Florida Keys Wildlife Society

Florida Keys
Wildlife Society

Supporting the National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys through education, non-adversarial advocacy, volunteerism and fundraising

Florida Keys Wildlife Society - Member
Florida Keys Wildlife Society - Donation
Florida Keys Wildlife Society - Volunteer

Perspectives and Shared Stories

Video stories from visitors to the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges

Have you visited the Blue Hole in the National Key Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key?
 
Below are short video stories from some visitors who recently visited the Blue Hole in National Key Deer Refuge. National Wildlife Refuges.
 
Each year, millions of people take the opportunity to get outdoors to enjoy nature on their public lands, we encourage you to get outside and have some fun too!
 
National Wildlife Refuges provide critical homes for wildlife and plants, many rare or imperiled; they are also beautiful places for people to get outdoors and explore nature. They are managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. There are more than 570 refuges scattered throughout all 50 states and US territories. Here in the Florida Keys there are four national wildlife refuges- National Key Deer Refuge, Crocodile Lake NWR, Great White Heron NWR and Key West NWR and they provide wonderful opportunities for people to get outdoors and appreciate nature.
 
Thanks to Florida Keys Wildlife Society volunteers Brewster R., Philip D., and Melissa D. for producing the videos.

 

Bev and Ron

Judy and Kenny

Jerry and Carl

Jane

Devin and Chelsea

Nature Writers share their Perspectives

Mark Hedden

Mark Hedden is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and, in his own words, “may no longer be employable in the real world”.  He is Executive Director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.  He also writes for the Florida Keys Weekly Newspaper available in online and print editions.

Mark was a presenter for the Florida Keys Wildlife Society Lecture Series in 2023.

His website is: Mark Hedden

Read his writing here:  – Recent Things (Mostly Writing) — Mark Hedden

Carol Ellis

Carol Ellis is a photographer and writer based in the Florida Keys.

Her subjects include the natural environment, the Southern landscape, the Florida Keys and Everglades, and tropical flora and fauna. The photos she takes from her heart almost never have any evidence of human involvement; rather she is inspired by the interplay of the elements of nature with light, motion, and color.

Carol seeks places that are wild and serene, usually at the water’s edge or native woods. She revisits the place at different times of day, and weather conditions. Often enough to get a sense of place… to really get to know it. Carol takes about 50 photos each visit, varying the exposure, focus and vantage point.

Carol also contributes to the Conch Republic Coconut Telegraph monthly newsletter: http://theconchtelegraph.com/

Carol’s website is: Little Salt by Carol Ellis Photography

Read Carol’s writing and nature journal here:  – Journal

Have you read our Voices for Nature newsletters?

To access the Newsletters, click *HERE* or any newsletter image below.

Read great stories from our volunteers, Board members past and present, Refuge staff, resident scientists, interns and visitors to the Keys.

Our newsletters are published 2-3 times/year.  See photos and descriptions of recent events and items of interest.

Be sure to look at the amazing photographs taken by the Florida Keys Wildlife Society Photography Club.