2022-2023 Event Wrap Up
March 4, 2023, Eco Expo - Over 200 attended the EcoExpo conference at Lake Sumter State College. FOWR was one of the sponsors, along with the Lake County Conservation Coalition, and several other environmental organizations. The conference included several presentations by Jane West of 1000 Friends of Florida, our own Deborah Shelly representing the Aquatic Preserve Alliance, and several other environmental organizations. President Jim Adamski, Melanie Adamski and Joe Humphreys talked to attendees at the FOWR exhibit table. Thanks to all who came out and joined!
March 23, 2023 - All About Bats was a great success!
There is nothing like meeting a bat in the hands of an expert to cause you to fall in love with the little critters and want to take care of them and their environment! Ariel Horner from the Bat Conservancy presented a very meaningful presentation on bats. She will be posting a synopsis of her talk on our Facebook page and website.
Photos from Left to Right: Presenter Ariel Horner holding a bat, bat close up and participant Cindy Haller with her daughter holding a bat stuffy. Photos: Weegie H.
April 13, 2023- Earth Day at Valencia College
Several FOWR board members attended and represented Friends of the Wekiva at Valencia College’s Earth Day. The event included animal ambassadors and exhibitors from around Florida.
Photos: Weegie H.
April 15, 2023- Lake Norris Paddle
On Saturday Morning 15 paddlers from Friends of the Wekiva River joined with Space Coast Paddling Society for a 1 mile paddle through Blackwater Creek into Lake Norris.
The morning light was spectacular and the lake… a mirror. The dwarf cypress,
sometimes referred to as walking cypress, were perfectly reflected, creating inverted images of not only the cypress but the puffy white clouds and break-through blue sky.
As we continued around the lake a rookery appeared. Nesting in the tree tops were wood storks and egrets. The chicks were squawking to be fed and the parents were accommodating. Some of the fuzzy chicks were peering over the edges of their “stick-woven” nests to catch a glimpse of the world below.
What a jewel we have in the Wekiva Basin. Well worth protecting and certainly a paddle we will all remember!
Photos and Text by Weegie H.
And that wraps up our Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 event season, friends! Thanks to all who helped organize and who participated in our recent adventures!
Looking forward to what our Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 calendar has in store. Stay tuned!