Big Picture - June/July 2018 - 28

AN OUTDOOR PRINT PROJECT
THAT'S REALLY FOR THE BIRDS
By Jennifer Corn, LexJet

BEFORE

BIG PICTURE

June/July 2018

AFTER

BEFORE

Felts Audubon Preserve is a hidden gem, tucked away among
sprawling neighborhoods in rural Manatee County, Florida.
Whether you're a novice birder or an avid twitcher, Felts is the
perfect place to visit when you want to unplug and see some
of the spectacular species of birds and butterflies Mother
Nature has to offer.
The Preserve land once belonged to Otis and Anita Felts,
who owned and operated a family-run dairy farm. When Otis
died in 2002, the family wanted the land to remain natural and
free from future development, so the Felts family donated the
30-acre parcel to the Manatee County Audubon Society.
The property is beautiful and serene today, but back in 2002,
it was in rough shape, and any improvements were completed
by volunteers. There are still no paid staff members at Felts, and
original member Don Bansen remembers the first major project:
Volunteers cleared more than 300 tires out of the lake. "Everybody was covered in mud - it was a mess," he says.
While tires in the lake no longer pose a problem, one issue
occasionally plagues groundskeeper Fred Allen: vandalism.

AFTER

In the past, volunteers witnessed graffiti and spray paint on
signs or broken display cases. Membership Director Lucette
Wombacher believes mischief increases a bit when school lets
out for the summer.
"It's important to have something that resists damage, so
volunteers can stay focused on clearing invasive plants and trails
rather than cleaning vandalized signs," she says.
The LexJet team wanted to make it easier for the volunteers at Felts, so they suggested ChromaLuxe EXT metal photo
panels with graffiti- and fade-resistant properties that stand up
to outdoor elements. With a glossy white finish, the panels are
designed for art and photo reproductions that look great on the
0.045-inch metal, and have been tested to last three or more
years outdoors without fading.
Florida sun exposure and occasional spray paint typically
result in a short lifespan for outdoor signage, but thanks to the
dye sublimation print-transfer process and the UV-resistant properties of the ChromaLuxe EXT, Felts could update the old signs
with new ones that would require little to no maintenance.
An Eagle Scout troop created the original signs two years
ago, so it was important that the heart and soul of those designs
remain when using ChromaLuxe EXT to revitalize them. After a
quick tour of the grounds, everyone agreed that 11 wayfinding
and informational signs would need to be rejuvenated.
Working from the Eagle Scouts' original artwork, which
showed various species of birds, butterflies and plants, and
Bee Hotel information, the new ChromaLuxe EXT panels were
designed, printed, and installed to the delight of the volunteers.
While summer is considered "off-season" for Felts, due to
hot, muggy days and fewer bird sightings, when the weather
cools off in November, the crowds - and birds - return. The
bright new signs will help visitors of all ages and skill level -
some from as far away as Europe or Asia - identify the flora and
fauna at the preserve.
Since Felts relies solely on donations and grants for any
improvements, LexJet donated the printing and installation of
the signs before the birds and birders return in November. So
far, the members and volunteers are impressed. "The signs
were revitalized, giving them a new, longer life. They look great!"
Wombacher says.
lexjet.com

http://www.lexjet.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Picture - June/July 2018