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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
April 20, 2017
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Photo by Skipp Tutor
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Sprankle sculpture raises $115K for two island charities
The life-size sculpture "Ding's Darlings - Two Tri-colored Herons," by famed island wildlife sculptor Jim Sprankle, sold for $115,000 in a live auction for SanCap Cares' 17
th
annual Island Celebration on April 9, 2017. Proceeds will be split 50-50 between Golisano Children's Hospital and the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Brenda and Dewey Tate, former Sanibel Island residents, donated the 3-feet-high sculpture to SanCap Cares, a non-profit READ MORE
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The multi-award-winning film Bag It!: Is Your Life Too Plastic?
reveals, in an entertaining manner, just how plastic crazy we really are and how we can change the pattern.
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Saturday: FREE Earth Day at the Refuge
Bike or hike Wildlife Drive for free, see a free film, and take advantage of free programs at this year's Earth Day at the Refuge on
Saturday,
April 22, 2017
. We will celebrate the 47th anniversary of Earth Day with activities that include an Earth-friendly Family Story & Crafts, free Gators & Crocs and Birding the Refuge programs, and the appearance of Bagzilla READ MORE
FREE! Reusable bags made from recycled water bottles to the first 50 people to come to our Earth Day activities starting at 10 a.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Classroom
Click
here
to see our Earth Day flyer.
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Tomorrow: Yappy Hour to Benefit Refuge
Tips to "Barktenders" (and DDWS staffers) Sarah Lathrop and Carrie Alexander will benefit the Refuge at
Island Paws'
end-of-season Yappy Hour on Sanibel Island Friday, April 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring your pup and come sip, sniff, and mingle. There will be free beer and wine, goody bags, samples, and dog treats. The Refuge welcomes dogs with responsible owners who use a 6-foot leash and pick up after their pets. Thanks to Island Paws for this contribution to Refuge efforts.
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Tournament title sponsor Marty Harrity from Doc Ford's with Don Wildman, who passed away on April 11, 2017
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2017 Tarpon Tourney Dedicated to Don Wildman
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society dedicates its sixth annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament on Friday, May 19, 2017, to the memory of Don Wildman, former DDWS Emeritus Board Member and Tournament Committee Chair. Don joined the DDWS board in 2010, but his connection with the Refuge dates back many years as he became involved with promoting the careers of the three nationally acclaimed Hautman brothers, multiple winners in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest READ MORE
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Tarpon Tourney Sponsors Spotlight
A big Blue Goose salute to our generous sponsors for the sixth annual
As 100% of the purse goes to awards, we raise money from this fundraiser for the Refuge strictly through
sponsorships
and silent auction. For information on becoming a sponsor or auction donor, please contact Executive Director
Birgie Miller
by email or phone (239-292-0566).
Tournament sponsors for 2017 include:
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
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It's never too early to start planning for Mother's Day, and the best place to shop for that bird-loving mom is right here at the Refuge Nature Store. Just in: Pale yellow ladies V-neck
tees ($22) starring a whimsical pelican that walks from the front of the shirt around back.
Also check out our hand-carved and -painted
wooden bird pins, featuring bald eagles,
roseate spoonbills, herons, and more - each for $26.
Stop in and pick up your gifts today, or contact Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about these and other
featured products.
Remember, proceeds 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" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
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Photo courtesy of USFWS |
Location
:
Big Pine Key, Florida
Totemic Fauna
:
Key Deer, Bartram's Hairstreak Butterfly, and Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit
Fun for the Family
:
Fishing, kayaking, birding, bike riding, and hiking
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Key Deer fawn |
Visitor's Tip
: At the observation platforms at Blue Hole (includes spotting scope and loaner binoculars) and at Mannillo Trail, you can sit and observe as wildlife comes to you.
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Bartram's Hairstreak Butterfly
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For this week's Wildlife Sightings, we thought we would change it up a bit.
On the left a beautiful adult American Alligator at the Refuge was caught with a Roseate Spoonbill feather in its mouth (but not to worry - the Spoonbill was safe in a tree above).
On the right
, three juvenile American Alligators huddle together at the Bailey Tract.
If
you have any beautiful, interesting,
or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, please send them to Philanthropic Coordinator
Carrie Alexander
for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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April 22, 2017
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May 18-19, 2017
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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 Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington
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