Montezuma Friends seek members

Chances are, if you're headed to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls this summer, you'll run into a friend. Friends groups have been appearing at the nation's wildlife refuges for years now. Every group member takes great pride in preservation of wildlife, conservation of wetland areas for migrating birds, and education of the public.

Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex Inc., is a new, Not-For-Profit group that was formed one year ago to achieve the goals previously mentioned, not just at the refuge, but within the entire Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Montezuma Complex encompasses 36,000 acres that are managed for wildlife conservation through a partnership between various groups and agencies including: the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Ducks Unlimited, and private landowners.

The Friends take an active role in supporting habitat restoration and wildlife conservation, promoting public awareness of plans, projects, and activities, and actively getting involved in educational and research activities such as presenting programs to colleges, schools, and community groups. New to Montezuma this year is a Friends' gift shop, located in the refuge's visitor center. In it, you will find such things as identification guides to various birds, flowers, and trees, eagle t-shirts, pins, posters, mugs, pottery, necklaces, and small toys for the kids, all with a nature theme.

On August 1, the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex met to elect a board, chairman, and discuss coming events, and programs in the works. A unanimous vote was taken and those elected were: Rebecca Odell, Lindsey Ruth, Julian Thomas, Paul Hess, Dan Colvin, Catherine Sandell, Richard Capozza, Glenda Nash, and Tim Noga. After the board was selected, John Van Niel was elected as the first chairman of the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. John was an excellent choice, being an avid birder and outdoorsman, as well as an assistant professor at Finger Lakes Community College.

The Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex will be involved at the following events in the coming months: Empire Farm Days, Seneca Falls, NY (August 8-10), Montezuma Muckrace, Montezuma Wetlands Complex (Sept. 16), and the National Hunting and Fishing Days in Avon, NY (Sept. 23-24). Stop by and visit the Friends display at one of these events to learn more about the Friends of the MWC.

Become a member of the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex today and take an active role in wildlife preservation and conservation. If you are interested in joining the Friends group, stop by the gift shop, located in the visitor's center at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, and pick up a membership form today. The Refuge is located on Routes 5&20, about 5 miles east of Seneca Falls. Visitor center hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m-3 p.m and Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m-4 p.m. Membership applications are also available on the refuge site www.fws.gov/r5mnwr

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