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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
May 25, 2017
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Green heron hatchling by Sierra Hoisington
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Memorial Day Closings
The Visitor & Education Center will be
closed
on Monday May 29th for Memorial
Day. Wildlife Drive and Tarpon Bay Explorers will remain
open
.
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Double Your Donation!
Because of the federal freeze on hiring, "Ding" Darling is unable to fill its current vacancy for an Education Specialist. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society has received a grant that will match funds raised to support the salary of an experienced, full-time wildlife educator to work with Refuge staff for a period of at least one year. For every dollar DDWS raises for the effort, the grant will match it with $1 up to READ MORE
Seeking a total of $20,000 in donations towards the effort, DDWS to date has received $11,000 and is hoping to raise another $9,000 by August 15, 2017. To make a donation toward this effort, you can donate online by
clicking here and designating that your donation is for the Education Match under "Gift Comments."
For more information, please contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by email.
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Baby American Alligator; photo courtesy of Sarah Lathrop
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It's baby season along Wildlife Drive and the trails of Bailey Tract. Please remember to admire from afar so as not to disturb the wildlife and frighten the parents
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Anhinga with chick; photo courtesy of Jim Bennight
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away from their eggs and babies.
Never
cross tape marking off bird nests. For more information about ethical wildlife viewing,
click here
.
To learn how to give a baby this season, ple
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Solar Panels Installation at 'Ding'
Last week, phase one of solar panel installation began at the Refuge with the maintenance building. Phase two will convert the Visitor & Education Center to solar power. The project was part of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society's San-Cap Solar Connect initiative started in 2015. The program saw three other island businesses and 24 residential homes converted. Since March 2016, when San-Cap Connect completed the program, the League of Women Voters has stepped in to continue it Florida-wide. San-Cap Solar Connect was partially funded by Sanibel islanders Fred and Alice Stanback.
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Friday's Family Beach Walk begins at 9 a.m. at Gulfside City Park.
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 FREE Summer Programs Begin June 7
Wildlife Wonders talks, weekly walks, and nature crafts highlight the free summer programming to be offered June 7 through August 5, 2017, at the Refuge. Summer programs are made possible by support from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends READ MORE
Click here
to see and print the summer programs brochure.
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Manatee 'Sculptire' Installation Video
Artist
Andrew Corke
(shown left with his work) fashioned the sculpture out of recycled bike tires. He has already begun work on baby manatee (below). Click HERE or below to watch a time-lapse video of the 3-D mother manatee sculpture installed this month as part of our #LearningLav bathroom renovation project.
Click here
to read more about Project #LearningLav.
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Congratulations to
Team YAM, winners of the sixth annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament on May 19. Team members included brothers, Mark Sparrow and Richard Sparrow. Richard pulled in two tarpon and Mark one, for a team total of three.
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First Place Team YAM with DDWS Carrie Alexander, Marty Harrity of Doc Ford's and Deputy Refuge Ranger, Nate Caswell
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Team Doc Ford's
came in second with two fish. Team Bait Box had the first catch at 7:17 a.m. tourney day and placed third. San Carlos Marine and Mabry Brothers caught the third and fourth fish, respectively, and came in fourth and fifth place. In all, anglers caught 16 fish between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. A big round of applause for all our anglers, auction donors, and especially our sponsors.
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First tarpon caught was by Team Bait Box
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100% of tournament fees was awarded to the top five winners:
First Place: Team YAM, $16,942.50
Second Place: Team Doc Ford's, $9,412.50
Third Place: Team Bait Box, $5,647.50
Fourth Place: Team San Carlos Marine, $3,765
Fifth Place: Team Mabry Brothers, $1,882.50
Tournament sponsors for 2017
SEE SPONSORS, Logos & Links BELOW
Thanks to our auction donors:
ACE Hardware, Adventures in Paradise, Anisa Stewart Ocean Inspired Jewelry, Aquatica, Bailey's General Store, The Bait Box, Mark and Gretchen Banks, Beautycounter, Bennett's Fresh Roast, Black Pearl Cast Nets, The Blue Giraffe, Christopher and Matti Bradley, Calusa Cast Net, Susan Cassell, Cip's Place, Congress Jewelers, The Cottage Beach Bar and Grill, Diamond Head Beach Resort and Spa, Disney, Diversified Yacht Services, Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille, Earth, Sky, Fish House, Gator Lanes Bowling, Holiday Water Sports, Island Inn, Island Therapy Center, Jensen's Marina, Joey's Custard, Key West Express, Kristy's Kritters, Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Lighthouse Cafe, John MacLennan, Magnolia Casual, Matzaluna's Italian Kitchen, McGregor Grill, Michael's Enterprises, Military Ties, Birgie Miller, My Island LLC, On Island, Pinchers, Qwik Pack & Ship, Dave Raisbeck, Rosie's Cafe & Grill, The Sandbar, Sanibel Harbour Marriott, Sanibel Sunglasses, Sea World, Shoreline Lumber, Spada Salon & Day Spa, Stilwell Enterprises, Stokes Marine, Sun Bum, Sun Harvest, Suncoast Beverage, Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, Trophy Case, Sharon Tucker, Vortex Optics, Chelle Walton, Ann-Marie Wildman, XTRATUF
To see more pictures from the tournament, click here.
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6th Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
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At the Refuge Nature Store
Sea Turtle Season
Sea turtle nesting is underway on island beaches, a good time to stock up on books,
gifts, and clothing that pay homage to the magnificent, ancient creature.
Here's a rare opportunity to own a 2017 "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament shirt without fishing in the tournament. This year, we ordered some extras for those who have been asking to purchase the shirts in the past. Purchase this long-sleeved, full-color wicking shirt for $30 or a short-sleeved, black-and-white shirt for $15.
Remember, proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Last week, the entire Florida delegation signed a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke requesting support for the Everglades. Sent by a nonpartisan congressional delegation, it invited Zinke to come visit the Everglades: "We realize your schedule is incredibly busy but would be honored to personally show you the River of Grass," it read.
Click here
to read about more.
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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
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Photos courtesy of USFWS
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Location
:
Royal City, Washington
Totemic Fauna
: Cliff Swallow, Coyote, Horned Lark
Fun for the Family
: A 22-mile drive will take you through some of the refuge's most dramatic landscapes, including cliffs, lakes, and marshes.
Visitor's Tip
: Most areas of the refuge are remote, with no restroom or drinking water facilities. Trails are considered
primitive.
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Coyote pup by Gordon Warrick
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Cliff Swallow by Gordon Warrick
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Florida WaterVentures Traveling Lab will visit the Refuge on Sunday and Monday during "Ding" Days.
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Mark your calendars for this year's "Ding" Darling Days birding and
eco-festival the week of October 15-21, 2017. Family Fun Day kicks off the week with free activities on Sunday, October 15. It features all-free Refuge tours, live wildlife presentations, a Florida WaterVentures Traveling Lab, a new exhibit debut, archery clinics, hot dogs
READ MORE
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Photo by Bill Fischer
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Photo by Yve Nagy Morrell
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This week's sightings: an elusive mangrove cuckoo perches at the Refuge (right) and a Chuck-will's-widow rests at the Bailey Tract (left). Black-necked stilts at the Bailey Tract.
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, click on our social media links:
If
you have taken any beautiful, interesting,
or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to Philanthropic Coordinator,
Carrie Alexander,
for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington
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For 
