|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
A show-off Anhinga photographed by David Jeffrey
|
Join the 45/82 Society
Ensuring wildlife has a place to thrive in the future is as easy as naming "Ding" Darling in your will, or designating the Refuge as a beneficiary to your retirement plan, IRA, or other financial account. Learn more about our 45/82 Society or call 239.472.1100 ext. 232.
|
|
| |
|
Virtual Summer Camp in full swing.
The Refuge Education Team is hosting
Nature Explorers Virtual Camp
with free natural science and experiential-based learning videos every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m. on the
Refuge's official Facebook page
.
Below was last week's Investigation Friday where campers toured the Scat Trail.
 |
|
|
Last week's Investigation Friday toured the Scat Trail at the Wildlife Education Boardwalk to learn about the droppings and diet of Refuge animals.
|
Those who participate by responding on summer camp Facebook posts three times this summer get a free prize.
Email
the Education Team for more information.
Did you miss a lesson? No worries, all videos and activity sheets are
archived on the DDWS website.
|
|
|
|
Wildlife Drive and all hiking trails remain open fee-free. |
NEW THIS WEEK: Whereas the Bailey Tract parking lot on Tarpon Bay Road closed temporarily last weekend to discourage beach parking during the holiday, it has now reopened.
Keep current on developments via our COVID-19 web page
. In the meantime, we urge you to #StayHome as much as possible, get out in nature when you can, and maintain social distance and mask guidelines when you must go out.
|
|
#DailyDoseofDing
The DDWS staff has been busy bringing the healing sunshine and beauty of the Refuge to the public through 30-second social media videos. Follow on
Facebook
t
o see our #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge for those who can't make it.
The posts have become a much-anticipated
feature, boosting Facebook numbers to more than 14,500 followers.
|
|
July 15 marks the
The contest, sponsored by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, is held in conjunction with "Ding" Darling Day, October 18, 2020. Complete contest rules are listed
READ MORE
|
|
Your Backyard Nature
Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Connecticut or New Mexico, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home. Thank you to Rebecca Clemens for sharing a backyard nature photo of Eastern Bluebirds in Warrensburg, New York.
Here is what Rebecca said about her backyard birds:
"Franklin and Eleanor are the proud parents of 5 today. Born on the 4th of July! If you look closer Franklin has only one foot. At the end of March, he met with an unknown mishap, leaving him with this injury. Since then, I have photographed them daily as they raised and fledged 5 little ones and now have just hatched 5 more. They embody the best of team work as Franklin has grown stronger and Eleanor has worked tirelessly to incubate and feed her babies. It has been a joy to witness their courage and determination!"
Please
email
your nature photos so we can share them in "Ding" on the Wing and by social media. Include details about the photographer and where the photo was taken.
|
Safety Lessons with a Wild Twist
|
|
|
|
A Roseate Spoonbill turns birds' preening habits into
a lesson on handwashing.
|
|
|
|
|
The wingspan of an Osprey demonstrates proper
physical distancing.
|
|
|
|
"If you are feeling sick, lay low like a gator and we will see you later," teaches this alligator signage.
|
New signage at the Refuge reminding visitors to distance, wash their hands, and stay home when not feeling well has been so well received that the National Wildlife System headquarters in Washington, D.C., is now adapting it for their needs. Kudos to Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland and her team for using Refuge animal silhouettes to drive home lessons on staying safe.
|
Free Gift with Purchase of
Upcycled Fashion Pieces
Brazilian artisans hand-crochet
Escama's
o
ne-of-a-kind wearable works of art using recycled aluminum pull tabs. A hang tag signed by the artist herself identifies each unique piece, which makes not only a fashion statement, but also an eco-statement. Support the Refuge's mission of reduce, reuse, and recycle and score a bonus: Purchase $200 or more from the Escama Collection online now and receive a free Escama Chica Rosa Clutch in blue as our gift to you (a $45 value). Hurry and claim your free gift today, this offer expires after Wednesday, July 15.
|
|
|
Judges from our March Project Refuge upcycled fashion show event wore different pieces from the Escama fashion-statement collection.
|
|
|
|
|
Escama colored clutch purses
|
|
Personal Shopper
 Don't see what you're looking for online? Allow our staff to assist you in finding exactly what you want with a personalized shopping experience. By phone, we will guide you through our entire store inventory at a time that is convenient for you.
Email us
or leave us a voicemail message at 239-472-1100 ext. 241, and we will be in touch with you promptly.
Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
|
 Use Native Plants to Improve Our Water
Resources
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler,
DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
|
|
|
|
Native mimosa plants make a pretty and eco-friendly ground cover alternative to thirsty sod.
|
|
This article is the first in a two-part series that will discuss something that each of us can do to improve the quantity and quality of our water resources: Use native plants. This article will discuss the negative impact that exotic plants have on our water resources. A subsequent article will provide input on native plants from Sanibel's Vegetation Committee, and it will describe READ MORE
In Case You Missed It
: Watch a great visual presentation of how fertilizer accelerates the growth of algae
here. It was one of the "Ding" Virtual Summer Camp sessions.
|
Support Those Who Support Us
The island business community needs us now, more than ever. Each week, we are highlighting local businesses that have provided support for conservation efforts at the Refuge through the years. They have invested in the community and the Refuge, and we hope the community will do what they can to help them.
|
Whitney's Bait and Tackle: Did you know that the length of a fishing pole is the perfect way to keep your distance while recreating outdoors? Pick up all of your gear and bait at Whitney's, located at 1554 Periwinkle Way. The shop also offers free lessons, rod and reel repair, charters, rentals, and fishing licenses. Call 239-579-0399.
|
|
Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant: With one of the most enviable gulf-front views of any island restaurants, Thistle Lodge replicates an early Sanibel lodge at Casa Ybel Resort, 2255 West Gulf Drive. Come for lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, or an after-work craft cocktail. Call 239-472-3145.
|
|
Stroemer & Company, LLC: As the 2019 tax deadline approaches, simplify your personal and business life with the certified public accountant services of Stroemer & Company at 1403 Metropolitan Avenue Suite 200 in Fort Myers. Team members lead the profession by being highly trained, knowledgeable, and friendly. Call 239-433-1002.
|
|
|
|
Live School Science Lessons
Back in April, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service began featuring tailor-made educational tool kits about wildlife, geared toward students during stay-at-home learning, and have continued them through the summer. Each weekly, half-hour
Facebook Live event
offers lesson plans and at-home activities for students. Join Conservation Connect Live at 1 p.m. EDT on Thursdays for real science with live interaction from FWS staff.
Here's the upcoming schedule:
July 9 - Black Bears
July 23 - Condors
July 30 - Small mammals
August 6 - Roseate Spoonbills/"Ding" Darling NWR
August 13 - Humpback Chub
August 20 - Monarch tagging
|
Become a sponsor for upcoming events to support conservation efforts at the Refuge. Planning for "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society's 2020-2021 event season is currently underway. DDWS hosts several annual and one-time events, and sponsors help to make them a success. Your support will help the Refuge continue its work in conservation and wildlife protection and increase your visibility among current and potential customers. For individuals, it's an opportunity to show others the value you place on work at the Refuge and encourage them to do the same. Event and program sponsors play an essential role in helping DDWS raise support for research and education at the Refuge. View sponsorship opportunities. Call 239-472-1100 ext. 4 to discuss.
|
Blast from the Past
As we approach the official
75th Refuge Anniversary
on December 1, 2020, we take a look back,
through historic photographs,
at the past three-quarters of a century that the Refuge has been in existence.
Last week, we took a backward glance at the original "Ding" Darling Education Center in the Administration Building. It served the Refuge from 1982 until 1999, when the current Visitor & Education Center opened, thanks to $3.3 million raised by DDWS. In this picture, Refuge staff, DDWS board members, and local dignitaries gathered for the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to dedicate the new state-of-the-art center.
|
 Going Green
11 Ways To Lower A/C Use this Summer
|
|
|
Solar panels on the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center keep electricity
usage and costs low.
|
1. Upgrade your windows.
2. Seal your windows.
3. Install a programmable thermostat.
4. Use ceiling fans.
5. Replace your HVAC air filters.
6. Avoid cooking indoors.
7. Reduce the sunlight.
8. Insulate your walls and attics.
9. Find lower ground.
10. Get your air conditioning system serviced.
11. Install solar panels. Explore to see if your community has a solar co-op established which can significantly reduce the cost of installing solar panels.
|
'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. that is open to the public.
|
|
|
Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
Location:
6,446 acres in Trempealeau, Wisconsin
Totemic Fauna:
Passerine, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American White Pelican
Visitor's Tip:
Visitors can bike, walk, or drive the 4.5-mile tour loop.
|
|
|
|
American White Pelicans
|
|
|
Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
|
|
|
| Photo credit: Wendy McKinney |
|
We've been hearing about lots of Roseate Spoonbill sightings off the Wildlife Drive & Indigo Trail. A favorite bird here at the Refuge, the Roseate Spoonbill always delights viewers!
T
o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:
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.
|
75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off
- TBA
National Public Lands Day - September 26, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October TBA
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
75th Anniversary Gala Celebration
- December 1, 2020
Clyde Butcher Book Signing - December TBA
National Bird Day - January 5, 2021
Lecture Series - January 29-March 19, 2021
Bi-Weekly Film Series - January-April, 2021
Volunteer Training
- January 14, 2021
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Earth Day at the Refuge
-
March 22, 2021
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition
- October 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - November 2021
|
These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our
website to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by April Boehnen & Sierra Hoisington.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
