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 From our "Ding" family to yours, we wish you the most joyful, jolly holiday season. We want you to know how grateful we are for your being a part of our extended family and for all that you helped us accomplish in 2019.
See our
annual report
for a full picture of what your philanthropic dollars have set into motion in the name of wildlife conservation and education.
Artwork by Artist in Residence Ed Anderson.
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Olympian Award
 At the Society's annual meeting on December 5, the Board of Directors granted its first Olympian Award to John McCabe for his hardworking role in the Wulfert Bayous Preservation Campaign these past years. The new award recognizes individuals "who innovate and champion current and/or past initiatives that result in significant and readily recognizable advancements in fulfilling the Society's Mission." John accepted a beautiful etched-glass vase by Luc Century.
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
Volunteers got into the holiday spirit last Friday with a celebration luncheon at the Community House hosted by the Refuge and DDWS. It included a buffet meal with lots of sweet treats and a trivia contest for prize giveaways.
Volunteers are a true gift to the Refuge.
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We are pleased to wish the Refuge's recreation concession, Tarpon Bay Explorers, congratulations on its 17th year of serving "Ding" Darling visitors with paddling and boat rentals and tours. We thank you for your loyal support and wonderful partnership.
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Holiday Hours
In honor of Christmas Day, the Refuge and DDWS offices will be closed all day December 25, along with the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center and Tarpon Bay Explorers. Offices and the Center may close early on Christmas Eve, December 24. Wildlife Drive and Bailey Tract will remain open both days during normal hours.
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Wulfert Closing
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Keith Gomez, Lee County Conservation 2020; John McCabe, DDWS Land Acquisitions; DDWS Birgie Miller, Executive Director; Lynnae Messina, Associate Exec Director; and Sierra Hoisington, Development Officer
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It is now official! Wulfert Bayous and its 68 acres of crucial habitat have been preserved forever, thanks to the efforts of many people and organizations. HUGE thanks to John McCabe for beginning the conversation with the property owner many years ago and serving as the ever-patient leader throughout the process; Marc Giattini for his numerous hours devoted to sharp legal work, and to DDWS staff, campaign committee, board, and many donors. "None of this would have happened without everyone working together toward a shared vision," said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. "We should all be proud to have been a part of making this happen."
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Keep warm with our cold-weather gear, such as this cozy sea turtle sweatshirt, available for online purchase. |
There's still time to make your holiday purchases online at the new
ShopDingDarling.com
site. Log on today to order from anywhere in the U.S. To ensure delivery by Christmas, online orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, December 19 with express shipping. DDWS operates the Nature Store to support the Refuge through the sale of logo apparel and memorabilia, kids toys, eco-friendly kitchen accessories, art, birding guides and other nature books, fair-trade decorative pieces, and a wide variety of gifts related to nature and conservation.
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Clyde Butcher Prints Make Great Gifts & Benefit the Refuge
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| Clyde Butcher's most iconic image, The Ghost Orchid, is among prints available for purchase through the DDWS Nature Store |
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Visitors can purchase a photographic print that Clyde Butcher personally has hand-printed, signed, and individually numbered during the
Refuge 75th Anniversary Clyde Butcher Photographic Exhibition through February 5, 2020. For each print purchased through the Refuge Nature Store, Clyde will make a contribution to benefit Refuge wildlife conservation and education. The fine art prints are available framed in a variety of sizes and price
READ MORE
Visit the Refuge through February 5 to view the Clyde Butcher "American Everglades"
photographic collection.
Special thanks to exhibition sponsors Mark and Gretchen Banks.
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January 2: National Bird Day at the Refuge
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National Bird Day kicks off with a birding bike tour on Wildlife Drive.
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Take a free guided birding bike ride, watch a free film, and take advantage of free bird crafts and Refuge Nature Store specials at the Refuge on
Thursday, January 2, in honor of National Bird Day.
The two-hour, four-mile birding bike tour departs from the flagpole in front of the Refuge Visitor & Education Center at 9 a.m. that day to take in Wildlife Drive and Indigo Trail. Bring your own bike. The first 20 to show up for the tour receive a 10 percent discount coupon
READ MORE
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Ducks Rustic & Artful
These one-of-a-kind, hand-carved ducks have flown into The Nature Store all the way from Colorado. The stunning creations began their journey over a hundred years ago as cedar fence posts in the fields and ranches across the early American West. Besides recapturing a piece of history, each sculpture represents an original work of art. Artist Tim Bergren personally selects reclaimed fence posts and signs for each piece. Limited quantities are available; buy yours today for that special holiday gift. (To ensure delivery by Christmas, online orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, December 19 with express shipping.)
Pick up your Rustic Duck in-store or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about mail-ordering store products.
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Only a few weeks remain to make that year-end donation to take advantage of charitable deductions on your 2019 income taxes. New tax laws make it even more lucrative for adults ages 70-1/2 and older to make
contributions
.
Your contributions to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society support water quality studies, wildlife conservation, and the opportunity to educate future generations on the importance of preserving the planet.
Learn more
about making a year-end gift to support the Refuge through DDWS.
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New Education Intern
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Anna Tursky |
Education Intern Anna Tursky recently joined the "Ding" Darling team to help with staffing shortages through the school year, thanks to funding from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Anna, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2017 with a bachelor of science degree in
biology, emphasis in aquatic biology. Previously, she worked two summers as a research tech for the Wagner Lab at Michigan State University on a sea lamprey study and, in between those stints, at a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fish hatchery. "I love being surrounded by so much protected land and READ MORE
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School Donation
After a recent field trip to "Ding" Darling, the students of Crestwell School in Fort Myers sent a cash donation with this sweet note:
Dear "Ding" Darling Staff,
On behalf of Mrs. Navarro's second grade class, we are pleased to present a cash donation to "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge. The work your organization does for the community and wildlife is extremely important. We hope that our donation today can help further those efforts and continue protecting endangered and threatened species as well as providing a habitat for various birds.
We'd like to thank you for having us today and teaching us more about our environment and ecosystem.
Sincerely,
Ms. Navarro and the 2019-2020 Second Grade Class
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'America's Best-Kept Secret'
In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A.
Location: 18,444 acres; Cibola, Arizona
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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.
Recycling Christmas Tree Lights
Don't toss your lights in the trash just because a few bulbs are burnt out. Replace the bulbs, instead. For light strings beyond repair, find out
how to recycle Christmas lights
.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
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| Eastern Phoebe by Rebecca Clemens |
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While Eastern Phoebes are uncommon in the fall and spring on the Refuge, you can find them pretty commonly in the winter. Did you know the first bird ever banded in North America was an Eastern Phoebe? John James Audubon attached a silver thread to one in 1804 to track its return to the area throughout years.
T
o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:
If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to Development Officer
Sierra Hoisington
, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Event Tickets on Sale
Buy them for holiday gifting. Buy them for yourself.
Tickets are currently on sale.
Purchase today and we will send you an electronic certificate to give as a holiday gift.
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Click above to purchase tickets
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February 12, Go Wild for "Ding" - Lovin' Spoonbills
fundraiser at 5:30 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $150, include silent and live auctions, dinner, and entertainment. Tickets are selling quickly for this one, so purchase yours today.
Thank you to our sponsors to date:
Call of the Wild: Jim & Patty Sprankle. Champion: Barbara & Todd Bluedorn; Boomer Duvin & Family Guardian: Jim & Dulce Doss; Bill & Diane Valerian Protector: Hank & Linda Spire; Doug & Sherry Gentry; Mike & Terry Baldwin; Tiffany Kaliko & John Silvia; Ron E. & Josephine Smith; Sarah Ashton Broker Assoc.- ReMax of the Islands; John & Kay Morse. Defender: Mitchell's Sandcastles; Sanibel Moorings; Gresham Family, William & Barbara Millar; Bob & Kathy Wiesemann; RS Walsh Landscaping; Stewart & Sons Insurance. |
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Click above to purchase tickets
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March 10, "Twist Tie Optional" Luncheon for Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash at 11 a.m., Sanctuary Clubhouse. Tickets $100, include lunch and fashion show.
Thank you to our sponsors to date:
Guardian: Lee County Solid Waste; Jim & Dulce Doss; Jim & Patty Sprankle Protector: Pfeifer Realty Group; Bob & Kathy Wiesemann. Defender: Boomer Duvin & Family, Mitchell's Sandcastles; Doug & Sherry Gentry; Sanibel Moorings. |
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Click above to purchase tickets
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March 20, Michael Grunwald
The Swamp
lecture at 7 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $30, include book-signing.
March 20, Michael Grunwald
The Swamp
cocktail and nosh reception at 5:30 p.m., The Community House. Tickets $125, include author meet-and-greet, VIP lecture seating, and book-signing.
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Volunteer Training - January 16, 2020
National Wildlife Day Celebration - February 24, 2020
"Ding" Meets Rauschenberg Tour
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February 25, 2020
Global Recycling Day - March 18, 2020
Spring Migratory Sale at Nature Store - April 15, 2020
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2020
Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
World Environment Day/National Bird Day Celebration - June 5
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening - October 20, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
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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 April Arthur & April Boehnen.
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