St. Vincent Island Bids Farewell to Monica Harris

On Sept. 18, the Friends of St. Vincent held a farewell luncheon for Refuge Director Monica Harris, who is moving to Jacksonville, NC to join husband Wayne, who accepted a job there earlier this year.

Friday, Sept. 26 was Harris' last day at the refuge. She has been at the refuge since June 1, 2001, and is well-known and liked in both Gulf and Franklin counties.

During the farewell luncheon, the Friends presented Harris with a framed aerial photograph of St. Vincent Island with a picture of her with a red wolf in the corner. The Panama City Ecological Services office also presented her with a plaque.

"I want to thank everybody for all they have done for the refuge and the staff," Harris said. "I hope that they continue to support the refuge because this is definitely a time of need."

Harris has accepted a job as a Comprehensive Conservation Manager with the refuge system.

"Under the Refuge Improvement Act, refuges are required to have a 15 year comprehensive plan in place by 2012. Fifty-six of these remain unfinished and six have never been started. St. Vincent is one of the six. My office will be my home in North Carolina, but I will be working as a floater in the Southeast and I will probably work on the plan for St. Vincent," she explained.

"The public will have to try and be patient with the refuge because it may be a while before we have a permanent director in place. In the meantime, people need to call the refuge for help and information and Charlotte will do what she can. We are hoping to fill our biotech position very soon. I have some good candidates," Harris said.

Harris said that the refuge office is currently in desperate need of volunteers to greet visitors and man the phones. She said that anyone who can work even a couple of hours a week would be welcome. Office hour have been cut back to Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you can help please call 653-8808.