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Tips for Attending Lectures
The free "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series has become increasingly popular. Because we want to keep the lectures admission-free and we are restricted by the fire department to the number of seats we can fill, the lectures often reach their capacity quickly.
We have compiled
TIPS
to help.
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2020 Wish List
As tax time draws near, you may want to consider
charitable donations to DDWS
to lighten your load for 2020. Have a look at the Refuge's
2020 Wish List
. It provides opportunities to earmark your donation for items such as water research equipment, intern stipends, and classroom supplies. For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
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These gifts
were made to DDWS in honor of and in memory of friends and families during February 2020. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation
HERE
.
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TOMORROW: Owls & Woodpeckers Lecture
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Paul Bannick
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Award-winning author and wildlife photographer Paul Bannick
will present a program featuring stunning imagery from his new book:
The Owl and The Woodpecker, Encounters with North America's Most Iconic Birds
at special presentations in the "Ding' Darling Visitor & Education Center. The two free programs on Friday, March 6, take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the
2020 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture series
. Based on thousands of hours photographing in the field, Bannick's book evokes all 41 North American species of owls and woodpeckers, across 11 key habitats. By revealing the impact of two of our most iconic birds, he has created READ MORE
This year's series is part of the Refuge's
75th anniversary celebration
activities.
Thank you to our co-sponsors of the free 12-lecture series with support from DDWS.
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SOLD OUT Doug
Brinkley Lunch & Lecture
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Douglas Brinkley
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Renowned American historian Douglas Brinkley has honored the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society with an offer to speak during his upcoming visit to Sanibel Island. DDWS will host a lecture and lunch with Brinkley on Sunday, March 15, at 12 p.m. at The Sanctuary Clubhouse. The author will speak about this latest book,
American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race,
and will touch upon his work-in-progress,
Silent Spring Revolution
. The latter book brings to light environmental heroes of the early 1960s, including Rachel READ MORE
Tickets to this event are sold out. To have your name entered on a waiting list, please email Birgie Miller or call 239.292.0566.
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Friday, March 13: Trash Fashion Lecture
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Nancy Judd
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An internationally recognized artist and environmental advocate, Nancy Judd creates eco-fashion sculptures made from trash to engage people in conversations about how we live on Earth. She will speak during two free presentations at the Refuge on Friday, March 13, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the 2020
"Ding" Darling Friday Lecture series
. In conjunction with "Ding" Darling's Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash, Judd will travel to Sanibel Island to share stories and photos of her unusual and inspired career path that took her from barely graduating from high school because READ MORE
Can't make it to Nancy's lecture? Watch it in real time on Facebook Live.
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Artist 'in Residence' Exhibition
Idaho wildlife artist
Ed Anderson
kicked off the Refuge's
75th Anniversary Celebration
last summer with an eight-week
artist "in residence"
educational program. He gathered inspiration during daily visits to the Refuge. The results of that inspiration - about 20 paintings and art journal entries - are on exhibit in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium through April 24, 2020. Admission to the exhibition is free READ MORE
Did you know? You can buy or custom-order Ed Anderson's art from the Refuge Nature Store?
Thanks to the sponsor of the Artist "in Residence." 
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As we gear up for our Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash finale next week, we showcase some of the cool recycled fashion items we carry in the Nature Store.
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Escama clutches
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Escama pop-top clutches now come in colors! Each piece is handmade and signed by its fair-trade artist from a cooperative in Brazil, crafted with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum pull-tabs. All items are satin-lined with color-coordinated zippers.
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Mother Erth handbag
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Mother Erth creates a line of handbags made from plastic foil that was collected before it polluted the land and oceans. The rescued trash is woven into beautiful, one-of-kind works of art by artisans who are providing for their families while creating a better future for them by reducing plastic pollution. The Nature Store carries a full line of sizes from zipper pouches and small totes to wood-handled bags and large totes.
Stop in the store today or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about mail-ordering store products. Visit our
online store for convenient ordering of some of our most popular items.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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March 20: The Swamp Lecture Sold Out
This event is hosted by DDWS, the events benefit water-quality research and education at the Refuge. If you're interested in ordering Michael Grunwald's book, The Swamp, please call our Nature Store at 239-472-1100 ext 241.
Thanks to our sponsors who make these author events possible:
Defender Level Sponsors
Media Sponsor
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 ADVOCACY IN ACTION
How Florida's National Wildlife Refuges Impact Everglades Restoration
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
The Everglades Coalition (EVCO) is an alliance of more than 60 local, state, and national organizations dedicated to the full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem. In a recent
article
we discussed some of the reasons why Everglades restoration is of particular importance to both the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and to all of us who live in Southwest Florida.
In January, EVCO hosted its 35th Annual Everglades Coalition Conference at the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida. At the conference, Jim Metzler, co-chair of the DDWS Advocacy Committee, moderated a panel that discussed the ways that the 17 National Wildlife Refuges that are within the Everglades restoration footprint impact Everglades restoration. This article will summarize READ MORE
In Case You Missed It: Sanibel resident Chauncey Goss shares his perspective as the Chair of the South Florida Water Management District on where we stand on some key water-related issues. See here. |
March 31: Scholarship Application Deadline
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Last year's scholarship recipients
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Application deadline for several scholarships from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each, is March 31. High school seniors, college students, and graduate students in or from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties pursuing degrees in environmental-related studies can apply. The scholarships will be awarded at a special ceremony at the
READ MORE
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 Experience Project Refuge
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Team Bauer's work in progress |
Following the Twist Tie Optional Lunch and Runway Show for
Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash
on March 10, we will offer a peek into the magic our designers created with a special web page of photos and video links that capture the inaugural event. We will also be sending our "Ding" on the Wing followers a survey so they can vote for their favorite fashion. Thanks to donations of time and talent from
videographer Nick Adams
and photographer Scott McPhee. And kudos to all of our sponsors for backing this first-of-its-kind Refuge event to benefit conservation projects and educated the public about the negative impact of plastic, fishing gear, and other waste on wildlife and the health of our planet.
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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.
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Least Tern |
Location: 6,600 acres along 30 miles of the Patoka River in Indiana
Totemic Flora & Fauna: Least Tern, Marbled Salamander, Henslow's Sparrow
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| Photo credit: Jim Jackson |
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A "Ding" volunteer spotted this Zebra Longwing Butterfly in the parking lot recently. Did you know it was declared Florida's official state butterfly in 1996?
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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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
75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off - June 1, 2020
Free Summer Programs - June 8-August 8, 2020
"Ding" Grand Marshal in Fourth of July Parade - July 4, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020 - December 31, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Holiday Shopping Night - November 30, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 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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