Marsh Trail - Photo by Arthur Jacoby

A Snail ’s Delight

Naturalist Observations of The Marsh Trail Impoundments By Bradley Rosendorf, Education and Outreach Associate

A hike around the Marsh Trail impoundments provides opportunities for Refuge guests to observe a stunning array of unique wildlife. The Refuge is an ecological gem and one of the precious jewels of the National Wildlife Refuge System. On the Marsh Trail, visitors regularly observe such as the American alligator, white- Bradley tailed deer, Everglade Snail Kite, Sandhill Crane, Wood Stork, Glossy Ibis, , Purple Gallinule, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Red- shouldered and Roseate Spoonbill. There seems to be a big increase in Roseate Spoonbill activity in the area this year! In the fall and winter months, Northern Harriers can be seen, and in the spring and summer, Swallow-tailed

Sandhill Cranes - David Kendall Kites are observed. Bald can also be seen, but they are very elusive. Florida bobcats are sometimes seen stalking the water’s edge for a to catch for dinner. The Roseate Spoonbill - Bradley sunsets are a magical sight to behold – in the Real Everglades of Palm Beach County. Every hike on the Marsh Trail offers the possibility of a surprise. At the Refuge, people from all throughout the community unite to support wildlife conservation and be inspired in nature.

The Marsh Trail impoundments include 7.6 miles of hiking trail as well as the LILA area – Loxahatchee Impoundment Research Assessment – where you can learn about tree islands and Everglades restoration collaborative research. While hiking through the Marsh Trail impoundments, you can experience an Everglades landscape and habitat that reflects the greater River of Grass ecosystem. The eastern lubber grasshoppers are a bizarre and Limpkin - Bridget Lyons amazing insect species to observe! Watch your step! At night, you can sometimes hear the sound of the intimidating and elusive Great Horned Owl, hooting from far away cypress trees. For families in Palm Beach County, visiting the Refuge and going for a hike on the Marsh Trail is a great way to connect with nature and have fun experiencing the Everglades!

Ultimately, the most spectacular wildlife observation opportunity is the chance to see a remarkable Everglade Snail Kite balancing in flight over the water as it readies to dive down

Eastern Lubber - Donna Korb Gator Tales is a publication of the Friends, (Continued on page 3) a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. If you would like to sign up for our email newsletter, For financial information, please visit or if you have any other questions, www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com/finance/finance.html please contact us at [email protected]

Summer 2019 | Page 1 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Friends’ Board Notes

Cathy Patterson Peter McKelvy

After the much-needed retirement of What a year for the Friends ! I am proud Elinor Williams from the presidency of of the accomplishments of the Friends’ the Friends, Peter McKelvy and I will be Board of Directors. Due in large measure co-leading the Board of Directors. It’s a to our success in securing a number of daunting task to be sure as Elinor did grants we have been able to significantly such terrific job, and now it will take two enhance existing programs and embark or more of us to fill her shoes! on exciting new initiatives.

I have been on the Board two terms, in addition to the Our funding for the Education and Outreach Associate volunteer tasks that come up on a weekly basis: the position has brought new audiences into the refuge and Nature Store, tram tours, International Coastal Clean Up, continues to develop innovative partnerships within the Great American Clean Up, photo contest, assisting with diverse communities that are Palm Beach and Broward school groups, and invasive plant removal. Country. The funding of the position was made possible

Lox has been a favorite place of mine to visit since I was with the strong leadership of the Development a teenager (back in the olden days). It has changed for Committee, who secured over $37,000 in Grants to fund the position. the better over the years, due to the dedication of Refuge staff and the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to Additionally your Development Committee also secured preserve our last corner of the Everglades. grants to allow the Friends to significantly increase funding for transporting school groups to the Refuge to Plan to visit, or re-visit the Refuge soon. Bring your family and friends, cameras, binoculars, hats, and sun participate in on-site learning opportunities. We also screen. Take advantage of the many guided tours, received a grant to ensure continued funding for Everglades Day. lectures, special events, hiking, biking, and canoeing. You just may catch a glimpse of something wonderful! While the entire Board of Directors is proud of our success over the last 12 months we are mindful that a Cathy is one of the busiest volunteers around! She was financially secure Friends organization is a continuous named our Outstanding Friend of the Year in 2017 and effort. There remains a number of programs and capital selected by Refuge staff as Volunteer of the Year in 2018. projects that we are seeking funding for. You can help secure the financial security of the organization by making your tax-deductible donation today. It’s easy, simply go to the Friends website www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com and Elinor Williams look for the Friends tab, click on the tab and scroll down After 13 years on the Friends' Board to CONTRIBUTIONS. There you will find information of Directors, six of them as president, about how you can help support the Friends. it's time for me to step down and let We wish to thank our partners who have awarded the the energy and enthusiasm of some of Friends grants: the other outstanding board members take us in new directions. Cathy and Peter have spent The Jim Moran Foundation countless hours as board members, in addition to their The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation many other volunteer activities, and I am very grateful to The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County them for agreeing to "power share" to lead this board The National Wildlife Refuge Association into the future. I won't be going far, in fact I won't be The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation going anywhere at all. I plan to continue most of the The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company volunteer activities that I've always been What Peter failed to mention is that he is almost single-handedly involved in. Just not the presidential ones! responsible for the Friends’ success in securing these grants. He was named Outstanding Friend of the Year in 2019 in Visit the Refuge! recognition of his work on behalf of the Friends. - Editor

The Refuge main entrance and Would you like to make a Donation to Visitor Center are located at Help the Friends Help the Refuge? 10216 Lee Road, just west of U.S. 441, Go to www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com two miles south of Boynton Beach Blvd. and select Contributions. The Refuge is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Like Us on Facebook! except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Join our growing community of fans Entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle. www.facebook.com/LoxahatcheeFriends A variety of annual passes are available.

Summer 2019 | Page 2 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Weekly Activities Sierra Club Donates

Bird and nature walks, Water Bottle Filling Station guided canoe trips, tram tours and other activities occur on a weekly basis. Visit www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com or call the Visitor Center at 561-734-8303 for more information.

(Continued from page 1) and grab an apple snail for a meal! Now that’s a Snail Kite’s delight! The Snail Kite is a very endangered and unique that resembles a medium-sized hawk. The juvenile are difficult to distinguish male from female, while the adult male is uniformly black or dark gray and the adult female is golden brown and lighter gray with a white patch on its face. The Refuge has a generous amount of snail prey available for the Snail Kites to hunt. Interestingly, both native and invasive snails are hunted, and the Snail Kite seems to be adapting to the larger invasive snails as the birds are being born with Rolf Olson - Refuge Manager, Mary Cassell - Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group President, Elinor Williams - Friends President Emeritus, larger beaks to access meat from the larger snails. The Elle Rappaport - Sierra Club Finance & Publicity Chair - Ira Rappaport birds are also getting slightly larger in overall body size. Thanks to a generous $2,500 donation from the Sierra This is an amazing story of adaptation to an invasive prey Club Loxahatchee Group, a new Elkay Water Bottle item. Sometimes Snail Kites will stalk as they Filling Station has been installed in the Visitor Center. look for snails, and then dive in and steal the snail – a The Friends of the Refuge also contributed to the rarely observed but verified behavior recorded on the installation. The ezH2O water station dispenses cold, Marsh Trail impoundments. The Snail Kite is quite literally filtered water while digitally tracking the number of plastic the most specialized bird of prey on Planet Earth in its water bottles saved from being used. So, bring your typical hunting behavior and prey selection. They perch water bottle next time you visit, and check out the count! low along the edges of the water, watching for snails to come up for air, barely breaking the surface of the water. The Refuge provides critical habitat for this species, one Loxahatchee Visions of the many great features of the Arthur R. Marshall Art Contest Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge! Entries accepted October 26 - November 2

Reception and Award Presentation Sunday, November 10, 1:00 p.m.

Check www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com for details

Full Moon Canoe Trips

Enjoy a guided tour through a part of the Refuge interior. Trips generally start at 7:00 p.m. and last two hours. Call Loxahatchee Canoeing at 561-733-0192 for reservations and to verify start time. Snail Kite grabbing Apple Snail - Bradley Rosendorf Saturday, June 15 Saturday, July 13 Saturday, August 17 Saturday, September 14 Saturday, October 12 Saturday, November 9 Saturday, December 14

Alligator - Susan Young Summer 2019 | Page 3 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Look, but Not Too Close! by Barry Willette

Photographers: There's opportunity galore to get that perfect shot in the wild at the Refuge – but what about you in that wild? Let’s consider the ethics of wildlife photography in pursuit of that perfect photo.

So, suppose you've finally spotted that elusive bobcat and her kittens. Now is your time to move in close to get that award-winning photo. But, not so fast! There are ethical considerations every time you want to get that elusive photo: How is what you are about to attempt going to impact the bird or animal? Is your trying to get close going to cause the young to be abandoned?

Photography ethics dictate that you should maintain a comfortable distance between yourself and that animal. While there is not a state-mandated distance between you and an 's nest, it is recommended that you maintain at least 100 yards distance. This is probably a Congratulations to Shawn Escott, good rule of thumb for all active nests in the Refuge. Plein Air Painter Extraordinaire! With alligators the safe distance from a nest is even more important. Is getting that close-up of a hatchling baby Shawn braved the morning rain on Everglades Day, worth risking your life? Feb. 9, and placed 1st in the Plein Air painting contest.

If you see a baby animal, do not, I repeat, do NOT, attempt to get close to it. Momma is probably not far away. The baby does not need your help – and interfering could cost their life. The bottom line is, if you are using the camera on your phone, you are not going to ethically be able to get that close-up photo without interfering. You don't have to break the bank; you can get a digital camera with a decent zoom, relatively inexpensively.

Seek out Refuge rangers and volunteers to ask about safe distances for your safety – and the safety of the . Ask yourself, if getting close is worth potential harm to yourself, or the wildlife. Now, go out and enjoy yourself! Remember, take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints behind.

Barry is a volunteer naturalist and photographer and Friends’ board member. What he didn’t want to say, but I will, is that he wrote this after witnessing a visitor get too close trying to take a selfie with a Sandhill Crane chick and parents. When the parents flew off, the chick tried unsuccessfully to follow. The parents spent hours looking but never found their lost chick. - Editor

Does Your Group Need a Speaker?

Let our volunteers bring the Everglades to you! If you would like to host a speaker and learn fascinating facts about Everglades wildlife, plants, and habitats, as well as the many recreational and educational opportunities on the Refuge, Contact Steve Henry at 561-735-6021 [email protected]

Summer 2019 | Page 4 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Dip Netting on the Refuge - Tom Rasmussen

Refuge staff also visit schools and community groups as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Urban Wildlife Conservation Program. On a recent visit at a local high school when I was explaining how Park Rangers in America's National Wildlife Refuges are responsible for protecting endangered species such as the Snail Kite and Bradley nurtures a new generation of conservationists at the Florida panther, a student from the back of the room Milagro Center in Boynton Beach - USFWS Photo spoke up, "That's really cool! I want to be a Park Ranger, how can I do that?" Later, I got the chance to speak with Learning Opportunities Abound him in detail about all the exciting and important career By Bradley Rosendorf, paths that can take him all over America to the most Education and Outreach Associate beautiful places on Planet Earth, including the Everglades, if he chooses a career in one of the agencies

in the Department of Interior. In the Everglades, there’s always a surprise – an alligator bellowing, a bobcat chasing a squirrel up a tree, a When we see youth get inspired to learn more about Roseate Spoonbill searching through the marsh for wildlife conservation we get really excited, because that's delicious shrimp or a Great Horned Owl waking up as the what our outreach is all about at the Refuge. We strive to sun is setting, with its loud and intimidating hooting calls. connect kids with nature and hope to instill values for

At the Visitor Center, there’s always excitement in the air saving nature and protecting wildlife and habitats. We when school groups come for field trips – what will they hope the kids that we speak with throughout the see and learn? community will visit the Refuge and have memorable experiences, maybe seeing wildlife or watching a sunset. The Refuge provides great opportunities for youth to have And we hope that one day those kids will become exciting Everglades educational experiences that fit with champions for the Everglades! the school district science curriculum. For example, water quality experiments and dip netting to find tiny aquatic Bradley's position as Education and Outreach Associate is creatures such as the shrimp that wading birds rely on for funded by the Friends and by your donations. nutrition, or biology and ecology instruction about alligator behavior, Red-shouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle nesting, and cypress swamp habitat.

When children visit the Refuge, they have fun. Learning about the Everglades is a very important aspect of education for our youth. For parents and teachers in South Florida, there is no greater gift for your kids than to encourage them to experience our beautiful Florida Everglades and learn about this uniquely American pastime – maybe it will be your son or daughter or student who wants to grow up to become a Park Ranger and help save endangered wildlife like the Florida panther. For information about educational field trips, call the Visitor Center at 561-734-8303. Bobcat - Bradley Rosendorf Summer 2019 | Page 5 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

2018 Loxahatchee Visions Art Contest

Novice Winners

Top: 1st Place: “In the Woods” by Kristen Thies, 2nd Place: “Waiting for Lunch” by Matt Vogel, L eft: 3rd Place: “Don’t Feed the Alligator” by William VanRyzin

Bottom: Honorable Mentions: “Cormorant Sunset” by Nicolas Leon, “Snowy Egret” by Nicolas Leon, “On the Prowl” by Nick Vogel

Summer 2019 | Page 6 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

3rd Place: “Egret” Honorable Mentions: “Another Point of View” by Diane Hutchinson, by Leszek Zarebski “The Owl is Watching” by Holly Rutchey, “Refuge” by Jerilyn Brown

2nd Place: “The Refuge” by Jerry Smietanka, Honorable Mention: “Sunset Shimmer” by Kerry Eriksen

1st Place: “Panorama at Loxahatchee” by Manny Jomok

Summer 2019 | Page 7 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Visitor Services Plan Update

By Rolf Olson, Refuge Manager

Thank you, to everyone, for your patience and participation in the development of the new Visitor Services Plan here at the Refuge. The Final Visitor Services Plan was signed by David Viker, Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System on May 2, 2019 and will be released to the public before June 17, 2019. I am excited about this new plan and the activities that it includes. No doubt, it will be a change Great American Clean Up from how we are operating now, but the exciting thing is By Cathy Patterson that this plan includes interests of more United States Like a colony of ravenous ants swarming over a Sunday citizens and significantly increases the Refuge’s afternoon picnic, staff from the Florida Department of stakeholder and support base. My hope is that we can Environmental Protection, Southeast District descended focus on the areas of mutual interest in the plan and build upon the Refuge on Saturday, April 12th. As part of their a strong level of support for the Refuge. 5th annual Earth Day work day, the mission of the more The plan will be released to the public by email, than 30 volunteers was to rid the Refuge of a large patch Facebook, and our website www.fws.gov/refuge/ of arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum). Working arm_loxahatchee. The staff here at the Refuge will alongside the DEP volunteers were staff from Weingarten be hosting a number of briefing meetings about the plan Realty, Real Estate Investment, Boca Raton. in the upcoming months. It is my goal to implement this While still available in the nursery industry, and widely plan in a timely manner with many items being exported, arrowhead vine is listed as a category 1 invasive implemented this year. Some of the more complicated species. It is native to parts of Latin America from Mexico items will not be implemented until next year. Items to Bolivia and has spread to many other warm, moist requiring significant money to implement (mostly climates around the globe. It has become naturalized in infrastructure like fishing piers, camping platforms, Texas, Hawaii, and Florida. Big surprise. It seems any boardwalks, etc.) will be completed as funding becomes species of escaped plants and animals thrive in Florida. available. I look forward to talking to you at our meeting and hope you will attend. As part of the Great American Clean Up, and the Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful organization, the DEP workers toiled in stifling 85-degree heat pulling and tugging the trailing vines from the ground, and down from tree trunks. After spraying with prodigious amounts of insect repellent, the crew worked from 9 a.m. to noon and left with a generous amount of muck and sweat covering their clothes.

With instructions from Bill Thomas, General Biologist, Region 4 Invasive Species Strike Team Leader, Refuge volunteers Ron Seifer, Xabier Frank, Sue Rowe, and Cathy Patterson (the Friday Morning Wrecking Crew) worked alongside the DEP employees.

In all, approximately 1,590 pounds, more than three quarters of a ton, of plant material were removed from the east side of the Marsh Trail parking lot. To avoid spreading to other areas, the arrowhead vine had to be bagged and disposed of in a dumpster.

Volunteers of the Year In addition to plant removal, Sandy and Jessica Rawley Roger and Janice Brooks removed trash along Lee Road down to the fishing pier. The Great American Clean Up and the International Refuge Manager Rolf Olson presented Roger and Janice Coastal Clean Up are two regularly scheduled events that Brooks with the Volunteer of the Year award at the provide the Refuge with additional volunteers to help keep Volunteer Appreciation luncheon on March 6, 2019 for their it clean. For more information on how to register for these many, many years of invaluable service to the Refuge. clean-ups, or to volunteer to join the Friday Morning Congratulations and THANK YOU to Janice and Roger! Wrecking Crew, contact [email protected]. Summer 2019 | Page 8 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Like Birds of a Feather 2019 Photo

Contest By Steve Henry, Deputy Refuge Manager By Cathy Patterson

With each passing year The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends’ Annual Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. may not, Photo contest gets at first glance, seem to have much in tougher and tougher with common but, like birds of a feather, the more outstanding two organizations have been flocking images submitted each together to develop young men as well as to conserve year. The 36th Annual fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Photo contest exceeded Phi Beta Sigma is a fraternal organization founded in all expectations by far! 1914 that focuses on issues that impact African Judges Dean American communities. The fraternity has over 700 Fleischman, Meg collegiate and alumni chapters across the country. Puente, and Ira Rappaport sorted Affiliated with many of the alumni chapters are Sigma Grand Prize Winner Matthew Pickton Beta Clubs that focus on the development of young men through 447 images. Not an easy task, for sure. between the ages of 8 and 18. With guidance and support from the National Sigma Beta Club Foundation, This year saw 108 entrants, up from 73 in 2018. Last year Sigma Beta Clubs are engaging more than 1,900 young we had one lonely Youth entry. This year that number men in over 90 cities across the country and promoting jumped to 28. Many of those came from Sacred Heart wholesome values, educational advancement, and School students who participated in a day of photography leadership skills. made possible by the Everglades Foundation and several volunteer photographer - mentors. Given our nation’s increasingly diverse population with nearly 80% of Americans living in urban areas, the First time entrant, Matthew Pickton took the Grand Prize Service partnered with Phi Beta Sigma in 2014 to for his stunning image of a Wood Stork, stepping through increase outreach, communications, and engagement the water, droplets cascading from its bill. with America’s future conservationists. Taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and Honorable Mention in the Through the partnership, young men are being Youth Avian category and 1st place in the Youth Fauna introduced to outdoor recreation, hands-on experiences category is another newcomer: Edwin Wilke. related to natural resource management, and careers in The Visitor Center Theater was standing-room only to wildlife conservation. According to Dr. Philip C. Harris, a celebrate the winners and to watch the ever-popular National Sigma Beta Club Foundation Board Member, PowerPoint presentation by Jay Paredes. Door prizes the partnership reflects the Sigma Beta Club motto “Next were donated by the Friends Nature Store. Friends Generation of Leaders Accepting the Responsibilities members Elinor Williams and Judy Rapp provided and Loving the Challenge.” refreshments. Rick Schofield arranged for each winning Phi Beta Sigma sees tangible results from the image to be printed and matted. partnership. “We appreciate nearby National Wildlife Refuges where our youth learn about the benefits of nature, including recreation, careers and their well - being,” said Jamel Canty, Sigma Beta Club Director for Florida Sigma, the association of Phi Beta Sigma chapters in the state. “It’s good for youth to experience how natural resources such as air and water are being managed for current and future generations.”

On November 4, 2018, 20 youth from the Sigma Beta Club affiliated with the Zeta Iota Sigma chapter of the fraternity in Florida visited the Refuge. During their visit, youth enjoyed archery, canoed and fished, and learned about Everglades wildlife, their habitats and Together, the Service and Phi Beta Sigma are flocking to conservation. help shape our nation’s future. Like Sigma Beta Clubs in Florida, other clubs across the country are partnering with “We welcome youth at the refuge, where they can enjoy their nearby National Wildlife Refuges to create youth and learn about nature,” said David Vela, Urban Refuge development opportunities that include recreation on Program Coordinator for the Refuge. “We are pleased to public lands, education about the benefits of conserving partner with Phi Beta Sigma and their Sigma Beta Clubs natural resources, and exposure to careers in the to connect adults and youth with nature and provide sciences. With benefits like these, birds will be tweeting opportunities for outdoor recreation.” with appreciation!

Summer 2019 | Page 9 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com The Everglades The next three stamp issues reflected growing environmental concerns, as well as the increasing cost of As Honored in postage: U.S. Postage Stamps

and Coins

by Ron Seifer, Ph.D.

Images of the beauty and meaning of the Everglades have been captured over the years by many talented artists. One surprising medium of The second Everglades-related stamp was issued in Everglades art expression can be found on stamps and 1971, as a multicolored, emerging Alligator, on an eight- coins issued by the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. cent Wildlife Conservation stamp. This stamp was part of Mint. Stamp collectors (philatelists) and coin collectors a series of four stamps – the Alligator, California Condor, (numismatists) are familiar with these commemorative Polar Bear and Trout – issued to raise awareness of images, but the rest of us may not give much thought to national endangered species. mundane stamps and coins. And yet, closer examination can reveal them in a new light. Next, in 1981, with postage up to 18 cents, came another series of four stamps to draw support for the preservation Over the years, the Everglades and Everglades National of threatened habitats. The Great Blue Heron, poised for Park have been honored by 14 U.S. postage stamps and fishing, calls our attention to “Save Wetland Habitats.” a U.S. quarter. These images have called national The other animal/habitat pairings in the series were a attention to our part of the world. As Marjory Stoneman Badger - Grasslands habitat, Grizzly Bear - Mountain Douglas famously wrote, “There are no other Everglades habitat, and Ruffled Goose - Woodland habitat. in the world.” reappeared in 2016 as a 47- Remember when it cost three cents to mail a letter? cent Forever stamp. This beautiful photograph of an Then, you are old! A three-cent U.S. Stamp, Everglades sunset over trees and grasses was selected commemorating the dedication of Everglades National to help commemorate the 2016 National Park Service Park, was the first Everglades stamp, issued on Centennial. Sixteen of the 58 National Parks in the U.S. December 5, 1947. This is shown as a canceled first day are honored on this stamp pane (sheet). Describing this cover, postmarked by the Florida City post office: particular stamp of the pane, the Post Office highlights the uniqueness of our Everglades as “the largest subtropical wilderness” in America.

In 2006 a majestic panoramic pane of 10 stamps of the Southern Florida Wetland appeared. It is the eighth in a series of “Nature of America” stamp panes, described by the Post Office as “featuring the beauty and complexity of plant and animal communities in the United States.” This stamp pane depicts a wetland community where freshwater mingles with salt water along the coast. The art includes both freshwater and coastal species. Looking closely at the picture (right), you can see ten different 39- cent stamps embedded in this scene, which can be peeled off as separate adhesive stamps for postage. But who would want to do that? Pictured in the scene are This vegetative green stamp highlights a map of Florida actually 21 plant and animal species. Can you spot them with an iconic Egret. Closer examination of the map all? They are, from left to right: indicates the original boundary of the National Park that Top: Royal Palm, Snail Kite, West Indian Mahogany, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and others had helped bring Wood Stork, Red Mangrove, Bald Eagle, Cowhorn into being. On their commemorative envelope, the Post Orchid. Office promoted the Everglades back then as, “the newest of the nation's national playgrounds.” Middle: American Crocodile, Everglades Mink, Great Egret, Halloween Pennant Dragonfly, Roseate Spoonbill, 2019 Fee-Free Days Florida Panther, American Alligator, White Ibis, Giant Wild Pine.

 September 28 National Public Lands Day Bottom: Saw Grass, Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow,  October 13 1st Sunday, National Wildlife Refuge Week Eastern Indigo Snake, Zebra Longwing Butterfly, Leafy  November 11 Veterans Day weekend Vanilla Orchid.

Summer 2019 | Page 10 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com Finally, in 2014, the U.S Mint On the reverse side of George produced an Everglades quarter from Washington, around the coin rim, are the their Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), inscriptions, “Everglades,” “Florida,” “E and San Francisco (S) mints as part Pluribus Unum,” and the year, “2014.” The of their “America the Beautiful art in the center depicts an Anhinga with Quarters program.” The San outstretched wings on a willow tree, with a Francisco coin, mint marked with a Roseate Spoonbill visible in the mid- small letter “S,” at the lower right, by ground. I think this could make a very Washington's neck, is the rarest and nice good luck coin to carry around – if most valuable of the three. The U.S. you're lucky enough to find one! Of Mint describes our Everglades as “an course, you can always buy mint stamps unparalleled landscape that provides or uncirculated coins from stamp and coin important habitat for numerous rare stores and companies – but at much and engendered species” and “an higher prices than their original face international treasure.” values. If so, you could well be on the

You can try to find an Everglades quarter in your change, collectable road to becoming a Florida Everglades philatelist or numismatist. In any case, keep on looking! out of the many, many millions of quarters minted. But be aware: there are also many different types of quarters out I hope you enjoyed looking and learning more about the there, such as the 56 planned in this America the Everglades and Everglades National Park, as honored in Beautiful series – with five minted each year – the 50 miniature works of art.

American States series, and all the older American Eagle Ron is a retired psychologist, a member of the Friends board of quarters. The variety of U.S. quarters produced is more directors, a volunteer who tackles some of the many invasive than that of our Florida specialty license plates! Pictured exotic plants on the Refuge, and a collector of many things - too above is our Everglades quarter, issued by the U.S. Mint many things his wife Gail would say - including baseball cards, in Philadelphia (P). rocks, shells and stamps.

Summer 2019 | Page 11 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 6777 US Postage Paid Delray Beach, FL 33482-6777 Boca Raton, FL Permit # 2078 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com

Help Us Grow! Make Your Gift Go Further! Tell your friends about this hidden treasure! How many of them know we have a piece of the Everglades Many companies will match your gift to the Friends. right here in Palm Beach County? If you are an employee or retiree of one of them, Bring them out, and encourage them to join the Friends. please include your company's matching gift form Better yet, give them a gift membership! along with your dues or donation. Membership Application

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Friends of Loxahatchee Refuge www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com P.O. Box 6777 Delray Beach, FL 33482-6777 THANK YOU!

The Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 59-2152926, Florida registration number CH16275. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by federal and state law.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. Summer 2019 | Page 12 www.LoxahatcheeFriends.com