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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
December 14, 2017
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Save Our Solar
A message from the League of Women Voters of Florida, which has carried on the work of our San-Cap Solar Connect to provide affordable solar power conversion:
As part of the tax bill, Congress is currently considering legislation that would make it more difficult for solar energy projects to be built. The bill would put a 100% tax on the monetization of renewable energy tax credits.
DDWS began its solar program locally in 2015. It saw nearly 30 residential homes, businesses, and organizations convert to solar power on Sanibel Island. That includes the "Ding" Darling Refuge. It converted its maintenance operation in May and saw its usage cut by 8,760 kilowatts in the first month. In November, kilowatt usage went down by 3,600. The Refuge will be converting the administration building and Visitor & Education Center in upcoming months.
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Rice Rat Research Video
Researchers with the University of Florida (UF) Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in Gainesville, Florida, have put together a short video describing their study methodology of the endangered Sanibel Rice Rat, and how to identify it. The Refuge and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society support the group's research. Click
here
to watch the video.
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Tarpon Bay Explorers hosts LARC
LARC, Inc. (Lee County Association of Remarkable Citizens) recently enjoyed a memorable, fun-filled "Ding" Darling eco-experience provided by
Tarpon Bay Explorers.
For the past seven years, LARC has explored the Refuge with the help of the Refuge's recreational concession operators via tram and boat.
George & Wendy's Seafood Grille
provided free hot dogs, chips, and ice cream to the LARC visitors.
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High School Photo Contest Deadline
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| Kaylee Robinson from Riverdale High took first place in last year's contest with this perspective of an animal in nature. |
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The deadline for the fifth annual "Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest is
January 15, 2018
. High school students from a five-county area have the opportunity to win prizes such as a Canon camera package, chartered class field trips to the Refuge, Refuge Nature Store gift certificates, and excursions at Tarpon Bay Explorers, the Refuge's recreation concessionaire. Winners also receive copies of READ MORE
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Free Refuge Programs Begin Jan. 2
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Join the free guided Biking the Refuge tour every Monday and Thursday
at 9:30 a.m..
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The seasonal calendar of free Refuge programs and tours begins on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, and runs through April 8. Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse activities as Nature Photography, Beach Walk, Birds of Prey READ MORE
Click
here
for a printable calendar of programs. Click
here
for program descriptions.
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Holiday Giving Tree
Pluck an ornament from our
Holiday Giving Tree,
now "planted" outside the Refuge Nature Store. Decide whether you want your giving used toward research, education, land acquisition, or the internship program. Take your ornament to the Nature Store to make your suggested tax-deductible donation of $25 or more in your name or the name of a loved one. Thanks for giving to the Refuge and helping to fill in gaps created by recent budget cuts.
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AT THE REFUGE NATURE STORE
Holiday Toys
Check out our selection of holiday nature-themed toys for under the tree this year. Turtle trucks, fishing games, a gator push toy... oh, what fun!
Last-Minute Gift?
Need a hostess gift or something for that someone you almost forgot? These festively boozy-scented candles come in Cranberry Mimosa and Mistletoe Martini for $17.99 each. Made in the U.S.A. Perfect, too, for decorating your own bar.
Lecture Series Books
Blair Witherington; and Larry Neilsen's
Nature's Allies: Eight Conservationists Who Changed Our World
.
Click
HERE
for the schedule of this year's 12 lectures, sponsored by 
Stop in and pick up your holiday gifts and souvenirs 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, proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, research and overall conservation efforts.
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DDWS & Refuge staff were excited to have a visit on Wednesday by Andrea Koss, late wife of Kip Koss the grandson of "Ding" Darling. Andrea enjoyed the Refuge, saw our new public restrooms, and even did some holiday shopping.
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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.
Location
:
44,000 acres in Marion, Illinois
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Totemic Fauna
: Bobcat, Bald Eagle, Wild Turkey
Fun for the Family
:
Its BOF (Becoming an Outdoor Family) Program comprises a series of Saturday courses and workshops that focus on basic outdoor skills.
Visitor's Tip
:
Four campgrounds are available within the refuge. Wolf Creek Causeway is popular for fishing and wildlife observation.
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Dinner with Stephen Kress
Noted bird activist
Dr. Stephen W. Kress makes an appearance at the Refuge on
February 22 for a dinner in his honor. He will speak about his work restoring tern and puffin populations in Maine and his latest book, Puffin Project: An Improbable Quest to Bring a Beloved Sea Bird Back to Egg Rock.
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society hosts the exclusive Dinner with Stephen Kress starting at 5:30 p.m.
Only 75 seats available at $100 each.
Please contact Sarah Lathrop at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 with questions or click
HERE
to reserve now.
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Kicking Plastic
"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.
In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we will share a quick tip on how you can reduce the use of plastic in your life. For more information on being
environmentally aware, visit our
Go Green web page.
Packaging materials.
This time of year, as we send and receive gifts and mail-order packages, be mindful of plastic and styrofoam packing materials. Save the materials you receive for reuse in your own packaging. You can also use styrofoam peanuts to mix in the soil of big plant pots to keep them from being so heavy and help the soil drain. Consider the use of plastic shopping bags and other recycled material when padding your packages for mailing.
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Our kid-size binoculars for the education team are halfway funded! Help us reach our goal!
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Thanks to the generosity of donors, we have checked off a few items on our annual holiday wish list, but several still remain. Click
here
to learn how you can make a tax-deductible gift to meet the needs of Refuge staff research and education programs.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
Spot the snake! Ranger Monica saw this
Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake
on Wildlife Drive earlier this week basking on a limb of a mangrove tree. Did you know that this snake doesn't have a way to get rid of salt, so it must find freshwater to do so?
Despite the cold snap earlier this week, Wildlife Drive was booming with birds, including this
Osprey
carrying material back to a nest.
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 Party
- December 15, 2017
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 9, 2018
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Sierra Hoisington and Amanda Brooks
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