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November 25, 2021

We Are Thankful


As we reflect today -- in this season of friendship, family, and giving -- we send gratitude for the bounty “Ding” Darling enjoys. It begins with the plentitude of beauty and life that surrounds us in our natural setting, but we also deeply appreciate how it is made possible and sustainable through the generosity of our supporters. We are grateful for your support in making a difference in our mission of conservation and the education of stewards past, present, and future.

 Photo by Rebecca Clemens

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all. Wishing you the best of the holiday season.

2021 Photo Contest Winners


On November 16, we announced the winners of our 29th annual “Ding” Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest with a special presentation on Facebook and in emails sent to participants, along with a short video showcasing the winners.

 

On November 8, judges had selected three winners and eight honorable mentions out of 118 entries from 18 states and two countries. All photograph entries were shot at the Refuge READ MORE


First Place winner: Doug Meurer’s “Roseate Spoonbill & Reddish Egret”

TODAY: Thanksgiving Day Closures


Refuge offices and the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center are closed today, November 25, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. OPEN: Wildlife Drive and trails, Tarpon Bay Explorers recreation concession, Bailey Tract, and our America’s Best Restroom at the Visitor Center

Friday, November 26: WoW at the Refuge


Skip the big, crazy-busy malls on Black Friday. Bring the family, instead, to “Ding” Darling for free tours of the WoW mobile interactive nature experience in the parking lot of the Visitor & Education Center on November 26 from 9 a.m. until noon. Stop in for a little shopping at the Refuge Nature Store while you’re there.

Mindfulness Walks at Bailey Tract


Join us for a peaceful morning of walking meditation at the Bailey Tract starting at 8:30 a.m. on the dates listed below. Together we will explore the concept of mindfulness, consider the various physical and mental benefits of time spent in nature, and take a mindful hike around Ani Marsh. Participation is limited for this free event, so please pre-register

 

Upcoming Mindfulness Walks

  • Friday, November 26
  • Friday, December 10
  • Saturday, December 18

Welcome New Resident Volunteers


The Refuge Resident Volunteer Program puts volunteers to work in exchange for an RV parking spot and utilities. Bill and Debbie Michels recently joined the team to help out, respectively, in maintenance and visitor services. Both also will be working with the WoW mobile classroom on weekends. The Michels have been full-time RVers since January 2018. Originally from Hebron and Lexington, Kentucky, they have volunteered for the National Park Service and state parks, just coming off a stint in Denali State Park in Alaska. In their “former lives,” Bill worked as an electrician and Debbie as a retired registered nurse and diabetes educator.

 

“Big Cypress was our position last winter, and we loved the area,” says Debbie. “We feel so blessed to be here at ‘Ding!’ The best part are the friendly staff and fellow volunteers, and of course the birds.”

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VCB Video Features Refuge 


The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau kicked off its new "It's a Good Day" marketing tagline at its recent annual meeting with an original video. Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland starts off the video (and we think steals the show) talking about a good day at "Ding" Darling. 

Wulfert Keys Trail Reopened

After a short closing for reconstruction and bank stabilization work, Wulfert Keys Trail along Wildlife Drive has reopened to the public. 

Almost There! Urgent Request for Matching Donations Toward 8.5-acre Land Acquisition


Because of steeply rising property values and costs, DDWS is faced with an end-of-January deadline to raise a final $550,000 on an 8.5-acre Sanibel Island land acquisition it has been working toward for several years. Thanks to island residents Don and Joan Sherman, every dollar donated now will be matched. We're getting close to our goal and need your help today.

 

Adjacent to current Refuge property, the land in question holds a six-acre lake that directly feeds into fragile Tarpon Bay. Its preservation not only means protecting vital wildlife habitat, but also buffering Refuge water quality against the catastrophic red tide and blue-green algae events it has experienced in the past.

 

Some of the documented listed species on this property include Gopher Tortoise, Little Blue Heron, and Mangrove Cuckoo. In addition, Small-toothed Sawfish, juvenile Tarpon, baby sea turtles, and West Indian Manatees use the lake, along with Bobcats and migratory birds.

 

“We were very close to purchasing this highly desired island property, and then the pandemic happened, driving real estate READ MORE

December 3: Luminary Shopping at Nature Store2


Friday, December 3, marks the 37th annual Luminary Holiday Stroll on Sanibel Island, hosted by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. The Refuge Nature Store @ 2250 Periwinkle Way will be participating in the afterhours open house event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Follow the candlelit trail to the store for special deals, refreshments, and holiday cheer.

Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.

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Wild Daze Ale Rollout Events


As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, DDWS rolls out its exclusive, limited-edition Wild Daze Ale on December 4, with island events to follow throughout the month. The launch event starts at 4 p.m. at Fort Myers Brewing Co. in Fort Myers with food trucks, music, trivia games, and other special goings-on.

 

The exclusive brew – a smooth and light-bodied golden ale with a subtle hint of sweetness – will be available for a limited time of around six months after its rollout, depending upon how long supplies last. Beginning Dec. 5, look for Wild Daze Ale at Bailey’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, and The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market.

Mark your calendar for these rollout events at Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel Island:


  • December 8 tasting, 2-6 p.m.


  • December 9 tasting, 2-6 p.m.


  • December 18 tasting with WoW mobile experience, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.


  • December 19 tasting with WoW mobile experience, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Store Events Draw Holiday Shoppers

Last Thursday’s afterhours Holiday Shopping at the Refuge Nature Store2 @ 2250 Periwinkle Way brought a festive crowd of shoppers who took advantage of giveaways, special deals, live music, and free gift wrapping and refreshments. On Tuesday, the festivities moved to the flagship Refuge Nature Store in the Visitor & Education Center for a day-long event.


Eminent nature photographer Clyde Butcher headlined Nature Store2’s Art of Conservation event on Saturday, also featuring his wife Niki Butcher in the afternoon and “Ding” 2021 Artist in Resident Rachel Pierce for a morning appearance. The artists were on hand to meet shoppers and sign their works.

Refuge Urban Outreach


Look for Refuge representatives interacting with the community at these upcoming events:

 

January 8: Festival Dia de Los Reyes at Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum in Cape Coral, 11a.m-4 p.m.


February 19: WoW in the Edison Festival of Lights parade, downtown Fort Myers, 7-10 p.m.


February 26: Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral, times TBA

Year-End Giving

Now’s the time – up to December 31 – to make a tax-deductible gift. Both individual taxpayers and small businesses may benefit by boosting their charitable donations to meet their philanthropic goals and improve their overall tax picture. A donation made to a qualified organization in 2021 is deductible for tax year 2021, even if it's a charge you actually pay in 2022.

 

As 2021 draws to a close and you plan your year-end giving, please consider the value of donating to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society to support Refuge conservation and education efforts. Your tax-deductible gift helps support the Refuge in areas such as conservation education, water quality and wildlife research, internships, walkways and trails, interpretive exhibits, land acquisition and restoration, and so many other ways to preserve and protect this vital land and inspire future conservation stewards. With so many wonderful charities around the world doing work that makes a difference, please know how much we appreciate that you choose to support the work taking place at the Refuge.

Lecture Sponsorships

Thanks to all of our sponsors who have signed up to support our 2022 Lecture Series – listed below.

 

Sponsorships remain for one lecture, available for $1,000 to $5,000 per lecture:

  • March 18 – Author Jack Davis, The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird

 

Please contact April Boehnen at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 for more information about becoming a lecture sponsor. Benefits include heavy brand exposure, an opportunity to enjoy a complimentary lunch with the speaker for up to four guests, and reserved seating at the first-come lecture.

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Refuge Spotlight - 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.


Pixley National Wildlife Refuge


Location: 6,939 acres; 35 miles south of Tulare, California


Totemic fauna: Sandhill Crane, Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard, San Joaquin Kit Fox


Visitor tips: There is a 1.5-mile hiking trail available, but no water or trash service. Please bring your own water and pack out all litter.. Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

GOING GREEN 

Wildlife Viewing Etiquette


NOAA’s guidelines for viewing wildlife


  1. Keep your hands to yourself.
  2. Report wildlife that seems abandoned or sick.
  3. Keep pets at home or on a leash.
  4. Hang back and enjoy the view.
  5. Lend a hand with trash removal.
  6. Keep your snacks to yourself.
  7. Lead by example.


Learn about ethical wildlife viewing at the Refuge

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Photo by Denny Souers

Wildlife Sightings & Tides


Visitors have been spotting Belted Kingfishers near the water on Wildlife Drive. Belted Kingfishers spend much of their time perched alone along the edges of streams, lakes, and estuaries, searching for small fish. They hunt either by plunging directly from a perch, or by hovering over the water, bill downward, before diving after a fish they’ve spotted.


Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.

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.

Upcoming Events


Artist-in-Residence Exhibition – TBD


DDWS Annual Meeting - December 1, 2021


Luminary Holiday Stroll Shopping @ 2250 – December 3, 2021


Ding’s Wild Daze Beer Rollout – December 4, 2021


Ding’s Wild Daze Beer Tasting at Bailey’s – December 8-9, 2021


Ding’s Wild Daze Beer Tasting at Bailey’s – December 18-19, 2021


2022 Lecture Series – January 4-March 25, 2022


2022 Film Series on Zoom – Dates TBD


Wellness Week at the Refuge - February 7-12, 2022


Go Wild for “Ding” – Year of the Anhinga, Soar for 40 More – February 9, 2022



Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash - March 31, 2022


April Fool’s Volunteer Appreciation Drive-Through - April 1, 2022


“Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival @ Lakes Park – April 24, 2022


10th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament – May 13, 2022


Niki Butcher Art Exhibition - November 15-December 31, 2022 

These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website to learn more!


Sincerely,

Birgit Miller, Executive Director


"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Christina Hester & Hayley Caylor.

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