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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
November 29, 2018
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Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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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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December 13: Shop 'Ding' Holiday Event
Special lectures and free
refreshments will be part of the Refuge Nature Store's Shop "Ding" holiday event in the Visitor &
Education Center,
hosted by the
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society on Thursday, December 13,
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Charles LeBuff and Betty Anholt will debut their
new
book and present
two special lectures that day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with book-signings to follow.
Their
Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story
releases earlier in the month and will be available for purchase and a special offer that day
 READ MORE
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Island authors Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff will present two lectures that day.
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Teacher Conservation Grants Awarded
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
, on November 28, awarded more than $11,000 in grants to conservation education-related projects at nine different schools in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties for the 2018-2019 school year.
"This is the 13th year the Society has awarded these conservation teacher grants," said Wendy Kindig, Education Committee Chair. "To date, we have awarded more than $86,000 in teacher grants. We were impressed by READ MORE
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Are you 70
1/2? Year-End Giving
Your gifts to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society support our new water quality studies, land acquisition, wildlife conservation, and the opportunity to educate future generations on the importance of preserving and protecting our wildlife and wild lands. Click
HERE
to read our latest appeal.
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"Ding" Darling - Theodore Cross
High School Photography Contest
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Prizes include a copy of the photography book Waterbirds by contest namesake Theodore Cross.
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Photograph above of the late Theodore Cross
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The sixth annual
"
Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest
is underway with a deadline of January 15, 2019. It invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that include a Canon digital SLR camera package, chartered class trips to the Refuge, and copies of
READ MORE
Click
HERE
for entry rules.
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More Solar at Refuge
Work has completed on installing solar panels atop the roof of the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center, the final phase of the Refuge's solar installation. The project was made possible by our 2015 San-Cap Solar Connect program, which brought affordable solar conversion to island residents and businesses through cooperative buying, and by donors Fred and Alice Stanback. Watch for news of an upcoming interpretive exhibit about solar power in the Visitor & Education Center.
I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. Thomas Edison
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New Hobie Kayak Tours
Tarpon Bay Explorers
is now offering custom Hobie trips to explore the wilderness of the Refuge's mangrove estuary. TBE added three Hobie kayaks to its fleet earlier this year. Not the traditional, "all-arm-powered" vessels, Hobie kayaks have a pedal drive system that allows operators to use their legs to go further and faster without as much fatigue. The Hobie tours will combine an introduction of Hobie operation with wildlife education. Hobie fishing tours are also available.
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Deluxe Hand-Carved Bird Gifts
Looking for something truly special for that devoted bird-lover for holiday gifting? Our new hand-carved wooden owls are a "wise" choice, in a variety of poses. Vintage, recycled touches add Victorian class to our wooden birds perched on an antique croquet ball or binoculars.
Stop in to pick up your holiday gifts today, or contact Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information on shipping. Click
here
to view a gallery of other available gifts at the Nature Store.
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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Holiday Happy Hour Success!
Our fifth annual Happy Hour Holiday Shopping event on Tuesday drew in record crowds and sales. Everyone brought their shopping lists, holiday spirit, and generosity. Thanks to all who attended and worked the after-hours event.
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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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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish Wildlife Service |
Location:
Olympia, Washington (1,471 acres)
Totemic fauna: Western Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon
Fun for the Family
:
The Sandpiper Trail offers views of many birds and four wildlife environments. Up to one million shorebirds gather here each spring
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| Peregrine by Jon Christopher Meyreers |
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and fall.
Visitor's tip:
The best wildlife viewing is within two hours of high tide. See the website for tide charts to better time your visit.
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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
Recycling Crisis
As USA Today reported this weekend, the U.S. just may be headed for a recycling crisis as prices to recycle paper, cardboard, and plastic rise. Online-order home deliveries, China's pull away from the recycling market, and sloppy recycling habits at home could bring recycling to its knees, a striking blow to the environment.
Now, more than ever, it is important to reduce your waste. Avoid single-use plastic products and follow responsible guidelines for recycling paper and cardboard in a clean, sellable condition. Keep plastic bags out of recycling bins. Learn more HERE.
Doing Our Part to Reduce Plastic
"Ding" Darling is committed to and has led the way on the islands in reducing the single-use plastic products that plague our planet and threaten wildlife. Thanks to DDWS' efforts, we have eliminated plastic shopping bags and one-time-use plastic water bottles in the Refuge Nature Store and at Tarpon Bay Explorers' gift shop. In recent years, the Refuge has also installed a filtered water refill station and DDWS has transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use. We have a strict no-straws policy.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
Several of our migratory species are beginning to show up. Black and White Warblers are coming back to their winter grounds around the Refuge.
Thank you to "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Intern Chris Gutierrez for this wonderful shots.
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 Development Officer,
Sierra Hoisington, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
Free Winter Programs
- January 7-May 5, 2019
Woodring Homestead 100th Anniversary Exhibit Unveiling
- January 23, 2019
Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibit - January 23-March 25, 2019
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 8, 2019
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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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