Tag Archives: Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Video: Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness: the 4 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee –Larry Woodward, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

From alligators and wood storks in the Okefenokee National Wildlife (NWR) to mussels, Gulf sturgeon, and alligator snapping turtles in the Lower Suwannee NWR, plus Banks Lake NWR and Cedar Key NWR, Larry Woodward, Deputy Refuge Manager, ONWR, gave a WWALS Webinar on Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness, and the importance of the 4 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee.

[Water, Wildlife, & Wilderness: 4 NWRs of the Suwannee --Larry Woodward, Okefenokee, Banks Lake, Lower Suwannee, Cedar Key, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21]
Water, Wildlife, & Wilderness: 4 NWRs of the Suwannee –Larry Woodward, Okefenokee, Banks Lake, Lower Suwannee, Cedar Key, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

After a brief introduction by Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman, Larry Woodward spoke for about 45 minutes, followed by questions and answers, all by zoom, from noon to 1PM, Thursday, November 11, 2024.

Here is the video:
https://youtu.be/ya5b8V6woOE

Fictional inhabitants of the Okefenokee Swamp include not only Pogo the Possum but also Kermit the Frog.

Continue reading →

Banks Lake closed indefinitely due to Hurricane Helene damage 2024-10-09

We will not be paddling for the Full Hunters Moon is tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, 2024, because Banks Lake is closed.

[Closed indefinitely due to Hurricane Helene Damage 2024-10-09: Banks Lake Outdoors and Banks Lake NWR]
Closed indefinitely due to Hurricane Helene Damage 2024-10-09: Banks Lake Outdoors and Banks Lake NWR

Banks Lake Outdoors facebook page, October 9, 2024:

Many of you have seen the massive number of trees down at the lake. Banks Lake Outdoors thankfully made it through Hurricane Helene with minimal damage. Much of the trees have been cleared; however, many upright trees remain unstable. Banks Lake, and the concession, will be closed to visitors until further notice.

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge:

Refuge CLOSED Due to Hurricane Helene Damage

Banks Lake NWR is CLOSED to all public access due to Hurricane Helene storm damage. Refuge staff have conducted initial inspections and clean up, however, conditions are still unsafe for public access. A date for reopening has not been determined. For more information, please contact refuge staff at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge at 912-496-7836.

We look forward to Banks Lake being reopened, and WWALS offers assistance.

Meanwhile, for other WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings/

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

Rescheduled: Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness: the 3 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee –Larry Woodward, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

Update 2024-10-09: Rescheduled due to impending Hurricane Milton. New date: Thursday, November 21, 2024, from noon to 1 PM.

Larry Woodward, Deputy Refuge Manager, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, will give a WWALS Webinar on the Suwannee River’s Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness, and the importance of the 3 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee.

[Rescheduled: Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness: The 3 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee River, Larry Woodward, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21]
Rescheduled: Water, Wildlife, and Wilderness: The 3 National Wildlife Refuges of the Suwannee River, Larry Woodward, WWALS Webinar 2024-11-21

Register in advance with zoom for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdOGtpzIpGdflOUxV423XHOi3TPNlaiSL

WWALS Board President Sara Jay Jones will give a brief introduction, Larry Woodward will speak for about 45 minutes, and we will have questions and answers. Continue reading →

Alligator hunting in Banks Lake NWR 2020-07-16

Yes, alligator hunting is happening in Banks Lake NWR.

Well, actually, already happened. According to GA-DNR, “The 2024 season opens at SUNSET on Friday, August 16, 2024, and closes at SUNRISE on Monday, October 7, 2024.”
https://georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Alligator

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: “Alligator: All State of Georgia Regulations will apply and the season will be limited to two three-day units within the state season. Hunters will access the lake using the refuge boat ramp…. Alligator hunting on the Refuge will be the first two weekends in accordance with the state season.”

So that was August 16-18 and 23-25, 2024.

[Alligator Hunting in Banks Lake NWR 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources]
Alligator Hunting in Banks Lake NWR 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Excerpts from Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Plan, July 2020, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/221089

Avg total nightly count = 56 Avg known legal nightly count = 24

Due to increased information from alligator surveys and monitoring from Georgia DNR, the process to allow alligator hunting on Banks Lake NWR was initiated in 2019. The alligator population in Georgia is one of many renewable natural resources that can sustain limited harvest in concert with biological monitoring and periodic evaluations. Allowing an alligator hunt on Banks Lake NWR will provide hunters additional opportunities where other public lands hunting opportunities are limited. Opening this hunt also supports the refuge’s compliance with Secretarial Order 3356, “to support and expand hunting and fishing, enhance conservation stewardship, improve wildlife management, and increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans”.

II. Statement of Objectives

Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Buck Moon Paddle 2024-07-21

A dozen people were ready to paddle on a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle, probably with bats, on Banks Lake, just west of Lakeland, Georgia.

[Banks Lake Full Buck Moon, Paddle didn't 2024-07-21, A dozen people, No paddles or PFDs]
Banks Lake Full Buck Moon, Paddle didn’t 2024-07-21, A dozen people, No paddles or PFDs

A few people brought their own paddles and PFDs, and they paddled anyway.

But there was a mixup with getting the paddles and PFDs from Lanier County.

Kimberly Godden Tanner, the outing leader, did not have those, so the WWALS paddle did not happen.

We will investigate a better way.

And thanks again to Lanier County for providing free rental of the kayaks and canoes and the paddles and PFDs.

Thanks to Kim for trying, and better luck next lunar month.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Banks Lake Full Buck Moon Paddle 2024-07-21

Join us for a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle, probably with bats.

When: Gather 7:30 PM, launch 8 PM, moonrise 9:17 PM, sunset 8:34 PM, end 10 PM, Sunday, July 21, 2024

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Banks Lake Full Buck Moon Paddle 2024-07-21, West of Lakeland, GA, Probably with bats]
Banks Lake Full Buck Moon Paddle 2024-07-21, West of Lakeland, GA, Probably with bats

Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Buck Moon 2023-07-03

Thanks, Gee Edwards for leading us to see bats and impressive sunsets, on the Banks Lake Full Buck Moon paddle 2023-07-03.

[Pictures: Banks Lake, Full Buck Moon 2023-07-03, Bats, crimson sunset, aqua and indigo lake]
Pictures: Banks Lake, Full Buck Moon 2023-07-03, Bats, crimson sunset, aqua and indigo lake

Here are a couple of video snippets.

Playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKwQ5xfKf-QzPJWtR07OYYYWky668-g1o&si=B4DHyUhinb-9t4Yd

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter. Continue reading →

Lanier County new campground and recreation facility beside Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge –GOSP 2024-03-21

Congratulations, Lanier County, for getting a GOSP grant to enhance Banks Lake!

Lanier County
Improving Recreation & Water Quality; $1,491,057

Lanier County will construct a new campground and recreation facility that would serve the visitors to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This project features wildlife viewing platforms, new waterway access and kayak launch, disc golf course, walking trail, boardwalk, and green space. The proposed campground will be equipped with full utility hookups, sanitary sewer, and shower and laundry facility.

This project also includes invasive species removal at Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

[Lanier County new campground, and recreation facility, beside Banks Lake NWR, $1,491,057 from GOSP 2024-03-21]
Lanier County new campground, and recreation facility, beside Banks Lake NWR, $1,491,057 from GOSP 2024-03-21

This was the only GOSP grant awarded in the Suwannee River Basin.

Lanier County applied in several previous years, and finally got the grant.

If I am not mistaken, this project will mostly be on county-owned land east of Banks Lake Boat Ramp, west of the Rivers Farm House. Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Hunters Moon paddle –Bobby McKenzie 2019-10-13

Three years ago on the Banks Lake Full Hunters Moon paddle.

[Sunset and Moonrise]
Sunset and Moonrise

Thanks, Bobby McKenzie for leading and for the pictures.

Banks Lake, our watery living room, our mini-Okefenokee, is part of the Alapaha River Water Trail.

For more WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings/ Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Corn Moon 2021-09-20

Rain around Valdosta scared away many potential paddlers for the Full Corn Moon, but eleven came to Banks Lake Boat Ramp, where there was no rain. They saw a magenta sunset, a cloudy moonrise, and bats.

[banners, sunset, moonrise, bats]
banners, sunset, moonrise, bats

Thanks to expedition leader Bobby McKenzie for organizing. Thanks to Helen Crowley for pictures on the water (I was on dog duty).

There are more pictures on the WWALS website:
https://wwals.net/pictures/2021-09-20–banks-lake-full-moon-pictures

See also pictures on facebook by Helen Crowley and probably many others.

Thanks to the Lakeland-Lanier Chamber of Commerce for Continue reading →