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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
August 17, 2017
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NEW at "Ding" Days 2017
New activities and programs add excitement to the 29th annual "Ding" Darling Days birding and eco-festival at the Refuge the week
of October 15-21, 2017. On Family
Fun Day, Sunday, October 15, the Refuge will debut its new #LearningLav
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The Florida WaterVentures Traveling Lab will be on hand for Sunday, Family Fun Day, and the Monday following, October 16, which is a day off for Lee County public school students.
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exhibit, which is turning the Visitor & Education Center restrooms into marine life "exhibits." The "toilet paper-cutting ceremony"
takes place
READ MORE
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Senior Pass Price To Increase in soon!
The lifetime pass America the Beautiful for seniors ages 62 and older will increase from $10 to $80 on August 28, 2017. The pass allows free admission to most national wildlife refuges, including "Ding" Darling, plus national parks and monuments, and other federal lands. Visit the Refuge Nature Store today to avoid the fee increase. You must show a valid I.D. and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Click here for more details. |
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#LearningLav
Work resumed last week on Project #LearningLav, which is turning the lavatories and their outside wall at the "Ding" Darling Visitor &
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DDWS staffers along with the tile installation team in front of our mural
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Education Center into an educational tool about marine life, conservation, and recycling. Artist David Williams, who also created the Refuge's entry archway and scat replicas on the Wildlife Education Boardwalk, is installing the exhibits.
Tile mural walls located in both bathrooms are close to completion. The photo that was printed onto the tile depicts a panoramic mangrove scene that was taken along Wildlife Drive. We worked with a tile company in High Springs, Florida, to create this one-of-a-kind mural that can withstand cleaning and scratching. Plan to attend the official "toilet paper-cutting ceremony" during "Ding" Darling Days on Sunday Family Fun Day, October 15.
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Shown left to right - Refuge Manager Paul Tritak, Yvonne Hill, Eugene Gavin, and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland
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Refuge Gavin Site Commemorated
On Friday, August 11, the Refuge and the City of Sanibel unveiled an interpretive sign on the shared-use path at the Refuge's Gavin Site as the first installment of the city's forthcoming Heritage Trail. The island's first pioneer African-American family, the Gavins played an integral role in settling Sanibel once they arrived in 1927. Edmund Gavin, Jr., in fact, worked with Tommy Wood, the Refuge's first Refuge Manager, back when it was known as the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. The Gavins occupied a hut on the site for more than 50 years. The family still lives on Sanibel Island.
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Fishing & Boating Brochure
Take advantage of the Refuge's wonderful boating and fishing opportunities. But first, become familiar with regulations that protect our wildlife. Pick up a copy of our newly updated
"Fishing
and Boating Regulations" in the Visitor & Education Center. Or click
HERE
to read or print a copy.
The brochure features an historic image of "Ding" Darling fishing on the islands.
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Sanibel Moorings New 'Ding' Days Sponsor
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| Sanibel Moorings team members Grace Mazzarella, Kari Cordisco, Bill Zak, and Tereso Vasquez with Refuge mascot, the Blue Goose. |
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Sanibel Moorings Resort
this year joins sponsors of
"Ding" Darling Days
for the first time at the Great Blue Heron Level. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society co-hosts the 29th annual birding and eco-festival, which will draw more than 6,000 visitors to the Refuge the week of October 15-21, 2017.
A picturesque getaway in a breathtaking location directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Moorings boasts luxurious resort condominiums, a wide stretch of private beach, enchanting botanical gardens, and virtually unlimited recreation.
Thanks to all of our sponsors who are making "Ding" Days possible:
ROSEATE SPOONBILL SPONSORS:
GREAT EGRET SPONSORS:
GREAT BLUE HERON SPONSORS:
REDDISH EGRET SPONSORS:
Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler,
Blu Site Solutions, Art & Susan Cassell,
Casa Ybel,
Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Jerry Edelman and Maryann Daly, Sally & Rich Ennis,
Florida Weekly, Phyllis Gresham,
Grounds by GreenWays,
Intech Printing & Direct Mail,
Island Inn,
Jensen's on the Gulf and Marina & Cottages,
Mitchell's Sand Castles, Muench Families &
Periwinkle Park,
Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club
, David Schuldenfrei - Realtor & Roberta Schuldenfrei,
Stewart and Sons Insurance, Inc.
,
TopBirdingTours.com
SNOWY EGRET SPONSORS:
Absolute Pressure, Inc.,
Ambu Yoga,
Barefoot Charley's Painting Co., Big Red Q Quickprint,
Colony Inn,
Island Therapy Center,
Marina Customer Service Training, Sanibel School Steel Drumming Band,
George & Wendy Schnapp, Jim & Anne Scott,
www.seashells.com, Vasanta Senerat CPA, PA, Winston & Barbara Spurgeon,
Tents 'n' Events
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Ladies, choose light blue or bright rose for your new outdoor look. Or buy both! Columbia PFG shirts have a UPF 40 rating and sleeves that can be worn long or rolled and buttoned up. Price: $78.99 each.
Stop in and pick up your shirts 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, proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Click image below to learn more
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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.
Here, DDWS staff shares another refuge they visited while on an outreach trip to Minnesota last month.
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Image courtesy of USFWS |
Location
:
Zimmerman, MN
Totemic Fauna
: Sandhill Crane, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blanding's Turtle
Fun for the Family
: The refuge offers abundant opportunities to hike, fish (including ice fishing), take photographs, and hunt.
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DDWS staffers with refuge staff
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On the left, a sleepy-looking
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
poses at the Refuge. On the right, a beautiful
Roseate Spoonbill
spreads its wings as it flies off from a sandbar along Wildlife Drive.
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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National Public Lands Day (fee-free day on Wildlife Drive) - September 30, 2017
Veteran's Day Weekend (fee-free days on Wildlife Drive) -- November 11-12, 2017
Happy Hour Holiday Shopping
- November 29, 2017
DDWS Annual Meeting
- December 6, 2017
Volunteer Holiday Party
- December 15, 2017
Friday Lecture Series
- January 19-April 13, 2018
Biweekly Wednesday Film Series
- February 7 - April 4, 2018
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 Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington.
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