We are excited to announce our April 22nd youth event will be at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). We will have a Ranger led program about manatees and have an opportunity to watch the manatees from an observation deck. Later we will participate in a cleanup project at the Haulover Canal, followed by a brown bag lunch and devotional. We will be able to do one/both of the wildlife drives on our way out of the refuge. This promises to be a great day. Look for more information on the Youth Ministries webpage, social media pages and in your inbox.
Contained within this 35-mile long barrier island is a rich abundance of plants and animals from both the subtropical and temperate climate zones. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is strategically located on the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration corridor, and it is a key resting stop for many migratory bird species. The refuge's habitats support one of the highest numbers of endangered and threatened species found within the refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This unique relationship the refuge shares with NASA bears testimony that nature and technology can coexist.
The refuge traces its beginnings to the development of the nation’s Space Program. In 1962, NASA acquired the lands and waters adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center. NASA built a launch complex and other space-related facilities, but development of most of the area was not necessary. On August 28, 1963, as the 286th refuge of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an agreement to establish the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. In 1975 a second agreement established Canaveral National Seashore. Today, the Department of Interior manages most of the undeveloped portions of the Kennedy Space Center as a National Wildlife Refuge and National Seashore.
For more information about MINWR and its history, please visit their website.
To register please download the MINWR's Group Volunteer Form at the button below. Fill out the form, scan and return via email to Kenne Sparks at ksparks@cfpresbytery.org. All forms are due no later than Friday, April 14, 2023. Returning your registration form by the deadline will insure your group will not have to pay the $10.00/vehicle entry fee. Enter Central Florida Presbytery for the Project Title and your church nam,e for the Group Name. CFP will fill out the Agency and Agreement Number.
Contained within this 35-mile long barrier island is a rich abundance of plants and animals from both the subtropical and temperate climate zones. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is strategically located on the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration corridor, and it is a key resting stop for many migratory bird species. The refuge's habitats support one of the highest numbers of endangered and threatened species found within the refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This unique relationship the refuge shares with NASA bears testimony that nature and technology can coexist.
- 358 species of birds have been identified on the refuge
- 140 species of freshwater and saltwater fish are known to use refuge impoundments, estuaries, and freshwater wetlands
- 15 federally listed threatened and endangered species call the refuge home
The refuge traces its beginnings to the development of the nation’s Space Program. In 1962, NASA acquired the lands and waters adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center. NASA built a launch complex and other space-related facilities, but development of most of the area was not necessary. On August 28, 1963, as the 286th refuge of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an agreement to establish the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. In 1975 a second agreement established Canaveral National Seashore. Today, the Department of Interior manages most of the undeveloped portions of the Kennedy Space Center as a National Wildlife Refuge and National Seashore.
For more information about MINWR and its history, please visit their website.
To register please download the MINWR's Group Volunteer Form at the button below. Fill out the form, scan and return via email to Kenne Sparks at ksparks@cfpresbytery.org. All forms are due no later than Friday, April 14, 2023. Returning your registration form by the deadline will insure your group will not have to pay the $10.00/vehicle entry fee. Enter Central Florida Presbytery for the Project Title and your church nam,e for the Group Name. CFP will fill out the Agency and Agreement Number.
If you have any questions please call Kenne Sparks at 407-422-7125 x 209
or email at ksparks@cfpresbytery.org.
or email at ksparks@cfpresbytery.org.