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Web Cam Back in Commission
After the late fall tropical storms necessitated taking down the Refuge Web Cam's antenna, the camera feed from the observation tower is once again live on the dingdarlingsociety.org home page.
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Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Indiana or Arizona, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home. Thank you to JC Miseroy for sharing a backyard nature photo of a Red footed canibal fly.
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| Thank you to C Miseroy from Tampa, Florida, for sharing this image of a Red footed canibal fly from her backyard.
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Please email your nature photos so we can share them in "Ding" on the Wing and by social media. Include details about the photographer and where the photo was taken.
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Refuge Update
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| The front Information Desk and flagship Refuge Nature Store have reopened in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Educator Center. All hands-on exhibits, however, are still hands-off. Tarpon Bay Explorers narrated tram tours of Wildlife Drive are back to their pre-pandemic Saturday to Thursday schedule. All of its tours and rentals are now fully operational.
Keep up-to-date on Refuge re-openings and postponements during the pandemic at our dedicated web page. |
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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 to 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 nearly 16,000 followers.
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Now is the time to give back to nature what we have received through these difficult times. As 2020 draws to a close, year-end giving allows us to express gratitude for the role the Refuge has played in our survival these long months. Please take a moment to read our Year-End Solicitation Letter and make a tax-deductible donation that serves your health as well as the health of our environment.
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| | First place went to Ellen Trevor of Sanibel Island, for her Great Egret portrait titled "Carry Out Lunch." |
DDWS announced the winners of its 28th annual "Ding" Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest this week with a special exhibition in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center parking lot, part of "Ding" Darling Day. Judges had selected three winners and 12 honorable mentions out of 128 entries from 19 states and Switzerland. All photograph entries were shot at the Refuge Complex.
"It was a very special photo contest for us this year because of our 75th anniversary," said Sierra Hoisington, DDWS Development Officer and contest coordinator. "It really makes you think back to a time when the protection of this habitat wasn't READ MORE.
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Annual Meeting: Kudos to Doris Hardy
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society held its annual meeting on Wednesday, December 2, via Zoom. Among the reports and other business items on the agenda, the Board of Directors voted past president
Doris Hardy to the Emeritus Board of Directors and also awarded her its Olympian Award.
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| | | New Emeritus Board Member Doris Hardy |
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Individuals who innovate and champion current and/or past initiatives that result in significant and readily recognizable advancements in fulfilling the Society's mission may be nominated by members of the Society Board, staff or the Refuge Manager for the Society's Olympian Award. Doris is the second recipient of this award, which was started last December with an award to Past President John McCabe.
The membership also reelected Wendy Kindig to her third term as Board Member.
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Nature Store to Participate in Luminary Week
At the new Nature Store2 at 2250 Periwinkle Way, enjoy 20% off all women's, men's, and kids apparel that week - including cold-weather attire, hats, and T-shirts. Clothing discounts will also be available on ShopDingDarling.comduring that time. Enter the promo code LUMINARY20 to receive your 20% off.
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The entire team welcomed WoW on Monday and trained in the urban mobile classroom.
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The Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) arrived at the Refuge earlier this week. Staff underwent training on Monday, preparing for its debut, which is planned for December 12 at Sav A Lot grocery store at 4901 Palm Beach Boulevard in Fort Myers. The public is invited to safely tour the classroom according to CDC guidelines. In January, it will make its first school visit for one week at Tice Elementary.
More public and school-site travels are in planning stages for the urban mobile classroom. Monitor the WoW page for the latest news. Thanks to our hardworking team and all the generous donors, who have made this exciting moment happen. Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland and DDWS Development Officer Sierra Hoisington lead the efforts, working with our Urban Education Leader, Melissa Maher, two bilingual Spanish interns, other educators, staff, volunteers, and drivers.
Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible donation to purchase supplies and support ongoing staffing and other needs for the WoW project can contact Birgie Miller at 239-472-1100 ext. 232.
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Memorial & Honor Gifts
These gifts were made to DDWS in honor of and in memory of friends and families during November 2020. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation here.
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about becoming part of our monthly giving program.
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2021 Board Officers
The DDWS Board of Directors recently elected its officers for 2021. They are as follows: President Sarah Ashton, Vice President David Jeffrey, Secretary Wendy Kindig, and Treasurer Bill Valerian.
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Ranger Toni Westland led the Go the Distance Bike Tour along Wildlife Drive.
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outdoor activity on a brisk early winter day. Along with classes from next door's The Sanibel School, visitors of all ages came out to enjoy a beautiful day for being outdoors and celebrating nature and 75 years.
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Acting Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea and DDWS President Mike Baldwin place items - including a face mask - in a time capsule for Refuge management to open in 25 years.
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Lecture Series 
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| | | A presentation by photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher is one highlight of the five-lecture series. | |
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Wrapping Green
Four ways to keep your gift-giving ecofriendly:
1. Choose gift bags, boxes, tissue, and bows that you can save to reuse next season.
2. Break down shipping and gift boxes and put them out to be recycled on recycling day. (Dirty or wet boxes are not recyclable.)
3. Place wrapping paper in the bin if it has no metallic finish.
4. Bubble wrap and air pockets are typically not recyclable, but you can reuse them in packing up fragile Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations.
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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.
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| | Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. |
Location:
2,332 acres, as part of the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 20 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts
Totemic Fauna:
Blanding's Turtle, American Beaver, Blue-spotted Salamander
Visitor's Tip:
There are 15 miles of trails (half are open to biking) and a visitor center located on
Winterberry Way.
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Blanding's Turtle.
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American Beaver. |
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| | | Photo by France Paulsen | |
Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
Bobcats recently have been spotted at the Refuge!
Bobcats are secretive and solitary animals. Due to their secretive nature, they are seldom seen by humans.
To 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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Nature Store Luminary Specials - December 4-11, 2020
Volunteer Training - January 14, 2021
Go Wild for Jeopar-Ding - TBA
Clyde Butcher Book Signing - February TBA
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2021
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition - October-Mid-November 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - Mid-November-December 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 interns Cait Nalley and Hollis Hatfield
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