Okay I have to admit it; I had fun last week cleaning the light house. There is something about working with a group of fun loving dedicated volunteers that motivates me. Every National Wildlife Refuge where I have worked has provided me with unique life experiences and lasting memories, and I can already tell that Chincoteague NWR will be no different. Along with the light house detail, in the three weeks that I have been here I have seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a full eclipse of the moon, a large variety of waterfowl, grebes, Chincoteague ponies, white tail and sika deer, Delmarva fox squirrels, bald eagles, falcons, shore birds and the list goes on. But my highlight of memories so far has been the warm reception given to Paula and me by the staff and volunteers of the Refuge. We want to thank each of you for making us feel welcome and at home here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We look forward to meeting each of you and lending our hands to yours in maintaining and enhancing not only the Refuge but our community. I will keep my door open as much as possible and I hope that you will stop by and introduce yourself and chat with me.

Sincerely,
Lou Hinds, Refuge Manager