The last member’s meeting of the year was held on Wednesday, November 20th. The guest speaker for the evening was Susan Stanley (pictured). Susan is the Great Dismal Swamp’s Wildlife Biologist. Susan’s presentation started with an overview of the Great Dismal Swamp (GDS) and its history. The primary purpose of the GDS is to protect and preserve the unique and outstanding ecosystem as well as protect and perpetuate the diversity of life therein. A secondary purpose is to promote a public use program that does not conflict with the primary purpose.
Susan described some of the specific aspects of various habitat management activities that are undertaken to ensure the wide variety of plants and animals are supported. There is an incredible number of both plant and animal species that populate the refuge. She described several of the numerous species of trees, plants and insects that make the refuge their home.
In addition to the many plant species, there is also a large number of wildlife species that make their home in the refuge. The animals range from beavers and bears to birds, moles, snakes, lizards and salamanders, to name a few. There are just too many species to list here.
As Susan wrapped up her presentation, she noted that the swamp “isn’t dismal at all”.