Night Walk The Refuge under Moonlight · Full Moon Canoe Trips Enjoy a guided tour through a part of the Refuge interior. Trips generally start at 7:00 p.m. and last two hours. Call

Spring 2017 | Page 1 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Night Walk By Howard Bernstein

We gather at the Visitor Center in early evening, as day is turning to night. Greeted by a few curious insects, there is just enough light for us to see each other's faces. It is our January night trek, and all are excited. The crickets are chirping, the sky nearly dark, as we go over the few rules of the road to keep us all safe and happy.

First stop, the paved road en route to the Marsh Trail to discuss the Bobcat and her kittens. Their lair is somewhere in the undergrowth nearby. "Will we see a baby?" asks a young girl. She shines her small flashlight, hopefully, into the darkness. No doubt the felines are just out of sight, sniffing and listening to the twelve intruders on the road, the mother warning the kits to stay close to her.

We move on, and stop before the fabled Strangler Fig/Pond Cypress life and death struggle that is many decades old. The Cypress outlives the Fig, and we discuss different outcomes of this wrestling match. In the dark, the two trees

appear deceptively calm.

On the Marsh trail I scan with my light for Water Moccasins and Alligators who might be abroad tonight; I will do this for the duration of the walk. Although there is a full moon, the clouds are obscuring its light.

Next up: What do birds do at night? We exchange ideas, as a Great Blue Heron fishes in the shallow wet prairie. It lifts its feet in gestures so subtle that it appears to be floating. We decide that a poor day of feeding finds this bird still hungry after dark, a good enough theory.

The group walks on, as the full moon finally elbows its way through the clouds. "OH!" exclaims the young girl, peering up at the glow. An array of night song issues from the slough: insects, birds and frogs engaged in a wetlands symphony.

A brief walk, and a pause to learn about the Northern River Otter, known as the "Flower Child" of the Weasel family - a name earned for

its pleasant disposition. And magically, it can delay the implantation of its embryo into its uterus for perhaps up to a year. That causes a brisk discussion among the women. "What would cause her body to do that?" We all have a theory about this.

(Continued on page 5)

The Refuge under Moonlight - Photo by Leonard Friedman

Great Blue Heron - Photo by Dylan Sellitti

Howard leading a nature walk - Photo by Ryan Murphy

River Otter - Photo by Ed Mattis


Visit the Refuge!

The Refuge main entrance and

Visitor Center are located at

10216 Lee Road, just west of U.S. 441,

two miles south of Boynton Beach Blvd.

The Refuge is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Visitor Center is open daily

from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle.

A variety of annual passes are available.

Shop on Amazon and

Support the Friends!

Shop at AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the

purchase price to the Friends, at no extra cost to you!

Go to http://smile.amazon.com and select

“Friends of the Arthur R Marshall Loxahatchee

Natl Wildlife Refuge”

(You can just search for “Loxahatchee”

but don’t try to spell out “National” or it won’t work!)

Weekly Activities

Bird and nature walks,

tram tours and

other activities occur on a weekly basis.

Guided canoe trips every Saturday.

Visit www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com or call the

Visitor Center at 734-8303 for more information.

Loxahatchee Visions

Art Contest

Entries accepted

October 28 - November 4

Reception and Award Presentation

Sunday, November 12, 1:00 p.m.

Check www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

for details coming soon

Full Moon Canoe Trips

Enjoy a guided tour through a part of the Refuge interior.

Trips generally start at 7:00 p.m. and last two hours.

Call Loxahatchee Canoeing at 561-733-0192

for reservations and to verify start time.

Saturday, May 6

Friday, June 9

Saturday, July 8

Saturday, August 5

Saturday, September 2

Friday, October 6

Saturday, November 4

Saturday, December 2

The Friends Need Volunteers!

The Friends need Volunteers in the gift shop,

help with organizing events,

finding sponsors and much more.

If you would like to help out,

please contact us at

[email protected]

From the President’s Pen By Elinor Williams

Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are talking to members of the governing board of the South Florida Water Management about the need to control invasive exotics on the Refuge, primarily Old World climbing fern or lygodium and Melaleuca trees. Finding the funding to confront this serious problem is still an ongoing challenge, but at least there’s more reason to hope that solutions can be found when folks are talking to each other than when they’re not. The new administration’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018 is not encouraging, recommending a 12% cut, or $1.5 billion, to the Department of the Interior. If this cut were evenly applied to all Interior programs, it would slash $58 million from the National Wildlife Refuge System’s already meager budget of $481.4 million, which funds the management of more than 850 million acres across 566 National Wildlife Refuges in every state in the Union.

The Refuge System’s budget is already down 20% from FY10 levels, and were the Congress to pass the proposed budget into law, Refuges would close, access for hunters, fishers, and birders would be lost, and volunteer programs would be terminated, as wildlife management efforts would proceed at the bare minimum.

On a more positive note, four Western state Senators have introduced a bill, S.509, that would direct the Secretary of the Interior to protect natural resources from invasive species. A companion bill, H.R. 1330 has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s not clear that the bills would provide the needed funding, but just raising the profile of the seriousness of this issue across our public lands is a start.

For all of you who care about protecting our nation’s wildlife and the Refuges they call home, please contact your Congressional representatives and ask them to fund the Refuge System at a more appropriate level. And please call their attention to these newly introduced bills and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors. The more our decision-makers understand the threat that invasives like lygodium pose to our native plants and wildlife, the more reason to hope they will understand the need for funding.


If you would like to sign up for our e-mail newsletter,

or if you have any other questions,

please contact us at [email protected]

Donate for Field Trips Go to www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com,

select Contributions, then specify Field Trips

Sponsor an Intern!

To help the Friends sponsor Lauren’s internship for 2017:

Go to www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com,

select Contributions, then specify Operating Fund

Meet New Intern Lauren Konrad!

I grew up in Lancaster County, PA among the Amish and Mennonite communities, home to the Pennsylvania Dutch. I'm from a small town called Lititz, speckled with agriculture and wooded

areas. I grew up with my older brother, playing sports, racing ATVs, building forts, and working on cars.

In January 2015, I moved to Palm Beach County, FL in pursuit of a college education in Environmental Science, in hopes that I will one day get the chance to work in the field. Florida has so much to offer and so many opportunities, I packed my bags, grabbed my dog Chico, and went on a one-way road trip. My family still lives in Pennsylvania. In my play time, I like to play guitar, write music, draw, hike, camp, and photography. I graduated December 2016, from Palm Beach State College with honors in Environmental Science.

Having this opportunity to work here at LOX is such an amazing chance to get into the field and gain the experience needed to further my education and career. I have had great training so far as well, like Motorboat certification, Airboat certification, Python Patrol, communication skills, and so many things that will never be taught in a book. Some of my favorite things I do here are going into the Cypress Swamp, going out in the airboats, and being able to get involved in other projects to gain more knowledge and contacts. I am truly grateful to the Friends for supporting me and allowing me this once in a lifetime opportunity!

The Friends are providing funding for Lauren to work as an intern to help the biologists with tasks such as water quality monitoring, invasive reptile surveys and invasive plant work, and to help the public use staff with visiting school groups.

2017 Outstanding Friend of the Year Cathy Patterson

If you’ve visited the Friends Nature Store in the Visitor Center or taken a tram tour or wandered in the Butterfly Garden, chances are good that you’ve met Cathy Patterson. Cathy is the coordinator for all of the Nature Store volunteers, the organizer of the Cookbook committee that recently produced our new Friends cookbook and the coordinator for the Friends annual photo contest. She assists with school groups that come out to learn about the Refuge and the Everglades, conducts tram tours, greets visitors at the Visitor Center reception desk, pulls weeds in the Butterfly Garden and whatever else needs to be done. And now she has also been selected as the Outstanding Friend of the Year for 2017.

Cathy has been visiting the Refuge since the early 1970s when, in her words, “there was really not much out here. Whenever I needed my ‘country fix,’ away from suburbia, I'd head out to the Refuge. It was, and still is, a sanctuary for me. Several years ago, as I walked the Marsh Trail, one of the volunteer rovers approached me and talked about volunteer opportunities and how much she loved it. It didn't take much to convince me, but I did have to wait until I could finally retire.”

Cathy’s early years were spent roaming the woods outside of Wales Center, NY with her siblings or her dog.

“I often forget that kids today are not growing up with the same sense of freedom to enjoy the outdoors as I did. Bugs and birds, snakes and foxes, wild flowers and creeks were not foreign to me as they are to many of today's kids so I hope to continue to introduce the next generations to the wonders of the outside world, rather than to chase imaginary critters on a hand held device.”

Congratulations, Cathy! Or more appropriately, thank you!

http://www.loxahatcheefriends.com/contributions/contributions.shtml

http://www.loxahatcheefriends.com/contributions/contributions.shtml


The Refuge has entered into an Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership with Florida Atlantic University- Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. This partnership has been selected as a recipient of a 2016 “5 Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program” grant. The grant, “Apple Snail Adoption Program (ASAP) - Teaching Youth about the Effect of Invasives on Natural Ecosystems,” will involve at least 500 students in Palm Beach County in propagating and restoring native Florida apple snail populations and removing invasive exotic snails at both the Refuge and Grassy Waters Everglades Preserve. Students will also participate in the restoration of 50 acres of wetland habitat and will plant 2,500 native trees.

The students have taken native Florida apple snails that were at risk of not being able to hatch and raised them in their classrooms while monitoring their growth, collecting data for hatching success, keeping track of water quality and learning about their role in the Everglades ecosystem. To date, over 120 students from two different elementary schools have visited the Refuge for learning opportunities and planting days. Along with participating in hands-on activities for water quality, scat examination, and plant and animal identification, students have been able to plant over 900 pond apple and bald cypress trees in the C-10 impoundment!

The students have also been able to release eighty juvenile apple snails at Grassy Waters Everglades Preserve. The collaboration between the Refuge and Pine Jog Environmental Education Center ensures that

students are given the opportunity to directly play a role in Everglades restoration and be able to witness the investments of their efforts over time.

Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Restoring Wetland Habitat and

Native Apple Snails

By Urban Refuge Program Coordinator

David Vela

Ranger Veronica Kelly helps students plant trees in the C-10 Impoundment - USFWS Photo

Native Apple Snail Eggs - Photo by Charles O. Slavens

Native Florida Apple Snail Shells

- Photo by Peggy VanArman

John Marshall Receives George M. Barley Award

John Arthur Marshall was posthumously awarded the George M. Barley Conservationist of the Year Award at the 32nd Annual Everglades Coalition Conference in January. A 7th-generation Floridian, John and his wife Nancy

founded the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation in 1997 to continue the work of his uncle, renowned environmentalist Arthur R. Marshall. The goal was to promote the restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem by developing and delivering science-based education and outreach programs; over a period of 18 years those programs have reached over 25,000 students.

Over the years, John rallied more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects. John’s goal was to plant 200,000 trees in 15 years and with the help of 300 - 400 volunteers each year, planting 10,000 trees per year, he nearly reached his goal. However, his ever-lasting legacy will be the career-enhancing Internship program that he developed. Through this program, promising students would discover the unique Everglades ecosystem, network with scientific and political leaders in Everglades restoration, and contribute to Everglades conservation research. Approaching its 16th year, many of the 53 privileged alumni have gone on to impressive professional careers. In the words of one of those alumni, “You were more than a boss or a mentor, you were a real friend. John, thank you so much for everything. You, and your program, have changed my life.”

John Arthur Marshall was a member of the Friends board of directors for many years before his death on March 28, 2016.


Half way through the hike, some trekkers are a bit tired. The young girl leans on her mother, who puts a comforting arm around her daughter. The wind suddenly freshens. Hoods go on and collars go up, as I ask if anyone knows where the American Monarch Butterflies are in January. All offer tidbits of information about their fabled migration to Mexico, until we piece together a summary of their life cycle.

We walk on for a while, and then stop to discuss the habits of the Alligator - a celebrity on our Refuge. All are delighted to hear that such a formidable creature is a wonderfully tender

and diligent mother. I explain that mating season for the gator is right up the road in March.

The night air is chilly and fresh on our moor; the moon is casting an eerie light on the water, and we are fully comfortable in our little community.

We discuss our snake population, especially the Moccasin I've been searching for. About five percent of wild snake pregnancies occur with no male present. This fact inspires a brisk chat of where that peculiarity is headed. We wonder if that's good or bad for snakes.

A few sit on one of the concrete benches, as I introduce the final topic of the evening: "Who lived in and around the Everglades?" I ask.

The young girl seems to have gotten her "second wind," as we discuss the early inhabitants - the Native Americans who met the first Europeans hundreds of years ago; the tribes - all gone now - who hunted, gathered and fished in South Florida for about twenty-five hundred years. We talk of the Calusa, Tequesta, Jaega, Appalachee and others, who succumbed to European diseases, against which they had no defense. And we speak of the Northern Creeks - later to be named Seminoles - who engaged in desperate wars with American military forces over a period of fifty years. This amalgam of remnants of other tribes, escaped slaves and others, fought their last battles against removal to Oklahoma Territory shortly before the Civil War. The last few hundred Seminoles disappeared into the Everglades, having never been conquered. When they emerged it was a new century.

On the way back we spot Bobcat scat on the road near the lair. Hopefully, one more time, the young girl shines her light into the wilderness. Only crickets and darkness are there to mark our journey's end.

(Continued from page 1)

Water Moccasin -

Photo by Tom Rasmussen

Monarch on Milkweed -

Photo by Howard Bernstein

Baby Alligators - Photo by Tom Rasmussen

Bobcat - Photo by Ruth Pannunzio

2017 Volunteer of the Year Barry Willette

Barry tells us he first came to the Refuge in 1972 against his will. He hadn’t wanted to come but his Dad insisted. Back then the trails were not as nice as they are now, but it was when he saw an alligator walking across one of them that he immediately fell in love with the place. Despite coming here all these years, he never stepped foot into the Visitor Center until this past spring. He never thought to because he always bought his pass from Lew at the fee booth, until one day last May when Lew wasn’t there. As he was buying his pass inside the Visitor Center he discovered that volunteers were needed, so he immediately submitted his application. He remembers his Dad always told him, “If you are going to do something, put your heart into it completely.” And he has! Barry started last June volunteering at the information desk. He now takes visitors out on walking tours. He leads the new moon night walk on the marsh every month and soon plans to start leading the full moon walks as well. When Lew is away he works in the fee booth. And recently he has been helping Lew collect the fees from the entranceways at Lox Road and 20-Mile Bend. His ultimate goal: to make at least one person fall in love with the Refuge as much as he did. Barry says “If I can do that, then I think my Dad would be proud of the job I do at the Loxahatchee Refuge.”


2016 Loxahatchee Visions Art Contest

Above: 1st Place “Mother’s Love” by Tricia Eisen

Below: Honorable Mention “Loxahatchee Morning”

by Bob Barfknecht

Above: 2nd Place “Mossy Morning” by Deborah

LaFogg Docherty

Below: Honorable Mention

“Saw Whet Owl” by Tykie Ganz


Above: Honorable Mention Youth

“Egret” by Matthew Vogel

Below: 3rd Place “End Of The Boardwalk” by

Manon Sander

Above Right:

Honorable

Mention

“Wetlands” by

Steve Nash

Below Right:

Honorable

Mention Youth

“Ibis” by

Nicholas Vogel


15-Year Investigation into

Restoration of a Cypress-Pond Apple Swamp

In the Refuge By Peggy G. VanArman, PhD

As you drive along Lee Road towards the boat ramp, just west of the canal bordering the Visitor Center, we find Impoundment B-3. In February 2001, this was a very busy place, with over 400 volunteers planting over 6,600 trees: a mix of cypress (Taxodium ascendens), pond apple (Annona glabra) and maple (Acer rubrum) (Fig 1).

This effort to restore a cypress-pond apple swamp was developed into a field project by John Arthur Marshall (nephew of Arthur R. Marshall, after whom the Refuge was named), and John’s wife Nancy, through the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation. John walked into my office at Palm Beach Atlantic University one day wanting to plant 15 cypress trees, and to see if I could provide students to help plant them. After a discussion of proper field conditions and how to obtain trees with appropriate genetics for the area, the project blossomed into planting 6,600 trees[1] over several days. Restoration of the swamp was necessary because during the 1900s most cypress were cut to provide wood for building and commercial interests. This type of swamp is critical for wildlife habitat, travel corridors, stabilizing land, and removal of pollutants. The field plan was developed by the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff Gayle Martin and Serena Rinker, and me. The PBA Science Club trained for 6 months to be captains, and to lead volunteers. The Foundation generated over 400 volunteers in February 2001, the largest volunteer force in the Refuge up to that time. Politicians, scout troops, environmental activists, as well as the local community, came out to lend a hand. The Friends of the Refuge took videos and still photos. The 6.5-acre area was divided into about 8 blocks, 40 x 80 meters each. Blocks 7 and 8 on the south side of the field could not be planted that day due to inundation, but they were planted later when water levels decreased.

Because monitoring the site was not built into the original restoration plan, I put a 6-person team together (Allen Trefry, Deborah Nichols, Adam Sheppard, Meredith VanArman) in June 2007 to check growth and survival of all three species of trees, and diversity of ground cover (Anne Cox). Most data on water levels and any environmental information in USFWS reports regarding B-3 was lost when the original administration building was demolished by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. In the few reports available, some environmental problems were mentioned such as flooding conditions when culverts broke over the years (2001-2003).[2, 3] In 2007, the team found many toppled cypress trees lying on their sides with branches pointing upward. Data on diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (max 1.9 m/6.23 ft) and survival (46%) indicated that significant growth occurred in cypress trees, but survival of all three species was impacted by environmental conditions, especially depth, duration and frequency of flooding. The impoundment land surface is about 0.61-1.2 meters below ground level of the surrounding area. Maple trees were most affected, then pond apples, as seen in decreased populations of both species. Cypress had the highest survival rate. The Environmental Science class, along with guest researchers Adam Sheppard and Joel VanArman, conducted another re-study during February and March, 2016 in a very wet impoundment[4] (Figs 2, 3). The water came up to our knees, and the two southern blocks could not be surveyed due to inundation. There were no maple trees, very few pond apples, and mostly cypress remained. Results showed that cypress had shown slow, but significant growth (max 2.6m/8.53 ft); 70-80% survival from 2007; most of them were budding new leaves, and that recruitment of new cypress had occurred.

This project has shown that restoration of a cypress-pond apple swamp is possible and that hydroperiod plays a large part in restoration. Adequate measures should be considered ahead of time to ensure that proper environmental conditions are present during planting, and maintained after planting.

Fig 2. Environental Science Class Spring 2016: Joel VanArman (guest researcher), Peggy VanArman,

Kyle Holly, Trinity Livingston, Austin Peightel, Catherine Wiersma, David Periar - Photo by Adam Sheppard

Fig 1. PBA Science Club volunteers planting trees in the B-3 Impoundment in 2001 - Photo by Peggy VanArman


The banana - the most widely consumed fruit in the world - is facing a possible demise. First some history of the banana and the variety we all consume. We have to go back to the 1800s and the English country estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Joseph Paxton, the gardener of the estate, secured a specimen from Mauritius and nourished the young banana in the large green house at the estate. The plant matured and produced many bananas. Mr. Paxton named the banana Musa Cavendish in honor of his employers the Duke and Duchess whose family name is Cavendish. Young banana plants from the original plant were dispersed to the Pacific islands and lands far and wide.

The Cavendish popularity spread, but only in relatively recent years has it become the banana of choice worldwide. The very fungus that is now threatening to destroy it brought about its rise in popularity. Prior to the 1950s the most important banana grown was the Gros Michel, but in the 1950s the Panama fungus or Banana Wilt devastated it. The Cavendish variety was found to be immune to the fungus and would take the lead as the number one variety grown. Practically all bananas exported to markets worldwide are clones of the Cavendish banana grown at Devonshire by Joseph Paxton.

55 million tons of bananas are grown every year worldwide. The number one exporter is Ecuador. A mutation of the Panama Wilt now is killing the once immune Cavendish. The loss of this vital crop would be devastating economically and the loss of an important food source. The Panama fungus is soil borne and can be transmitted when infected soil is moved during shipments. Once soil is infected there is no cure at the present time. Containment of the fungus is one way to stop the spread, but a small amount of soil can easily escape detection. At this time the fungus has not been found in the Americas, but has already killed huge banana farms in the Philippines. Other varieties of bananas are being tested for immunity and science is working on developing new varieties.

Farming and protection of our vital soils and environment is a daunting job. With the movement of people and products worldwide, disease threats are more widespread today than in years past. At the Refuge, we know all too well the threat of invasive plants, animals, fish, reptiles and insects. The threat to the native soils of the Refuge could be on the horizon, not because we grow bananas on the Refuge, but because native plants could be affected by a soil-borne introduced disease.

Roger and his wife Janice are resident volunteers. For 34 years they owned and managed two wholesale nurseries in Southeast Florida. Roger has a degree in biology and botany and taught on both the high school and college levels.

The Most Important Fruit in the World

By Roger Brooks

[1] VanArman P, Marshall N. 2007. Environmental Case Study Florida-Palm Beach County, Boynton Beach, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Everglades Restoration, Cypress Tree Planting. Case Study. McGraw-Hill Companies [2] VanArman, P. 2008. Follow-up investigation of a cypress swamp restoration pilot planting project in the Everglades: Impoundment B-3 at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, Florida. 34th Annual Ecosystems Restoration and Creation Conference Proceedings. Hillsborough Community College, Plant City, FL. Pp. 128-142. [3] Martin G. 2001/2002. B-3 Cypress monitoring staff reports 2001 and 2002. Personal Communication. Unpublished USFWS Field report. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. 4 pp+13 pp. addenda. [4] VanArman, PG, Holly K, Livingston T, Peightel A, Periard DA, Wiersma C, VanArman J. 2016. 15 year follow-up survey to assess the progress of a cypress-pond apple tree planting project in the Arthur R. Marshall-Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, FL USA. Unpublished, forthcoming.

Fig 3. Students in B-3 Impoundment in 2016 - Photo by Peggy VanArman)

2017 Update: In March 2016 it was cold and the cypress you see in Figs 2 & 3 had no green leaves. Everything looked dead, but we could see budding leaves on most of the trees, and the field was inundated to our knees. On March 30, 2017, as this issue was going to press, I took a few photos in the B-3 Impoundment and across the street (across the access road to the warehouse) of cypress with no leaves, the way they all looked in 2016, but also found lots of leafy cypress as can be seen in the photo below, taken from about the same spot as seen in the 2001 photo (Fig. 1).

B-3 Impoundment March 30, 2017 - Photo by Peggy VanArman


Friends of the Refuge Board of Directors

Elinor Williams, President

Denise Valentin, Vice President

David Lurie, Treasurer

Sue Rowe, Secretary

Don Williams, Webmaster

Mimi Walling, Accountant

Community Greening is Mobilizing Groups to Plant Trees

By Mark Cassini

There is a critical need to prepare our communities for the ecological and human risks facing us now and in the future. When it comes to the environment, many people feel helpless and uninformed about steps they can take to make their community more sustainable and resilient. Biodiversity loss, flooding and extreme temperatures are serious risks that threaten our cities for generations to come. Encouraging the community to plant native trees increases biodiversity that our ecosystems need to be functional and resilient. Unhealthy ecosystems present serious socioeconomic risks to our community. An increased tree canopy cools the air, lowers energy costs, reduces stormwater runoff, adds property value and provides ecosystems services. Tree plantings increase the quality and quantity of what our ecosystems can provide and builds community in the process.

Community Greening promotes a more conscious citizenry and increases the knowledge base focused on the sustainable future of our community. Dupree Jackson, Founder of the EJS Project, loves the opportunity tree plantings give to the young people to be good stewards of their neighborhood landscapes. “Community Greening gives kids from our community a chance to improve their surroundings by planting trees and learning about the positive affects green spaces have on their environment. It also gives our youth a sense of ownership and responsibility within their community. Ten years from now when these kids are working productive adults, they’ll be able to see the contributions they’ve made to the improvement of their city.”

Community Greening encourages groups in South Palm Beach County to apply for a neighborhood tree planting. This fun day provides eligible groups with free native trees, a collaborative site and species selection, the necessary permits for underground utilities, and all the necessary tools for planting. Since last fall, volunteers of all ages have planted over 200 Florida native trees in parks, churches and neighborhoods throughout the city of Delray Beach. Community Greening is currently raising funds to transform a vacant lot in a priority neighborhood in Delray Beach into a Community Grove with native and fruit trees that have been identified by the Institute for Regional Conservation and area residents. Plans call for planting 50 trees there this spring. The Community Grove in Catherine Strong Park will essentially be a food forest maintained by residents and will host educational workshops for local after-school programs. To get involved, please visit www.communitygreening.org.

Teens planted Satinleaf,

Paradisetree, Pigeon Plum

and Simpson's Stopper to

beautify their neighborhood in East Delray

Beach.

Mark Cassini, Jason

“Farmer Jay”

McCobb and Matt Shipley promote

Community Greening

Harvey Lee

Peter McKelvy

Jay Paredes

Cathy Patterson

Dr. Tom Poulson

Bill Ross

John Siegel

Mike Winokur

Plein Air Artist

Elfrida Schragen

on Everglades

Day, Feb. 11,

2017

-Photo by

Ralph Papa

Plein Air Artist Diane Hutchinson

on Everglades

Day, Feb. 11,

2017

-Photo by

Ralph Papa


Like Us on Facebook! Join our growing community of fans

www.facebook.com/LoxahatcheeFriends

2017 Fee-Free Days

September 30 National Public Lands Day

October 8 1st Sunday, National Wildlife Refuge Week

November 11 - 12 Veterans Day weekend

Friends Finances for 2016 Fiscal Year Oct. 2015 - Sept. 2016

The Friends support the Refuge in a variety of ways. Ongoing annual commitments include co-sponsoring Everglades Day, contributing to the Exhibit Maintenance Fund, providing Internet service for resident volunteers and interns, and spreading the word about the Refuge through the Friends website, Facebook, e-mail newsletter, Gator Tales newsletter, annual calendar and promotional brochures.

In the fall of 2016 the Friends donated $4,000 to the Palm Beach County School District to bring students out on field trips to the Refuge, where they can learn about and experience the Everglades first hand. The Refuge is a favorite destination for teachers and students alike, but transportation money for field trips runs out early in the school year, so many students never get the chance. Friends members and donors provided the funds for this donation that enabled hundreds more students to visit the Refuge. This was in addition to a $9,000 grant from the National Park Foundation that the Refuge received and transferred to the school district earlier in 2016.

Other special projects for 2016 included the planting of cypress trees and seedlings just south of Lee Road and hosting a science workshop on Nile monitors.

For 2017 the Friends have committed $12,500 to fund an intern to help Refuge staff with visiting school groups, water quality monitoring, wildlife surveys and other needs.

The Friends have developed and continue to support our self-guided smart phone and cell phone tours on the trails of the Refuge. Eight listening posts are located around the Marsh Trail - Introduction, Everglades Communities, Water Management, Wading Birds/Waterfowl, Raptors, Reptiles and Amphibians, Alligators, Invasive Exotics and Fire; one post is located across the footbridge at the edge of the LILA impoundments; two are near the Visitor Center - Cypress Swamp, and Butterfly Garden; listening posts are also located at each of the three boat ramps. We are hopeful that this project will increase public visitation and enjoyment of the Refuge for years to come.

The Friends are all volunteers; we have no paid employees. All of our income comes from store profits, donations and Friends like you. Please consider a gift to the Friends today!

For more detailed financial information, visit www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com/Finance/finance.html

Administrative - Accountant, Bank Service Charges, License Fees, Insurance Membership Outreach - Gator Tales, Postage, Office Supplies, Annual Membership Meeting, Website Community Outreach - Everglades Day, Calendar, Advertising, Dues - National Wildlife Refuge Association, Everglades Coaliltion, PBC Cultural Council Conference & Travel - Florida Friends Workshop Donations to Refuge - Field Trip Transportation, Everglades Day, Exhibit Maintenance, Self-Guided Tour, Internet Service for Resident Volunteers & Interns, Science Workshop, Native Plants, Photo & Art Contests


Renew your Friends membership online at www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Not a member, why not join now! You can join online at www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

or mail in the Membership Application below.

Help Us Grow!

Tell your friends about this hidden treasure!

How many of them know we have a piece of the Everglades

right here in Palm Beach County?

Bring them out, and encourage them to join the Friends.

Better yet, give them a gift membership!

P.O. Box 6777 Delray Beach, FL 33482-6777 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Make Your Gift Go Further!

Many companies will match your gift to the Friends.

If you are an employee or retiree of one of them,

please include your company's matching gift form

along with your dues or contribution.

Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Boca Raton, FL Permit # 2078

Night Walk The Refuge under Moonlight · Full Moon Canoe Trips Enjoy a guided tour through a part of the Refuge interior. Trips generally start at 7:00 p.m. and last two hours. Call

Documents