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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
March 7, 2019
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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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TOMORROW
March 8: First Woman Big Year Winner Lectures
In 2017, Naples resident Yve Morrell became the first woman to tally the most species of birds for the American Birding Association's North American Big Year, with a count of 817. The devoted birder presents two special programs at the Refuge on Friday, March 8, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- part of the 2019 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture series and in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
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Yve Morrell
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An annual, informal competition, the North American Big Year sees birders canvassing the continent to break previous records. The highest record count to date was in 2016 with READ MORE
UPCOMING LECTURE: Friday, March 15: Sea Level Rise Lectures
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Jeremy Conrad
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"Ding" Darling senior biologist Jeremy Conrad will address climate change and sea level rise on a global and local level during two special presentations at the Refuge on
Friday, March 15, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- part of the 2019 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture series. His "Sea Level Rise: Globally & Locally" programs will draw possible correlations between recent water quality issues and global influences. "While some of our water quality issues can be attributed to climate change, my discussion will focus
READ MORE
 Special thanks to Hightower Advisors, Thomas & Swartz for sponsoring this 2019 lecture series.
Lecture Series Seating Policy
Lectures take place in the admission-free "Ding" Darling
Visitor & Education Center. Seating for the lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can save their seat and one extra with personal items and then can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Indigo Trail before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or they will be assigned to the next people waiting in line. We recommend arriving an hour before the lecture to save seats.
Click
HERE
for lecture series flyer.
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The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society has gone public 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.
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Many thanks to the Silverman family for their recent donation towards this campaign. They hope they can inspire others to give & save this land. Pictured above from the left, Lynnae Messina of the DDWS, Evelyn Silverman, Toto the dog, Camila Noches, and Sierra Hoisington of DDWS
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JOIN US! Tuesday, March 12
: Please join us for two free showings of our preservation campaign video on the big screen at
Island Cinema
in the Bailey's Shopping Center.
Enjoy free snacks and an information exchange at the 12:20 and 12:45 p.m. showings. 
If you can't make the big screen, click below to watch the video on your computer!
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| "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society 68-Acre Preservation Campaign Video |
To make donations or pledges in person,
contact Birgie Miller
, DDWS Executive Director at 239-292.0566.
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Adidas/Parley Support 'Ding'
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Lee and his mother Anna and father Kevin sell a line of Adidas shoes and other sports clothing made from fish nets, plastic water bottles, and other forms of plastic that have been gathered from the oceans and beaches.
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Click HERE to read how the Lee family of College Park, Maryland, has turned ocean plastic pollution and their love for Sanibel into a line of sportswear and a way to support "Ding" Darling.
To purchase products made from ocean plastic and support DDWS with your purchase, click HERE.
 
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TOMORROW:
International Women's Day
is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
DDWS is planning an impromptu Women's Happy Hour on the Causeway Friday, March 8 from 4-6 pm. Join us at the first causeway island on the left as you are leaving Sanibel. All are welcome to come celebrate the women in their lives.
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2019 Tarpon Tournament Sponsorships Still Available
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Image courtesy of Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau |
Since the tournament pays out 100% of registration fees in prizes, it supports Refuge projects entirely through sponsorships. To become a tournament sponsor, please contact
Dot Voorhees
at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
Thanks to those sponsors below who have already stepped up to make this another stellar event.
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STARTING POSITION Sponsor
CHAMPION Sponsor
PREMIER Sponsors
PRESENTING Sponsors
PLATINUM Sponsors
GOLD Sponsors
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Save the Date: Earth Day at the Refuge
Because Earth Day 2019 falls on the Monday following Easter, a day off for Lee County Schools students, we have expanded the free ev e
nt to include a full day of tours, crafts, films, and programs on April 22. Click here for a flyer.
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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.
Location: Homosassa, Florida (30,843 acres, part of the Crystal River NWR Complex)
Totemic Fauna:
Whooping Crane, Florida Manatee, Bald Eagle
Fun for the Family:
Bring your own craft to kayak or canoe.
Visitor's Tip: The refuge is accessible only by boat. A boat ramp is available to launch for a fee.
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| Florida Manatee |
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife |
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What's the Buzz?
Things are buzzing at the Refuge Nature Store! And we're not just talking about our happy shoppers who have been visiting in droves. Check out our locally farmed honey and eco-friendly Bee's Wraps. Walker Farms in nearby North Fort Myers produces our popular black mangrove, orange blossom, and wild flower flavors of honey, which we sell in two- and 12-ounce "honey bear" containers. Our reusable food wraps -- made in Vermont using beeswax, tree resin, and organic jojoba oil -- come in four sizes plus assortment packages.
Stop in and pick up your bee products today. Or contact Store Manager Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about mail-ordering these  and other featured 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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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.
Eco-Friendly Pets
Cats and dogs, too, can have an impact on the environment. Here are some green tips for pet care:
- Pets account for about 30% of the environmental impact on meat production in the U.S. Many overeat and more than half of American pets are overweight. Check with your vet to see if you should scale back.
- Check food labels. Look for organ meat and animal byproducts that use parts of animals that otherwise would be wasted.
- Re-purpose bags from newspapers or groceries for bagging dog droppings. If you need to buy bags, look for those made from recycled plastic.
- For cats, choose litter made from recycled or natural materials such as wood, wheat, or corn.
- Free-ranging pet cats kill more than an estimated 400 million birds in this country each year. Keep cats indoors when possible, or consider an outdoor leash. Source: Eating Well magazine
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
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Black-Necked Stilt
Photo by Diane Doran
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Swallow-Tailed Kite
Photo by France Paulsen |
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The spring migrants are starting to arrive. Both Black-necked Stilts and Swallow-tailed Kites have been seen the past couple of weeks. Its an exciting time to be at "Ding!"
T
o see more wildlife photos 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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March 12 - Wulfert Bayous campaign video showings at Island Cinema 
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- March 26, 2019
Free Refuge Summer Programs
- June 5-August 3, 2019
Clyde Butcher Photography Exhibition
- November 12, 2019-February 6, 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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