Guadalupe Center Visits Refuge
Last Monday, 40 kids from the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, arrived by private bus for an educational day at "Ding" Darling, thanks to an anonymous grant to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society from a private family to target under served communities. The kids were thrilled with a tram tour around Wildlife Drive and a story and crafts in the Visitor & Education
Center. Because of staff cuts and freezes, the Refuge was unable to provide
summer camp this year and will instead be hosting groups from other camps throughout the remaining weeks of summer.
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Last year's 2nd place photo: Bill Fischer's Double Crested Cormorants
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Click
HERE to see the 2016 winners.
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Blue Giraffe 'Ding' Days Great Egret Sponsor
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The Blue Goose and Blue Giraffe: a beautiful, new relationship.
(Pictured: Blue Giraffe owners Lise and Geoffrey Letendre.)
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Blue Giraffe Island Dining has donated at the Great Egret sponsorship level to "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society for the Refuge's 29
th
annual
"Ding" Darling Days
birding and eco-festival, which will draw more than 6,000 visitors the week of October 15-21, 2017. "We are so excited to become sponsors for our first 'Ding' Darling Days," said Blue Giraffe co-owner READ MORE
Sponsors are still needed.
Enhanced media exposure
opportunities are available this year for our sponsors. For information on becoming a sponsor,
click here
or contact
Sarah Lathrop
at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 by July 30.
Thanks to the following sponsors who are already showing
support for "Ding" Days:
ROSEATE SPOONBILL SPONSOR:
Wayne & Linda Boyd
The Gardner Families
GREAT BLUE HERON SPONSORS:
Mike & Terry Baldwin
Art & Susan Cassell, Sally & Rich Ennis,
Island Inn
,
Jensen's on the Gulf and Marina & Cottages
,
Mitchell's Sand Castles
,
Stewart and Sons Insurance, Inc.,
TopBirdingTours.com,
Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club,
Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry,
Florida Weekly,
Jerry Edelman and Maryann Daly,
Grounds by GreenWays,
David Schuldenfrei Realty and Family
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COMING SOON to Perry Tract 
The Refuge complex's only gulf beachside property, the 4-plus acre
Perry Tract lies adjacent to Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island. Ophthalmologist and malacologist Dr. Louise Perry, who passed away in 1962, donated her winter home property to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to maintain as a safe haven for coastal wildlife.
Later this summer, the Refuge -- in partnership with the City of Sanibel, and with support from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society and a grant from the Lee County
Tourist Development Council -- will erect an interpretive kiosk in Dr. Perry's honor. The signage, to be placed at the entrance to the beach boardwalk, identifies wildlife, shorebirds, and seashells found on the beach and
around the property's pond. Shell
castings and a replicated sea turtle nest will add a hands-on element.
Support for this kiosk made possible by:
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Senior Pass Rate Increase coming August 28
Get your pass NOW!
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 purchase your pass and avoid the fee increase. You must show a valid I.D. and be a U.S.
citizen or permanent resident.
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Washing Machine Needed
Anyone who would like to donate a washing machine for our resident volunteers compound (new or used), please contact DDWS Associate Director, Sarah Lathrop at 239.472.1100 ext. 4
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Thank you for respecting wildlife and their home.
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Perfect for keeping the summer sun from burning your skin, these new lightweight Columbia PFG shirts have a UPF rating of 40 and are always in style whether you are fishing, hiking, or attending any casual island occasion. Choose from the tan snook style or the light blue shirt with the Blue Goose logo. Cost is $78.99 each.
D
id You Know?
This month is Plastic-Free July? It's a good time to st
op in at the
Nature Store to buy alternatives to one-time-use plastic products. See our selection of water bottles, cups, shopping bags, and more.
Stop in and pick up your shirt and plastic-free products 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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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
Location
: Soldotna, Alaska
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Soldotna, Alaska
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Totemic Fauna
: Brown and Black Bear, Moose
Fun for the Family
: Stay in one of the 14 rustic cabins located within the refuge.
Visitor Tip
: Be prepared with proper hiking gear before heading to the refuge.
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Moose
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Black Bear
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Your "Ding" Darling friends are migrating north in July for a brief stopover in the Twin Cities to meet with our Minnesota family. If you would like to join us for a free event at the
Minnesota Valley NWR
, or you know people in Minnesota who might be interested, please click
HERE
for details.
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Thanks to Terry Baldwin for the photo.
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Spotted on the Refuge this week: fiddler crabs popping in and out of their burrows along Indigo Trail, and a baby manatee.
To see more wildlife photos like this one, click on our social media links:
or go to the Society website to view the
live webcam
!
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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