Rookery Camera Update: The new system for getting up close and personal with wildlife in the Egret Rookery area is still being refined and equipment is being purchased. Eventually, images will be broadcast to the Visitor Center and will also have the capability of being viewed and stored on YouTube or other internet sites.

Wildlife Refuge Specialty Car Tag: With legislative approval this spring, Friends will be sponsoring a specialty car tag with the tagline: Friends of Wildlife Refuges. This will be a fundraising activity and we will be asking for purchase commitments of $35 from 300 individuals this fall. The tag will have the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service emblem as part of its design.

Plum Creek Foundation Grant for Connecting Nature through Art: A $4,000 grant has been awarded the Friends, targeting children from Noxubee and Winston Counties. This summer activity is in the planning phase perhaps utilizing the talents of previous Artists-in-Residence.

Calendar of Events:

• February 20 - Behind-the-Scenes focusing on timber management for the red-cockaded woodpecker and other species - 10:00 in the Visitor Center for discussion, then field trip to a management area.
• Canoe Days set for April 23, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, and October 15 - Spring/fall from 9-3 and hot summer months from 8-12.
• September 24 - WOLF (Wildlife Outdoor Learning Festival) and 5K Race

Volunteer Coordinator: Maggie Kenna is the Refuge's new Volunteer Coordinator, sponsored by Friends. She is busy looking for volunteers in a myriad of activities and can be reached by email at [email protected]

Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) summer program: The Refuge will be accepting applications for this 8-week (June and July) program for youth 15-18 years old in which they will be paid a minimum of $7.25/hour for this valuable learning experience. 

Members-Only Behind-the-Scenes Event – October 10: A perk of being a member is an invitation to the Behind-the-Scenes events with the next one on Saturday, October 10. Refuge Manager Steve Reagan will lead a walking tour beginning at 9am to the Rookery area. With low water levels, this is a great opportunity to see this area (including alligator dens) without benefit of a boat! Meet at the area just prior to the first boardwalk at the north levee. Wear rubber boots in case some areas are still damp.
 
WOLF (Wildlife Outdoor Learning Festival): The WOLF event on September 26 brought about 400 people to the Refuge. They participated in various events, checked out all the interesting vendors, ate hotdogs, and listened to the Bluegrass music. Thanks to all who attended and all the volunteers who helped make this annual event a success!
 
Run for the Refuge: The 5K Run for the Refuge was enjoyed by all with some participants actually running for time, and some just walking and enjoying the scenery! It seemed everyone had fun and all received a beautiful t-shirt and a medal. We hope to make this an annual event on WOLF day and will get started earlier next year advertising the date. Keep your running shoes in order!
 
Photo Contest Winners Announced: Winners of the 2015 Photo Contest are: Adult 1st Place – Kara Roberts, Adult 2nd place – Susan Kinsey, Youth 1st place – Katherine Dunstan, and Youth 2nd place – Parker McMullen. Go by the Visitor Center and look at the winning photos and other entries too.
 
Nominating Committee Report: The nominating committee will recommend to the general membership at the December 3 meeting the following candidates: two new board members (Gerald McKibben and Alexa Hutchins), a new Vice President (Joe Mulrooney), and a new President (Bob Fuller).
 
Rookery Camera 360: A grant of $8,030 was approved by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for purchase and installation of the Rookery Camera. The Audubon Society has pledged $500 and the Friends Board has allocated $3500 toward this project. Initial installation has begun.
 
Mississippi Day of Giving – October 24: Be ready on October 24 for this new on-line opportunity to support the Refuge. Check out the website at https://www.msdayofgiving.org/ and search for Friends of Noxubee Refuge. On October 24, every Mississippian will be asked to give to one of the worthwhile non-profit organizations that has registered on this site. Tell your friends and be ready to participate in this exciting new endeavor.
 
Membership Drive Begins October 1: Our annual membership drive is underway. Membership forms are available on our website (https://friends-of-noxubee-refuge.org/) or in the Visitor Center at the Refuge. If you have questions about your membership, notify the Membership Chair via email to: . An individual membership is only $15; a family membership is $25. 

Rookery Camera Update - Friends of Noxubee Refuge is now the proud recipient of a $8,000 grant from the Fish and Wildlife Service to support our Rookery Camera Project. Watch for news about the installation of a camera in the Egret Rookery that can be viewed from the Visitor Center and also hopefully via the web. The camera has a rotation feature that will enable the viewer to look at other aspects of flora and fauna on the lake. 

Nature Store Revitalized - Thanks to new store volunteer, Dalton Anthony, we have new items in the Nature Store - and more arriving. And when Dalton (or other volunteers) can't be on duty, there is a new self-pay box available. Come by the Visitor Center and check it out!

Bluegrass Band at WOLF - One of the features at the September 26 WOLF day is a fun, entertaining bluegrass band. WOLF stands for Wildlife Outdoor Learning Festival and will be a free event for the whole family with vendors, activities, hotdogs, and more. Put this date on the calendar and plan to attend.

Photo Contest - This annual contest is coming soon - deadline for photo submission is September 15. Check out the Friends' website for more info. 

Noxubee Nature Series - The next of these series is September 3 at 6:30 pm at the Visitor Center. Watch for an upcoming announcement of the speaker for this interesting evening. The bookstore will be open, refreshments will be served, and the lake will be beautiful on this early fall evening. Come out and bring a friend.

Online Fundraising – A new way of donating funds to non-profit organizations (including Friends of Noxubee Refuge) will be revealed in GiveGab and Mississippi Day of Giving on October 24. More details will be available closer to the time for this event. 

A new volunteer, Dalton Anthony, will operate the Nature Store several days a week (specific times TBA) and also help reorganize and reenergize the store. Go by the Visitor Center, meet Dalton, and see what’s new.

By now, most folks have heard about the new Refuge User Fee being initiated in September. A single day-use fee of $5 or an annual pass of $25 (per vehicle – not per person) will begin. Exceptions to this fee are: over age 62, $10 annual fee; military free; America the Beautiful pass will qualify. With diminishing budgets the last several years, this fee has become necessary to help keep up the public-use areas that we all enjoy.

We’re still waiting to hear the results of our grant application for remote cameras in the Egret Rookery. Hopefully we’ll get good news by next month and can start getting equipment in place.

WOLF will be held September 26. This year’s Wildlife Outdoor Learning Festival, formerly known as Refuge Day, will feature exhibits and fun learning experiences for all ages. Put this date on your calendar now.

Friends of Noxubee will participate in the Mississippi Annual Day of Giving scheduled for October 24. Watch for more details on how to participate online.

Refuge Manager Steve Reagan is planning another “Behind the Scenes” event for Friends’ members. Perhaps a boat tour of the lake? Watch for notice of this next exciting event for members.

The Refuge has new employees coming soon bringing the number here to 10. These 10 folks cannot possibly do everything the refuge needs. Consider volunteering to help fill the gaps. No matter your talent or interest, there’s something you can do!

Refuge Manager Steve Reagan and Friends’ President Larry Box are doing the “talk-show” circuit to educate local organizations about the Refuge. If your group would like to hear a great presentation about this local gem, contact Dr. Reagan at the Refuge office: 662-323-5548.

See you at the Refuge!

The Friends' Board met June 4 and want to share the following updates with you:

1) Saturday, June 13 is the Palmer Home Fishing Derby for about 40 coming from the Columbus campus. Volunteers are welcomed - contact Andrea @ 323-5548.

2) June 13 is also the date of the 75th Birthday Celebration of the Refuge. Part of the festivities will include a Cupcake Decorating Contest. Watch for more info coming soon.

3) Saturday, June 20 is the monthly Canoe Day from 9-3. Friends have purchased new life jackets and paddles for this really popular activity. Last month about 90 people enjoyed some time on the lake.

4) A nominating committee is being appointed to find new board members for next year. If you are interested in joining the Board, now is your chance to really get involved!

5) With the departure of David Young, who was serving as the Refuge's Volunteer Coordinator in addition to his other duties, the Board has voted to fund a Volunteer Coordinator position - which takes about $7800. Consequently, you may begin to see more fund-raising efforts. If you have ideas about fund-raising events we might consider, let us know.

See you at the Refuge!

Look at what's happening at the Refuge...

1) Canoe Day - May 16 will be the next Canoe Day - a free family fun event from 9-3. Canoes, kayaks, paddles and life-jackets are provided. And in order to keep this event a safe one, Friends are purchasing additional life vests, which should always be worn when out on the water.

2) Rookery Camera - We've submitted a grant to help pay for the proposed Rookery Camera and are waiting to hear the status. The Audubon Society is also going to help get this done. Just wait until you get a look at the Rookery up close and personal - without getting in a boat!

3) Palmer Home Fishing Derby - Friends will assist the Refuge in hosting the children from Palmer Home in Columbus for their annual fishing rodeo on June 13. Volunteers are always welcomed!

4) Louisville Wal-Mart donated Fishing Supplies - Thanks to Louisville WM for the donation of $50 in fishing supplies. All donations are so appreciated.

5) New Board Members needed - A nominating committee will soon begin working on candidates for the Board and/or Executive Committee for next year. If you want to get involved, now's your chance. Just let someone know you are interested in serving.

6) CCP Identifies Refuge Needs - A 15-year Comprehensive Conservation Plan was recently approved for the Refuge and 2 major areas where Friends can help have been identified: advocacy and fund-raising. We can all be advocates - tell your friends how great the Refuge is! And watch for upcoming fund-raisers as we try to help cover the shortfall in Refuge budgets.

7) Connecting People with Nature Trail - One of the BIG goals of the Refuge will be to build an exciting new trail around the Bluff Lake area. Rough details sound really exciting - watch for more on this!

8) Dave Young leaving Noxubee; Need new Volunteer Coordinator - If you've volunteered at Noxubee lately, you've probably met Dave Young. We are sad to see him leaving June 1 for another assignment to Red River in Louisiana. The Friends would like to help the Refuge support a new Volunteer Coordinator - but of course, this takes money. We'll be looking at ways to accomplish this.

If you've not enjoyed spring at the Refuge, it's not too late. Come out and see the wildflowers in bloom and take note of the all the spring birds and animals that we've not seen over the winter.

Submitted by Anna Marie Rasberry

The April Board Meeting of the Friends was a busy one! Highlights are:

1) Noxubee Rookery Cam 360: A grant application is in the works to purchase a 360 degree camera that can be operated from the Visitor Center showing views of the Egret Rookery as well as waterfowl, alligators, beavers, etc. in the surrounding waters. We hope to have this in place by mid-late summer. 

2) Artist-in-Residence, Barbara Fedeler, is beginning her time at Noxubee as the eighth artist participating in this program. She is primarily a landscape painter but is excited about working around the Refuge with its water scenes.

3) April 11 showcase of Events: Canoe Day, Eagle Watch, and Artist in Residence program (all previously advertised) will take place this date.

4) The annual Youth Fishing Derby will be Saturday, April 25 from 8:00 - 10:00 for children ages 4-15 (each accompanied by an adult.) Follow the signs past the Visitor Center to the Fishing Derby Ponds; bring fishing rods, bait and tackle. A limited supply of rods and reels will be available for purchase as long as supplies last. Call the office at 662-323-5448 for more details.

5) A Fishing Derby for the Children of Palmer Home will be held June 13. Volunteers are needed for this activity. Contact Andrea at 662-323-5448.

The next Board meeting is May 7 at 5:30 at the Visitor Center.

Anna Marie Rasberry

To check out the latest opportunities to volunteer at the Refuge, see the extensive list linked from the homepage. There is something for everyone to do so pitch in! Check it out!

The date for April's Canoe Day has changed from the 19th to this coming Saturday, April 11. Come to the Doyle's Arms put-in (past the Visitor Center) between 9 and 3 for this great experience. Canoes, kayaks, and life jackets in all sizes will be provided.

An Eagle Watch to see the baby eaglets in the nest has also been set for Saturday, April 11 from noon until 2:30. Go to the Check Station - past the Visitor Center and take the first dirt road to the left (right across from the paved road going right to the Goose Overlook.)

See you at the Refuge on Saturday for these two exciting events!

A Mentoring Workshop was held the last weekend of March in which Board Members and select Friends' members participated. The goal was to learn ways in which our Friends' organization could become more effective. Needs and concerns were identified, one of which was enhanced communication with members. Thus, this blog was born, thanks to the expertise of our Friends' webmaster, Ray Iglay.

Be watching for highlights from Board meetings including updates from Refuge staff. Also check out specific volunteer opportunities. Maybe you've always wanted to "DO SOMETHING" but just didn't know what might be needed. Maybe you're hesitant to simply show up and volunteer for whatever needs doing (that can be scary!); but knowing in advance what the job is and signing up for it might be just the way you want to get involved.

We'll try to do a better job keeping you informed about the Friends' events and would love to have feedback on what might be appealing to you!