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020 Wish List
If your New Year's resolutions involve supporting conservation education and water-quality research, have a look at the Refuge's 2020 Wish List. It provides opportunities to earmark your donation for items such as water research equipment, intern stipends, and classroom supplies. For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
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These
gifts
were made to DDWS in honor of and in memory of friends and families during December 2019.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way.
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TODAY: National Bird Day at the Refuge
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Join the Refuge Education Team for free bird crafts at noon in the Visitor & Education Center.
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Take a free guided birding bike ride, watch a free film, and take advantage of free bird crafts and Refuge Nature Store specials at the Refuge on Thursday, January 2, in honor of National Bird Day. Visit our web site for a FLYER listing a schedule of the day's activities.
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Monday, January 6
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Tuesdays at 1 p.m., join a free tour of the Calusa Shell Mound Trail.
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The seasonal calendar of free Refuge programs begins on Monday, January 6, and runs through Sunday, April 19. Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse activities and topics as "Ding" the Man, Beach Walk, Nature Photography, and Indigo Trail Walk.
Special this year, in honor of the Refuge's
75th Anniversary
, the "Ding" the Man program takes place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the READ MORE
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Wednesday, January 8: Free
Bluebird Man
Film Showing
 The eighth annual "Ding" Darling
Wednesday Film Series kicks off its free biweekly showings on
January 8 with Bluebird Man at 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center.
Bluebird Man focuses on the efforts of 91-year-old Alfred Larson, who has been monitoring and maintaining more than 300 nest boxes for bluebirds in Idaho for 35 years. He was among the first citizen scientists to take up the North American Bluebird Society call to action back in 1978 as bluebirds were facing steep declines since
READ MORE
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Bluebird Man trailer
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January 15:
Theodore Cross
High School Photo Contest Deadline
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Ethan Epperly from Port Charlotte High School took third place in the 2019 contest with his photo "Inversion." |
The seventh annual "
Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest deadline is January 15. It invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that include a Canon
READ MORE
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Visit our new
e-commerce site
to order Sea Turtle bracelets - handmade in Southwest Florida with tigers eye gemstone beads, jasper gemstone beads, clear beach glass beads, white howlite gemstone beads, wood beads, and silver beads.
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Through February 5:
Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition
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Look through the lens of Clyde's style of camera. |
During the ongoing Refuge 75th Anniversary
Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition through February 5, 2020, in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center, guests can view Butcher's American Everglades Collection for free daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 Thanks to Mark & Gretchen Banks for sponsoring the exhibition.
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January 9-11: Everglades Conference on Captiva
Time is running out, so don't miss your opportunity to secure tickets for the 35th annual
Everglades Coalition Conference (EVCO)
. DDWS is host sponsor for the conference, titled America's Everglades: All Hands on Deck, which takes place January 9-11, at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island. The conference brings together community leaders, decision makers, agency representatives, political figures, and the general public to discuss and debate critical and timely issues related to Everglades restoration. It is the largest annual forum to advance Everglades conservation and restoration.
In addition to being the host sponsor, DDWS will be moderating a breakout session at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, titled "National Wildlife Refuges: 800,000 Acres in Support of Everglades Restoration." The session will focus on the importance of the Refuge System and conservation of its lands to Everglades restoration and all Floridians.
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On January 31, author and honey sommelier Marina Marchese talks about her book Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper.
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The 16th annual
"Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series
, which runs January17 through April 3, will feature a line-up of authors and experts in the world of birds, nature photography, and conservation. From woodpeckers and panthers to rain and hurricanes, the season promises to be one of the Refuge's best.
Thank you to our 2020 Lecture Series Sponosrs:
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Auction Items are an exciting part of this annual event and there will be a number of unique, one-of-a-kind artwork and experiences available.
Sailor's Valentine:
One of the exciting items currently in the process of being designed and meticulously made by a local artist featuring the Roseate Spoonbill.
This is sure to be a prized possession and a beautiful keepsake to give to a loved one in honor of valentines day and reminding us of the beauty of nature surrounding us all. Designed and crafted by Barbara Bluedorn, it will feature an original Roseate Spoonbill painting donated by Sanibel artist, Arlene Doran.
Progress photos will be coming soon!
DDWS will be accepting early bids before the auction takes place Feb. 12.
To learn more about the history of Sailor's Valentines, CLICK
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Tickets are currently on sale for
EVENTS
this coming season. Go
online
to find links for purchasing tickets now, before they sell out. All Proceeds support conservation efforts at the Refuge.
February 12, 2020
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March 10, 2020
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March 20, 2020
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Become an event sponsor and join an elite group of special supporters who want to do more in enhancing the conservation work at the Refuge. CALL 239.472.1100 ext. 239 to learn more.
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Chico Bags
The Nature Store now carries Chico Bags, well-known for its line of reusable bags, packs and totes that stuff into a built-in pouch. These trendy and durable bags are just the thing to help you kick single-use habits in the new year. In addition to reusable snack bags, we carry backpacks, bottle slings, and reusable mesh or moisture-locking produce bags to take your fresh fruit and veggies from market to fridge. The rePETe line of Chico bags is made from recycled materials, including plastic water bottles.
Pick up a full-range of Chico products today or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about 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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Farewell to Former Board Member
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John Carney was a fixture at the hot dog grill every "Ding" Darling Day.
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With great sadness, we honor the passing of former DDWS Board of Directors member John Carney. John began volunteering at the Refuge in 1996 and served on the board from 2000 to 2003. His contributions to "Ding" were many, but we fondly remember him most for his role in coordinating the "Ding" Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest for many years and as the "hot dog guy" who showed up every year with his own spatula and tongs to work the food concession at "Ding" Darling Day. He has been a steady friend of the Refuge and Sanibel Island; we will miss his good nature and ready willingness to give his all.
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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.
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Jackrabbit |
Location: 1,615,000 acres north of Las Vegas, Nevada
Totemic Fauna:
Desert Bighorn Sheep, Jackrabbit, Gambel Quail
Visitor's Tips: The refuge's website offers tips for spotting the often elusive Desert Bighorn Sheep.
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| Desert Bighorn Sheep |
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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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.
Resolve to Declutter
Organizing and decluttering your life is a worthy goal for 2020, but not if it's at the expense of landfills and waste. From old cell phones replaced by holiday gifting to clothing you no longer wear, learn more about
donating your throw-aways to charity
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
The beautiful bobcat to the right was photographed at the Bailey Tract by Steve Kinsley on December 23, 2019.
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| Photo Credit: David Jeffrey |
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Snowy Egrets mostly eat aquatic animals. They often use their bright yellow feet to paddle and probe the water and mud to round up their prey.
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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Volunteer Training - January 16, 2020
National Wildlife Day Celebration - February 24, 2020
Global Recycling Day - March 18, 2020
Spring Migratory Sale at Nature Store - April 15, 2020
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2020
Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 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 April Arthur & April Boehnen.
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