March 2009

I've been told by some not to get too excited about becoming the President of the Friends of Loxahatchee because in the long run what we do here – or don't do – doesn't really matter. 

Does the ARMNWR matter? Do the Northern Everglades matter? Does insuring that our River of Grass (kudos to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas) will continue to flow and help replenish our undergound aquifers matter? You bet it matters! 

Thomas L. Friedman in his latest book, Hot Flat and Crowded – Why We Need a Green Revolution and How it Can Renew America, says that one of the five key problems we must solve is the "rapidly accelerating biodiversity loss as plants and animals go extinct at record rates."

Yes, our National Wildlife Refuge matters!

Again, I challenge you to join with me to build a stronger, more effective organization because it does matter. Change has already come to Washington DC, is now coming to institutions all across America, and  to Loxahatchee – to the Friends under my leadership and to the Refuge under our new manager Sylvia Pelizza.

Sylvia grew up in New Mexico where her parents were teachers and took every opportunity to lead her and her siblings on hiking, camping, fishing, and other outdoor adventures. It was here that she developed her love of nature and so after college joined the National Wildlife Refuge System. She met her husband Charlie at a training center in Georgia, and over the past 26 years they have worked in every region of the country. They moved from Hawaii this past summer and are settled in Wellington where their two children attend the public schools. 

Charlie has been working as a biologist for the Ding Darling Refuge and has recently been appointed to be the Refuge Manager at Pelican Island. The Friends wish him success in his new position at Vero Beach. 

The judging of our Photo Contest has been concluded – with a record number of entries. Watch this site for posting of the photos and announcement of an awards reception.

Steve Horowitz
President
561-637-9751