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Click above to read the DDWS
Annual Report
for fiscal year October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019. Philanthropy makes a real difference.
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It's time to start planning for charitable deductions on your 2019 income taxes. New tax laws make it even more lucrative for adults ages 70-1/2 and older to make
contributions
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Your contributions to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society support water quality studies, wildlife conservation, and the opportunity to educate future generations on the importance of preserving the planet.
Learn more
about making a year-end gift to support the Refuge through DDWS.
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75th Anniversary Lecture Series
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Paul Bannick shows images from his book on March 6. |
The 16th annual
"Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series, which runs January 17 through April 3, 2020, will feature a line-up of authors and experts in the world of birds, nature photography, and conservation. From woodpeckers and panthers to rain and hurricanes, the season promises to be one of the Refuge's best.
Thank you to our sponsors!
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February 12, 2020
Go Wild for 'Ding' - Lovin' Spoonbills
"Roseate spoonbills are 'Ding' Darling's most iconic bird, so we saw it fitting to make them the official totem for the Refuge's 75th anniversary celebration, which runs
READ MORE
Thank you to our sponsors to date:
Champion: Barbara & Todd Bluedorn; Boomer Duvin & Family.
Guardian: Jim & Dulce Doss; Bill & Diane Valerian.
 To become a sponsor, contact Dot Voorhees at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
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Sales of Clyde Butcher Prints Benefit Refuge
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"Ghost Orchid," one of Butcher's most popular images. |
Visitors have the opportunity to purchase a photographic print that Clyde Butcher personally has hand-printed, signed, and individually numbered during the
Refuge 75th Anniversary Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition through February 5, 2020. For each print purchased through the Refuge Nature Store, Clyde will make a contribution to benefit Refuge wildlife conservation and education. The fine art prints are available framed in a variety of sizes and price
READ MORE
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Fashion Watch
In keeping with the Refuge's conservation efforts mantra -- "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" -- Original Grain watchmakers gets wood for its timepieces from sustainably harvested trees and other reclaimed wood, such as used whiskey and beer barrels. The company harbors a love for the great outdoors, taking pride in preserving forests and the species that rely on them -- just as the Refuge does. For each watch purchased, Original Grain plants a native tree that will help provide jobs, food, and assistance to families around the globe. These cherished timepieces make a unique and eco-conscious gift, just in time for the holidays.
Stop in any day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to shop for your next Original Grain watch. You can also contact Nature Store Manager Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information on mail-ordering store products.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Advocacy:
The Alarming Condition of the
National Wildlife Refuges
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
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Image of "Ding" Darling Refuge by Sarah Ashton |
Many readers of "Ding" on the Wing realize that over the last decade the staff at the "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has been cut in half. At the same time, the number of visitors to the Refuge has doubled, and the amount of Refuge land that needs to be managed has increased. Unfortunately, budget cuts and staff shortages are endemic across the entire Refuge System. For more detail, see here.
In case you missed it: In a recent article, we discussed the synergy between cattle ranching and conservation. For more on that topic, see here. |
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Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition
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| Drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to view the free exhibition. |
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Become inspired by the photographs of Clyde Butcher. Visit the free Refuge
75th Anniversary Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition
through February 5, 2020, in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center, guests can view Butcher's American Everglades Collection daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thank you to our exhibition sponsors:
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| WoW will wow all ages with its hands-on exhibits. |
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An artist's rendering of WoW's look by former intern, May Jernigan. |
DDWS has received an anonymous challenge grant to help raise support to bring the Refuge's Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) project to fabrication.
The grant will match donations made by December 31, 2019, dollar for dollar up to $50,000.
"If the challenge is met, and we raise the additional $100,000, we will have nearly reached our goal of $255k for making WoW a reality and bringing it into under-served communities READ MORE.
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Shopping for unique jewelry? Check out our line of piano wire pieces. |
You no longer have to wait until you visit the Refuge to purchase some of the unique souvenirs and gifts the store has become known for. Just in time for the holidays, ShopDingDarling.com has gone live for purchasing from anywhere in the U.S. DDWS operates the Nature Store to support the Refuge through the sale of logo apparel and memorabilia, kids toys, eco-friendly kitchen accessories, art, birding guides and other nature books, fair-trade decorative pieces, and a wide variety of gifts related to nature and conservation. In phase I of the store's e-commerce site rollout, it carries a select inventory of items available for online order. Gradually, staff will add more items, but in the meantime, in-store items not included on the site still are available by phone order at READ MORE
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75th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities
Learn about the different
upcoming sponsorship opportunities
to find one that fits your interests and passion. All sponsorship donations are tax-deductible, and now's the time to make donations eligible for your 2019 taxes. For more information, contact
Dot Voorhees
at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
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'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.
Location: 12,459 acres; 12 miles north of Great Falls, Montana
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In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we share a quick tip on how you can turn your lifestyle greener. For more information on being environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Clean Green
As you replace empty house cleaning product containers, look for green, chemical-free alternatives. Search online for products you can make out of common household ingredients. For instance: Combine vinegar, olive oil, and water in a spray bottle to use as furniture cleaner and polish. Add a few drops of essential oil if you wish to add a scent to your home.
Doing Our Part to Reduce Plastic
"Ding" Darling is committed to and has led the way on the islands in reducing the single-use plastic products that plague our planet and threaten wildlife. Thanks to DDWS' efforts, we have eliminated plastic shopping bags, plastic tags, and one-time-use plastic water bottles in the Refuge Nature Store and at Tarpon Bay Explorers' gift shop. In recent years, the Refuge has also installed a filtered water refill station and DDWS has transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use. We have a no-straws policy.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
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| Osprey by Rebecca Clemens |
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Visitors have spotted Ospreys on Wildlife Drive gathering materials for their nests.These birds use a large variety of items to assemble their home, including sticks, bark, moss, grass, and algae. Be on the lookout for their platforms in progress during the coming months of breeding season.
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.
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Event Tickets on Sale
Buy them for holiday gifting. Buy them for yourself.
Tickets are currently on sale for four big events this coming season.
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Click above to purchase tickets
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February 12, Go Wild for "Ding" - Lovin' Spoonbills
fundraiser at 5:30 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $150, include silent and live auctions, dinner, and entertainment. Tickets are selling quickly for this one, so purchase yours today.
Thank you to our sponsors to date:
Call of the Wild: Jim & Patty Sprankle. Champion: Barbara & Todd Bluedorn; Boomer Duvin & Family Guardian: Jim & Dulce Doss; Bill & Diane Valerian Protector: Hank & Linda Spire; Doug & Sherry Gentry; Mike & Terry Baldwin; Tiffany Kaliko & John Silvia; Ron E. & Josephine Smith; Sarah Ashton Broker Assoc.- ReMax of the Islands; John & Kay Morse. Defender: Mitchell's Sandcastles; Sanibel Moorings; Gresham Family, William & Barbara Millar; Bob & Kathy Wiesemann; RS Walsh Landscaping; Stewart & Sons Insurance. |
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Click above to purchase tickets
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March 10, "Twist Tie Optional" Luncheon for Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash at 11 a.m., Sanctuary Clubhouse. Tickets $100, include lunch and fashion show.
Thank you to our sponsors to date:
Guardian: Lee County Solid Waste, Jim & Dulce Doss. Protector: Pfeifer Realty Group; Bob & Kathy Wiesemann. Defender: Jim & Patty Sprankle; Boomer Duvin & Family, Mitchell's Sandcastles; Doug & Sherry Gentry; Sanibel Moorings. |
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Click above to purchase tickets
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March 20, Michael Grunwald
The Swamp
lecture at 7 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $30, include book-signing.
March 20, Michael Grunwald
The Swamp
cocktail and nosh reception at 5:30 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $125, include author meet-and-greet, VIP lecture seating, and book-signing.
Tickets to events make great gifts!
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Volunteer Holiday Lucheon
- December 13, 2019
75th Anniversary Film Series
- January 8-April 1, 2020
Volunteer Training - January 12, 2020
National Wildlife Day Celebration - February 24, 2020
Global Recycling Day - March 18, 2020
Spring Migratory Sale at Nature Store - April 15, 2020
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2020
Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
World Environment Day/National Bird Day Celebration - June 5
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening - October 20, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
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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 Arthur & April Boehnen.
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