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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
March 24, 2016
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Landscape shot by Fletcher De Meo
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Ian Bartoszek with a Burmese Python. Photo by Paul Andreadis
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Tomorrow:
March 25
Pythons in Paradise
The invasion of exotic Burmese Pythons in the Florida Everglades has created monumental problems for native fauna. Ian Bartoszek, a biologist with the
Conservancy of Southwest Florida, has extensive experience in the collection and identification of amphibians and reptiles across the Greater Everglades ecosystem. His two "Pythons in Paradise: Collaborative Burmese Python Research in SW Florida" presentations
begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
on
READ MORE
Thanks to our 2016 Lecture Series sponsors
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Lecture Videos on YouTube
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Watch last weeks lecture by Emily Stokes here
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Have you ever been disappointed when turned away from a Friday lecture in our packed auditoriums? Then you will be happy to know you can still see lectures you may have missed. Though we have tried to solve our popularity problem by increasing the number of Friday lectures from one to two (at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.), our audience still packs the house. To solve the disappointment problem, we are now uploading videos of the lectures on
the DDWS YouTube channel. Look for them early the week following the lecture on YouTube and in "Ding" on the Wing.
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Lectures 2017
As we approach the end of our highly successful 2016 Friday Lecture season, we are already making plans for next year's schedule. If you know of a nature author or photographer or an expert in any wildlife or conservation related field who might be available to lecture next winter, please send us your suggestions by
clicking here.
(Right) Book-signings follow author lectures - our most popular programs.
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Friday, March 30 Film: A World Without Fish?
Based on the critically acclaimed book by Charles Clover,
End of the Line delves into the global overfishing crisis, particularly the imminent extinction of the bluefin tuna. Scientists discuss how this depletion has slipped under the public radar and how
READ MORE
Thank you to our Film Series Sponsor:
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Joe Wiegand takes the role of our "conservation president."
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Friday Lecture: April 1
Teddy Roosevelt at the Refuge
This is no April fool's joke! "Teddy" is coming!
Joe Wiegand has been bringing President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt to life for more than a decade and has performed in all 50 states and overseas, including a White House appearance in honor of Roosevelt's 150th birthday. As part of the free "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series, Wiegand will address the audience as members of Congress on period conservation issues during his two "Teddy: The Conservation President" presentations that will take place
beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
on Friday, April 1
READ MORE
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Saturday, April 9: Free
Teacher Workshop
Teachers of grades kindergarten through 12th, youth organization leaders, and other educators are invited to learn about birds and bird conservation at a
FREE
Flying Wild workshop to be help in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here for details.
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Go Wild Proceeds
Not only does our annual Go Wild for "Ding" event raise awareness of wildlife conservation, it also raises much-needed money for research and land acquisition to benefit wildlife. This year, the event raised nearly
$100,000 thanks in part to generous live auction participants such as
Doug and Sherry Gentry, Amanda Cross, Bill Schawbel and Judy Samelson, and Mark and Gretchen Banks.
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Mark and Gretchen Banks with wood sculptor Feather Man Jim Sprankle holding the unique carved Avocet the Banks' won at the Go Wild for Ding event |
The Gentrys and Amanda bid $8,000 for a boating excursion for eight to the Refuge's Woodring Homestead, followed by dinner at
Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille. Bill and Judy matched that bid for the same eight-person experience. The Banks won a
Jim Sprankle American Avocet scul
pture with their generous bid of $12,000. Island residents also bid generously on the live auction item of the
Sprankle-carved Reddish Egret head jewelry slide which also made them a member of the Sprankle "Feather Club".
Thanks to all our Go Wild live and silent auction participants, sponsors, auction donors, and attendees for making this the best fundraiser ever. Go Wild proceeds, along with annual DDWS memberships, grants, and donations, make it possible for us to help keep the Refuge running despite serious federal budget and staffing cuts.
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Help Save Our Island!
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society has undertaken a campaign to acquire more than 8 acres on Sanibel Island's Wulfert Road as a crucial wildlife corridor for the "Ding" Darling Refuge. We must raise $2 million in private funds to purchase the parcel, which lies between SCCF land and the Refuge.
Donors have already committed $500,000 of needed funds, so the goal is to raise the remaining $1.5 million by February 2017.
If not preserved by the Refuge, the land could be developed with as many as five dwellings and
READ MORE
For more information, contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by
email.
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| The late Elaine Jacobson |
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New Scholarship Donor
One more scholarship has been added to the list of student conservation scholarships available this year. Made possible through the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society, the
Elaine Jacobson Memorial Scholarship
brings the total number of scholarships to be awarded in 2016 to 14, amounting to more than $13,000. Deadline for application in March 31.
Click here
for more information.
Click here for a printable scholarship application form.
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Sponsors are still needed to help raise money for the conservation efforts at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
The following are current sponsors:
Title Sponsor:
Presenting Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Click to see sponsor levels. Email or call Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 to become a sponsor.
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Congress Jewelers
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Tarpon Tourney Sponsors get "blue goosed"
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Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
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Whimsical Refuge creatures spell out "Ding" on this new, more colorful version of an old favorite T-shirt. Wear it today to show your wild style. Pick up extras for friends and family. It comes in all adult sizes for $18.95.
Email
or call 239-472-1100 ext. 241 to mail order your shirts. Remember, proceeds from all Refuge Nature Store purchases benefit education and wildlife conservation programs at "Ding" Darling.
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Great Blue Heron by Arnold Most
Great Egret by Steve Thompson
Mottled Duck by Paul Smith
If
you have taken any beautiful, interesting,
or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to Society intern
Carrie Alexander
for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Smithsonian Water/Ways Exhibit - October 29-December 9, 2016
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by
Designed by Sarah Lathrop and interns Carrie Alexander and Anna Grubb
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