On Nov. 18th, FoW held their annual meeting at the Visitor Center.
1. Acting President June Champion’s Report: While Covid sidelined us for a while, we are confident in the process of revitalization and will be better able to serve the Members and the Refuge. New candidates for the board Judy Garbato and Don Lanham were introduced. She thanked the many front desk volunteers and Eileen Oakes for her continuing efforts on behalf of the Nature Store.
2. Budget Vote: Treasurer Ada Graham presented a comprehensive outline of expenditures. She also explained that the monies previously collected for a Wall Mural project (sidelined due to Covid) is currently in a money market account and is still dedicated to being used for some type of display.
3. Summer Camp Program Update: Melissa Parrott has retired from running the program and left us in good hands with Tim Motz, the new Camp Director.
4. Votes: the 2024 budget was approved, as were the new board members. The slate of officers was also approved: June Champion, president; Annelies Kamran, vice president; Ada Graham, treasurer; and Joann Zurlo, secretary.
5. Refuge Update: Ann Marie Chapman, Visitor Services Manager, gave a comprehensive update on Refuge activities (too numerous to list!)
6. Guest Speaker: Thomas V. Schultz, co-founder and Director of Water Operations for the Friends of Bellport Bay, Inc. He spoke of the diminishing shellfish population in L.I. bays due to overharvesting and pollution. FoBB’s main mission is to collaborate with communities, municipalities, and environmental organizations to rehabilitate and restore lost shellfish populations. They are accomplishing this by building sanctuary reefs, supporting aquaculture, and seeding oysters. FoBB, FoW, and the Refuge are in the initial stages of planning for a sanctuary reef at the mouth of Carmans River.