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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
November 16, 2017
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New Bird Doors at #LearningLav
Since its reveal last month, the new Learning Lavatories (#LearningLav) exhibit at the Refuge has gained national attention. Last week, the Refuge added a new dimension to enhance the exhibit's educational value. It has wrapped restroom stall doors with photographic images of Refuge birds. Nature-art images by photographers of local and national renown
READ MORE
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November 28: #GivingTuesday
Entering its sixth year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration .
With the holiday season right around the proverbial corner, it's time to think of a fitting gift for that friend or relative who "has everything." We are participating in #GivingTuesday, which falls on November 28, and is the perfect time to give a unique, thoughtful honorarium gift by donating to the Refuge.
We will be sending a special e-announcement on November 28 to join the global movement of giving.
All donations support the Refuge and the wildlife that lives here.
Click
here
to donate now.
Complete the honoree information, and we will send him or her a holiday card to let them know of your generous and caring gift.
If you prefer an e-card, please provide the honoree's email address in the comment section of the online donation form.
Join us on Giving Tuesday, and make a difference.
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Welcome New Education Intern
Education intern Olivia Rose recently arrived to help the Refuge with staffing shortages, thanks to funding from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Olivia graduated from Michigan State University in December 2016 with a bachelor's degree in social relations and policy and a minor in
science, technology, the environment, and public policy. The Hastings, Mich., native
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Registration for 2018 Stokes Tours Now OPEN
Nationally acclaimed bird authors, TV personalities, and longtime Sanibel Island winter residents Don and Lillian Stokes will again contribute their time and expertise to lead two fundraising birders tram tours of the "Ding" Darling Refuge on the morning of Friday, February 9, 2018. Wildlife Drive is normally closed on Fridays, meaning tour participants will have the birds and the Stokes to themselves. Lillian Stokes will speak about and demonstrate bird photography READ MORE
Limited spots available. 
Or
email
or call 239-472-1100
ext. 4 for reservations
. Full, non-refundable payment is required to reserve.
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2018 Lecture Series Scheduled
Self-proclaimed "bird nerd" Noah Strycker starts out the 2018 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series, which runs January 19
through April 13. The author set a worldwide Big Year record in 2015, and his book about the experience, Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, A Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World, released last month. The lectures take place in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. READ MORE
Thank you to our 2018 Lecture Series Sponsors:
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Low Tide Paddling Tours Return
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Herons and egrets feeding among the shallow grass flats and oyster bars in Tarpon Bay
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Migratory birds use fall's cold fronts to swoop south for the winter. Along with the cooler months come extreme low tides. Fall migration and low tides are a recipe for birding success.
Tarpon Bay Explorers
has relaunched its Low Tide Tour to take advantage of these favorable conditions.
Experienced, knowledgeable naturalists lead the low tide paddle through the open waters and tidal flats of Tarpon Bay. The tour will be 90 minutes with the naturalist; after the conclusion of the tour, paddlers are able to use the kayaks for the remainder of the day and continue exploring the open bay or head into the Commodore Creek trail. The tour costs $30 per adult and $20 per child (12 and younger). Since these extreme low tides occur typically with full or new moon phases, the opportunities for the tour are limited. Call TBE's gift shop at 239-472-8900 for additional information, dates and times, or reservations.
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Teacher Grants Deadline
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Students at Royal Palm Exceptional School in Fort Myers work on their project "Conservation 911," funded by a DDWS grant last school year.
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November 30
marks the deadline for our 12th annual teacher grant applications. Up to $10,000 in grant awards are available to teachers in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties this school year for conservation education-related projects. Teachers in the five-county area may apply for grants up to $1,000 READ MORE
Did You Know?
In the past 11 years, DDWS has granted more than $73,000 to local schools for environmental projects. The teacher grants are funded by the DDWS Conservation Education Endowment Fund established by Jay "Ding" Darling's grandson, the late Kip Koss. To make a tax-deductible donation in support of the fund, contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 or by clicking
here.
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AT THE REFUGE NATURE STORE
Sea Life Ornaments
Put "Ding" Darling on your tree this holiday season with sea life ornaments hanging from a ribbon printed with the Refuge's name and location. The glazed clay ornaments depict rays, seahorses, dolphins, starfish, and sea turtles, each only $7.99.
Holiday Cards
This season's holiday wildlife card sets feature three each of five different designs for $14.99. The inside message reads: "May the beauty and wonder of nature bring you hope and joy this holiday season and in the new year." Click HERE to view the cards.
Stop in and pick up your holiday cards and ornaments 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, research and overall conservation efforts.
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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.
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Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Location
:
Prairie de Chien, Wisconsin
Totemic Fauna
:
Tundra Swan, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Fun for the Family
:
Wildlife viewing, fishing, and canoe trails
Visitor's Tip
:
In spring, you can see hundreds of bald eagles during migration. Populations of warblers and other songbirds peak in mid-May.
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Tundra Swans, image courtesy of Alan Stankevitz
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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Re
gistration Is
Open
: Go Wild for "Ding" -
In the Nest
Get ready to celebrate Go Wild for "Ding," our annual major fundraiser on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. This year's theme celebrates Valentine's Day with the theme In the Nest.
Click here to register for one or more of only 225 available reservations. This event fills up quickly, so don't wait to register. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Sanibel Community House and features a great dinner, live and silent auctions, and live entertainment. For more information about the event, click HERE.
To become a sponsor, please call Carrie Alexander at 239.472.1100 ext. 4
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Do You Plan to Include 'Ding' Darling in Your Estate Planning?
Read about our 45/82 Society, and please email us or call 239-472-1100 ext. 4 about becoming a member of this special group of people.
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Kicking Plastic
"Ding" Darling is committed to and has led the way on the islands in reducing the single-use plastic products that plague our planet and threaten wildlife. Thanks to DDWS' efforts, we have eliminated plastic shopping bags and plastic water bottles in the Refuge Nature Store and at Tarpon Bay Explorers' gift shop. In recent years, the Refuge has also installed a filtered water refill station and transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use.
In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we will share a quick tip on how you can reduce the use of plastic in your life. For more information on being environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Doggy Bags/Containers.
Many restaurants have switched to recyclable or reusable containers in which to pack your leftovers for take-home. You can call ahead to check, and if they don't provide earth-friendly containers, bring your own. Did you know Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose? Voice your opinion that Styrofoam containers should become a thing of the past.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
A Great Egret hunts for Anoles on a windy day at "Ding" Darling.
Thanks to Teresa Anzalone for the photo
A Roseate Spoonbill spreads its wings.
Thanks to Peg D'Entremont for the photo
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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Volunteer Holiday Party
- December 15, 2017
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 9, 2018
Puffin Researcher Stephen W. Kress Dinner - February 22, 2016
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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 Sierra Hoisington and Amanda Brooks
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