The Roost Groundbreaking

On August 6, Refuge and DDWS representatives broke ground on the latest Refuge educational facility. The Roost, a $1 million-plus project, will welcome visitors by January 2023 to outdoor flex space for a broad spectrum of educational purposes. Construction on the accessible, inclusive, safe pavilion is now underway, adjacent to the entrance ramp to the Visitor & Education Center.

“Ever since COVID hit, open-air space for Refuge programming has become a top priority,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “We have raised most of the funds to get started on the project, but we are still looking for at least another $100,000 to bring The Roost up to the highest standards of green construction and operation and to support its programming.” The 2,590-square-foot pavilion, designed by READ MORE

New WoW Intern

Becca Parker recently joined the Refuge team, thanks to DDWS funding. She fills the role of education intern for the Refuge’s WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom and other educational “Ding” programs this school year.

Born in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, Becca was teaching at a Quaker school in her hometown before arriving here in August. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in December as an environmental studies major with a concentration in geosciences.

“Becca brings some language and strong science skills to the position, and is already a great asset,” said “Ding” Darling Urban Education Leader Melissa Maher. “Our first priority with WoW outreach is to travel to Title 1 schools and other venues where kids and adults don’t have the opportunity to visit the Refuge.”

“I am particularly looking forward to working with children,” said Becca. “The curiosity and earnest nature of young people is so inspiring. I hope I can teach these kids more about nature and the beauty that surrounds them as this may help to influence their passions and priorities as they continue to learn and grow as people.”

A first-timer to Florida, Becca is already appreciating the change in climate and habitat. “I am really loving Sanibel,” she said. “I've found the warm weather, beautiful scenery, wildlife, and sunshine make me feel so happy. I could really see myself living in Florida long term. I love all the plants and animals I can see here at the Refuge, and I am really touched by how welcoming and friendly everyone is.”

DDWS provides living stipends and other benefits for about a dozen interns each year. For more information about the Refuge’s internship programs and supporting them, contact Sierra Hoisington, DDWS Associate Executive Director, at 239-472-1100 ext. 233.

Artist in Residence Exhibition and Reception

Through October 25, the Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch Exhibition is open free to the public daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. On Saturday, September 24, as part of the Refuge’s National Public Lands Day celebration, the artist will make a personal appearance during a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet Jacqui and enjoy refreshments in the auditorium.

Upcoming Exhibitions in the Auditorium:

• Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch Exhibition - September 1-October 25, 2022

• Duck Stamp Artist Jim Hautman Exhibition – October 29 – November 9, 2022

• Ikki & Polly Matsumoto Retrospective Exhibition – Mid-November-December 28, 2022

• Vince Thomalla Art Exhibition – January-February 2023

• Niki Butcher Art Exhibition - March-April 2023 (sponsored by Wayne & Linda Boyd)

October 29: Art in the Wild

James Hautman, Madison Grimm, Jim Sprankle, Tim Smith, Jaye Boswell, Jacqui Roch: Just a few of the headliner artists who will be part of the inaugural Art in the Wild event at the Refuge on Saturday, October 29. Jim Hautman is a six-time Federal Duck Stamp winner. Read more about him and the event in Florida Weekly. Madison Grimm, age 15, has won the Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest three times. Jim Sprankle is Sanibel Island’s own unofficial artist laureate – a wildlife sculptor of renown. Tim Smith operates Sanibel Pottery and has taught clay sculpting locally for decades. Jaye Boswell, “mother of the Junior Duck Stamp Program,” started the contest in 1989 as an art teacher at Sanibel’s elementary school. Jacqui Roch is the 2022-2023 Refuge Artist in Residence.

Find out more about their demonstrations and workshops and other activities during Art in the Wild Day. 

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Show Us Your 'Ding' Merch!

As part of our current “show your merch” promotion, DDWS volunteer extraordinaire John Maclennan took “Ding” along on his summer travels and sent us a number of portraits. Here, he poses as a train conductor at the Northern Nevada Railway National Historic Landmark in Ely, Nevada -- holding one of our signature “Ding” stickers.

When we use your photo in “Ding” on the Wing of our logo merchandise featured at your favorite (preferably outdoors) spot, you are automatically entered in a quarterly drawing for free prizes. Email us your snapshot with the following information: your name, address, and phone number; where the shot was taken; any relevant details about the location and why you like the particular product you’re featuring. The next drawing will be held the end of this month.

Sanibel School Partnership

This summer, the Refuge Education Team tasked summer intern Skyler Brennan with developing curriculum for grade levels 1-5 at The Sanibel School. Skyler’s work has paid off as a sweet partnership with the school. Each month, each classroom will visit the Wildlife Education Boardwalk (WEB), which connects Refuge wetlands with the school’s back yard. Staff educators bring classroom lessons to the outdoors in a real-time setting for each of about 150 students each month at The Sanibel School.

“We have had this vision for the WEB since we first started planning it more than 10 years ago,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who helps teach the classes. “It is so gratifying to see it come to full fruition. Thanks to the current dynamic faculty at The Sanibel School, we will be reaching every student each month with a different fun theme and curriculum that reinforces Florida state standards.”