October 14, 2021

Harkey Development & Communications Intern Fund

A big shout-out for Sanibel residents Laurie and Bill Harkey, who recently set up the Harkey Development & Communications Intern Fund. The first permanently endowed internship fund at the Refuge, it will guarantee ongoing funding for one intern annually.

"Laurie and I have always been fans of the outdoors and wildlife, and this is a way to support public education and environmental and wildlife protection while we are still around to see the results,” said Bill Harkey, who serves on the DDWS Board of Directors. “We see what these internships do for the students and their future careers but also what they do to help both the Refuge and Friends Group in their important conservation work. The interns bring a fresh perspective and are mentored to be our next conservation stewards, wherever their career takes them.” Having visited Sanibel for many years, the Harkeys READ MORE

For more information about the Refuge’s internship program and to make a donation in support of it, contact Lynnae Messina at 239-472-1100 ext. 233.

New DDWS Intern

Hayley Caylor recently arrived from Seminole, Florida, to help the Refuge with staff shortages in the coming season as the Harkey Development & Communications Intern with DDWS. Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Hayley graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, this May with a degree in environmental studies and a minor in sustainability. In Seminole, she worked as a shorebird steward intern, monitoring Black Skimmers on Pinellas County beaches.

Sanibel residents Laurie and Bill Harkey support Hayley’s position with DDWS’ first permanently endowed internship fund, which will guarantee ongoing funding for one intern annually.

“I’m so grateful to the Harkeys for making my term at ‘Ding’ Darling possible,” said Hayley. “I think my favorite part of the Refuge is just how many species there are. You never know what you're going to see. It is incredibly exciting to be in a place that puts wild Florida first and that is actively working to protect these priceless natural spaces that have disappeared in other parts of the state. I've only been on the island for a few days so far, but I can already tell that both Sanibel and the Refuge are very special places. I can't wait to explore some more.”

Hayley looks forward to blending her background in environmental science with her love for communication to design meaningful social media and event materials. “It means a lot to be able to contribute to an organization that has such a powerful role in protecting the species and habitats here on Sanibel and educating all about their importance,” she says.

Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.

Saturday: Mindfulness Walk at Bailey Tract

Join us for a peaceful morning of walking meditation at the Bailey Tract starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 16. Together we will explore the concept of mindfulness, consider the various physical and mental benefits of time spent in nature, and take a mindful hike around Ani Marsh. Participation is limited for this free event, so please register online.

We will be leading another Mindfulness Walk at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 30.

Nature Store Winter Events

Beginning on Thursday, November 18, the “Ding” Darling Nature Store will host a series of holiday and other special events and promotions in honor the 40th anniversary of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society. It operates the two physical stores on Sanibel Island and ShopDingDarling.com online in support of the Refuge. Most of the events take place at Nature Store2 at 2250 Periwinkle Way. November 18 marks the annual After-Hours Holiday Shopping at Nature Store2 from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring food, drinks, and READ MORE

Luc Century’s 2022 Holiday Ornament

2022 Lecture Series Sponsor Opportunities

Only a few opportunities to sponsor the 2022 “Ding” Darling Lecture Series remain. The series will bring eight authors and wildlife and art experts to Sanibel Island from February 4 through March 25. Lectures will cover topics from Bald Eagles to ornitherapy and nature art.

Remaining sponsorships for the lecture series are available for $1,000 to $5,000 per lecture. Please contact April Boehnen at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.

Temporary Friday Closure of Visitor & Education Center Ends

This month, the Refuge Visitor & Education Center resumed normal Friday operations. The Refuge temporarily had closed Fridays for a few weeks due to volunteer needs. The Visitor Center will remain closed Sundays until further notice. Current hours for the Visitor Center and Refuge Nature Store are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Wildlife Drive remains closed on Fridays as always.

Tomorrow: Photo Contest Deadline

DDWS’ 2021 Amateur Nature Photography Contest submission deadline is October 15. Winners will be announced in the November 18 “Ding” on the Wing. For more information, contact Sierra Hoisington at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.

Onsite Field Trips Are Back

After long months of restrictions against student class field trips to the Refuge, staff celebrated their return earlier this month with a visit from Skyline Elementary in Cape Coral. “What a joy it was seeing young smiling faces brighten up once more as they experienced the Refuge in person,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who led the group tour and activities. More schools are scheduled in coming weeks. During field trip hiatus, the Refuge still was able to educate school students with visits from its WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom, thanks to DDWS and donor support. WoW continues its steady travel schedule to underserved schools that are unable to visit the Refuge because of distance and other factors.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

The Status of Stormwater Design and Operations

By Jerry Smith and Jim Metzler

As mentioned in our last article, Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force met in August this year. The meeting was a discussion between members of the task force and members of a Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that was established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to respond to some of the mandates in Senate Bill 712, the Clean Waterways Act. This article, which is technical in nature, will discuss the key points discussed at the meeting and provide a summary of READ MORE

In Case You Missed It: Update on the use of innovative technologies to treat HABs: See here.

Year-End Giving

Now’s the time – up to December 31 – to make a year-end, tax-deductible gift and support the good work at the Refuge. As 2021 draws to a close, and you plan your year-end giving, please consider the value of donating to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society to support Refuge conservation and education efforts. Your tax-deductible gift helps support the Refuge in areas such as conservation education, water quality and wildlife research, internships, walkways and trails, interpretive exhibits, land acquisition and restoration, and so many other ways to preserve and protect this vital land and inspire future conservation stewards. With so many wonderful charities around the world doing work that makes a difference, please know how much we appreciate that you choose to support the work taking place here at the Refuge.

Bird Surveys: Shorebird Migration Under Way

Be on the lookout for migratory species returning for the winter, says Refuge Biological Science Technician Avery Renshaw. During her biweekly bird surveys of Wildlife Drive and the Refuge’s tract at Bunche Beach across the causeway, she is seeing Marbled Godwits, Black-bellied Plovers, Semi-palmated Plovers, Piping Plovers, and Dunlins, to name a few.

“We see a much wider variety of shorebird species at Bunche Beach compared to on Wildlife Drive, which typically doesn't host too many shorebirds due to a lack of adequate foraging habitat. Sometimes at low tide on Wildlife Drive you can see a few shorebirds on the sandbars if they're exposed. But I've primarily been seeing the wintering species that I mentioned at our Bunche Beach tract.”

Read It While It’s Hot

If you're not receiving our quarterly Society Pages newsletter in the mail, you can now read our Fall Edition online. To find it in your mailbox four times of year, become a member of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society.

Refuge Spotlight - America's Best Kept Secret

Erie National Wildlife Refuge

Location: 8,777 acres; 35 miles south of Erie, Pennsylvania

Totemic fauna: Northern Riffleshell Mussel, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk

Visitor tips: The visitor center remains closed, but five trails are open for hiking. Wear blaze orange clothing through hunting season, which ends late February.

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Going Green

The clothing industry is recognized as one that produces the most waste and pollution in America. As consumers, we can support sustainable clothing manufacturing by carefully purchasing articles that last and fashions produced with a conscience, such as this jeans company. Research others online before you buy.

Photo by Deb Thompson

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

Always look up in the trees. You never know what you might spot above your head. Society staff have been seeing a family of Northern Raccoons right along Indigo Trail munching on Sea Grapes.

Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.

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.