September 22, 2022

Saturday: National Public Lands Day at the Refuge

Saturday, September 24, celebrates National Public Lands Day across the U.S., a day to enjoy and show love for refuges, parks, and other green spaces protected by the federal government.

Schedule of FREE activities:

7 a.m.-7 p.m. Free admission to Wildlife Drive
8:30 a.m. Morning Mindfulness at the Observation Tower on Wildlife Drive; pre-register on Eventbrite.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Self-guided Scavenger Hunt with prizes; check in at the Visitor & Education Center front desk
10-11 a.m. Educational Programs in the Visitor & Education Center
12:30 p.m. International Color Blindness Awareness Month Colorblind glasses giveaway in partnership with EnChroma. Year-round, the Refuge serves the color-challenged population with a colorblind scope at the Observation Tower and loaner pairs of colorblind sunglasses at the reception desk.
1- 3 p.m. Artist in Residence Artist Reception featuring Jacqui Roch in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium with refreshments

Photograph: Admission to Wildlife Drive is free to all on September 24.

October 11: Mediate Among the Mangroves

Meet at the flagpole at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11. Bring a light beach chair and a Zen state-of-mind to walk to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk for a free guided meditation with Cristina Shaul. Attendance is limited, so please pre-register at DingDarling.Eventbrite.com.

Watch a podcast where Ranger Jessica Barry talks about Refuge mindfulness programming.

Artist in Residence Exhibition & 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.

New Education Intern

Education Intern Olivia Hogan recently arrived to help the Refuge with staffing shortages this season, thanks to funding from DDWS. Olivia graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, in May with a major in marine science, biology concentration, and a minor in coastal management. The Frederick, Maryland, native wrapped up a summer internship at Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center in New Jersey before arriving to Sanibel Island.

At “Ding” Darling, she will be helping the Refuge Conservation Education Team with program development and delivery to local students and visitors through May 2023. She looks forward to teaching students from The Sanibel School, who visit monthly for in-the-field lessons on the Wildlife Education Boardwalk (WEB) as part of an education partnership.

“I’m loving Sanibel,” said Olivia. “I most love working with the ‘Ding’ Darling team, exploring Wildlife Drive, and taking the bike trails to the beach.”

“Our interns bring youthful energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the Refuge team,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. “At the same time, the program gives students and recent graduates an opportunity to learn hands-on about the environment and Refuge operations. Olivia’s work will help us fulfill a vision to partner with The Sanibel School, a vision we have mapping out for more than 10 years.”

To learn about supporting the Refuge Intern Program, contact Sierra Hoisington, DDWS Executive Associate Director, at 239-472-1100 ext. 233.

Art in the Wild Registration Open

Pottery-throwing, chalk pastels, pen-and-ink, nature sketching, and photography: Free demos and workshops explore the artful legacy of “Ding” Darling on Saturday, October 29, for the inaugural Art in the Wild Day at the Refuge. Presenters include acclaimed duck stamp artists and a renowned wood carver, plein-air painters, and the Refuge Artist in Residence. Pre-registration for limited-attendance activities is now open at DingDarling.Eventbrite.com. Admission is FREE all day to Wildlife Drive.

Thank you to the generous SPONSORS who have already signed on:

Great Egret: Friend of "Ding" Darling

Great Blue Heron Level: Sanibel Home Furnishings

Reddish Egret Level: Sanibel Moorings, LCEC;

Snowy Egret Level: Island Inn, Jensen's Marina & Cottages, Kona Kai Motel /Sunshine Island Inn, Mitchell's SandCastles, Maureen & Gary Saage, Sanibel-Captiva Beach Resorts, Brian & Susan White.

Sponsorship opportunities are still open! Click the "Become a Sponsor" above for more details, or contact April Boehnen at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.

View the Art in the Wild flyer.

The Roost Under Construction

Last month, 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.

Watch The Talk of Southwest Florida radio interview with Birgie Miller about The Roost.

To support construction of The Roost pavilion, contact Birgie at 239-292-0566 or Sierra Hoisington at 239.472.1100 ext. 233

Cartoon of the Month

By 1938, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling had been a professional political observer for decades and had become leery of political promises, particularly where conservation was concerned. Not a lot has changed in the political field since he penned this “Don’t Say It – Sign It!” cartoon. As the three-ring circus known as election campaigning starts to heat up this month, keep in mind Darling’s advice to “get it in writing” where it pertains to wildlife conservation. Darling went on to see to the preservation of Sanibel Island’s wetlands and the establishment of the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945. After his death in 1962, locals petitioned to have it renamed the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the first national wildlife refuge named for a person.”

Photograph: Click cartoon to see it enlarged.

October 31: Pocket Refuge Grants Application Deadline

Each year since 2005, the Refuge, in partnership with DDWS, has awarded conservation grants to local teachers for science projects related to studying the environment. For the 2021-22 school year, the Environmental Education Grant Program transitioned to Pocket Refuge Grants at eight Lee County District schools to teach students about the importance of pollinators and the habitat that sustains them.

In the 2022-2023 school year, “Ding” Darling again offers grants to five schools in Lee County. Interested schools (grades K-12) may apply up until October 31, 2022. Selections will be made in READ MORE

DDWS Staff Promotion

DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller announces the promotion of Carrie Harmon, current Nature Store Assistant Manager, to the position of Executive Development & Outreach Assistant. Carrie has been a crucial part of the “Ding” team since 2018.

“Her enthusiasm and creative skills have made her a strong asset for promoting and operating the two Nature Stores and online store,” said Birgie. “Those same skills convinced us she will be invaluable helping the team with its communication and development efforts to strengthen our support of the Refuge’s conservation mission.” You will see Carrie’s smiling face at the welcome desk of DDWS offices downstairs adjacent to Indigo Trail starting October 1.

Show Us Your 'Ding" Merch

As part of our current “show your merch” promotion, DDWS volunteer extraordinaire Nancy Riley sent us this photo from Peru. "Machu Picchu can be a misty and cool,” she writes. “This hoody was the perfect fabric for the temperature and clouds that blanket the mountain....Besides it's cute😁"

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.

Indigo Trail Boardwalk Closed for Repairs

The Indigo Trail Boardwalk leading from the Visitor & Education Center to the Wildlife Drive entrance is closed indefinitely for construction and repairs. The rest of the trail remains open. Hikers and cyclists can access the trail and Wildlife Education Boardwalk via the Drive’s entryway. Cyclists who are returning to the Drive via the trail are asked to walk their bikes when traveling against the one-way traffic.

If you require access to DDWS offices, please visit the Refuge administration offices and a staff member will escort you. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

WoW Report: Back to School

The Refuge’s WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) team has kicked into high gear for the new school year. On October 3, it rolls out to its target Tice community in Fort Myers for a month, including James Stephens and Tice Elementary.

WoW is fully booked at Title 1 schools through April 19, reports DDWS Urban Education Leader Melissa Maher. Later in the year, it will be visiting two middle schools – a WoW first - and one high school. “It’s going to be a fabulous year targeting the various levels of students,” Melissa said.

Watch a cute, quick video the two WoW interns – Diana and Becca – created about the team’s awesome work.

Donate to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts to reach Title 1 schools and underserved communities with conservation messaging and education.

GOING GREEN

Reduce Water Waste

It’s not always a feasible goal to stop wasting water entirely. However, you can cut down drastically by saving and reusing water when and where you can. Instead of letting it all run down the drain, capture some of it. You can save water from washing your hands or rinsing vegetables and fruits to use on your lawn or to water potted plants.

On average, each person loses about 10 gallons a day to leaks. That is a completely fixable waste, and one that would help your pocketbook. Some of these ideas are really easy – everyone can skip a bath now and then. With droughts increasing each year, and some of the same places getting hit over and over again, saving water should be on everyone’s to-do list. Remember, every gallon helps.

Source: Green Living

Photo by Sylvia Guarino

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

American Alligators often lounge in the water in the warmer months during the day to help regulate their body temperature.

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 and Communications Intern Hayley Caylor for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.