President’s Message – December 2013

This is a busy time for everyone with holiday parties, relatives coming to visit and all that shopping to do. I hope you take the time to for a walk in our IOP Preserve or just on the back roads and enjoy the neighborhood we all love.

Our association will be busy too with the upcoming events, membership drive and starting a new IOP board. Before you know it we will be doing it all again. I would like to know what kinds of events you would like to see in the next year. Drop any board member an email or come to a meeting to provide input in your membership next year.

In our neighborhood we may encounter many different types of wildlife, which is one of the reasons most of us call this our home. Be aware of your surroundings, I have been notified of a panther sighting in the IOP near Devonshire and be mindful of the usual deer crossings. If you find an injured animal please call:

WiIdIife HeIpIine: 352-371-4400 (aII wiIdIife issues); PLEASE CALL ABOUT ORPHANED, lNJURED, SlCK, DlSPLACED WlLDLlFE – DO NOT EMAlL! business: 352-371-4443 (education, donations, voIunteering onIy)

I came across this exciting news at http://www.btn-wildlife.org

Welcome to the official page of Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge & Education Center, located in Orlando, FL. We are the largest registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to Rescue, Raise, Rehabilitation and Release of Central Florida’s injured and orphaned native wildlife.

We’re Moving into Our New Home!.

In 2007, BTN was granted 20 acres of land by the Orange County Environmental Protection Department, as part of a 40 year lease. The new site will be located off of Narcoossee Rd and Clapp Simms Duda Rd. (adjacent to Split Oak Pre- serve). We are extremely grateful to be partnering with the county to help Central Florida’s wildlife.

Hope you all have a healthy and prosperous New Year!