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Residential and industrial development, resource extrction and harmful public uses are at the doorstep of our most prized wildlife lands and waters. Unless we take immediate action to counter these threats, the future of America’s wildlife heritage is at risk. While refuges encompass an abundance of the most biologically rich habitats in America, a vast majority of the 548 refuges are small in size and depend heavily on adjacent private, state and federal lands for wildlife foraging and corridors, and to ensuring adequate quantities of clean water.

In response, the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) in 2005 launched Beyond the Boundaries, a project designed to utilize State Wildlife Action Plans, refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and other comprehensive wildlife habitat assessments in protecting conservation landscapes surrounding and linking refuges and other vital habitats. State Wildlife Action Plans, completed in every state and territory, recognize the problem of growth and development and make it abundantly clear that our country’s wildlife has never faced greater challenges than it does today. Simply put, America’s wildlife is in trouble, and Beyond the Boundaries is an important initiative to reverse this alarming trend.

 

 

Friends of Parker River NWR
Winter Newsletter 2007/2008

LOOKING BACK - LOOKING FORWARD

As the holiday season is upon us, the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge would like to take the opportunity to reflect upon our accomplishments over the past year and give thanks for all our your support
that made this possible. Over the past year, your time and contributions have helped us sponsor and support numerous refuge events and reach out to making the public more aware of the wonderful resource that is the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. In the beginning of the year, the Friends helped to support the Newburyport annual Eagle Festival and sponsored a free public performance of Marcia Wilson's wonderful Eyes on Owls program in conjunction with our 2007 Annual Meeting.

As the seasons moved into Spring, your generous contributions and donations went towards helping make the 2007 Refuge Plover and Wildlife Festival possible with financial support for refreshments, Ellen Geothel's OceanWorld touch tank for children, and the Curious Creatures main event.

While our primary efforts and focus was planning and seeing to a successful opening of our new bookstore and gift shop which will be prominently featured in the new refuge visitor center, the Friends also helped the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge make a summer camp for children possible and a great success.

Overall, we are proud of our accomplishments made possible with your continued support. However, just as nature is ever changing, our organization has also seen some significant changes over the last year
which may impact our ability to continue our support efforts in the future.

We have seen the departures of two significant past officers, Lori Guertin and Max Schenk. Their time, efforts, and commitment towards the group over the past years of their service is greatly appreciated. We also have
had other departures from the board of directors and the organization is now functioning with two open officer positions and at least two other open board positions.

This is a critical time in the organization and we are reaching out to our membership to fill the deep voids that have been left. In order to continue to grow the new bookstore/gift shop, The Plover's Nest, and ensure the continued vitality and viability of the organization into 2008, we are seeking committed and energetic individuals who share our zeal and love for the refuge and want to become more involved with our organization.

If your are interested in becoming more involved and continuing to make the group the success that it is, please contact Douglas Brink or Michael Houle. Also, we welcome you to attend our next upcoming board meeting at Refuge Headquarters on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 9am at Refuge Headquarters. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you.

Douglas C. Brink, President

 

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