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During this time of global crisis, "Ding" Darling would like to give a special thanks to our first responders and their families. While we are running away or keeping our distance from danger, first responders run directly into it. From the doctors and nurses to the police, fire fighters, and paramedics, we truly appreciate all you do for us.
Thank you
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Marsh Rabbit Photo by Danielle Lynch
Did You Know?
The Marsh Rabbit does hop, but is the only rabbit that walks like a cat on all fours, moving each leg separately and placing each foot down alternately.
To escape a predator, the Marsh Rabbit will leap into the water and swim, hiding completely under the surface - body submerged, ears laid flat, with just its eye and nose on the surface.
Breeding is year round with adult females, or a doe, carrying up to six litters of two to four young which equates to producing up to 24 kits a year.
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A Thank-You to our Donors from the Education Team
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Thank you to all of Our DDWS donors.
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Because of the coronavirus threat, onsite and outreach educational efforts have been curtailed at the Refuge. Our Education Team keeps steady on its education mission path, however, through social media outreach and our #DingatHome page.
We all miss the kids and other learners who count on "Ding" for awakening their natural curiosity, but we also miss those generous souls who make our educational efforts possible year-round. This is the DDWS Ed Team's way of saying thanks - a glimpse into the smiles and joy you and the Refuge have brought to our student field trippers in better times.
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| Tricolored Heron photo by David Jeffrey |
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As of April 3, Florida's
Safer at Home Order
went into effect to try to stop the spreading of novel coronavirus.
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| Every week#DingatHome features Wildlife Wednesday lessons. |
#DingatHome
To keep our fans and friends in touch with nature and engaged in calming, educational activities during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Refuge and DDWS have debuted programs for stay-at-home families and individuals. They have created virtual experiences that all ages can enjoy via social media and the
#DingatHome
web page.
#DailyDoseofDing
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The Perry Tract featured in a #DailyDoseofDing
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The DDWS staff are 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 archive of #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge.
Get Crafty
Visit our
#DingatHome page
to find at-home projects you can do as a family while sheltering in place. We've just added some new activities, such as this easy crab craft, plus you will find wildlife word games, activity booklets with coloring pages and games, and other ways to keep kids engaged and learning. Also, stay tuned to the Refuge's
Fun-Time Friday videos,
which demonstrate crafts and experiments you can do at home.
Keep an Eye on Nature
Visit our
Wildlife Web Cams page to get an eyeful of nature during pandemic quarantining. Watch eagle parents, ospreys, waterfowl, peregrine falcon eggs, and wild scenery across the nation to fill your daily prescription of nature watching.
Support Local Businesses
Thanks to the
Islander newspaper for compiling
this graphic of island restaurants that are doing takeout and delivery during this difficult time. Please support them with your business and by purchasing gift cards to help them make it through. Others not listed on the graphic include Over Easy Cafe, Lazy Flamingo, Sand Bar and others. The best thing to do is call the restaurant you are interested in and ask if they have carryout and/or delivery. Support your local businesses and tip the workers well.
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Bailey Tract Main Parking Lot Closed
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Bailey Tract trails are still accessible despite the closing of its main parking lot.
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To deter visitors from using Bailey Tract's Tarpon Bay Road lot for beach parking, the Refuge has come to an agreement with the city of Sanibel to close off the parking lot. The Island Inn Road entrance is open for parking, hikers, and cyclists.
Refuge Status
Wildlife Drive and all Refuge hiking trails remain open during normal operating hours (Wildlife Drive continues to close on Fridays
.
The "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center (and its restrooms), Tarpon Bay Explorers, the main Bailey Tract parking lot, and all Refuge and DDWS offices have closed until further notice. All events, tours, and programs have been suspended.
While using any Refuge facilities, remember to keep CDC social distancing guidelines in mind, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Please stay home if you are not feeling well. For news on changes in Refuge status, monitor our COVID-19 page.
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SHOP 'DING' ONLINE
E-Store Back Open for Business!
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A peek at the ShopDingDarling Instagram account.
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Today, Thursday, April 9,
ShopDingDarling.com
reopens for online order in a limited capacity. Due to COVID-19, DDWS staff was unable to access inventory for the popular e-commerce site, but since have been able to make available a limited number of small, easy-to-mail items. Peruse the site's page to
see which of our full inventory items you can order and to see the new ones being added weekly for order when the site fully reopens. Remember, profits from all purchases benefit the Refuge
and conservation, which need your support now more than ever. Thanks for your patronage.
Now you can follow the latest available gifts by online order at our new e-commerce site
Instagram page. Follow today to keep in the loop about products as they become available during and after the COVI
D-19 crisis.
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Egg-cellent Camouflage
Celebrate Easter with us on an egg hunt for a bird egg found recently in a remote corner of the Refuge. Can you find it? Can you identify what type of bird egg it is? Visit our
Facebook page to leave your guess.
Happy Spring Holidays!
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Welcome Deputy Refuge Ranger
Erin Myers joined the Refuge staff this month as the new Deputy Refuge Manager. She comes to the Refuge from a position as the private lands biologist for South Florida.
Erin served as a collaborative partner with a U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) program, developing and implementing wildlife management plans, managing multi-agency restoration programs, and coordinating partnerships between government and non-governmental agencies and the public.
"Erin has demonstrated her leadership skills by actively engaging in some of Florida's biggest conservation challenges," said Kevin Godsea, Acting Refuge Manager at "Ding" Darling. She is a founding member READ MORE
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Teacher Grant in Action
The DDWS Education Committee recently received a report from one of our 2019-2020 Teacher Grant recipients, Colleen Taylor at James Stephens International Academy in Fort Myers. Her students are making good use of a grant for its "Escape Drill and Practice" project, using lock box activities that include puzzles and activities for all ages.
"Every student was engaged and enthused when using the lock boxes," wrote Colleen. "Students truly used a team effort during this experience. They immediately wanted to do another one when they completed the first one. They said thinking was FUN! The challenges the boxes presented made my students even more inquisitive. This is a great learning tool."
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Title Sponsor
Starting Position Sponsor
Champion Sponsors
Premiere Sponsor
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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Today's pandemic may have temporarily derailed a big year of celebrating for "Ding" Darling, but we look forward to better times. As of now, we are still planning on the following events, discounts, and other happenings, but stay tuned to our
COVID-19 page for updates.
June 1, 2020 -
75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Scavenger Hunt Kick-off
July TBD -
Unveiling of the WoW Mobile Classroom
July 4, 2020 -
"Ding" is grand marshal in Sanibel Independence Day Parade
August 19, 2020 -
New Water Exhibit Unveiling
October 20, 2020 -
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
November 3, 2020 -
75th Anniversary Proclamation Reading at City Hall with reception
December 1, 2020 -
Official 75th Anniversary Celebrations
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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.
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Raccoon |
Location: 8,862 acres; Dover, Tennessee
Totemic Flora & Fauna: Canvasback, Raccoon
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GOING GREEN
Fighting Food Waste
Did you know?
- Bananas will keep longer if you wrap aluminum foil around their stems.
- Store a chunk of onion in a container with a cut avocado to keep the fruit from browning.
- A stick of celery added to a bag of sandwich bread will prevent mold.
On average, households throw away 40% of the food they purchase. During the pandemic quarantine, it becomes increasingly important to keep groceries fresh and out of the landfill. Watch future "Ding" on the Wing bulletins for more tips on storing products to make them last longer.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| Photo credit: Eric Orkin |
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The current situation has most of us wanting to slam our heads against the wall, but Pileated Woodpeckers are the only ones that can do it safely. Did you know that a woodpecker's brains are tightly confined by muscles in the skull and a compressible bone? This keeps their brains from moving while they chip away at a tree.
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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Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off - June 1, 2020
"Ding" Grand Marshal in Fourth of July Parade - July 4, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Holiday Shopping Night - November 30, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
Volunteer Training
- January 14, 2021
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - November 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 Arthur & April Boehnen.
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