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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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Photo by: Charles and Mary Armfield
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Visitor Center Closed 
The Visitor & Education Center has been closed this week because of a broken air-conditioner. We are working to reopen it as soon as possible by supplying a temporary unit while the main system is being repaired. To learn whether or not the the Center has reopened before you visit, please call 239-472-1100 ext. 222 or ext. 249. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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TOMORROW: Art Journal Walk &
Doc Ford's Painting Live
On Friday, June 28, "Ding" Darling artist "in residence"
Ed Anderson
will offer his second and final free Art Journal Walk at the Refuge. Today (June 27) is his last Pop-up Art Studio on Wildlife Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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| Ed Anderson has long been inspired by the mighty Tarpon. |
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Click
HERE
to read more about the artist and the eight weeks he has spent at the Refuge.
Special thanks for the generous support for Ed's Artist "in Residence" program from
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Naples Botanical Garden Partnership
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Interns April Boehnen and Elizabeth Preciado with Jackie Coppard, who discovered the injured Mangrove Cuckoo at Naples Botanical Garden
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Last month, Naples Botanical Garden got in contact with Refuge Biologist Jeremy Conrad after a bird that staff believed to be a rare Mangrove Cuckoo flew into a glass door at the complex. Jeremy confirmed the bird's species. Unfortunately, despite the intervention of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Mangrove Cuckoo did not survive its injuries. The Naples Botanical Garden staff agreed to turn over the bird's body to undergo taxidermy and to be used as an educational tool at the Refuge. In the meantime, garden staff also installed ultraviolet window stickers to prevent any recurrences.
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Holiday Closings
In observance of Independence Day, the Visitor & Education Center and all administrative offices will be closed all day Thursday, July 4, and may close early the day previous, July 3.
Wildlife Drive, Bailey Tract, and
Tarpon Bay Explorers
will remain open during regular hours. Wishing all our readers and supporters a happy, safe, and nature-filled holiday.
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PACE Center Art Outreach
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One of five experiences offered, a guided hike took PACE Center girls along Indigo Trail to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk.
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Last Friday, Artist "in Residence" Ed Anderson conducted a special Refuge art outreach program with the
PACE Center for Girls - Lee County
. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society transported 39 girls ages 11-17 to the Refuge for a day of art and discovery.
The PACE Center outreach program was made possible by a grant from the Gardner Families, READ MORE
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| Ed Anderson with one of groups of PACE girls working on the mural |
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PACE visitors worked cooperatively on a mural for their center.
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Private Donations Goal Reached!
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society has reached its goal to raise $3 million in private donations toward the purchase price of $9.5 million to acquire Wulfert Bayous, the last large parcel of unprotected and undeveloped land on Sanibel Island.
As we await the Lee County Commissioners'
decision in August to award $6.5 million to complete the acquisition, we are continuing to accept
donations in case the 20/20 funds don't all come through. If we do end up receiving the full $6.5 million, extra funding will be
applied to a restoration project that will remove invasive vegetation from the tract and create improved habitat for wading birds such as Roseate Spoonbills and Reddish Egrets.
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. 232
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Welcome STAR Teacher
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Refuge STAR teacher Dee Mason helped with beach cleanup on World Sea Turtle Day, her first day on the job, June 17.
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Thanks to a grant from a private family foundation awarded to DDWS, the Refuge has hired a Summer Teachers Assisting Refuges (STAR) teacher for two months to help with summer family programs and other environmental education activities. This year's STAR, Dee Mason, has been teaching fifth-grade math and science at Villas Elementary School in Fort Myers for READ MORE
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World Sea Turtle Day
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The Refuge's World Sea Turtle Day celebration began with a beach clean-up on June 17.
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Other sea turtle activities included recycled crafts, a free film showing, and sea turtle lessons.
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Beach clean-up participants learned about turtle nests, shells, and other beach creatures during their morning walk.
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 Make-a-Wish Visit
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Mia Thompson, wearing straw hat, with her family and Ranger Monica Scroggin.
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On Saturday, June 15, Mia Thompson, age 14, from Pittsburgh, paid a Make-a-Wish visit to the Refuge with her family. Ranger Monica Scroggin swore her in as Refuge Manager for the day and accompanied her family on a tram tour provided by
Tarpon Bay Explorers
.
"When she got back, Mia decided -- Refuge Managers make all the decisions -- to take a hike on Indigo Trail," Monica reports. "We saw a ton of birds and other wildlife, making it very difficult to leave. A big thank you to intern Kyle, Tarpon Bay Explorers, driver Donald, the DDWS, and all the volunteers who made her day so special and memorable."
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Farewell, Elizabeth
Visitor Services Intern Elizabeth Preciado recently completed her stint with "Ding" Darling.
Elizabeth graduated from California State University of Sacramento in May with a degree in recreational parks, tourism, and administration with a concentration in management and certifications in natural resources and outdoor experience
. We wish her the best of luck and success in her chosen field.
Click
HERE
to read her thank-you letter to DDWS supporters. 
Click
HERE
to learn more about the Refuge
's internship program and how to support it.
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One of Clyde's most famous photographic portraits captures the elusive Ghost Orchid.
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As our Artist "in Residence" program draws to
a close, we are making preparations for our next BIG 75
th
anniversary art event. The Clyde Butcher 75
th
Anniversary Photographic Exhibition kicks off November 13, 2019, and runs through February 5, 2020.
To read an excellent, comprehensive article from
Florida Weekly
about Clyde Butcher's life and work, please click
HERE
.
Thank you to Mark & Gretchen Banks who are making this Clyde Butcher exhibition possible.
Following the Clyde Butcher exhibition, our Artist "in Residence" Ed Anderson will mount an exhibition of his work created at and inspired by the Refuge this summer. It is scheduled to open February 18, 2020.
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New Mary Frances Alert
 C
heck out our two newest beaded bag additions perfect for summer. Fruitful Life combines brightly colored fruits and stunning 3D flowers for a truly tropical island look. A sturdy chain with padded shoulder strap topped with a metal pineapple closure will have you carrying this bag everywhere.
Play Time boasts the vibrant hues of summer and a convertible gold chain strap that can be worn cross-body style or doubled over your shoulder. A stylish clasp closure handily completes the look for any occasion.
In time for summer travel: Our passport holders feature two vertical slits to hold your passport, cash, etc., and three credit card slots. Three fun themes show off your individual style: Smile, Trippin', and Been There Doin' That. Our store buyers are heading to Atlanta next month to discover even more Mary Frances fabulousness. Be on the lookout for our newest additions in the fall.
Stop in to pick up your Mary Frances treasures today. Or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information on mail-ordering store products.
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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Face painting is just one of the art activities that happens on "Ding" Darling Day.
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This year, in preparation for the Refuge's
75th Anniversary Celebration, we are concentrating all our efforts into one BIG day of festivities,
Sunday, October 20. Family Fun Day will combine all the best of "Ding" Days traditions.
Click
HERE for a calendar of events.
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We Love Our 'Ding' Day Sponsors!
Roseate Spoonbill Sponsor
Great Egret Sponsor
Great Blue Heron Sponsors
Reddish Egret Sponsors
Snowy Egret Sponors
Click HERE to find out more about our "Ding" Day sponsorship program or contact Dot Voorhees at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
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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.
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Beaver. Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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Location:
Coffeeville, Alabama (4,218 acres)
Totemic Fauna:
Wood Duck, Beaver, Bald Eagle
Visitor's Tip:
Creeks divide the refuge into three units, a large portion of which are accessible only by boat.
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Bald Eagle
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Wood Duck
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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.
Holiday Parties
Planning a big cookout for the Fourth of July holiday weekend? Imagine creative ways to reduce single-use plastic. Consider, for instance, asking your guests to bring their own plates, cups, and flatware from home. If you want to provide drinking straws, check out
Hay Straws
, made from natural, 100% biodegradable wheat stems. And inexpensive, starting at only $8 for a 100-pack.
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 no-straws policy.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
 We've been seeing lots of the River Otters on the Refuge lately.
Did you know: Otters can hold their breath for eight minutes while they swim underwater?
Thank you to Tom Apathy for this magnificent photo!
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 this year. |
Merit Badge University
- October 26, 2019
75th Anniversary Trashion Fashion Show & Luncheon
- March 10, 2020
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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