“FOWI” ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS I hope that you will all agree that over the last two years we “FOWI” have made great (positive) strides as follows: • We have improved our relationship with Pinellas County Government, at all levels • We have launched our fowi.org website and established on-line membership renewals using "PayPal" (thanks to Abby King) • We have communicated with our membership more frequently than ever before (thanks to Patti Smoot) • We held our own as to membership (thanks to Patti & Fletch) we ended last year at 106 members (a tough job in view of the ongoing recession) • We revised our bylaws • We revised the contract with Pinellas County to make it more friendly to FOWI • We made numerous (positive) attempts to invite the volunteers to become members of FOWI. I believe that our efforts will pay huge dividends in the “near” future? • WE “FOWI” proposed a “HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT” and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission “FWC” staff has approved it subject to final distribution, approval & implementation. This “HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT” will protect owners of “ROOF FACILITIES” that have Least Terns nesting thereon if an emergency demands the removal of the Least Terns. In addition, I have been informed that in the event “HVAC” units need to be maintained, during the nesting season, that such an event will be exempt from “FWC” protection rules. The agreement will be routed for final approval and implementation on March 22, 2010, which will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks. “FWC” staff has informed us that the agreement has previously received approval from the “FWC” legal staff. This will be a monumental step in the protection of Least Terns while protecting the roof owners. • We have formed a coalition with Booker Creek in support of continued funding of the preserves at the present level. During the last two (2) years we (Booker & Weedon Island Friends) have sent letters of support to the Pinellas County Commission. • We have received approval of the “Least Tern Roof Access License” by Pinellas County after an elongated period of negotiations with county staff. That agreement was made possible through the steadfast support of the Pinellas County Environmental Management and Environmental Lands Division “ELD” staff namely Will Davis, Dr. Steve Harper, Phyllis Kolianos and Dave Craig. We need to thank each of them for their support. • We have placed on the “FOWI” Executive Committee & Board of Directors a youth member. • We have dedicated $30,000.00 in funding to retrieve and restore the ancient Indian Canoe from Tampa Bay. Work has commenced on that project. Thanks to Phyllis Kolianos. The above accomplishments were made possible with the support and encouragement of your Board of Directors. Please give them a hand for their time and effort. Contributed by Mr. Robert A. Kersteen, President of the Friends of Weedon Island, Inc.