|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
New DDWS Video
|
|
|
"Ding" Darling Society: Who We Are
|
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society debuted a new "Who We Are" video before the 360 attendees at last week's
Everglades Coalition conference, which it host-sponsored at South Seas Island Resort. The four-minute video showcases the work of DDWS since its 1982 inception and its commitment to furthering the legacy of Jay N. Darling. A permanent link to the video appears at the bottom of the
dingdarlingsociety.org home page.
To support the work of the DDWS click HERE to make a gift.
|
|
|
Wulfert Bayous Becomes
Lee Anne Tauck Conservation Tract
 |
|
|
Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, Interim Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea, Lee Tauck, DDWS Acquisitions Lead John McCabe, and DDWS President Mike Baldwin dedicate the new sign. |
The Lee Anne Tauck Conservation Tract officially became part of the "Ding" Darling vocabulary on January 9, when the Refuge and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society unveiled a new sign dedicated to island philanthropist Lee Anne Tauck at the recently acquired 68-acre Wulfert Bayous property on Sanibel. "Lee gave the whole project lift-off with her generous donation," said DDWS campaign leader John McCabe. "With permission from the Lee County commissioners, who also made the acquisition possible through their $6.5 million Conservation 20/20 contribution, we dedicate
READ MORE
|
|
TOMORROW: Julie Zickefoose Lecture
Popular bird author-illustrator Julie Zickefoose kicks off the
16th annual "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series with her story about an orphaned blue jay named Jemima. On
January 17, she will deliver two free lectures about her latest book,
Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at
READ MORE
This year's series is part of the Refuge's
75th anniversary celebration.
|
|
Saturday, January 18:
75th Anniversary Bike Tour
|
|
|
| Bike the trails of Bailey Tract with a guide for free on January 18. |
|
Join the Refuge for a free guided bike tour of its Bailey Tract trails on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Tarpon Bay Explorers (TBE), the Refuge's recreation concession, will be providing the free use of bicycles and helmets to a limited number of 20 participants ages 10 and older.
Reserve in advance at 239-472-8900, and meet at TBE by 9 a.m. Cyclists with their own bicycles can also join the tour for free, but also must pre-register. The bike tour is part of the Refuge's year-long
75th Anniversary Celebration, which
READ MORE
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NBC2'S Rachel Pierce |
|
NBC2 Morning Co-anchor Rachel Pierce will emcee Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash at the Refuge's "Twist Tie Optional Luncheon" on
Tuesday, March 10, at The Sanctuary Clubhouse on Sanibel. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society is hosting the event,
which is one highlight of the Refuge's
75th Anniversary Celebration this year.
An Emmy-nominated journalist, Rachel currently sits on the board of the Press Club of Southwest Florida. She has worked as a journalist for more than 16 years, five of those years at NBC2. The Committee has also announced its three judges for the competition who include
Merni Libonate, Loki Anthony, and Robin Tauck.
READ MORE
|
|
Thanks to our valued sponsors of Project Refuge:
|
 Tips for Attending Lectures
|
|
|
We will be using wristbands this year to improve the lecture queueing process.
|
The free "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series has become increasingly popular. Because we want to keep the lectures admission-free and we are restricted by the fire department to the number of seats we can fill, the lectures often reach their capacity quickly. We have tried various strategies for easing the frustration of people we are unable to seat. This year, we try a new strategy using wristbands.
We have also compiled
tips to help.
|
|
Wednesday, January 22: Free Bees Film Showing
 The eighth annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series continues its free biweekly showings on January 22 with Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? at 1 p.m. in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, Queen of the Sun weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and READ MORE
|
|
|
Queen of the Sun: Official Trailer
|
|
|
Free Winter Programs Under Way
|
|
|
Join the free Beach Walk tour every Sunday and Friday morning.
|
The seasonal calendar of free Refuge programs is on track, running through Sunday, April 19. Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse activities and topics as "Ding" the Man, Beach Walk, Nature Photography, and Indigo Trail Walk.
Special this year, in honor of the Refuge's 75th Anniversary, the "Ding" the Man program takes place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the
READ MORE
Did you miss the NBC2 feature on the Refuge and its winter programs? Watch it here.
|
|
Friday, January 24: Clyde Butcher Lecture
Dubbed "the Ansel Adams of Florida," photographer Clyde Butcher has made for himself a big reputation based on big black-and-white nature images taken with big cameras. On Friday, January 24, he will be presenting two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Visitor & Education Center. Based on his
Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades and other photographic books, the programs are part of the 2019 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series. The award-winning artist captures the Florida Everglades, coastal
READ MORE
|
Go Wild Live Auction Item
Auction items are an exciting part of this annual event, and a number of one-of-a-kind artworks and experiences will be available.
Thanks to our generous sponsors who make
Go Wild possible.
|
|
Go Wild for "Ding" Sponsors
Call of the Wild Sponsor
Champion Level Sponsors
Guardian Level Sponsors
Protector Level Sponsors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sponsors are still needed. Click above to learn more about joining these sponsors
|
|
Defender Level Sponsors
|
|
January 28: FREE Binoculars 101
A representative from Vortex Optics, vendor for the binoculars the Refuge Nature Store sells, will be presenting a free workshop on Binoculars 101 on Tuesday, January 28, at 1 p.m. in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. Attendees will receive an understanding of binoculars basics, plus a coupon for 10% off any pair of binoculars in the store.
|
 Farewell, Ranger Monica
On Monday, staff, volunteers, and friends gathered to send off Ranger Monica Scroggin to her new FWS gig as a permanent Visitor Services Specialist at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge north of Tampa, Florida, famed for its manatee populations. She joins former "Ding" Deputy Refuge Manager Joyce Palmer, who now serves as the Refuge Manager at Crystal River NWR.
Ranger Monica started at "Ding" Darling in fall 2016 as an intern after graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) with a degree in environmental studies. In January 2017, the Refuge hired her as a temporary part-time Visitor Services Ranger. Last year, she finished a master's degree in natural science education from Colorado State University.
"We are so happy for Monica, especially happy that she's not traveling far from us," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "We wish her the best of luck and commend Crystal River for the wisdom of hiring such a competent staffer."
|
Clyde Butcher Exhibition Extended through February 15
During the ongoing Refuge 75th Anniversary
Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition through February 15, 2020, in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center, guests can view Butcher's American Everglades Collection for free daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanks to sponsors Mark & Gretchen Banks for making the Clyde Butcher exhibition possible.
Learn how to purchase Butcher prints to benefit the Refuge
HERE.
|
|
|
|
|
Panelists Dr. Thomas Hoctor, director of the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning; Kathleen Burchett, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge Supervisor for Florida and the Caribbean; Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-chair; and Pauline Stacey, former board member of the Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee NWR, voting delegate for EVCO, and EVCO board member.
|
|
DDWS hosts EVCO Conference
|
|
|
DDWS board members met with conference VIPs, left to right: Retired Senator Bob Graham, DDWS Board Member Dick Levinson, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein, DDWS Secretary Wendy Kindig, DDWS Vice President Sarah Ashton, DDWS Board Member Bill Valerian, DDWS President Mike Baldwin. Not pictured: DDWS board members Barbara Bluedorn and Phyllis Gresham. |
The Everglades Coalition (EVCO) is an alliance of more than 60 local, state, and national organizations dedicated to the full restoration of the Greater Everglades
Ecosystem.
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society was lead sponsor at the alliance's 35th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference, which was h
eld January 9-11 at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island.
Sponsoring the conference gave the Society the opportunity to interact with key decision makers on issues of importance to the Refuge. This included Noah Valenstein, Secretary of
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Drew Bartlett, Executive Director of the South
Florida Water Management District; Brian Mast, Florida Representative, U.S. House; and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham.
The
conference provided Jim Metzler, co-chair of the Society's Advocacy Committee, the opportunity to moderate a panel that discussed the impact that Florida's national wildlife refuges have on Everglades restoration.
|
With our coastline under siege from red tide, algae, and rising seas, Michael Grunwald's award-winning book about the Florida Everglades' backstory has never been more relevant or urgent. On March 20, the author will make a
special appearance at The Community House on Sanibel Island, hosted by DDWS to benefit water-quality research and education at the Refuge.
The bestselling Florida author will be doing book-signings at
two separate events on
Friday, March 20. An exclusive cocktail and nosh reception with an author meet-and-greet starts at 5:30 p.m. for a limited number of ticketholders. At $125 each, reception tickets also include reserved VIP seating at his 7 p.m. lecture that will follow. Tickets for the lecture only are $30.
Tickets are now on sale online.
The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise, which informed the 2018 PBS documentary The Swamp, tells the story of the man-made destruction and attempted
READ MORE
Thanks to our sponsors who make these events possible:
|
|
March 31: Scholarship Application Deadline
|
|
|
Last year's scholarship recipients |
2020 Application deadline for several scholarships from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each, is March 31. High school seniors, college students, and graduate students in or from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties pursuing degrees in environmental-related studies can apply. The scholarships will be awarded at a special ceremony at the
READ MORE
Click
HERE to read about the 2019 named scholarships and their student recipients
|
Tickets are currently on sale for four big events this coming season. Go online to find links for purchasing tickets now, before they sell out.
February 12, 2020
|
March 10, 2020
|
March 20, 2020
|
Become an event sponsor and join an elite group of special supporters who want to do more for enhancing the conservation work at the Refuge. CALL 239.472.1100 ext. 239 to learn more.
|
A True Statement Piece
Each piece from Escama Studio is handmade by artisans in Brazil, who use traditional crochet work and piles of post-consumer aluminum scrap to create sustainable and innovative fashion accessories. Included with every item is a hang-tag bearing the signature of the person who created it. We are proud to offer three styles of jackets and a wide assortment of handbags from this green, fair trade company whose mission of sustainability and recycling follows closely in line with that of the Refuge. You'll get more compliments on Escama purses than on any other thing that you wear. Ask anyone who owns one.
Stop in the store today for your Escama piece or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about 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.
|
'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.
In honor of Ranger Monica Scroggin, who leaves "Ding" this week to head to a new position at Crystal River NWR, we visit her new home.
|
|
|
The Florida Manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee. Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
Location: Crystal River, Florida
Totemic Fauna:
Florida Manatee
Visitor's Tips: The manatee season at Crystal River NWR runs from mid-November to late March. The Three Sisters Spring area has a boardwalk, but no water access facilities for visitors. Local tour operators conduct "swim with manatee" excursions.
|
|
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.
What NOT To Recycle
Although waste management varies from state to state and even
county to county, some items should never be thrown in the recycling bins. In many cases, they are not only non-recyclable, but can cause damage to recycling equipment and millions of dollars in wasted time. Plastic bags are the worst culprit, but check with your local waste management contractor. Instead, find a grocery store that collects clean, used plastic bags or
re-purpose
them and other non-recyclable materials in different ways. This article explains items you should otherwise
re-purpose
or throw in the regular trash. Remember: When it doubt, throw it out.
|
Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
|
|
|
| Photo credit: Rebecca Clemens |
|
If you've come across a Yellow-throated Warbler before, you've probably had to crane your neck to catch a glimpse. This species tends to enjoy hanging around the tops of trees, meaning you'll most likely only see their bright yellow throat and white underside. During these winter months, however, the Yellow-throats forage lower to the ground, so now is a great time to try and get a closer look.
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.
|
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
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
