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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
November 30, 2017
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Tarpon Tournament registration opens
December 4.
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Today: Estate Planning 101
Representatives from three local legal, tax accounting, and financial advisory firms team up with the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society today, November 30, for a free Estate Planning 101 panel presentation at the Visitor & Education Center from
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with continental breakfast provided by READ MORE
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Kicking 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 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 transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use.
In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we will share a quick tip on how you can reduce the use of plastic in your life. For more information on being
environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Plastic Straws.
Estimates show that each day in the U.S., more than 500,000,000 straws are used once and tossed - enough to circle the globe 2.5 times. Ocean Conservancy ranks plastic straws as the number 5 most often found item on beaches.
The vast majority of plastic straws are not recycled, so they wind up in landfills, litter streets, harm wildlife, and add to the estimated 8.5 metric tons of plastic debris in oceans annually. Not convinced about the detriment of plastic straws? Watch this disturbing
video footage
about removing a plastic straw from a sea turtle's nostril in Costa Rica.
The solution? Just say NO. When you order a glass of water or beverage at a restaurant or bar, request it without a straw. For personal use, purchase paper or reusable straws.
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Our regular binoculars are too heavy for little ones. The education team has requested kid-sized binocs for classwork.
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Kids' binoculars, a horseshoe crab learning model, an intern's stipend: A few of the items the Refuge has asked "Santa" for this year. Please click
HERE to view the entire list and learn how you can support conservation education this season at "Ding".
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Giving Tree
Pluck an ornament from our holiday Giving Tree, now planted outside the Refuge Nature Store. Decide whether you want your giving used toward research, education, land acquisition, or the internship program. Take your ornament to the Nature Store to make your suggested tax-deductible donation of $25 or more in your name or the name of a loved one. Thanks for giving to the Refuge and helping to fill in gaps created by recent budget cuts.
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2018 Luc Century Ornament For Sale
Last night, at our fifth annual Happy Hour Holiday Shopping after hours event, we revealed the wildlife design for the 2018 Luc Century glass ornament: a Sandpiper. Artisan Luc Century has been creating unique glass ornaments for "Ding" Darling for a couple of decades, and collectors enthusiastically buy each year's limited edition, so don't wait. They are for sale now for $45.
Delightful holiday gifts for the kids or grandkids, our "magic T-shirts change from black-and-white to bright, rich colors in the sun. Our latest design portrays an underwater sea scene. Four other wildlife designs are also available at $14.95 each.
Stop in and pick up your holiday gifts and souvenirs today. Or contact Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about mail-ordering these and other
featured products
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Proceed from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, research and overall conservation efforts.
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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
:
14,000 acres on Assateague Island in both Virginia and Maryland
Totemic Fauna
: Chincoteague Pony, Greater Snow Goose, Delmarva Fox Squirrel
Fun for the Family
:
Fishing, crabbing, clamming; recreational beaches and trails; pony round-up
Visitor's Tip
:
Begin your visit at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center for exhibits and wildlife programs.
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Chincoteague Pony
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Delmarva Fox Squirrel
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
This Yellow-Crowned Night Heron looks like it just woke up from a nap!
Thanks to Justin Dalaba for the photo.
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 Philanthropic Coordinator,
Carrie Alexander, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Holiday Party
- December 15, 2017
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 9, 2018
Puffin Researcher Stephen W. Kress Dinner - February 22, 2018 (Registration opening soon)
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Sierra Hoisington and Amanda Brooks
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