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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
August 3, 2017
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'Ding' Outreach to Minnesota
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| Nearly 80 people came to learn what has been happening at "Ding" Darling at the outreach function |
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society staffers took outreach efforts "on
Thursday, July
27.
DDWS staff also visited a number of refuges, parks and mus
eums during their Minnesota visit, which wi
ll be highlighted in future "Ding"on
the Wings.
Right: 2017-18 Federal Duck Stamp Winner
Jim Hautman attended the reception with his wife and two brothers, Robert and Joe (also past federal duck stamp winners). Jim will be attending the upcoming "Ding" Darling Days this October.
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Enter NOW by clicking HERE
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Nations Association Charities Kids Visit from Tice
On Monday, July 24, about 35 students from Nations Association Charities in Tice arrived by private bus for an educational day at "Ding" Darling, thanks to an anonymous grant to the DDWS from a private family to target underserved communities. The kids enjoyed a tram tour around Wildlife Drive and a story and crafts in the Visitor & Education Center. Because of staff cuts
and the federal budget crisis, the Refuge was unable to provide summer camp this year for underserved students and instead hosted groups from other camps throughout the summer.
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Photo courtesy of Ranger Monica Scroggin
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Sara Hallas leads a summer kids group on a Refuge tour.
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New Conservation Educator
Due to the federal budget crisis, the Refuge has been unable to fill its vacancy since February for an education specialist. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, however, was able to hire a full-time Conservation Educator to work with Refuge staff for at least one year. The funding was made possible by a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant from an anonymous donor for $20,000 and matching donations for another $20,000 from Refuge supporters.
Sara Hallas, who served as the Refuge's Summer Teachers Assisting Refuges (STAR) teacher for two months this summer, has accepted the Conservation Educator position. Previously, she READ MORE
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River Otter Release
Last week, CROW released two sibling river otters back into the wild at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The orphaned otters came to CROW as babies rescued five months ago in Fort Myers. Click
here
to watch CROW's video footage of the release.
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Island Condo Is New 'Ding' Days Sponsor
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Island condo owners Kim and John Munger with their dog Finn and refuge mascot, the Blue Goose.
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Heron Level for the first time.
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
co-hosts the 29
th
annual birding and
eco-festival, which will draw more than 6,000
visitors to J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge the week of Oct. 15-21, 2017.
For more than 40 years, ICM has provided spa and pool maintenance, supplies, service, and repair to residential and commercial pools in Sanibel, Captiva, and beyond.
"Ding" Days sponsorships start at $200.
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 Aug. 16.
Thanks to the following sponsors who are making this year's event possible:
ROSEATE SPOONBILL SPONSORS:
GREAT EGRET SPONSORS:
GREAT BLUE HERON SPONSORS:
REDDISH EGRET SPONSORS:
Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, Art & Susan Cassell,
Blu Site Solutions, Jerry Edelman and Maryann Daly, Sally & Rich Ennis,
Florida Weekly, Phyllis Gresham,
Grounds by GreenWays,
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 and Events
,
Chelle Koster Walton
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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. While "Ding" Darling is currently out of the passes, rain check applications can be completed in the Refuge Nature Store and passes will be mailed as they become available.
Click
HERE
for more information.
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Tarpon Bay Construction 
Construction continues on the SCCF marine lab at the Refuge's Tarpon Bay Recreation Area. Tarpon Bay Explorers' recreation concession is still fully open, but public vessel-launching from the ramp is closed because of parking issues.
Reminder
: Paddlers can still launch their vessels into the Refuge from Wildlife Drive.
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A year-round resident of "Ding" Darling, the Black-necked Stilt nests at the Bailey Tract in the spring. Dainty and distinctive, it also graces baseball caps we sell in the Nature Store. Choose between tan or pink; cost is $23.95 each.
Stop in and pick up your hats 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.
This week, as DDWS staff returns from an on-the-wing outreach to the Twin Cities, we revisit Minnesota Valley NWR, and staff offer their visitor's tip.
Location:
Bloomington, Minnesota
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Image by Scott Sharkey
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Size:
15,000 acres
Totemic fauna:
Wood Duck and Bald Eagle
Fun for the family:
Check out a "Let's Go Outside" backpack to use for free during your visit. It contains bug jars, binoculars, a magnifying lens, and other fun items.
DDWS Staff
visitor's tip:
If you have a long layover at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International, the refuge's center
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Staffers Birgie Miller, Sarah Lathrop, and Carrie Alexander at the refuge.
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is only five minutes away by car or light rail - close enough to get in a nice hike.
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Wood Duck, image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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Bald Eagles nest, image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Guarino |
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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Guarino
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You never know what you might spot at the Bailey Tract. On the left, a beautiful
Swallow-tailed Kite soars effortlessly over the 100-acre freshwater marsh. On the right, a
Southeastern Five-lined Skink
seems to be posing.
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
- January 10 - 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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