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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 to see our #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge for those who can't make it. 
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Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Kentucky or Michigan, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home.
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| Thank you to Jim Bauer for sharing a backyard nature photo of Bald Eagles in Casco, Maine.
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| | Thank you to John Bowman for sharing a photo of an Elegant Trogon sunning itself in Patagonia Park, Arizona. |
Please email y our 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.
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October 15: Photo Contest Deadline Extended
The announcement of this year's winners will take place in conjunction with "Ding" Darling Day on December 1. View photo contest FLYER for more details.
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An honorable mention winner from the 2019 contest titled "Mangrove Cuckoo Flying," by Bill Fischer of Sanibel Island
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Farewell, Sara
Tomorrow we say a sad farewell to Sara Hallas Soderholm, our first-ever Conservation Educator funded by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. She has capably held the position since 2017.
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Sara teaches students about mangrove tree crabs
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Sara successfully grew the Refuge's education program with her contagious enthusiasm and energy. We wish her all the best as she moves on to join the development team at the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
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Refuge Update:
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Wildlife Drive is open to cyclists, hikers, and motor vehicles; and
biking rentals are
currently available.
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Keep up-to-date on Refuge
re-openings and
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Give the Refuge a Listen
For your snowbird and other travels this fall, download the three Refuge podcasts created by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB). Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland hosted the fifth, sixth, and seventh in a series of VCB Shellcasts, designed to bring a slice of Southwest Florida to people all over the world. Because of all of the great information Toni had to offer, the Refuge was the first county attraction to be appropriated multiple podcasts. Hers first aired on September 8, including podcasts about Roseate Spoonbills, the Refuge's Scat Trail, and the WoW and Learning Lavatory educational tools. The Shellcasts are accessible for free on fortmyers-sanibel.com, Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.
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Taína A. Milán
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2021 Suzanne M. Dubuc Education Intern
Following the hiring of bilingual Education Intern Alfredo Carbajal earlier this month, Taína A. Milán recently joined the Refuge team thanks to funding through DDWS. She too will fill the role of bilingual interpreter, translator and educator for the refuge's forthcoming WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom and other educational "Ding" programs. Born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, Taína graduated from Interamerican University, San Germán Campus, in May 2020 with a major in biology. Prior to traveling to "Ding" Darling, she worked as a summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) supervisor at READ MORE
For more information about the Refuge's internship programs and supporting them, contact Lynnae Messina, DDWS Associate Director, at 239-472-1100 ext. 233. DDWS is now accepting donations for future named intern funds at $12,500 a year, inclusive of intern stipend, travel, tolls, Wi-Fi, Sanibel Rec Center membership, and other expenses.
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This Saturday: National Public Lands & Urban Wildlife Day
For Saturday, September 26, the Refuge has designed three ways to celebrate National Public Lands & Urban Wildlife Day.
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All rentals and tours at
25% off for local residents.
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1. Visit Wildlife Drive free of charge all day (7 a.m.-7 p.m.). Print out this scavenger hunt before you go, and be on the lookout for wildlife.
2. If you live in Lee, Collier, or Charlotte County, receive a 25% discount off tours and rentals at Tarpon Bay Explorers, our recreation concession. (Bring proof of residency.)
3. Support the Refuge by shopping online at ShopDingDarling.com. Curbside pickup is available Monday through Friday.
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 December 1: Anniversary Celebrations
In 1945, out of fear for the wildlife and wetlands that claimed most of Sanibel Island, Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling succeeded in petitioning for the creation of the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. Seventy-five years later, J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, which adopted its creator's name in 1967 following his death, celebrates its rich history and legacy on December 1, 2020. DDWS is helping to support a daytime celebration and will be hosting an evening gala to commemorate the Refuge's 75th anniversary.
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| | "Theodore Roosevelt" will be performing at our 75th anniversary events. |
The daytime celebration, in concert with "Ding" Darling Day, will be free and open to the public. It will combine a day of safe family fun, live music, and special guests, while following CDC guidelines.
The day's festivities then will culminate with a ticketed gala event. The 75th Anniversary Gala will harken back to the 1940s with a drive-in theater theme and visits from "Theodore Roosevelt" reprisor Joe Wiegand.
Guests will safely enjoy live music and a program projected onto a drive-in style screen with audio broadcast to their cars. "Car hops," wearing masks and other protective gear, will deliver food and drinks to guests.
December 1 will be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration to remember and an occasion to look forward with optimism to the Refuge's future. To join in the memory-making by becoming a sponsor, contact Development Officer April Boehnen at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
Tickets to the gala will go on sale the end of October. Space is limited to 70 cars, but there is no limit as to how many people may occupy each vehicle.
Thanks to those who have already shown their generosity and support as 75th Anniversary sponsors:
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Champion Sponsors:
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Guardian Sponsors:
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Defender Sponsors:
Protector Sponsors:
Join in the celebration of this milestone anniversary by becoming a sponsor. CALL April Boehnen at 239.472.1100 ext 4 or via email. |
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Lecture Series Sponsors
The upcoming season's "Ding" Darling Lecture Series will evolve with the times and persisting distance protocols by moving to the larger venue of the Sanibel Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way. The free lectures will occur on five select days throughout the season with one 10 a.m. lecture per day.
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| | Thanks to Bill & Laurie Harkey for kicking off our roster of lecture series sponsors. They are fully sponsoring author Paul Bannick's "Great Gray Owl: A Visual Natural History" presentation in March. |
The 17th annual series, which runs January 29 through March 19, 2021, features photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher, Feather Thief author Kirk W. Johnson, and eminent authorities on water conservation, eagles, and owls. See the schedule of lectures and our generous, valued sponsors here. |
 Read more about becoming part of our new monthly giving program.
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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, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.
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Tuesday saw Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers participating in the Refuge Education Team's Owl Pellets Dissection activity via Shell Point TV. The closed circuit station broadcasted the one-hour lesson twice that day, led by Refuge educators. Many of the residents purchased owl pellet dissection kits to work along with the educators, while others tuned in to hear about Florida owls and watch the dissection demonstration. DDWS provided paper plates and other supplies for those who dissected. "They learned about our five local species - their appearance, calls, and diet - from the interaction," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "We encourage people to never stop learning and experience nature's wonders." "The presentation was a hit," said Jon High, Shell Point Wellness and Education Manager. "We have been getting positive feedback from those who saw it."
Interested in doing your own pellet dissection? Order your kits online at www.shopdingdarling.com |
Shell Point resident Norman Miller participates in owl pellet dissection.
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| | Shell Point resident and class participant Debby Topliff took this photo of the bones found through her pellet dissection
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Guest Blog: Rising Sea Level
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Captiva resident Suri Sehgal, PhD, is an India-born American philanthropist with a long career as a crop scientist, seedsman, entrepreneur, and leading expert in the global hybrid seed industry. Along with his wife, Edda Sehgal, he now operates two nonprofit organizations that focus on water security, food security, and social justice with particular emphasis on women's empowerment. He is a member of the Captiva Sea Level Rise Committee and chairs the Environmental Awareness Committee of the Captiva Island Yacht Club.
This week, he shares a guest blog about Rising Sea Level, below:
As the ocean water warms, the sea level rises, and water from melted glaciers leads to further rising. These global phenomena are happening here in the Gulf, in our own backyard.
Sea levels around the globe have fallen and risen dramatically over millions of years, driven primarily by glacial advance and retreat. Sea level changes in the distant past were often substantial and occurred faster than the incremental increase now. After the last Ice Age READ MORE
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'Ding' Inspiration
Following in the Refuge's giant footsteps, the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex & Nature Center on Big Pine Key recently wrapped its restroom stalls with inspirational and educational wildlife messaging. Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who led "Ding" Darling's 2018 America's Best Restroom project, assisted the Keys' staff with their own beautification. "My goal is to have every bathroom stall wrapped in the Southeast Region done before I retire," she said.
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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.
The year 2012 was an "awarding" one for the Refuge and DDWS. We won the Chrysalis Award for Education from the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce on May 9 in a ceremony at the former Harborside Event Center. Then, in November, the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) presented us its Phoenix Award, which it has presented each year since 1969 to honor conservation and preservation efforts of individuals and organizations around the world.
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DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller (second from the right) accepts the Chrysalis Award at the 2012 ceremony.
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Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik, SATW member Jane Ockershausen, VCB Executive Director Tamara Pigott, Birgie Miller, then-DDWS President John McCabe, and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland at the Phoenix Award presentation
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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. that is open to the public.
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| | Shorebird species |
Location: 1,836 acres, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Totemic Fauna: Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
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| | Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
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Visitor's Tip: The refuge's 12 miles of hiking, biking, and observation trails and visitor center are currently closed due to COVID-19.
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 Kudos to City of Sanibel
NOTE: We included this acknowledgement in last week's "Ding" on the Wing, but it contained misinformation on which days of the week apply to what addresses. The information herein is correct. Apologies for the oversight.
A big round of applause to the city of Sanibel for recently passing two important environmentally friendly measures.
Effective September 18, irrigation is limited to two days a week for all island properties - Mondays and Thursdays for ODD addresses, Tuesdays and Fridays for EVEN. No irrigation is permitted between the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Read the new ordinance for exceptions and other provisions.
Secondly, effective October 1, the use of plastic bags for containing vegetation disposal for collection is banned. Yard and horticulture waste can be bundled or contained in refuse containers or biodegradable paper lawn and leaf bags.
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Click on graphic to see enlarged.
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October 1: Wildlife Drive Fee Changes
Effective October 1, 2020, admission fees to the Refuge's Wildlife Drive will change,the first increase in more than 30 years ago. As reflected in the chart below, daily vehicular admission fees will increase on October 1 from $5 to $10 and annual passes from $12 to $25. Entry fees for pedestrians and cyclists will remain at $1 each for persons ages 16 and older only. Admission to the Visitor & Education Center (when reopened) and Bailey Tract trails is still free. The cost of the Senior Pass, Access Pass, and other federal passes all remain the same and are available for purchase at the Wildlife Drive fee booth (Fridays at Tarpon Bay Explorers).
"The fees help maintain structures, roads, and landscaping across our 7,700 acres and increase accessibility," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who oversees Visitor Services. "We also have become increasingly reliant on entrance fees for staff salaries, especially where public safety and security are concerned."
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Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
Many preening and resting wading birds, like the Roseate Spoonbill, have been seen near the Observation Tower along Wildlife Drive right before they roost for the night.
To 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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75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Holiday Shopping Events - November-December 2020
Call April at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Clyde Butcher Book Signing - December TBA
National Bird Day - January 5, 2021
Volunteer Training - January 14, 2021
Call April at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
2021 Annual Go Wild for "Ding" - February 10, 2021
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2021
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition - October - Mid-November 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - Mid-November - December 2021
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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 Boehnen & Sierra Hoisington.
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