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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
April 5, 2018
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Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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Trivia Thursday
How many broods can a Eurasian Collared Dove pair raise in one season? Find the answer somewhere in the newsletter!
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Click the logo to learn more about our 45/82 Society and leaving "Ding" Darling in your estate.
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TOMORROW, April 6: Coral Restoration
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Dr. Erinn M. Muller
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One of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, coral reefs are worth more than $6 billion to the state of Florida. Corals, however, are dying at an unprecedented rate because of global and local threats such as climate change, ocean acidification, and disease outbreaks. Mote Marine Laboratory scientist Dr. Erinn M. Muller aims to understand how these threats are impacting reefs around the world and identify corals that are resilient to the stressors. On Friday, April 6, she will be presenting two free programs
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2018 Lecture Series Sponsors
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TODAY Photography Exhibit
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Black Skimmer by David Jeffrey
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Bird photographer David Jeffrey is exhibiting 30 bird images in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium through April 30, 2018.
Today, April 5, DDWS will host a free "Meet the Artist" reception from
10 a.m. to noon.
David, a talented amateur photographer who winters on Captiva Island, became seriously interested in bird photography in 2010, upon retiring from a career in finance. The self-taught photographer took inspiration from Arthur Morris, author of
The Art of Bird Photography.
The public is welcome to view David's images, about half of which he shot at "Ding" Darling, during regular Visitor & Education Center hours, daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 30, 2018.
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See Tourney Sponsors below
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Friday, April 13: Swallow-tailed Kites
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Dr. Meyer in the field tagging research birds
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Dr. Kenneth Meyer has twice received a Partners in Flight National Research Award for studying the conservation biology of species at risk, and also a National Wildlife Stewardship Award from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative for research on swallow-tailed kites. On
Friday, April 13, he will be presenting two free programs titled "Swallow-tailed Kites: 10,000 Miles to Survival" at
10 a.m. and 1 p.m., the last of the
2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series at the Refuge. Prior to the 1900s, Swallow-tailed Kites nested in 21 states, but a decline from 1880 to 1940 resulted in the current scattered population mainly in six southeastern states, including Florida. Since 1996,
READ MORE
Hear Dr. Meyer on public radio:
On Tuesday, April 10,
WGCU, the local NPR franchise (90.1 on the dial), will interview Dr. Meyer about his Swallow-tailed Kite and other bird research studies at the Refuge and beyond starting at 1:40 p.m. for the
Gulf Coast Live
program.
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| Sponsor of the 2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series |
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Lecture Seating Policy
Seating for the lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can save one extra seat each with personal items and then may explore the Visitor & Education Center or Indigo Trail before the lecture starts.
Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time.
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Saturday, April 21: Earth Day at the Refuge
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| Bagzilla, dressed in the average person's annual consumption of plastic bags, joins in on Earth Day craft-making in 2017. |
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Bike or hike Wildlife Drive for free, watch a free film, and take advantage of free upcycle projects at this year's Earth Day at the Refuge on Saturday,
April 21.
The Refuge will celebrate the 48th anniversary of Earth Day in partnership with Ding" Darling Wildlife Society and
Tarpon Bay Explorers
. The morning's highlights will include READ MORE
Click HERE for the Earth Day flyer.
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Bailey Tract Closing soon
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Bailey Tract will close to all foot and bicycle traffic later this month.
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Stay tuned to "Ding" on the Wing and our social media pages for the official announcement of the temporary closing of Bailey Tract. The closing will facilitate habitat restoration at the tract and uphold public safety during construction. It is expected to close mid-April for a couple of months.
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 Tarpon Tournament Blog: The Weather
By Angler Les Boyle
So....what is your prediction for the weather on May 11, 2018?
Based on recent weather patterns and the history of this tournament, it is anybody's guess. That is the date of this year's Tarpon Tournament and make note
READ MORE
 Did you know?
This tournament raises funds for the Refuge entirely through
sponsorships
and silent auction. Contact
Sarah Lathrop
at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 to sponsor or donate.
Thanks to those sponsors who have already joined the cause:
TITLE
CHAMPION Sponsors
PREMIERE Sponsors
PRESENTING Sponsors
PLATINUM Sponsors
GOLD Sponsors
 
   
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Congrats to 'Ding' Darling Scholar
From time to time we love to acknowledge the accomplishments of our "Ding" Darling Scholars - past recipients of more than 90 "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Scholarship for Environmental Studies through the years.
Today we salute Alexander Kucherenko, a 2015 recipient from Fort Myers. He received a scholarship funded by and named for the late Mary Lou Schadt while studying in the master's program at Florida Gulf Coast University. His master's thesis involved finding a reliable way to extract and identify the DNA of snakes from the soil to facilitate monitoring for both endangered and invasive species.
Alex recently contributed to an important article published in
Herpetologica
that is getting a lot of attention from science publications at the national level.
His team of researchers applied their studies to the highly invasive Burmese python in Florida. Click
here
to read coverage of the article in
Science
magazine.
For more information on DDWS scholarships, click
here
. To learn about sponsoring a conservation scholarship, contact
Sarah Lathrop
at 239-472-1100 ext. 4
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Refuge Mangrove Cuckoo Study in the News
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A Mangrove Cuckoo tagged with a satellite transmitter at "Ding."
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From the March 21 edition of
Florida Weekly: "On Feb. 9, researchers at J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge were absolutely giddy with lack of sleep and the thrill of success: They had netted and tagged their fourth mangrove cuckoo at the refuge's Cross-Dike Trail early that morning.
Dr. Kenneth Meyer, executive director of the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) in Gainesville, and research technician Amanda Powell eagerly reported, later that morning, the good news to Birgie Miller, executive director of the 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS). The refuge friends group is partially funding a first-of-a-kind mangrove cuckoo study at the refuge. Click
HERE
to read the article in its entirety.
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Refuge Accepting YCC Applications
The Refuge is hiring three high school students for its annual
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
summer program to assist with maintenance and visitor services. Deadline for applications is 4 p.m, Thursday, May 10, 2018.
Required participation for the YCC Program: June 11 -August 3, 2018.
Compensation: $9 per hour
Work hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Please contact
Ranger Toni Westland
or call 239-472-1100 for applications and more information.
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Cool Threads
Dona Bela SHREDS is a fashion accessory line that upcycles textile remnants and designs them into one-of-a-kind creations. Handmade in the U.S., the light, bundled strands make a statement with any ensemble. Check our new selection priced at $24.95 per bundle.
Snack Well with MADEGOOD
Our new granola bars go beyond healthy with organic ingredients that include vegetables and omit peanuts and tree nuts. They are also free of wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, sesame, and seafood to accommodate allergies and other food sensitivities. They cost $2 per bar and come in chocolate chip and mixed fruit flavors for a quick pick-me-up before or after exploring the Refuge.
Stop in and pick up your books 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, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. 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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Images Courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Location:
7,604 acres, Chatham, Massachusetts
Totemic fauna:
Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Roseate Tern
Fun for the Family
: Short (¾-mile) nature trail, pollinator gardens
Visitor's tip:
A biweekly newsletter is available with information regarding the field season, visitor services, and upcoming programs.
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Piping Plover
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American Oystercatcher
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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.
Attracting Wildlife
Take your backyard conservation a step further than xeriscaping, i.e. using indigenous plants that require little care. Refrain from use of pesticides and herbicides. Plant vegetation
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Bat House - Image courtesy of Lowes.com |
Reduce Plastic in Your Life
"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 one-time-use 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.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
This
Mangrove Cuckoo
was spotted on Wildlife Drive on Easter Sunday. Not much is known about the Mangrove Cuckoo, but research here at "Ding," supported by DDWS, is hoping to uncover more information and to learn about the flight patterns and migration habits of this elusive and beautiful bird.
Thanks to Janet Kirk for the photo.
The
Eurasian Collared Dove
was introduced to Florida in the 1980s and has proliferated in numbers since, especially in agricultural and urban areas. Did you know? A breeding pair can raise up to six broods per season!
Thanks to Teresa Anzalone for the photo.
T
o see more wildlife photos like these, 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 Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
Volunteer Awards Luncheon - February 8, 2019
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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 Sierra Hoisington and Amanda Brooks
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