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.

LXCL:Evening program best suited for ages 10 years and older.

Field Experience Ticket

Join us for Insects &amp; Arachnids After Dark, an evening hands-on science field experience that starts with a guided walk along a nature trail at sunset in search of the small but remarkable creatures that come alive after dark. Using red-light flashlights and UV lights, we&rsquo;ll look for movement, glowing clues, eye shine, web builders, hunters, and other nighttime behaviors while exploring how insects and arachnids are specially adapted for life in the dark. Along the way, participants will sharpen their observation skills and learn how to notice the field marks and characteristics that help distinguish one species from another.&nbsp;&nbsp;This program also invites you to be part of community science. As we document what we find, participants will help observe, describe, and assist volunteers with recording species using iNaturalist, contributing valuable sightings that can support wildlife knowledge and biodiversity tracking.&nbsp; After the trail walk, we&rsquo;ll gather in the classroom to examine and compare the species observed, practice identification techniques, and discuss the clues that help naturalists tell one arthropod from another. This field activity is made possible through a Special Use Permit to access the Refuge after closing time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Field Trip Leader: Professor Candido Diaz, Stetson UniversityProfessor Diaz&rsquo;s academic passion has always bounced between physics and biology, ultimately he obtained a degree in Physics and Astronomy from Vassar College. He was lucky enough to conduct acoustics research during his undergrad but then found the call of biology too strong. Professor Diaz an Ecomechanist who travels into the field to study the material properties of the glue produced by rare spiders to capture moths. At heart, Professor Diaz loves evolutionary specialist animals and the weird things they can do. These amazing spiders use a combination of strange web structures, pheromones, and a special silk glue to retain hard-to-catch prey.

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); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for Insects &amp; Arachnids After Dark, a nightime hands-on science field experience. Please meet at the Mayaca Trail parking area. Travel on Mud Lake Road past the Nature Center, over the railroad tracks, and turn into first parking lot on the right. &nbsp;&nbsp; This activity is made possible through a Special Use Permit to access the Refuge after closing time. The gate will automatically shut at sunset. Our group will exit together to gather in the classroom following the trail walk. &nbsp; Please bring a headlamp or flashlight with red light mode. &nbsp;If you don&#39;t have red light mode, we will provide colored cellophane wrap. &nbsp;A water refill station and restroom will be available in the classroom following the field session. We look forward to welcoming you &nbsp;to an interactive evening of discovery. Rochelle HoodExecutive DirectorMerritt Island Wildlife Association&nbsp;miwascrubjay@gmail.com

Join us for Insects &amp; Arachnids After Dark, an evening hands-on science field experience that starts with a guided walk along a nature trail at sunset in search of the small but remarkable creatures that come alive after dark. Using red-light flashlights and UV lights, we’ll look for movement, glowing clues, eye shine, web builders, hunters, and other nighttime behaviors while exploring how insects and arachnids are specially adapted for life in the dark. Along the way, participants will sharpen their observation skills and learn how to notice the field marks and characteristics that help distinguish one species from another.  This program also invites you to be part of community science. As we document what we find, participants will help observe, describe, and assist volunteers with recording species using iNaturalist, contributing valuable sightings that can support wildlife knowledge and biodiversity tracking.  After the trail walk, we’ll gather in the classroom to examine and compare the species observed, practice identification techniques, and discuss the clues that help naturalists tell one arthropod from another. This field activity is made possible through a Special Use Permit to access the Refuge after closing time.  Field Trip Leader: Professor Candido Diaz, Stetson UniversityProfessor Diaz’s academic passion has always bounced between physics and biology, ultimately he obtained a degree in Physics and Astronomy from Vassar College. He was lucky enough to conduct acoustics research during his undergrad but then found the call of biology too strong. Professor Diaz an Ecomechanist who travels into the field to study the material properties of the glue produced by rare spiders to capture moths. At heart, Professor Diaz loves evolutionary specialist animals and the weird things they can do. These amazing spiders use a combination of strange web structures, pheromones, and a special silk glue to retain hard-to-catch prey.

Merritt Island Wildlife Association

Diurnal to Nocturnal – Insects & Arachnids After Dark

2045 Mud Lake Rd

Field Experience Ticket

Free

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