Enhancements Being Made to Black Point Wildlife Drive

By Warren Camp, President, Merritt Island Wildlife Association

I want to take this opportunity to let all Merritt Island Wild-life Association (MIWA) members know Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) and MIWA have been approved for a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This matching funds grant has an upper limit of $100,000. For every dollar we contribute, the NFWF will match up to the limit. This project is specifically designated to make enhancements to Black Point Wildlife Drive. The NFWF funds are from Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Dept. of Interior.

Several new features are planned as well as enhancing existing ones. We believe new wildlife viewing blinds, viewing scopes, and other planned features will add to the enjoyment of the Drive experience for thousands of visitors who annually visit the MINWR.

MIWA has raised funds of over $30,000 for this project, and our goal is to raise an additional $50,000. In-kind contributions are also accepted. We plan to have Black Point Wildlife Drive “work days,” in which volunteers can work on constructing new features. More information on these workdays will be available, as we get closer to the actual construction phase.

We need strong member participation to make this project a success. Any and all contributions toward this project are appreciated. Donations from one dollar up will add to our matching fund goal. We will keep you informed of this project’s progress through articles in our quarterly newsletter, Habi-Chat, and other reports to members.

Please consider contributing to this project, and invite others you know that have an interest in the MINWR to contribute also.