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December 16, 2021

Opening

Visitor & Education Center Exhibits


After a soft opening earlier this week, the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center has reopened most of the interactive exhibits that have been barriered off since pandemic lockdown in March 2020. It also debuts the long-awaited Artist-in-Residence exhibition in the auditoriums in a gallery format with occasional appearances by artist Rachel Pierce. She will be showing pieces inspired by her artist-in-residence tenure since late 2019, which has been extended because of COVID interruptions.

 

Following lockdown, the Center gradually reopened its America’s Best Restroom, front information desk, and Nature Store, but curtained off the hands-on exhibit area due to federal restrictions. (Wildlife Drive and hiking trails have remained open throughout the pandemic.) Refuge staff has made currently accessible all hard-surface exhibits and select video touchscreen displays. By federal decree, masks are still required in all government Refuge buildings.

Through February, Artist-in-Residence Rachel Pierce mounts her "The Color Palette of “Ding” Darling" Exhibition in the Visitor & Education Center auditorium.

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Suzanne Dubuc Community Connector


Maria Santiago holds a position of high respect and trust in the Tice community of Fort Myers. Besides serving as the cultural studies teacher at the elementary school, the Puerto Rican native has developed working and personal relationships with local churches, daycare and community centers, and surrounding businesses.

 

For John MacLennan, a Refuge volunteer, Maria’s energy and love of nature remind him of his late wife, Suzanne Dubuc, who was passionate about teaching kids, especially those in disadvantaged communities around the U.S.

 

“Like Suzanne, Maria is an educator and community connector,” said Toni Westland, Supervisory Refuge Ranger, who leads ‘Ding’ Darling’s Urban Refuge outreach initiative. “She always has been there to help ‘Ding’ Darling with Tice Elementary this school year, when we were READ MORE

December 18 Wild Daze Ale Island Event


As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, DDWS rolled out its exclusive, limited-edition Wild Daze Ale at Fort Myers Brewing Co. on December 4. This week, on Saturday, December 18, Bailey’s on Sanibel Island will be hosting a tasting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Refuge Wow interactive mobile nature experience will be on hand for free touring. (Note: The December 19 Bailey’s event has been canceled because the beer is selling out so quickly.)

 

The exclusive brew – a smooth and light-bodied golden ale with a subtle hint of sweetness – will be available for a limited time, depending upon how long supplies last. Besides Bailey’s, look for Wild Daze Ale at, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts’ Oasis Pool Bar at ‘Tween Waters Beach Resort and Upper Deck Pool Bar at West Wind Inn, and The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market.

 

Watch these two FOX4 News segments about the Wild Daze Ale collaboration.

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

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

  • Saturday, December 18. Wednesday, Dec. 22. Friday Dec 31. Saturday, January 1


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Refuge Holiday Hours


The Visitor & Education Center, including the Refuge Nature Store, and all administrative offices will be closed Friday, December 24, and Saturday, December 25, for Christmas; and Friday, December 31, and Saturday, January 1, for New Year’s. Wildlife Drive remains open every day 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except Friday, when it’s closed every week. America’s Best Restroom at the Visitor Center remains open during regular Wildlife Drive hours. Tarpon Bay Explorers closes ONLY on Christmas Day, December 25. Nature Store2 at 2250 Periwinkle closes for Christmas and New Year’s days, but is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for last-minute shopping on December 24 and 31.

Elementary Schools Cartoon Contest (Correction)


Each year, the Refuge hosts an editorial cartoon contest in the elementary schools in honor of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist of the early to mid-20th century. This year, Edison Park (Fort Myers) and Patriot (Cape Coral) elementary schools participated. Shown here: First place winner from Edison Park by Taylor Fox.

See the Refuge Cartoon Contest Facebook page to see the six winning cartoons from both schools. 

Lecture Sponsorships


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

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Tomorrow: Sweetness from The Shack of Sanibel


In addition to the delicious frozen custard it sells, The Shack of Sanibel goes extra sweet for the holidays. This week it launched its "12 Days of Giving." For 12 days leading up to Christmas Day, it donates a percentage of its sales to one of 12 nonprofits on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Tomorrow, December 17, is devoted to “Ding” Darling, so please stop by 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to indulge, visit our information table (from 2 to 4 p.m.), and help support the Refuge.

Year-End Giving with the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society


As the end of the year approaches, people are thinking of meaningful ways to give back with tax deductible gifts.


By giving to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, you are playing an important role in supporting our mission of protecting wildlife and their habitats, providing environmental education programming, and inspiring the public to conserve the priceless natural spaces found at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and beyond. 


Donate here to make a difference today.


Donate Cash for Bikes


Bikes for Achievement rewards students at Tice Elementary, a Title 1 school in Fort Myers, for good first-semester academic progress with a drawing for free bikes next year. Our goal is to purchase 50 bikes, and so far we’ve received donations for 18. Donate $100 to $125 per bike online now until January 22, and specify “bikes” in the memo. Note: We are seeking only cash donations for this charitable request. No bikes, please.

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.


Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge


Location: 66,306 acres; Awendaw, South Carolina

Totemic fauna: Loggerhead Sea Turtle, American Oystercatcher, Piping Plover

Visitor tips: A contracted concessionaire conducts interpretive tours. Historical sites include a

Confederate tower and two 19th-century lighthouses.

Image courtesy of Billy Shaw

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GOING GREEN 

Wrapping Green  Four ways to keep your gift-giving ecofriendly:

 

  1. Choose gift bags, boxes, tissue, and bows that you can save to reuse next season. Save and reuse cardboard shipping boxes
  2. Wrap boxes with brown paper bags, newspapers or other shipping supplies. Put your gift in a reusable tote
  3. Add natural festive touches to the wrapping and skip the bow or ribbon
  4. Break down shipping and gift boxes and put them out to be recycled on recycling day. (Dirty or wet boxes are not recyclable.)
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Photo by Steve Hilger

Wildlife Sightings & Tides


Blue-winged Teals have recently been spotted at the Refuge. These ducks are typically one of the first to migrate south in the fall but one of the last to move north in the spring.


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


WoW@ the Refuge for the Holidays – Select days December 21-30, 2021


Artist-in-Residence Exhibition – Through February 28, 2022


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


WoW in Edison Festival of Light Parade – February 19, 2022


Lori Lawrence Art Exhibition - March 1-April 30, 2022


Walk for "Ding" 40th Anniversary Challenge - March 1-April 10, 2022


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


April No-Foolin’ 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 Interns Christina Hester & Hayley Caylor.

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