Merritt Island Wildlife Association

### Context Profile for Merritt Island Wildlife Association

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - The Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) is dedicated to inspiring community stewardship through advocacy for wildlife, promoting conservation education, and expanding outreach efforts that support the Merritt Island and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuges. Their mission emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats and fostering a connection between the community and the environment.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - MIWA engages in a variety of activities including:
     - **Fundraising Events**: Such as the "Fall Into Conservation Fundraiser," which features keynote speakers, silent auctions, and community engagement.
     - **Educational Programs**: They conduct programs aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship.
     - **Community Outreach**: Efforts to connect with the community and promote conservation initiatives.
     - **Volunteer Opportunities**: Encouraging local residents to participate in conservation efforts and educational activities.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of communication is friendly, inviting, and informative. The language used is accessible and aims to engage the community in a positive manner. The content often includes inspiring calls to action, encouraging individuals to participate in conservation efforts and community events.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website and email communications do not prominently feature emojis. The tone remains professional and focused on the mission without the casualness that emojis typically convey.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details are not provided on the website, but MIWA operates within the context of the Merritt Island and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuges.
   - **Scale**: The organization has a total of 69 forms and has conducted 63 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement with their audience.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed, the focus on community outreach and education suggests an emphasis on measurable community engagement and awareness.
   - **Volunteer Info**: The organization encourages volunteer participation, although specific details on volunteer programs are not extensively covered on the website.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use clear, concise language that is accessible to a broad audience. Avoid jargon unless necessary, and provide explanations when using technical terms related to wildlife and conservation.
   - **Engagement**: Incorporate calls to action that invite community members to participate in events, volunteer, or support fundraising efforts.
   - **Inspiration**: Aim to inspire readers by highlighting the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. Use stories or testimonials from community members when possible to create a personal connection.
   - **Structure**: Use headings and bullet points for easy readability, especially in emails and event descriptions. Maintain a consistent format across communications to establish a recognizable brand voice.

This context profile serves as a guide for creating tailored content that resonates with the Merritt Island Wildlife Association's mission and engages their community effectively.

Member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA)

MIWA Member Ticket

Guest of a member.  General public/non-member.

Guest / Non-Member

North Florida Natural History Adventure. Join us for an overnight trip to North Florida which will include a guided natural history tour with the Coastal Plains Institute (CPI), exploration of the Apalachicola National Forest wildflowers, and birding at St. Marks NWR. Field activities will include hands-on herpetology observation, examination of fossil and wildlife artifact collections, wildflower field walk, and birdwatching. We will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge week while visiting St. Marks NWR with a private tour of the lighthouse and naturalist walk.  Saturday, October 12, 2024 (Sunset is at 7:08 PM)2pm  Arrive at Coastal Plains Institute for a guided tour of the Apalachicola Lowlands Preserve, an 80-acre in-holding in the Apalachicola National Forest, being converted back to native longleaf pine forest. Learn about the biological diversity of the southeastern Coastal Plain. 4pm  Wildflower walk with a special focus on carnivorous plants6pm  Picnic supper. CPI President Ryan will share updates on the Striped Newt project 6:30pm Dip netting, Herp Heaven Happy Hour and Owling7:30pm Sunset at CPI, with forest ecology campfire stories, and s’mores      9pm Drive to lodging (participants responsible to book their own accommodations) Sunday, October 13, 2024 (Sunrise is at 7:39 AM)8:30am      Meet at St. Marks NWR for 9am tour of the St. Marks NWR Lighthouse 10:30am    Breakfast snacks picnic in St. Marks NWR (Ranger meet-n-greet)11:00am    Birding and Naturalist hike 1:30pm      Lunch-n-Learn: Meet at CPI HQ for ‘Fossils of Wakulla’ and artifact show while enjoying a picnic lunch 3:30pm      Depart to return home  Logistics:Registration fee includes professional guiding and natural history program. Lodging, meals, and entrance fees to St. Marks NWR are not included.  Participants will need to pack their own food and drinks as the locations are fairly remote. The program schedule does not allow time to drive to a location to purchase food. Schedule of events may be modified based on weather and wildlife sightings.  Meeting Location #1 – Coastal Plains Institute (inside Apalachicola National Forest)There is no official address.  But it can be described as:  Meet approx. 2.8 miles NW of Sumatra Grocery Store, along County Road 379, at the Rowletts Creek bridge.  Park on the NE side of the road, in a grassy clearing. NO restrooms onsite.  Stop at Sumatra Grocery & Gas, 46041 FL-65, Bristol, FL 32321 – approximately 2 miles before you arrive at the meeting location.  Meeting Location #2 – St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, 1255 Lighthouse Road St. Marks, FL 32355. Restrooms inside the Nature Center and in multiple locations t throughout the Refuge.  Meeting Location #3 – Coastal Plains Institute Headquarters, 46 Kinsey Road, Crawfordville FL 32327. Restrooms onsite.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name , Thank you for registering to join our North Florida Natural History Adventure. The trip is a 2-day outing to North Florida including a guided natural history tour with the Coastal Plains Institute (CPI), exploration of the Apalachicola National Forest wildflowers, and birding at St. Marks NWR. Field activities will include hands-on herpetology observation, examination of fossil and wildlife artifact collections, wildflower field walk, and birdwatching. We will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge week while visiting St. Marks NWR with a private tour of the lighthouse and naturalist walk. Please note program participants are responsible for booking their own accommodations and bringing their own food.  The attached document includes additional details.  Contact me if you have any questions.  I look forward to welcoming you to a weekend of outdoor exploration and learning.  Rochelle A. HoodExecutive Director Merritt Island Wildlife Associationmiwascrubjay@gmail.com

North Florida Natural History Adventure. Join us for an overnight trip to North Florida which will include a guided natural history tour with the Coastal Plains Institute (CPI), exploration of the Apalachicola National Forest wildflowers, and birding at St. Marks NWR. Field activities will include hands-on herpetology observation, examination of fossil and wildlife artifact collections, wildflower field walk, and birdwatching. We will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge week while visiting St. Marks NWR with a private tour of the lighthouse and naturalist walk.  Saturday, October 12, 2024 (Sunset is at 7:08 PM)2pm  Arrive at Coastal Plains Institute for a guided tour of the Apalachicola Lowlands Preserve, an 80-acre in-holding in the Apalachicola National Forest, being converted back to native longleaf pine forest. Learn about the biological diversity of the southeastern Coastal Plain. 4pm  Wildflower walk with a special focus on carnivorous plants6pm  Picnic supper. CPI President Ryan will share updates on the Striped Newt project 6:30pm Dip netting, Herp Heaven Happy Hour and Owling7:30pm Sunset at CPI, with forest ecology campfire stories, and s’mores      9pm Drive to lodging (participants responsible to book their own accommodations) Sunday, October 13, 2024 (Sunrise is at 7:39 AM)8:30am      Meet at St. Marks NWR for 9am tour of the St. Marks NWR Lighthouse 10:30am    Breakfast snacks picnic in St. Marks NWR (Ranger meet-n-greet)11:00am    Birding and Naturalist hike 1:30pm      Lunch-n-Learn: Meet at CPI HQ for ‘Fossils of Wakulla’ and artifact show while enjoying a picnic lunch 3:30pm      Depart to return home  Logistics:Registration fee includes professional guiding and natural history program. Lodging, meals, and entrance fees to St. Marks NWR are not included.  Participants will need to pack their own food and drinks as the locations are fairly remote. The program schedule does not allow time to drive to a location to purchase food. Schedule of events may be modified based on weather and wildlife sightings.  Meeting Location #1 – Coastal Plains Institute (inside Apalachicola National Forest)There is no official address.  But it can be described as:  Meet approx. 2.8 miles NW of Sumatra Grocery Store, along County Road 379, at the Rowletts Creek bridge.  Park on the NE side of the road, in a grassy clearing. NO restrooms onsite.  Stop at Sumatra Grocery &amp; Gas, 46041 FL-65, Bristol, FL 32321 – approximately 2 miles before you arrive at the meeting location.  Meeting Location #2 – St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, 1255 Lighthouse Road St. Marks, FL 32355. Restrooms inside the Nature Center and in multiple locations t throughout the Refuge.  Meeting Location #3 – Coastal Plains Institute Headquarters, 46 Kinsey Road, Crawfordville FL 32327. Restrooms onsite.

Merritt Island Wildlife Association

North Florida Fauna, Flora and Fossils (Natural History Adventure)

Apalachicola National Forest

MIWA Member Ticket

$48

Guest / Non-Member

$55