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Just Thirty Minutes at the Bailey Tract
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click above to go to the essay
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Your Backyard Nature
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Thank you to Laila Walzer in Catskill, New York
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Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Michigan or Colorado, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home.
Please
email
your nature photos so we can share them in "Ding" on the Wing and by social media. Please include details about the photographer and where the photo was taken.
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Thank you to Sally Walther of Sanibel
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Virtual Summer Camp Now Underway
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Last week's Experimental Thursday demonstrated the scientific principles behind making a DIY lava lamp.
"Omg we made those in the 70's. I can appreciate the science behind it now... much more than I did way back when." Response from observer Danita Hoisington
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Responses to the summer Nature Explorers Virtual Camp, which debuted last week, have been positive and robust. Educators will be hosting the free natural science and experiential-based learning videos every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m. on the Refuge's official Facebook page. Exploration Wednesday will include activities like paddleboarding in Tarpon Bay and bike safety. Experimental Thursday lessons range from making a lava lamp to nature tie-dye. Investigation Friday explores Refuge wildlife, plants, and people.
Did you miss last week's lessons? No worries, all videos and activity sheets are
archived
on the DDWS website.
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Water Tours and Charters Restart at
Tarpon Bay
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Go online or call 239-472-8900 to reserve the popular sunset cruise and other tours.
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Last week, the Refuge gave Tarpon Bay Explorers
recreation concession the green light to resume nature cruise and paddling tours and fishing charters. Visit the website for times and other information. Currently, TBE is not offering Wildlife Drive tram tours nor its Breakfast Nature Cruise. Kayak tours are limited to 12 people and nature cruises run at 50% occupancy in compliance with distancing guidelines.
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COVID-19 Refuge Status
I
n keeping with recent state and city directives and national guidelines, staff are developing a phased plan to reopen facilities as they meet staffing, distancing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
Last week, charters and most of the tours reopened at Tarpon Bay Explorers, the Refuge's recreation concession. Visit its
website
or call 239-472-8900 for up-to-the minute information. Keep current on other developments via our
COVID-19 web page
. In the meantime, we urge you to #StayHome as much as possible, get out in nature when you can, and maintain social distance and mask guidelines when you must go out.
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#DailyDoseofDing
 The DDWS staff has been busy bringing the healing sunshine and beauty of the Refuge to the public through 30-second social media videos. Follow on
Facebook
t
o see our #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge for those who can't make it.
The posts have become a much-anticipated
feature, boosting Facebook numbers to more than 14,500 followers.
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Curbside Pickup for Last-Minute Gifts
Curbside pickup is now available for orders placed
online.
If you need a last-minute gift for Father's Day this weekend, we've got you covered. No shipping required. Simply select curbside pickup at checkout and a member of our team will contact you within the next business day to schedule a pickup time convenient for you. Curbside pickup is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. To ensure a personalized experience for each customer, we will contact you directly when your order is ready for pickup.
Email us today for more information.
Last Day for Online Father's Day Special 
Ending today, Thursday, June 18, you can receive a $10 gift card with any purchase between $75 and $99 - just in time to receive orders shipped for Father's Day. Spend $100+ and receive a $20 gift card. We will send your gift card separately, via email or text, once you complete your purchase.
It can only be redeemed by shopping online at
ShopDingDarling.com.
Include it as an extra treat with Dad's gift or use it on something for yourself at anytime - our gift cards never expire. Sending directly to Dad? Write a special message in the notes section of your shopping cart, and we will hand-write it to include with your gift.
Personal Shopper 
Don't see what you're looking for online? Allow our staff to assist you in finding exactly what you want with a personalized shopping experience. By phone, we will guide you through our entire store inventory at a time that is convenient for you.
Email us or leave us a voicemail message at 239-472-1100 ext. 241, and we will be in touch with you promptly.
Our Newest Exclusive Face Masks 
Hand-sewn, embroidered, and donated by the talented and generous creator of our spoonbill masks, Barbara Bluedorn, these so-Sanibel shell masks will be available online no later than Monday, June 22. Keep an eye on
ShopDingDarling.com for their arrival, because they are bound to sell out fast. Like our other masks, they feature elastic ear straps and a nose wire for easy wear. Because they are donated, 100% of the proceeds from sales support the Refuge.
Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Wendy Kindig, DDWS Education Committee Chair
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In compliance with state pandemic guidelines, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society this year awarded $20,700 in Conservation Education Scholarships remotely to 10 students from the surrounding five-county area. During its 14-year history, the DDWS Environmental Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $147,100 to deserving students. "The Society is committed to educating today's youth to become conservation stewards of the future," said DDWS Education Committee Chair Wendy Kindig. "We work with businesses and individuals to READ MORE
Click
HERE to read about the 2020 scholarships & recipients
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 Planning for "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society's 2020-2021 event season is currently underway. DDWS supports several annual and one-time events. Your support will help the Refuge continue its work in conservation and wildlife protection and increase your visibility among current and potential customers. For individuals, it's an opportunity to show others the value you place on the work taking place at the Refuge and encourage them to do the same. Event and program sponsors play an essential role in helping DDWS raise support for research and education at the Refuge. View sponsorship opportunities.
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Restroom Vandalism
 We are saddened to report serious, malicious vandalism to the baby manatee sculpture outside of our
award-winning restrooms this past week. Anyone with information about the vandalism, please contact the Refuge at 239-472-1100 ext. 237. The sculpture's artist, Andrew Corke, has relocated from Sanibel Island to Colorado, so repairing the unsightly damage will be a long and costly undertaking. Andrew created the one-of-a-kind sculpture using recycled bicycle tires. Any artist or craftsperson who can help with temporary or permanent repairs, please also contact us by
email.
To make a gift to help us repair the baby manatee, click
HERE.
"Protection of people and property is our top priority during the pandemic," said Acting Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea. "The Refuge staff is onsite for routine patrols to monitor critical activities during this time of uncertainty. We are currently looking to resume entrance fees and open more facilities as safety risks are mitigated."
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Support Those Who Support Us
The island business community needs us now, more than ever. Each week, we are highlighting local businesses that have provided support for conservation efforts at the Refuge through the years. They have invested in the community and the Refuge, and we hope the community will do what they can to help them.
Captain Shawn Kelley Fishing Charters
: A professional USCG-registered captain for more than 16 years, Capt. Shawn has dedicated his career to developing deep local knowledge of the waters of Pine Island Sound, particularly those around Sanibel and Captiva. He works out of Jensen's Twin Palms Marina on Captiva and specializes in family fishing outings. Call 239-677-7929.
 Fort Myers Marine
: In its showroom at 2137 Fowler Street, Fort Myers Marine carries only the highest quality boats and marine-related equipment, proven to withstand the rigors of Southwest Florida's saltwater environment. It maintains a wide variety of boats in stock, ready to be delivered in a timely manner. Call 239-334-7871.
 The Historic Bait Box: A Sanibel Island fishing tradition since 1971, it provides a one-stop shopping experience for everything from live and frozen bait to rods and reels, cast nets, life vests, lures, boating apparel, and everything you need to pull in the big ones, including know-how and free advice. Rental equipment and fishing licenses are also available from the charming Old-Florida style shop at 1041 Periwinkle Way. Call 239-472-1618.
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Blast from the Past
As we approach the official
75th Refuge Anniversary
on December 1, 2020, we take a look back,
through historic photographs,
over the past three-quarters of a century that the Refuge has been in existence.
Photo to the left: Thank you to Rahahęti David Padam-Webb for this photo of her grandmother, Edythe (Ede) Stokes. Ede, pictured here at her desk back when the Refuge was headquartered at the Sanibel Lighthouse, worked as a clerk for the Refuge for more than 30 years. The current Refuge administration building is named in her honor.
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Reusable Face Masks
Like many disposable products, single-use face masks are ending up on beaches, in waterways, and in landfills as unsightly and contaminated trash. If your job does not require single-use masks, invest in cotton cloth ones you can launder and reuse. Our online store has a
wide selection
of face coverings in fashionable designs, including our exclusive Roseate Spoonbill and seashell-motif masks embroidered with the Refuge's name.
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'America's Best-Kept Secret'
In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A. that is open to the public.
Today, we revisit a Philadelphia refuge where Refuge Manager Lamar Gore this week issued a statement on Facebook Live about his journey as a black conservationist and the conversations we should be having about making people of color and other systematically excluded persons feel safe in our refuges and the outdoors in general.
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Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Location:
America's first urban refuge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Totemic Fauna: Marsh Rice Rat, Red-bellied Turtle
Visitor's Tip: A 4.5 mile tidal segment of Darby Creek flows through the refuge and is accessible by paddling.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| Photo credit: John Gamble |
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This Roseate Spoonbill seems to be running in for a hug --probably be what most of us will look like when we see friends and family again. We hope everyone is able to see loved ones soon.
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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75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off
- TBA
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October TBD
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
75th Anniversary Gala Celebration
- December 1, 2020
Clyde Butcher Book Signing - December TBD
National Bird Day - January 5, 2021
Lecture Series - January 29-March 19, 2021
Volunteer Training
- January 14, 2021
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - November 2021
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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 April Boehnen.
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