Officers 2010-2012
Board of Directors
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Contact Us | © 2007
Friends of Noxubee
Refuge
Friends of Noxubee
Refuge
| Officers |
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Lawrence Croft, President
Frank Bonner, President elect
Gale Hagood, Secretary
Peggy Guyton, Treasurer
Frank Bonner, President elect
Gale Hagood, Secretary
Peggy Guyton, Treasurer
Officers are elected to serve a two year term
FONR President’s Report – January 2010
As we start the new year and I begin my second term as president, I would like to acknowledge the
accomplishments and progress that FONR has made in the past 7 years in support of our Refuge. I would also like
to thank the retiring officers and board members who have made important contributions to this progress.
Special thanks go to FONR’s charter secretary, Margaret Copeland, who is retiring after exceptional service as
our secretary since even before FONR was formally organized. We expect these retiring board members to
continue to be actively involved in FONR, as they take a rest from their official duties. I would also like to thank
the new officers and board members, all veteran active members of FONR, who have made a commitment to serve
the organization with increased responsibilities.
We welcome active participation by all members of FONR in our many projects in support of the Refuge.
Furthermore, if you are not yet a member of FONR, we hope that you will consider joining us. Be assured that you
will be welcome and that we need you regardless of what your talents and experiences are. During these times
when our government has had to cut appropriations to many government agencies, including the USFWS, and
NNWR is seriously underfunded, FONR volunteers are more important than ever.
I look forward to working with members of FONR and the Refuge staff to make Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
an even better place of refuge for the animals and plants which need our protection.
Lawrence Croft
As we start the new year and I begin my second term as president, I would like to acknowledge the
accomplishments and progress that FONR has made in the past 7 years in support of our Refuge. I would also like
to thank the retiring officers and board members who have made important contributions to this progress.
Special thanks go to FONR’s charter secretary, Margaret Copeland, who is retiring after exceptional service as
our secretary since even before FONR was formally organized. We expect these retiring board members to
continue to be actively involved in FONR, as they take a rest from their official duties. I would also like to thank
the new officers and board members, all veteran active members of FONR, who have made a commitment to serve
the organization with increased responsibilities.
We welcome active participation by all members of FONR in our many projects in support of the Refuge.
Furthermore, if you are not yet a member of FONR, we hope that you will consider joining us. Be assured that you
will be welcome and that we need you regardless of what your talents and experiences are. During these times
when our government has had to cut appropriations to many government agencies, including the USFWS, and
NNWR is seriously underfunded, FONR volunteers are more important than ever.
I look forward to working with members of FONR and the Refuge staff to make Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
an even better place of refuge for the animals and plants which need our protection.
Lawrence Croft
Stepping Down – Last President’s Message December 2009 by Larry Box
The old expression about time going by rapidly when you are having fun comes to mind as I begin writing my final
“message” for the newsletter. In many ways it seems just a few months ago that I began my turn as president, but
it has been two years. I am, however, looking forward to passing the position on to Lawrence Croft. He will carry
the organization forward and I will enjoy being a worker with fewer leadership responsibilities.
The big unknown of recent months has been the question of which nest will the eagles select. We hoped it would
be the new site FONR prepared for them and I have had a report of one of them sitting on a limb at the site and
giving it a visual inspection. Recently, however, one has been sitting in the old nest and appears to be in the
process of selecting it for the nesting season.
There is real concern that the tree will not survive the spring storm season but we must let nature take its
course. If the tree does fall after the young hatch, we are working on a plan to place the babies in the new nest.
Winter is an excellent time to visit the refuge. I suggest you visit in the late afternoon. As the sun begins to set in
the west and the waterfowl begin returning to the lake for the night, it creates
a “calendar picture” scene to remember.
As I end my time as president, I thank each of you for helping with the various projects we have done during the
past two years. I also thank Henry Sansing and the refuge staff for being supportive of FONR. By combining the
efforts of all of us, we have provided enjoyable educational experiences and expanded public awareness of the
importance of Noxubee Refuge.
The old expression about time going by rapidly when you are having fun comes to mind as I begin writing my final
“message” for the newsletter. In many ways it seems just a few months ago that I began my turn as president, but
it has been two years. I am, however, looking forward to passing the position on to Lawrence Croft. He will carry
the organization forward and I will enjoy being a worker with fewer leadership responsibilities.
The big unknown of recent months has been the question of which nest will the eagles select. We hoped it would
be the new site FONR prepared for them and I have had a report of one of them sitting on a limb at the site and
giving it a visual inspection. Recently, however, one has been sitting in the old nest and appears to be in the
process of selecting it for the nesting season.
There is real concern that the tree will not survive the spring storm season but we must let nature take its
course. If the tree does fall after the young hatch, we are working on a plan to place the babies in the new nest.
Winter is an excellent time to visit the refuge. I suggest you visit in the late afternoon. As the sun begins to set in
the west and the waterfowl begin returning to the lake for the night, it creates
a “calendar picture” scene to remember.
As I end my time as president, I thank each of you for helping with the various projects we have done during the
past two years. I also thank Henry Sansing and the refuge staff for being supportive of FONR. By combining the
efforts of all of us, we have provided enjoyable educational experiences and expanded public awareness of the
importance of Noxubee Refuge.
Lawrence Croft
Lawrence Croft is no stranger to the FONR. Lawrence was a
founding member of the group and served as our 1st President
from 2003 - 2005. He has contributed in all capacities and
donated hundreds of hours working with the Friends Group
both on and off the Refuge. Lawrence retired from Mississippi
State University but continues as Professor and Head Emeritus
with the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He is currently
president of the Oktibbeha Audubon Chapter.
Lawrence Croft is no stranger to the FONR. Lawrence was a
founding member of the group and served as our 1st President
from 2003 - 2005. He has contributed in all capacities and
donated hundreds of hours working with the Friends Group
both on and off the Refuge. Lawrence retired from Mississippi
State University but continues as Professor and Head Emeritus
with the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He is currently
president of the Oktibbeha Audubon Chapter.
Dr. Frank Bonner's
first love was birding, but early in his training he couldn't figure out who would pay him, so he chose to major in
forestry. Frank did his undergraduate work at Louisiana State (LSU) and earned his masters and doctorate at
Duke University.
Frank Bonner, along with his wife Ann, came to Starkville in 1966 as a U. S. Forest Service (USFS) Research
Forester to head-up the new tree seed research lab. During his 38 years with USFS and the Seed Lab, he also
worked cooperatively with the Departments of Forestry and Wildlife, amongst others, at Mississippi State
University. He also spent 7 years in Stoneville, MS working with the Delta Research Station. However, the
highlight of his career was being asked by USAID, World Bank, and FAO (United Nations) to train people in tree
seed technology. In this role, he served in 15 other countries, primarily in Africa and Asia.
Frank is originally from the Memphis, Tennessee area and Ann is from Moss Point, Mississippi. They met at LSU
and have been married over fifty years. The Bonners have three children and seven grandchildren.
In his spare time Frank enjoys landscaping his yard and travelling. He has cruised in the Caribbean, the Balkans,
and Alaska, and had the opportunity to teach and tour in China. Frank played an integral role in the design and
development of the Ray Watson Memorial Trail at Noxubee. In addition, he participates in the trail walking program
at the Refuge. As such, he picks up litter as he walks the trails and reports on any problems or trail maintenance
issues. Frank has been a "Friend" for five years, and has been on the board for almost all of that time.
first love was birding, but early in his training he couldn't figure out who would pay him, so he chose to major in
forestry. Frank did his undergraduate work at Louisiana State (LSU) and earned his masters and doctorate at
Duke University.
Frank Bonner, along with his wife Ann, came to Starkville in 1966 as a U. S. Forest Service (USFS) Research
Forester to head-up the new tree seed research lab. During his 38 years with USFS and the Seed Lab, he also
worked cooperatively with the Departments of Forestry and Wildlife, amongst others, at Mississippi State
University. He also spent 7 years in Stoneville, MS working with the Delta Research Station. However, the
highlight of his career was being asked by USAID, World Bank, and FAO (United Nations) to train people in tree
seed technology. In this role, he served in 15 other countries, primarily in Africa and Asia.
Frank is originally from the Memphis, Tennessee area and Ann is from Moss Point, Mississippi. They met at LSU
and have been married over fifty years. The Bonners have three children and seven grandchildren.
In his spare time Frank enjoys landscaping his yard and travelling. He has cruised in the Caribbean, the Balkans,
and Alaska, and had the opportunity to teach and tour in China. Frank played an integral role in the design and
development of the Ray Watson Memorial Trail at Noxubee. In addition, he participates in the trail walking program
at the Refuge. As such, he picks up litter as he walks the trails and reports on any problems or trail maintenance
issues. Frank has been a "Friend" for five years, and has been on the board for almost all of that time.
Gale Hagood
Gale Hagood works as a lab supervisor in
Environmental Residue the board of directors of the
Friends of Noxubee for several years. She attended
the 2009 Friends in Action conference in Washington
D.C. and has met with our state representatives on
behalf of the Friends group on several occasions.
Gale has been a resident of Noxubee County most of
her life, living only a few a resident of Noxubee County
most of her life, living only a few miles from Noxubee
Refuge. The Refuge is one of her favorite places to
spend her leisure time.
Gale Hagood works as a lab supervisor in
Environmental Residue the board of directors of the
Friends of Noxubee for several years. She attended
the 2009 Friends in Action conference in Washington
D.C. and has met with our state representatives on
behalf of the Friends group on several occasions.
Gale has been a resident of Noxubee County most of
her life, living only a few a resident of Noxubee County
most of her life, living only a few miles from Noxubee
Refuge. The Refuge is one of her favorite places to
spend her leisure time.
Peggy Guyton
Peggy Guyton has been an active member of the
Friends group for 3 years. She often assists with our
Saturdays on the Refuge programs and manning the
visitors center. Peggy previously worked for Murray
State University in various capacities and for Ingalls
Ship Building as an administrator in human resources.
Since returning to Starkville Peggy spends time
working with her father building outdoor furniture
when she is not volunteering for the Refuge.
Peggy Guyton has been an active member of the
Friends group for 3 years. She often assists with our
Saturdays on the Refuge programs and manning the
visitors center. Peggy previously worked for Murray
State University in various capacities and for Ingalls
Ship Building as an administrator in human resources.
Since returning to Starkville Peggy spends time
working with her father building outdoor furniture
when she is not volunteering for the Refuge.