virtually, from your computer or iPhone. National weather services utilize the image feed available, as do local TV networks. Social media users wait for spectacular sunrises or sunsets to broadcast to followers and share the vivid color and conditions of our weather at the lighthouse.
Text courtesy Phillip Pollock, photos courtesy WeatherSTEM
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QR Codes at the Refuge Provide Instant Gratification
If you are the curious type, you have probably noted that at key areas of the Refuge along Lighthouse Road, there are smaller green signs with an odd square black and white barcode matrix box at the center. These squares are called QR codes, or quick response codes. These matrix barcodes are designed for cell phone use and the information stored in that black and white box quickly translate to, in this case, website information.
If you fall into the category of being a cell phone user, you can open the camera on your smartphone and hold the phone up so the camera is pointed directly at the code, wait a couple of seconds for the camera to read the code. Then, shizzam, the code will take you to a page on the Friends website that describes where you are at the Refuge and what the significant is about that location environmentally, geographically or historically.
Aside from smartphone scanning, there are lots of free apps available for QR scanning for both android and iOS devices. Most often, you simply open the app and it automatically scans the QR Code with the touch of a button, but your smartphone camera is very efficient, as mentioned above.
There are currently about 12 QR code signs in place at different points of interest at the Refuge. The next time you visit, give them a try. They will broaden your knowledge base and heighten your Refuge experience.
Text and photos courtesy Board of Directors members Phillip Pollock and Bill Everitt, respectively.
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Recent Friends By-law Changes Have Been Made
Recently the Friends Board of Directors met and have streamlined the ways in which people can provide support for the Refuge, as well as a few minor housekeeping changes. These improvements are reflected in the Friends organization by-laws. Read the by-laws now.
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Saying Good-bye to a Wonderful Friend and Volunteer - Shadow Hibbard
For those of you who have come to the Refuge often over the past 20 or so years, you probably remember Shadow Hibbard. She volunteered at the Visitors Center front desk frequently throughout the weekdays and occasionally on weekends. She was a gregarious, kind, and extremely helpful Friend of the Refuge. Her knowledge of the Refuge environment gave visitors an excellent first glimpse of what to expect on their visit. Shadow left us in February, 2020. She was 95 years old, and she volunteered right through those advanced years of her life.
Recently, volunteers Mark and Bonnie Gaboury (thank you Mark and Bonnie) embedded a bronze plaque in the large stone leading to the covered bench seating at Mounds Pool I. The plaque reads:
"In fond memory of Shadow Hibbard - Lover of nature and volunteer extraordinaire, who faithfully tended gardens throughout the Refuge for many years."
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Text courtesy Phillip Pollock
Photos courtesy, left to right, Rita LeBlanc and Nick Baldwin
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Erosion Signaled a New Lighthouse Tower
Were you aware that the St. Marks Lighthouse tower was in a different location from present (from about 1831 to 1842)? Positioned at the bay end of the boat canal, it was several hundred yards west of the current lighthouse location. Water now covers the exact placement of the old tower, and as you might guess, it was water erosion at the time that signaled the need for a new tower.
The much more substantial second lighthouse tower that we all know and love has shown to be a weather-resistant structure that is iconic to the Refuge and to mariners along the northern Gulf coast. Its construction was completed in 1842, and it has survived numerous, strong hurricanes over all this time.
Local and regional visitors, as well as those who come from all over North America and countries internationally, marvel at this beautiful local treasure.
Text courtesy Phillip Pollock, photos, courtesy Phillip Pollock and the Refuge
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New for Summer!
Just in time for hot weather, these 100% cotton Area X tanks are a really cool
wardrobe addition.
Interesting fact: In the 13 months the online store has been open, we’ve sold over 350 Area X shirts & totes and shipped them all over the US and many other countries as well. This was a much needed boost while the store at the Visitor’s Center has been closed. If you’re unfamiliar with Area X, you can learn more here.
There are also more traditional St. Marks Lighthouse tanks and t-shirts in the online Nature Store, as well as lots of other great items. Check us out! Go to the store now.
Text and graphics courtesy Board member and Nature Store Manager, Rita LeBlanc.
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Worth Repeating
Friends of St. Marks NWR Awarded
Friends Group of the Year for 2021
The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge received the Molly Krival 2021 Friends Group of the Year Award by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The Friends will be honored in a virtual ceremony in Washington, DC in August 2021. The award honors Molly Krival who mentored new and existing Friends groups across the entire country as an effort to support national wildlife refuges. There are currently 185 Friends groups that support national wildlife refuges in the United States. The Krival award :
- Recognizes innovation and excellence in advancing the mission of the refuge system;
- Provides a positive community influence;
- Works as an advocate to protect natural resources;
- Strives to influence support for the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge and the refuge system as a whole.
This is a tremendous honor for the Friends. It is a reflection on all the dedicated volunteers, previous Board members, and Refuge staff who have worked in unison through the years. This recognition is a wonderful validation of everything that we do in our work for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Thank you all for your continued support of the Friends.
Text courtesy and photo Phillip Pollock
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Prothonotary Warblers Put on a Show at the Bridges
Over the past couple of months, Prothonotary Warblers have taken advantage of two nest boxes in place at both of the twin bridges just beyond the Visitors Center. Volunteer Michael Hill built these and with some help from another volunteer, Matt Johnstone, a nest box was put in place at both the north and south bridges. The show the warblers have put on this year has drawn a lot of attention from the public. Photographers have been delighted because the boxes provide a known destination when the warblers are rearing their young ones. And, this year, at least one of the nests saw the Prothonotarys raise two families. These birds are so gorgeous. Our volunteers are just amazing, and this is a perfect example of how much they mean to the Friends and to the Refuge.
Text and Photo courtesy Board of Directors members Phillip Pollock and Bill Everitt respectively
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Bird Reports Assist 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. Their tours are currently on hold until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deems it is safe for groups to gather. However, 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.
Photo and text, Phillip Pollock
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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
Reflections Editor, Phillip M. Pollock
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