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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
January 18, 2018
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 Refuge funding continues to decline and it is private philanthropic support that helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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Thinking of supporting conservation and the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society in your estate plans? Read about our 45/82 Society by clicking the logo above.
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TOMORROW,
January 19:
Birding Without Borders Lecture
Self-proclaimed "bird nerd" Noah Strycker set a worldwide Big Year record in 2015. His book about the experience,
Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, A Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World
, released late 2017. Noah starts out the
2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series
on Friday, January 19.
He will be presenting THREE free programs at
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Thanks to our Lecture Series sponsor
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10 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. in the READ MORE
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Friday, January 26:
The Gulf Lecture
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Jack E. Davis
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The collision between civilization and nature in the Gulf of Mexico becomes a uniquely American story in the environmental epic
The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea
by Jack E. Davis. On Friday, January 26, the author will be presenting two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the
2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series
. The New York Times Book Review called
The Gulf
a "beautiful homage to a neglected sea." It won the 2017 Kirkus Prize and is a READ MORE
Lecture Seating Policy
Seating for the lectures 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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Trivia Thursday
How many teeth does a full grown river otter have?
Find the answer somewhere in this newsletter!
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Wednesday, January 24:
Tapped Film on Tap
The documentary film
Tapped
continues the sixth annual free "Ding" Darling
Wednesday Film Series
on Wednesday, January 24, at 10 a.m. in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center auditorium. The film asks the question: Is access to clean water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold? From the production of plastic to the ocean where so many of plastic bottles end up, the inspiring documentary follows the bottled water industry and the communities READ MORE
Click
here
for a printable 2018 Film Series flyer.
Watch the trailer here:
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2018 Film Series Sponsor
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Go Wild for "Ding" Auction Item
"Ding" Darling devotee and accomplished
Gray's Sporting Journal
artist
Ed Anderson
has donated a fantasy angling adventure to this year's Go Wild for "Ding" fundraiser on February 14 at the Sanibel Community House.
Escape to Boise Idaho for a weekend of fly fishing and relaxation on the Boise River. Stay in Ed's one-bedroom studio guest cabin overlooking the river for two nights. While there, tour Ed's studio and see his latest work. You will also receive a guided, outfitted day of fishing for two with
Idaho Angler
. Two Southwest Airlines  vouchers, a lunch and dinner for two in Boise are also included in this exciting package.
For this auction item and others featured, early bids can be taken or you can arrange to call in during the auction to participate. Call 239.472.1100 ext. 4 to learn more.
This year's Go Wild theme is In the Nest. Click
HERE
to read more and go online to register
here
.
Only 65 seats remain
, so don't wait to register for this sell-out event.
2018 Sponsors:
CHAMPION
Entire meal donated and sponsored by:
GUARDIAN
PROTECTOR
DEFENDER
 
To become a sponsor, please call Carrie Alexander at 239.472.1100 ext. 256
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"Ding" attends Everglades Coalition Conference
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From left to right: Phyllis Gresham, Wendy Kindig, Mike Baldwin, and Paul Tritaik at the Everglades Coalition Conference
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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Board President Mike Baldwin, Secretary Wendy Kindig, member Phyllis Gresham, and Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik attended the Everglades Coalition Conference last weekend to discuss water quality issues in the Everglades and Florida's estuary communities. DDWS is a sponsor of the event and supports the Everglades Coalition's commitment to clean water and restoration of impacted environments. To learn more about the Everglades Coalition, click
here
.
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Wednesday Law Enforcement Talks
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John Thompson delivers insider law enforcement information.
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Refuge Law Enforcement Officer John Thompson offers a "U.S. Wildlife Police: The Thin Green Line" talk most Wednesdays during season at
1:30 p.m. in the Refuge Visitor & Education Classroom
. The 30-minute program features the history of the federal wildlife protection, a police gear show-and-tell, and handouts for "junior officers." The program is offered based on Officer John's availability, so call ahead to 472-1100 ext. 222 each Wednesday to confirm.
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February 22: Dinner with Stephen Kress
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| Photo by Dr. Stephen Kress |
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Only 40 seats remain
for Dinner with Stephen Kress, noted bird activist, at "Ding" Darling on Thursday, February 22. He will speak about his work restoring tern and puffin populations in Maine and his latest book,
Puffin Project: An Improbable Quest to Bring a Beloved Sea Bird Back to Egg Rock
. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society hosts the exclusive Dinner with Stephen Kress starting READ MORE
To register for Dinner with Stephen Kress, click
HERE.
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Doc Ford's Tarpon Tourney Title Sponsor
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DDWS Associate Director Sarah Lathrop (left) with the Doc Ford's team. |
A fat purse and the new allure of winning a coveted tarpon jacket promise to make the seventh annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament on Friday, May 11, 2018, the hottest competition on the water. Doc Ford's -- with locations on Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and Fort Myers Beach -- has again committed to being the title sponsor for the 2018 tournament, along with the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS). Proceeds will benefit wildlife and conservation education at READ MORE
In its six years of existence, the tourney has raised $330,000 for conservation efforts at the Refuge
Many, many thanks to those sponsors who have already signed on:
TITLE Sponsor
CHAMPION Sponsors
PREMIERE Sponsors
PRESENTING Sponsors
PLATINUM Sponsors
GOLD Sponsors
 
SILVER Sponsors
 
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Roseate Sightings
Everyone's favorite Refuge bird is
always in season when it comes to fashion and
décor. How many Roseate Spoonbill gifts can you spot?
Stop in and pick up your spoonbill gifts today. Or contact Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about mail-ordering these and other
featured products.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. 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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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Location: 98,000 acres in Los Fresnos, Texas
Totemic fauna:
Ocelot, Aplomado Falcon, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Redhead Duck
Fun for the Family
: Interpretive programs, hiking, biking, fishing, photography
Visitor's tips:
December through February, the Habitat Tram Tour explores the 14-mile Bayside Drive, which is currently closed to private vehicles. The three-hour tour costs only $4
per adult, $3 per senior, and is free for kids age 15 and younger.
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Ocelot
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The refuge is known for its duck populations.
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Do You Plan to Include 'Ding' Darling in Your Estate Plans?
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Kicking Plastic
In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we will share a quick tip on how you can reduce the use of plastic in your life. For more information on being environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Plastic shopping bags.
Plastic bags that end up in the water can prove deadly for marine creatures, who often mistake them for a jellyfish snack. It takes 1,000 years for a shopping bag to decompose. So, to keep plastic bags out of the water and landfills, buy reusable shopping bags. The
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Turtles and other sea creatures confuse plastic bags for jellyfish and try to eat them, causing harm.
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"Ding" Darling Nature Store carries a variety of affordable bags. If you do receive a plastic shopping bag, put it to a re-purposed use such as lining a trash can or packing material.
"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 and 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 transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
Oh my, what big teeth you have! An adult River Otter has 32 teeth, the same as a fully grown human. They use those teeth to grind up and eat fish, amphibians, and other aquatic species.
Thanks to Rebecca Clemens for the photo
The Tricolored Heron often gets confused with the Little Blue Heron. To tell the difference, spot the white markings on the underbelly and neck; that's how you know you've got a Tricolored!
Thanks to Teresa Anzalone for the photo
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 Philanthropic Coordinator,
Carrie Alexander, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 9, 2018
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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 Sierra Hoisington and Amanda Brooks
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