April 2010

Hello Friends.

We are most fortunate to have been able to add three sensational members to our BOD in the last month to fill previously vacated seats.

Marta Isaacson Has been a volunteer assistant to Refuge Education/Interpretive Specialist Serena Rinker and has helped develop programs for school groups and helped secure additional funding through grants. She is a master teacher and Florida naturalist and will bring her expertise to help expand the public programs. She has already joined the Speakers Bureau with Harvey Eisen and Hal Albertson and will be representing the Friends, along with Harvey and Mitch Rosenheim, at the Regional Conference in Crystal River later this month.

Kay Larche Has been an active Visitor Center volunteer, working two weekly sessions, and initiating new projects such as recording the country and state locations of our visitors. She has already joined the Everglades Day planning committee where her ideas for new programs and events are getting attention. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Chile, she brings a Spanish speaking ability to go with her ready smile and eager enthusiasm for the Refuge.

Pauline Stacey A lifelong environmentalist and award winning nature photographer, Pauline comes to us from the Everglades Coalition where she most recently was their Administrative Coordinator. She has already assumed the position of Secretary to the BOD and as the Friends Representative to EVCO. She will also be representing the Friends next month at the EVCO Quarterly Meeting in DC which is being held in conjunction with the first ever Everglades Summit being organized by the Everglades Foundation.

We are indeed fortunate to have these dynamic women aboard. And expect to hear some great things from them in the very near future.