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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
November 1, 2018
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Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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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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 November 27: Holiday Happy Hour
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For the kids and grandkids on your list, wildlife toys make the perfect stocking stuffers. |
Free refreshments, extended hours, and complimentary gift wrapping: Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 27, the date of the Refuge Nature Store's fifth annual Happy Hour Holiday Shopping event in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
will keep the store open two extra hours after the Center closes, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The date also marks the nationally promoted
Giving Tuesday
, and the store will set up a Giving Tree that allows donors to easily contribute to education, land acquisition, and research projects at the Refuge in the name of a loved one for holiday gifting.
The Refuge Nature Store has stocked READ MORE
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Make plans now to attend the seventh annual fundraiser for the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at the Sanibel Community House. This year's Go Wild for "Ding" - Call of the Osprey theme continues a series of bird-themed events to benefit the birds, other wildlife, land acquisition, and conservation and education efforts at the Refuge. "Seating is limited and we once again anticipate a sold-out crowd," said event c
ommittee member and DDWS President Mike Baldwin. "We encourage people READ MORE
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Click above to see a larger version
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Photo by Ken Jager
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ADVOCACY REPORT
By Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-chairs
In September, we requested that you write to your U.S. senators and ask them to pass the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Due in part to your
efforts, that bill passed the Senate in early October and President Trump recently signed it into law. T
hank you for making your voice heard!
The bill contains several provisions that have the potential to greatly improve the water quality in "Ding" Darling Refuge. This includes:
The EAA, LORS, and Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation are complex topics that we will delve into in future newsletters.
Improving the quality of water in the Refuge is a long-term project. As we mentioned in that September newsletter, WRDA authorizes projects such as the EAA, but it doesn't fund them. We are following the appropriations process closely and will continue to reach out to you for your support on this and other key issues that impact the Refuge.
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Fourth-grade classes that visit the refuge sign up for students' one year free pass
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Every Kid in the Refuge
As part of the federal
Every Kid in a Park initiative
, "Ding" Darling is participating by issuing free annual passes to any fourth-grade student and home-school equivalent in the U.S. during the 2018-2019 school year.
The passes are available and valid through August 2019 at any national wildlife refuge, national park or forest, and other federal land. They provide free admission for each fourth grader, accompanying siblings up to age 15, and up to three accompanying adults. "The Every Kid in a Park program is part of an ongoing effort
READ MORE
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Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival
Sunday, November 4, marks the third annual
Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival
in the backyard of Bailey's General Store, starting at noon. Presented by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club, it benefits "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society and other island nonprofits.
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November 11: Wildlife Drive Free
In observance of Veteran's Day, admission to Wildlife Drive is fee-free on Sunday, November 11, to all hikers, cyclists, and motorists. The Drive will be open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. that day. The following day, Monday, November 12, the Drive remains open but with fees in effect; the Visitor & Education Center and administrative offices will be closed.
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Thanks to LCEC for a generous grant to support Badge University.
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November 17: Boy Scout Badge
Note: All
Eagle Scout alums are invited to the closing ceremony from 4 to 4:30,. It will include retiring of the colors and a meet-and-greet.
For more information, call 472-1100 ext. 249.
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Badge U attendees will also receive this special
patch
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On November 17, the Refuge and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society will host their first Merit Badge University for registered Boy Scouts of America. Scouts will have the opportunity to earn up to two out of six badges being offered that day.
Only a few spaces remain, so register today at 239-472-1100 ext. 237. Click
here
to view t
he program's flyer.
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'Ding' on the Wing Schedule
Starting with this edition, "Ding" on the Wing email bulletins go to a temporary biweekly schedule. You will receive the next bulletin on Thursday, November 15. Beginning with the Thursday, December 13, edition, we will resume our weekly schedule through April 2019.
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Throw Down Some Refuge Style
Our new islandy throw pillows feature a map of the island and some of our favorite
 creatures, such as this Reddish Egret and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. The pillows come in different sizes: 9 x 13 inches for $24.99 and 14 x 18 or 16 x 16 for $39.99.
Stop in to pick up your throw pillows and other wildlife-themed home décor gifts today. Or contact Store Manager Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about pre-purchasing.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Watch your inbox and our social media pages for news about how you can support Refuge conservation education during the nationwide philanthropic Giving Tuesday on November 27.
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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: Seymour, Indiana (7,880 acres)
Totemic fauna: River Otter, Monarch Butterfly, Sandhill Crane
Fun for the Family
: The visitor center provides a good introduction before hiking or driving through the refuge. Observation decks accommodate marsh and lake viewing.
Visitor's tip:
The visitor center is closed on Mondays. The self-guided Auto Tour, which is open every day, visits twelve unique locations you can view at your chosen pace.
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| North American River Otter |
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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
Kick the Bottle
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According to the Container Recycling Institute, 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold in the U.S. in 2014, or 315 bottles per person. 57% of those units were plastic water bottles: 57.3 billion sold in 2014. This is up from 3.8 billion plastic water bottles sold in 1996, the earliest year for available data.
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The process of producing bottled water requires around six times as much water per bottle as there is in the container.
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14% of all litter comes from beverage containers. When caps and labels are considered, the number is higher.
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From the tiniest plankton to the largest whales, plastics impact nearly 700 species in our ocean.
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Plastic has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtles species.
Click HERE for the source of these and other plastic-crisis fact.
DDWS has kicked the bottle by selling reusable water bottles and nonplastic JUST Water.
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
You know winter is around the corner when White Pelicans start showing up to the Refuge. They're finally here!
Photo credit goes to Greg and Cindy Baker.
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 Development Officer,
Sierra Hoisington, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
Free Winter Programs
- January 7-May 5, 2019
Woodring Homestead 100th Anniversary Exhibit Unveiling
- January 23, 2019
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 8, 2019
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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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