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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
January 17 , 2019
In This Issue

Click the logo to learn more about our 45/82 Society and leaving "Ding" Darling in your estate.
We WON!  Click HERE to read more about America's best restroom.
SOFT REOPENING AT REFUGE 
The Visitor & Education Center's free hands-on exhibits and Refuge Nature Store are now open.
Visitor & Education Center Now Open

As one of America's 38 most-visited national wildlife refuges, "Ding" Darling was permitted last Thursday to reopen its admission-free Visitor & Education Center with limited visitor services. A scaled-back government staff will receive pay from Refuge entrance fee dollars already collected, not appropriations. This arrangement is approved for 30 days, upon which time, if the government remains shut down, further guidance will be issued.

Normal Visitor & Education Center hours apply: daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Refuge Nature Store , operated by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, is also open to resume its support of Refuge programs and projects. The schedule of free films and lectures , tours and programs  and special exhibitions  have resumed in the Center. All other Refuge facilities that have remained operational will continue to be so, including Tarpon Bay Explorers , Wildlife Drive and its trails, and Bailey Tract. Click HERE  for the latest updates on how the government shutdown is impacting the Refuge.

Photo Courtesy of Linda Kochanowski
Free Refuge Programs Underway
Learn about Gators and Crocs every Monday at 1 p.m. during a special free program at the Crossdike Pavilion. The Refuge's calendar of daily free tours and programs for winter 2019 is underway and will continue through Sunday, April 28. Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse activities as Nature Photography, Beach Walk, Endangered Species, and Indigo Trail READ MOREClick here  for a schedule of free seasonal activities.

January 23: Woodring Home 100th Anniversary Exhibition Opening



The public is welcome to free opening day activities for the   Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibition  in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium

9 a.m. The Exhibition doors open.

10 a.m. Sit-down presentation by Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand and Ralph Woodring.  Limited to the first 100 people due to fire code.

1 p.m. Showing of the PBS film Untold Stories:Sanibel I

The exhibition will demonstrate the long relationship between the Refuge and Woodrings. Here, Ralph Jr. poses with former Refuge Ranger Charles LeBuff and the Refuge's first manager, Tommy Wood
3 p.m. Encore presentation by Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand and Ralph Woodring. Limited to the first 100 people due to fire code.

The Exhibition will run January 23 to March 25, 2019 , Sunday through Thursday (closed Fridays) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thanks to our sponsors below for making this exhibition possible
Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibition

CENTENNIAL SPONSOR
GOLD LEVEL

 




Ralph & Jean Woodring



SILVER LEVEL
Governor DeSantis Off to  Good Start
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs


In his first few days in office, Florida Governor DeSantis made two major moves potentially could improve water quality in Florida. In one move, Gov. DeSantis signed an Executive Order  that calls for:
·      $2.5 billion for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources over the next four years;
·      The establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Task Force to immediately reduce its adverse impacts;
·      The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to immediately start the next phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project;
·      The formation of a new Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency to  organize and direct integrated scientific research and analysis; and
·      The appointment of a Chief Science Officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs.

In addition, Gov. DeSantis asked for the resignation of all the Governing Board members of the SFWMD to best achieve Everglades restoration.
The film features Ralph Woodring talking about his family's homestead on Tarpon Bay, now part of the refuge. 
January 23: Untold Stories: Sanibel I Film Showing

The seventh annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series continues its biweekly showings on January 23 with the WGCU Public Media documentary Untold Stories: Sanibel I at 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. Discover the history of Sanibel Island from local historians, family members of original settlers, and other islanders. The film covers topics such as the island's involvement in the Civil War, its hurricane hardships, life before the causeway, and the rich culture that READ MORE

Click HERE  for the 2019 Film Series flyer.

Thanks to our 2019 Film Series Sponsor:   
 
First Lecture of the Season 
Friday, January 25: Lecture Travels to Alaska
Alaska author Debbie S. Miller
Thanks to our lecture series sponsor
Author of 12 children's and three adult nature books and contributor to Arctic Wings: Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge , Debbie S. Miller will kick off the 2019 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture series on January 25 with two special presentations titled "Birds of Alaska -- from the Arctic to Prince William Sound" at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center. Debbie's latest book, A Wild Promise: Prince Island Sound , explores a priceless natural gem: south central Alaska's READ MORE
Click HERE  for a lecture series flyer. 


Please respect the "area closed" signs at the Bailey Tract, where new cordgrass plantings are trying to grow. Thanks for your help! 
February 13 marks the date for our annual "Go Wild" event where proceeds this year will go toward land acquisition. Less than 100 seats remain and we hope to see you there!  
CALL OF THE WILD SPONSORS



CHAMPION LEVEL SPONSORS




 
GUARDIAN LEVEL SPONSORS
  
 
PROTECTOR LEVEL SPONSORS





DEFENDER LEVEL SPONSORS
 





 
  

To become a sponsor call Dot with the DDWS at 239.472.1100 ext. 239
At the Refuge Nature Store
From the Heart

  
Let your Valentine know how much you care with a stunning package of gifts from the Refuge Nature Store. Our Valentine's Day collection includes a beautiful, completely hand beaded bag,  appropriately titled "Heartthrob", by internationally renowned designer Mary Frances (see front and back views above); along with a candy apple red Corkcicle water bottle, a box of chocolates, and a $25 gift certificate to the Nature Store. The collection, priced at $225, can be shipped to any U.S. address. It will arrive beautifully wrapped and complete with a Valentine's Day card. All you need to do is include your special message for inside the card. This collection is limited to the first four collectors only, so call 239-472-1100 ext 241 today to reserve your gift.

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.
 Tarpon Bay Explorers Hosts LARC
For the past eight years, LARC Inc. has visited the Refuge with the help of Tarpon Bay Explorers . Last Wednesday, a group from LARC again explored the Refuge by land and sea. The day included a naturalist-narrated tram tour of Wildlife Drive, lunch compliments of George & Wendy's Seafood Grille , an aquarium touch tank experience, and a guided tour aboard a pontoon. boat.

2019 Tarpon Tournament Sponsorships Still Available

Registration opened Monday for the 2019 "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament. The field of 55 boats has been filled for the tournament, which takes place on May 3. To be placed on a waiting list, please call 239-472-1100 ext. 4.  Since the tournament pays out 100% of registration fees in prizes, it supports Refuge projects entirely through sponsorships. To become a tournament sponsor, please contact Birgie Miller  at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
Thanks to those sponsors who have already stepped up to make this another stellar event.

Thanks to our Title Sponsor

Click HERE to see all our current tournament sponsors. 

In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.  
 

Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Location : Westbrook, Connecticut (more than 1,000 acres)

Totemic Fauna Roseate Tern, American Oystercatcher 

Fun for the Family Use small motorboats or kayaks to access Outer Island and Sheffield Island units. Ferry boats can also take you the islands. 

Visitor's Tip : The refuge consists of 10 units along Connecticut's coastline. Falkner Island in Guilford is closed to the public except for an annual open house. Peach and Goose islands in Norwalk are closed to the public unless the refuge manager issues a special-use permit. 

American Oystercatcher
Roseate Tern

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 

Fighting Plastic Marine Pollution
Do your part to stem the crisis:
  • Sign up for community beach clean-ups, or spend a half-hour of your beach day picking up trash.
  • Avoid products with excess packaging. Buy fresh and local
    plastic
  • Buy from bulk bins, and avoid packages with individually wrapped items.
  • Invest in a reusable water bottle instead of using single-use plastic bottles.
  • Put garbage and recyclables in their proper place.           
  • Carry and use non-disposal bags.
  • Cut up plastic six-pack rings or buy products with consumable rings

Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings


 













Thank you Rebecca Clemens for these photos from the refuge. As we get into the main season more birds are starting to show up. Our wading birds have been enjoying the Florida sun.  

T o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:

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If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to Development Officer, Sierra Hoisington, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
2019 Biweekly Wednesday Film Series - January 9-April 3, 2019 

2019 Friday Lecture Series - January 18-April 12, 2019 

Free Winter Programs - January 7-May 5, 2019


Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibit - January 23-March 25, 2019



"Ding" Darling Days - October 19-20, 2019

Clyde Butcher Photography Exhibition - November 12, 2019-February 6, 2020
These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge.  Please check our website to learn more!

Sincerely,
Birgit Miller, Executive Director

"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton.  Designed by Christopher Gutierrez & April Boehnen.

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