From Friends of Pocosin Lakes

TERRA CEIA — During the weekend of Nov. 8-12, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation held its retreat and board meeting in Beaufort County. Board member Jennifer Skvarla hosted the meeting at her estate in Terra Ceia. Board members from across the state had a chance to mingle with local wildlife advocates and experience the wildlife of the pocosin lakes area. Friends of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, of which Skvarla is also a member, helped put on the event and Acre Station Meat Farm donated a large portion of the food for the event.

“The Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula is a unique region where our farmers feed the world in conjunction with the coexistence of unfettered wildlife,” Skvarla said. “It has been a great pleasure showing NCWF board members and staff a quintessential example of cooperative conservation while garnering their continued support for protecting our state’s natural resources”.

Board members were treated to a tour of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, where they saw tundra swans and eight black bears. They heard Refuge Manager Howard Phillips speak about how the refuge handles increased threats to conservation from global warming, such as sea-level rise and salt-water intrusion. Kim Wheeler, head of Red Wolf Coalition, gave a presentation on the ongoing threats to the wild red wolf population. The NCWF helped to increase the reward to $21,000 for information leading to suspects in two wolf shootings that occurred at the end of October.

“It was important and valuable for the board and staff to come to a region of the state that is not only teaming with wildlife and opportunities to enjoy them, but to learn of the needs and opportunities for our group to speak for wildlife and outdoor recreation,” said Tim Gestwicki, CEO of NCWF. “This is a special place in the state with special people who care for and are working tirelessly for common-sense conservation practices to protect natural resources now and for the next generations.”

The Federation also agreed to fund the construction of a new wheelchair-accessible hunting blind for hunters at Pocosin Lakes NWR. Friends of Pocosin Lakes NWR are working to expand opportunities on the refuge for hunters in wheelchairs. The refuge currently has opportunities for birders with disabilities, but none for hunters.

The Federation worked closely with No-OLF, when the Navy was planning to build a large airfield next to the refuge, threatening the thousands of waterfowl that winter there. By holding their board meeting in Beaufort County, the agency was reaffirming their dedication to the protection of wildlife resources in eastern North Carolina and expanding their presence in the area.

The NCWF is one of North Carolina’s most effective organizations dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitats.  With more than 60 years of experience, NCWF brings together the concerns of every North Carolinian who loves wildlife and wild places and the many ways to enjoy them. Its work is science-based. They create consensus by engaging government, industry and the public in efforts to protect North Carolina’s wildlife resources.

The Friends of Pocosin Lakes NWR is a non-profit organization born in 2008 out of the successful fight against the OLF. The purpose of the Friends is to protect, help and promote the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge by providing volunteers and funds to support projects, programs and activities of the refuge. With 110, 000 acres, the refuge is one of the largest National Wildlife Refuges on the east coast and is home to several endangered species, including the red wolf and red-cockaded woodpecker. The organization was honored to receive the NCWF Affiliate of the Year in 2012.