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Refuge Status
are now open to the public under CDC compliance guidelines. Rentals include kayaks, SUPS, pontoons, and bicycles.
The
Refuge continues to evaluate the risk of its operations to visitors, staff, and the local community. In keeping with recent state and city directives as well as national guidelines, staff are developing a phased plan to reopen facilities as they meet staffing, distancing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
Restrooms on Wildlife Drive are currently closed for sanitizing. There are no other changes to the status of operations since last week's bulletin.
Keep updated on developments on our
COVID-19 web page
. And in the meantime, we urge you to #StayHome as much as possible and social distance or wear a mask when you must go out.
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Your Backyard Nature
Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Minnesota or Arizona, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home.
Thank you to Clair Beckman of Louisville, Colorado for sharing her backyard nature photo below.
Please
emailyour nature photos so we can share them in "Ding" on the Wing and by social media. Include details about the photographer and where the photo was taken.
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Click on the image for a printable template. Click HERE for instructions. |
One of the
latest posts on our
#DingatHome
page demonstrates how stay-at-home students can craft their own
owl puppet
. Our #DingatHome page is designed to help parents and educators during distanced learning this school year. Visit weekly for new activities.
#DailyDoseofDing
The DDWS staff has been busy bringing the healing sunshine and beauty of the Refuge to the public through 30-second social media videos. Follow on
Facebook to see our #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge for those who can't make it.
The posts have become a much-anticipated feature, boosting Facebook numbers to more than 15,000 followers. 
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'Ding' Zoom Backgrounds
Add a little "Ding" (and other refuges) interest to your teleconferencing with
this selection of branded Zoom backgrounds. Share the
link with friends and colleagues to brighten everybody's stay-at-home landscape.
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Blast from the Past
As we approach the official
75th Refuge Anniversary on December 1, 2020, we take a look back,
through historic photographs, over the past three-quarters of a decade that the Refuge has been in existence.
 Photo to the left: The Refuge's first manager, Tommy Wood, stands in front of a sign marking original Refuge headquarters at the Sanibel Lighthouse, back when it was known as the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge.
The name changed in 1967 to honor the man who created the Refuge in 1945, Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling. Islanders petitioned for the name change after "Ding's" death in 1962. It was the first NWR to be named for a person. The photo was taken in 1958.
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Memorial Day Sale
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| Among the sale items_ Angel Dear baby clothing and accessories offer modern luxury and exceptional softness in classic styles. This Magnolia Sunsuit is one of the newest additions |
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The online Memorial Day sale starts today, Thursday, May 21, and runs through Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Enter code MEMORIAL at checkout to take 20% off hats and apparel site-wide, including kids clothing.
Latest Mask Style
Our face masks continue to sell briskly. This week, we debut a new pattern called Ruby, a cheerful red floral print. Keep checking
ShopDingDarling.com
for the newest items added.
Questions about purchasing online and shipping to anywhere in the U.S.? Please
email
us as we work remotely during pandemic stay-at-home guidelines.
Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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 Support Those Who Support Us
The island business community needs us now, more than ever. Each week, we are highlighting local businesses that have provided support for conservation efforts at the Refuge through the years. They have invested in the community and the Refuge, and we hope the community will do what they can to help them.
Sanibel Carts
: Fully re-opened daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2422 Palm Ridge Road, it rents four- to six-passenger street-legal electric golf carts with free pickup or delivery. Rates are daily and weekly up to a 30-day maximum. Call 239-500-2278 to reserve yours today.
Matzaluna Italian Kitchen: Currently open for dine-in, curbside pickup, and delivery, Matzaluna serves Sanibel's only wood-fired pizza, plus a full menu of Italian specialties, seafood, and craft beers daily 4:30-9 p.m. at 1200 Periwinkle Way. Call 239-472-1998 to order takeout.
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Advocacy in Action 
What a SWOT Analysis Says about Water-Related Issues
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
It is hard to believe that only 18 months ago the Refuge was devastated by a massive red tide outbreak. Even though our water currently appears clean, the fundamental problems that led to the red tide outbreak have not gone away.
Now that the tourist and legislative seasons are over, it is an opportune time to do an analysis of where we stand relative to critical water-related issues. Our analysis will discuss numerous factors that impact the quantity and quality of our water resources and will categorize each factor as being a strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat. Given the complexity of the issues
READ MORE
In Case You Missed It: There is a possibility that the construction of the EAA reservoir could be delayed by a year or more. See
more.
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Live Middle School Science Lessons offered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Each weekly, half-hour Facebook Live event offers lesson plans and at-home activities for students. Join Conservation Connect Live at 1 p.m. EDT on Thursdays for real science with live interaction from the FWS workers making it happen.
Here's the upcoming schedule:
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5/21 - Manatee
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5/28 - Waterfowl
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6/4 - Small Mammals
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Endangered Species Week
 The Refuge celebrated Endangered Species Day on May 15 with a week's worth of virtual activities broadcast through its
official Facebook page. ABC7 spent the morning of May 15 with Ranger Toni Westland at
Tarpon Bay Explorers to film three segments for its More
Explores series. Toni spoke about the endangered species visitors can see in
Tarpon
Bay and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's mission to
protect such creatures as the Smalltooth Sawfish,
Florida Manatee, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
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Making the Most of Your Groceries
As we continue to try to minimize our trips to the grocery store and maximize the shelf life of our purchases, read
these tips from cruise-ship chefs, who know all the tricks to preserving food for long periods.
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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. that is open to the public.
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Pronghorn Antelope |
Location: 15,551 acres near Malta, Montana
Totemic Flora & Fauna: Pronghorn Antelope, American White Pelican
Visitor's Tips: An informational kiosk guides visitors to a 15-mile auto tour. Hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public except in hunting seasons. Contact the staff for more information about closures.
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| Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| Photo credit: Sylvia Guarino |
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You never know what wildlife you'll see at the Bailey Tract, and Sylvia Guarino happened to get extra lucky with this photo! Do you think this Snowy Egret is aware of the American Alligator?
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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75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off
- tbd
New Water Exhibit Unveiling - August 19, 2020
Clyde Butcher Book Signing
- August TBD
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
Volunteer Training
- January 14, 2021
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - November 2021
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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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