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Click the logo to learn more about our 45/82 Society and leaving "Ding" Darling in your estate.
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We WON! Click
HERE to read more about America's best restroom.
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| Please be courteous to nesting birds along the Indigo Trail. Noise pollution from loud conversation and light pollution from flashing cameras could negatively impact their nesting success. |
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Call for YCC Applications
The Refuge will be hiring one high school student for its annual
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) summer program to assist with maintenance and administrative support. No prior work experience is required. Students ages 15 through 18 can apply by 4 p.m. Thursday, May 16. The work program runs June 10 through August 2 with a Monday-Friday schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pay is $9 per hour. Reliable transportation is required. Apply by mail (1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel 33957), fax (239-472-4061), or
email by 4 p.m. May 16.
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Scarlet Tanager
Photo by Rebecca Clemens
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Artist 'in Residence' Program
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Ed's fine art focuses on wildlife, such as this Tarpon.
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Working from his studio at Blind Pass on Sanibel Island, wildlife artist Ed Anderson from Boise, Idaho, will be participating in an eight-week artist "in residence" educational program at the Refuge from
May 15 through July 1
. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society is hosting the program as part of the Refuge's
75th Anniversary Celebration
running through December 1, 2020.
"Our Refuge was created by conservation artist Jay Norwood 'Ding' Darling in 1945, so it's more than fitting that we begin celebrating our 75th anniversary with interpretive art programs," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "Darling, who created READ MORE
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Tarpon Tourney Breaks Records!
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| Team Tall Tales reels in a whopper. |
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The eighth annual
"Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament
on May 3, 2018, topped previous years' fundraising efforts by netting
$
125,000
from tournament sponsorships, donations, and silent auction proceeds to benefit the Refuge.
The tournament also broke the record for fish caught, set in 2018. Anglers photo-recorded 88 tarpon catches this year, compared to as few as two and as many as 49 in the previous seven years. The 2019 tournament paid out $29,800 in prizes to five READ MORE
The tarpon tournament supports the Refuge entirely through sponsorships and silent auction donations. A WHOPPER thanks to our
sponsors and donors
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Click above to see our full list of tournament sponsors |
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Celebrate Pink!
Just in time for Mother's Day, the Refuge Nature Store releases its new, exclusive
Roseate Spoonbill Ornament
. The Refuge has chosen "Ding" Darling's most celebrated bird as its 75
th
anniversary icon, and this beautifully detailed, resin ornament was created especially for the Nature Store. This weekend, May 10-12, the store holds a special sales event to debut the ornament and pay homage to the bird with special discounts on all Roseate Spoonbill-related items.
Stop in any time after today (Thursday) to pick up your ornament and other pretty pink items. Or contact Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about mail-ordering these to anywhere in the U.S.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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We are getting closer to reaching our goal. To make a gift to help protect 68-Acres from development, see below.
 The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society continues to move forward with its project to raise $3 million in private donations to complete the $9.5 million acquisition of Wulfert Bayous, the last large parcel of unprotected and undeveloped land on Sanibel Island. Click
here
to read more about the project and to make contributions.
Click
HERE
to watch our video about the Wulfert Bayous' preservation campaign.
To make donations or pledges in person,
contact Birgie Miller
, DDWS Executive Director at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
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Proposed Fee Changes:
Refuge continues to seek public comment
The Refuge is accepting public comments on proposed changes to the Refuge's recreation fee structure, scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2020. Through May 31, 2019, comments can be submitted to "Ding" Darling via email, phone (239-472-1100), or mail (1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, Florida 33957). READ MORE
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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A.
This week, we hear from our editor, Chelle Walton, who visited the new Nature Center for the four Florida Keys wildlife refuges last week. The Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Center is scheduled to officially open early June on Big Pine Key.
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The soon-to-open Nature Center
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Location:
Offshore of Key West, Florida
Totemic Fauna:
Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtle, Miami Blue Butterfly
Fun for the Family
: The new Nature Center will feature hands-on exhibits and a book corner for kids.
Visitor's Tip:
Book a snorkeling trip with local outfitters to the refuge's underwater sponge gardens, home to a variety of juvenile fish.
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Miami Blue Butterfly
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Loggerhead Sea Turtle
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In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we share a quick tip on how you can turn your lifestyle greener. For more information on being environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Clean Green
As you replace empty house-cleaning product containers, look for green, chemical-free alternatives. Besides being healthier for your environment, they are often refillable to reduce waste. And many are multipurpose, meaning less products you have to buy and store. Avoid throw-away products such as wipes and "erasers." Investigate the use of common household items such as vinegar and baking soda as alternatives.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
Birds are laying eggs, and chicks are hatching around the Refuge!
Thank you to David Jeffrey for this photo of a Green Heron nest. Generally, Green Herons will build nests on or over the water, so make sure to look on in the roots of the mangroves to spot these guys.
T
o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:
If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to Development Officer,
Sierra Hoisington, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Stay tuned as we reveal our calendar of special activities to celebrate the Refuge's 75th anniversary starting later this month. |
75th Anniversary Happy Hour Holiday Shopping
- December 1, 2019
75th Anniversary Lecture Series
- January 17-April 3, 2020
Official 75th Anniversary Celebration - December 1, 2020
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our
website to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Christopher Gutierrez & April Boehnen.
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DDWS Intern Chris Guttierez joined millions of birders around the world to celebrate Birding Big Day 2019 on May 4. He spent the day along Wildlife Drive, spotting 37 different species of birds, including a Mangrove Cuckoo, Carolina Wren and Reddish Egret. Click on the Instagram logo and watch his "BigDay2k19" story which is highlighted.
