November 10, 2022

The Future of The Roost

As Hurricane Ian hit September 28, the building of The Roost outdoor education pavilion was well underway at the Refuge. The $1 million project was to serve as an outdoor classroom for visiting school and other groups. DDWS envisioned creative new uses to reflect the Refuge’s arts legacy and experiential mission, including music and artist events, puppet shows, lectures, mindfulness classes, and culture-driven programs.

Along with other Refuge facilities, Ian blew away most of the progress on The Roost construction, but not the dream and vision. “The Refuge has okayed the recommencement of construction as soon as its facilities are in a position to support it,” said Birgie. “The Refuge staff understands the importance of an outdoor facility such as this to the community as well as the Refuge in these times.”

The natural disaster setback and subsequent impact on construction costs ups the price tag on The Roost’s completion, and DDWS currently is seeking an additional $125K to complete the project. You can make your donations online (designate The Roost in the form’s notes) or by contacting Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566.

Hurricane Update

Our Resource page will be consistently updated and we will include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access those sites doing a better job with on the ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any questions at 239.292.0566.

For residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian, here is a printable pdf of resources. We are trying to keep it updated and hoping it helps.

Here are a few new links:

City of Sanibel Hurricane Passes and BTR's will be issued at the Title Group of Fort Myers Ltd. office inside the ReMax Building at 7910 Summerlin Lakes Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33907. Hurricane Passes and BTR's will NO LONGER be issued at the Crowne Plaza Hotel location.
Sanibel residents who have been displaced from their homes may obtain a temporary use permit for on-site accommodations while structures damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian undergo necessary repairs, renovations, and/or reconstruction. The Ordinance allows only the property owner to live in the trailer on their own property for a period of 180 days. There is a provision for an extension of an additional 180 days. The trailer may only be used while the residential property is uninhabitable. Read More.
Update on Bailey's General Store's road to recovery.
Fox4 reports findings from FWC and FGCU on Red Tide Blooms along the coastline.
Lee County accepting disaster assistance applications through State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP).
McCarthy's Marina is welcoming Captiva neighbors to the marina to use internet from 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Fort Myers Highschool students are fixing equipment damaged by the storm and getting great experience.
Three Disaster Recovery Centers are opening in Lee County
Beach Baptist Church 130 Connecticut St, Fort Myers Beach, Fl. 33931
Pine Island - Phillips Community Park 5675 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia, FL 33922
Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

Congratulations, Birgie!

This week, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) Executive Director Birgie Miller announced her marriage to David Gresham. They tied the knot in a quiet ceremony in upstate New York, where Birgie has been working remotely while traveling back and forth to the islands to oversee DDWS hurricane recovery and operations.

David is the son of two devoted “Ding” volunteers, the late Glen Gresham and Phyllis, who currently serves on the DDWS Board of Directors. “I met David at a ‘Ding’ Darling Days event several years ago,” says Birgie. “He was already part of the ‘Ding’ family! We’ve continued to find so much more in common since then – our love of nature and the outdoors among them.”

Birgie has been on Sanibel for more than 20 years, the last 11 working at DDWS to strengthen and enhance Refuge work in the areas of land acquisition, habitat preservation, capital projects, community outreach, and education.

She requests that in lieu of gifts to celebrate the newlyweds, friends make an honorarium donation in support of The Roost. Please note “The Roost” or “Birgie Wedding Honor” on the donation form.

Shop to Support & Rebuild: Back Online at ShopDingDarling.com

Just in time to kick-start your holiday buying, ShopDingDarling.com reemerged on Tuesday to offer some of your favorite logo wear items, kids’ toys and clothing, calendars, eco-friendly items, and other one-of-a-kind gifts. Watch next week for news of new Roseate Spoonbill and other items. NOTE: The islands are still closed to the general public. There will be no local pickup opportunities for orders; all items will be shipped directly. Shop early as recovery efforts have slowed down delivery service slightly.

Refuge Programming & Events

Hurricane damage has meant the closing of the Visitor & Education Center and Wildlife Drive until further notice. Consequently, many programs and events have been canceled. Watch DOTW for news of activities that have happened or are still being planned.

Deputy Refuge Manager Erin Myers and Refuge Ranger Tucker Phillips took outreach efforts south last week for Panther Festival at the Naples Zoo. Other outreach opportunities are coming up, including the 12th annual Burrowing Owl Festival in Cape Coral on February 25, 2023. Stop by and say hi to the Refuge team if you attend.
Stay tuned to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce Instagram page on Tuesday, November 15, for the “Ding” Darling Instagram Takeover event. Daylong from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., staff from the Refuge, DDWS, and Tarpon Bay Explorers will be broadcasting clips about rebuilding efforts, programs, events, shopping deals, and ways to help the “Ding” team on its long road to recovery. The feed will be pinned to Chamber’s IG page following the takeover.
Watch “Ding” on the Wing for news of upcoming Black Friday (November 25) and Cyber Monday (November 28) deals on ShopDingDarling.com.
Starting Thursday, December 1, “Ding” Darling will be selling Nature Store items and talking to visitors about the Refuge at a Pop-up Stand at the Coconut Point Farmer’s Market in Estero. Thanks to Local Roots for making space for our setup each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get out to start your holiday gift-buying or just to say hi to the team.
The DDWS Annual Meeting is still planned for Wednesday, December 7, at 1 p.m. Watch “Ding” on the Wing and our website for updates on the meeting’s format.
The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19, 2023. The opening for registration, however, has been postponed until further notice. Thanks to our 2023 sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact April Boehnen.
While staff is focused on recovery efforts, they make time to offer occasions for locals to engage and heal through Nature during this trying time. Watch for news in coming weeks of free Mindfulness Walks at Bailey Tract for groups and individuals. Contact Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland or Ranger Jess Barry for times and dates and to reserve a group Mindfulness Walk. Those who can’t access the island and upcoming Mindfulness Walks can tune into the guided podcasts with these links: Anchor. Spotify.

Artists in Residence

Although Ian has paused this year’s Artist in Residence program featuring Jacqui Roch, we continue to support current and former artists in residence. DDWS reps Jacqui’s work, and Refuge staff was able to secure all of the art she had on display in the Visitor & Education Center at the time.

Last year’s featured artist, Rachel Pierce, however, lost much of the art on display in her Sanibel Island gallery. We urge you to support her online store. DDWS Refuge Store Manager Chris Galloway managed to retrieve one of Rachel’s paintings (see photo above) from the demolished 2250 Periwinkle Store. Aptly named “All in this Together,” the flamingos painting survived unscathed by mold or other damage thanks to its placement above the high flood line.

Ed Anderson, our first-year artist in residence, also lost many pieces he was working on at his Sanibel studio on Dinkens Bayou. Based in Idaho, Ed splits his time on Sanibel, where his family’s home survived but with serious damage.

Feel-Good Finds

If you have a photo, poem, video, or other feel-good find and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen .

A Love Letter to Sanibel Island

by Allison Atkinson

There was a magical place once where we escaped. Its beaches were quiet and covered in spectacular specimens from the sea. It was a place to relax and get away from the insanity, an absolute refuge for us wanderers. It was not without its quirks. Think about the Bubble Room, and the concrete manatee mailboxes, and the beautiful private estates and the bold exotic flowers. Everyone I have ever met who has grown up on this island has proclaimed that their childhood was nothing short of enchanting. It was a dance with nature, the chance to get close but not too close to alligators, crocodiles and roseate spoonbills, with feathers so pink they might shame a flock of flamingos.

This place was the antithesis to the... READ MORE

Photo by Frank Brinker

A Poem by Meghan Prindle

#DailyDoseofDing Repaid

Snuggle up and listen close, quietly:

a bare breeze rustles through the palm leaves;

spare ripples on the water;

twinkled-tangles in the mangroves;

A flutterment,

a splash,

a gentle breach;

An easy-going bustle in the brackish;

And a crunch-crunch-crunching underfeet

Gives way

to the rhythm of the open sea.

Photo of a mangrove cuckoo by Tom Miller

WoW Update: Heading to Caloosa Elementary

Next Monday, the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) team heads to Caloosa Elementary in Cape Coral for the week. Following Thanksgiving, WoW will be educating classes at Villas Elementary in Fort Myers November 28-December 9, and then on to James Stephens Elementary in the Tice community. The team will also help the school celebrate its Fall Fest, which is open to the public, on Wednesday, December 14.

WoW currently operates with a reduced team due to Hurricane Irma’s impact on staffing. Now, more than ever, Refuge community outreach needs your help. Donate to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts to reach Title 1 schools and underserved communities with conservation messaging and education.

WoW closed out its visit to Tice Elementary this week.

#DingStrong Shirts

Show us your #DingStrong Merch

Catherine and Ryan from North Carolina are proudly showing off their #DingStrong Merch and encouraging others to do the same! Don't have your #DingStong merch? Purchase HERE

If you have a photo of you showing off your #DingStrong Merch, and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen

Veterans Day Tomorrow

Veterans Day takes place on November 11 and honors our country's greatest patriots: all of the men and women who have served in the nation's military.

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our Heroes and She-roes!" Maya Angelou

Please Consider a Year-End Gift to Support Refuge Recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we know many of our readers are struggling with their own finances and personal rebuilding. Our hearts are with you, as we know how difficult it can be.

For others, year-end tax-deductible giving might be an option. If so, we hope you will consider supporting the work at Refuge rebuilding from the storm and continuing our education and research mission.

While the Refuge will receive federal funds for recovery efforts, it has been our experience that this funding falls far short for accomplishing all the work needed. That is the reason the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge was established more than 40 years ago. We work to help fill in the gaps where federal funding falls short. DONATE TODAY!

Here are some additional tools to help you with donations large and small that can pay off for you as well as for Refuge wildlife.

Learn the benefits and ins-and-outs of Year-End Giving.
Choose something from the Refuge Symbolic Gift List to help focus your donation.
Make giving painless with the DDWS OMG (Once-a-Month Giver) automatic subscription.
Small gestures that cost you nothing can amount to lucrative support for the Refuge when you sign up for the Amazon Smile program.

However you choose to support the Refuge in this time of enormous need, we thank you profusely.

The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, Inc. Non-profit tax id number is: 59-2240895