Hello!  A great deal has happened since my last NWFLEC update on July 1st.  Since I started the public announcements about the Chipola Travel and Nature Center we have had numerous responses, inquiries and publicity.  Since that announcement I have added a page to the end of the Chipola Travel and Nature Center website listing endorsements and media coverage (see the link below).

Just in the past week we've had three new members join NWFLEC

and I'd like to welcome and thank the following individuals: Joe Retherford, Doug Trammel, and especially Allen and Deborah Jelks for their lifetime membership!

On Saturday, July 28th NWFLEC members and volunteers helped to move a number of donations and items

from a vacant space at the Oak Station shopping center to the future nature center site.  I'd like to thank Anita Crossley, Pat Branyon, Allen & Deborah Jelks, Michael Gale and especially Sally Waxgiser for bringing her truck, trailer and dolly for the move!

Since our nature center public announcements I'd like to thank the Jackson County Floridan (Deborah Buckhalter & Mark Skinner), the Jackson County News (Ted Eubanks), and WJHG TV 7 (Camille Williams) for publishing stories about the Center and NWFLEC activities and updates!  I'd also like to thank the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (Art Kimbrough) for their support and endorsement of the Travel and Nature Center idea.  I'd also like to sincerely thank the following businesses and individuals for donating items, time or services to NWFLEC and the future nature center: Florida Bat Conservancy (Cyndi & George Marks), Kountry Candy Store (Lacy Farkash), Cracker Trapper Rural Services (Michael Gale), Dr. Dale Jackson, Sears (Pat & Dan Efaw), and Fastlane Computers (Joe Retherford). Details of these donations and services can be found at the Travel and Nature Center website.   We have also made progress on installing the new bat house at Oak Station.  We have picked up the bat house and pole (thanks to Michael Gale for help with picking up the pole and other donations in Tallahassee).  We'll be laying the concrete foundation in the next week or so.  I'd like to invite anyone who has experience with concrete work to please get involved and help out.  Please contact me if you'd like to help with the concrete work.  Later I'll be making an announcement about the date we'll actually be installing the bat house and I welcome everyone to attend this event.   On Saturday, August 25th, at the Oak Station shopping center, from 8 am to at least 12 noon NWFLEC will be having a special, one time event yard sale to help raise funding for the future travel and nature center.

We hope to have local musicians, and media and press coverage at the event.  Additionally, we plan to show some animals that will be exhibited at the future nature center.  I urge NWFLEC members to please donate items for this sale and to come out and help and get involved in this important event.  Please contact Sandi Chapman (NWFLEC secretary) or Anita Crossley to donate items and to get involved (see their contact info below).

 I'd also like to remind everyone that the Chipola Travel and Nature Center will be one of the most positive and beneficial additions and new businesses in Jackson County and the region in many years. The benefits of this Center will help schools and children, local business and ecotourism, in addition to being a huge benefit to environmental education and the regions awesome natural history!  We have a September 10th deadline to raise the minimal funding and materials needed for the Travel and Nature Center.  I hope Jackson County and this community will not let this incredible opportunity pass them by!  Plans are still in the making for other centers and zoos in Bonifay, Freeport and the west side of Panama City.  Lets not let our local dollars, tourists and people pass Jackson County and Marianna by going to other destinations!  I am humbly asking for help from everyone reading this now.

I refuse to give up on this nature center idea for this region because no other place like northwest Florida exists in the entire country!  The level of success, professionalism and benefits to northwest Florida of this travel and nature center depend upon the level of involvement and support from area citizens, businesses, and organizations!  Thanks very much!