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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
March 23, 2017
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An Osprey nest along Wildlife Drive has two new occupants. Photo courtesy of Patty McInnis
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TOMORROW March 24 Lecture
Denege Patterson, an archaeology tour guide from the Randell Research Center of Pineland, Florida, introduces 24 of the 90-some islands that share Pine Island Sound with Sanibel and Captiva islands in her book
A Tour of the Islands of Pine Island Sound: A Geological, Archaeological, and Historical Perspective
. A series of breathtaking aerial photographs and color maps will accompany the author's two free presentations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday READ MORE
Thank you to our
2017 Lecture Series sponsor:
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Wulfert Acquisition a Success!
Lee County Commissioners on Tuesday gave their final approval to funding $1.4 million toward the purchase of
8.15 acres on Sanibel Island's Wulfert Road, a crucial wildlife corridor for the "Ding" Darling Refuge. As part of a unique partnership and collaboration, the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) raised the remaining $600,000 of the $2 million needed
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Gopher Tortoises are among the species whose habitat the Wulfert Road property acquisition will benefit. Photo by Terry Baldwin
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to purchase the
parcel, which lies between SCCF land and the Refuge. The Refuge, by agreement with the county, will maintain the property, which provides habitat for 80 different land and marine species that live or feed on or near this property.
The county funding comes from its Conservation 20/20 program, which voters helped create to preserve sensitive environmental lands locally. "We are thrilled that the commissioners voted to use conservation 20/20 funds to purchase this land, and that the DDWS could help to make it possible," said Doris Hardy, DDWS Board President. "A special thanks to our past president and island resident, John
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Refuge and DDWS representatives cheer after their victory on Tuesday.
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McCabe, for his time and dedication in working on this collaborative approach -- a
win-win for everyone, including the wildlife who need this land to survive and thrive."
Anyone interested in contributing to future land acquisition campaigns should contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by
email
.
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Friday, March 31 Lecture
In the summer of 2009, a young mountain lion left his home in the Black Hills of South Dakota and set out on a cross-country journey that covered two years and more than 2,000 miles, passing within 30 miles of Manhattan before ending tragically on a Connecticut parkway. In two free presentations, Will Stolzenburg, author of
Heart of a Lion: A Lone Cat's Walk Across America
, incorporates images, film, and firsthand accounts of those whose lives were touched by the record-setting cat. They take place
READ MORE
Lecture Seating Policy
Seating for all lectures in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium is limited and available on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can save one seat each and then may explore the Visitor & Education Center or Indigo Trail before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time.
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Aerial photo of Bailey's General Store with new solar panels: These were installed through the San-Cap Solar Connect program initiated by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society.
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Two island organizations are pairing up to host
"Go Solar, Sanibel!"
-- a program about solar energy for island residents and businesses that takes up where the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society's
San-Cap Solar Connect
left off last March. The League of Women Voters of Sanibel and the Green Team of the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC) will bring James M. Fenton, Ph.D., the director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), to Sanibel to talk about recent changes in the market that are making solar energy less costly. The program will start at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 27, at SCUCC, 2050 Periwinkle Way. Admission is free. Dr. Fenton's presentation
READ MORE
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Let Congress Know That More Cuts To the Refuge System Budget Are Unacceptable!
On March 16, President Trump released his fiscal year 2018 budget, calling for a $54 billion increase in defense spending at the expense of all other discretionary programs - including our National Wildlife Refuge System. This aggressive budgetary action recommends slashing the Department of the Interior budget by 12%, a reduction of $1.5 billion.
For the Refuge System, a 12% cut is $58 million below its current insufficient budget of $481.4 million, resulting in a dismal $423.6 million. Click
HERE to request that your elected federal reps vote NOT to support President Trump's proposed budget cuts.
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Jim Sprankle's tri-colored herons sculpture will raise money to support "Ding" Darling and Golisano Children's Hospital. Photos courtesy of Skipp Tutor
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San-Cap Cares Auction to Benefit 'Ding'
The
life-size sculpture "Ding's Darlings - Two
Tri-colored Herons" by famed island wildlife sculptor Jim Sprankle goes up for auction for SanCap Cares' 17
th
annual Island Celebration on April 9, 2017 to benefit
Golisano Children's Hospital. The intricate piece, depicting a pair of mating
birds, is a top feature of the event's live auction, and all funds
Brenda and Dewey Tate, former Sanibel Island residents, donated the 3-feet-high sculpture. "Dewey and I were drawn to Sanibel years ago because of the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge," said READ MORE
The Tri-colored herons sculpture will be on display at The Sanctuary Golf Club (2801 Wulfert Rd.) starting April 1. People who are interested in placing bids by phone before or during the event, should contact Amanda Cross at SanibelCaptivaCares@gmail.com or by calling 239-472-2082.
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"Teddy" on a previous visit to the Refuge
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Monday: 'President Teddy' To Visit 'Ding'
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Sanibel and Captiva islands, re-enactor Joe Wiegand will make a special appearance at the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center at
1 p.m. on Monday, March 27. Free and open to the public, his reprisal of Roosevelt will focus on the President's designation of three local refuges - Pine Island NWR, Matlacha Pass NWR, and Island Bay NWR - in 1908. All three refuges are now part of the "Ding" Darling complex. Teddy first visited the islands in 1917 on a fishing expedition in what is now known as Roosevelt Channel on Captiva Island. Learn more about his "devil fish" adventure and living aboard a barge in the channel 100 years ago. Joe is a frequent visitor to the Refuge and a popular attraction whenever he reenacts our "conservation president."
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Tarpon Tourney Sponsors Spotlight
salute to Bella Signs &
Designs and Mabry Brothers.
As 100% of the purse goes to
awards, we raise money from this fundraiser for the
Refuge strictly through
sponsorships
and
silent
auction. For information on becoming a
sponsor or auction
donor or to add your team to the tourney waiting list
(registration is currently filled), please contact Executive Director
Birgie Miller
by email or phone (239-292-0566).
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6th Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
Sanibel Gear
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Looking for something for the ladies in your life? Check out our new
sterling silver cloisonné enamel earrings. Packaged in earth-friendly bamboo boxes, they come in wildlife designs such as dragonflies, pelicans, sea turtles, butterflies, and bumblebees. Prices start at $21.95.
We have also just added to our popular line of women's long-sleeved, UPF50 camo shirts with an alligator design. They come in pink and aqua at $42.95 each. Stop in and pick up your gifts today, or call Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about these and
other featured products.
Remember, proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
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Photo courtesy of USFWS |
Location
:
Princeton, Oregon
Totemic Fauna
: Greater Sandhill Crane, Rail, and Pronghorn Antelope
Fun for the Family
: Fishing, photography, hiking, and an audio tour
Visitor's Tip
: The Visitor Center/Nature Store, museum, and grounds are expected to reopen by early fall. Access to all other parts of the refuge is currently available.
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Photo courtesy of Marjorie Ellison
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Photo courtesy of Marjorie Ellison |
Spring in Florida means warblers and beautiful plumage displays.
On the left, a
Northern Parula
perches among lichen and shows its vibrant yellow chest coloring. On the right, a close-up of a
Snowy Egret
highlights
its showy
head feathers.
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, click on our social media links:
If
you have taken any beautiful, interesting,
or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to Society intern
Carrie Alexander
for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington
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