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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
July 6, 2017
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We hope everyone had a fun & safe
Fourth of July!
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Donations and a grant will continue our mission of educating future conservation stewards.
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Match Grant Challenge Met
!
Because of the federal freeze on hiring, "Ding" Darling is unable to fill its current vacancy for an education specialist. However,
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society recently received a grant that matched funds raised to support the salary of an experienced, full-time wildlife educator to work with Refuge staff for a period of at least one year. For every dollar DDWS raised for the effort, the grant matched it with $1.
We needed to raise $20,000 to receive a match for a full-time educator's salary and benefits. And
thanks to our generous donors, we did it! The funds will ensure that we are able to once again educate thousands of students visiting the Refuge in 2017-2018.
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Make-a-Wish child Ayana Rusian, 6, and brother Amir, 3, get sworn in as "Rangers for the Day" by Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland.
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Nature Make-a-Wish Comes True at Refuge
"Ding" Darling had the pleasure of hosting its first-ever Make-a-Wish family on Friday, June 23. Ayana Rusian had requested an animal experience visit to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, which began at the Refuge. Staff arranged a full day of activities for her family from Delaware, which included a tour to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk with Ranger Toni, story time with the appearance of a live kestrel from CROW, and a free boat trip and touch tank experience provided by Tarpon Bay Explorers. Thanks to George & Wendy's Seafood Grille for providing lunch for the family and for its partnership year-round on events. Click here to read about it in the Santiva Chronicle.
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"Ding" Darling "migrating" to Minnesota July 27
Your "Ding" Darling friends are migrating north in July for a brief stopover in the Twin Cities to meet with our Minnesota family. If you would like to join us for a free event at the Minnesota Valley NWR, or you know people in Minnesota who might be interested, please click
HERE
for details.
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Doc Ford's Top 'Ding' Days Sponsor
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DDWS associate director Sarah Lathrop (far left) with Doc Ford co-owners Marty and Brenda Harrity (to Sarah's right), and Mark Marinello (behind Brenda); and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, the Blue Goose refuge mascot, and the Doc Ford's crew
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Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, for the 10th consecutive year, has donated $5,000 to "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society to become the top-level Roseate Spoonbill sponsor, for its 29th annual
"Ding" Darling Days
. The birding and eco-festival will draw more than 6,000 visitors to the Refuge the week of October 15-21, 2017. "'Ding' Darling is an economic driver for our island as well as a special place to READ MORE
"Ding" Days sponsorships start at $200.
Enhanced media exposure
opportunitiesW are available this year for our sponsors. For information on becoming a sponsor, click here or contact
Sarah Lathrop
at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 by July 30.
Thanks to the following sponsors who are already
showing support for "Ding" Days:
ROSEATE SPOONBILL SPONSORS:
GREAT EGRET SPONSORS:
Wayne & Linda Boyd
GREAT BLUE HERON SPONSORS:
Mike & Terry Baldwin
,
REDDISH EGRET SPONSORS:
Art & Susan Cassell, Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Jerry Edelman & Maryann Daly, Sally & Rich Ennis, Florida Weekly, Phyllis Gresham,
Island Inn
,
Jensen's on the Gulf and Marina & Cottages
,
Mitchell's Sand Castles
, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club,
Stewart and Sons Insurance, Inc.
,
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Summer 2017 Newsletter Online
Catch up on all our latest news through our online quarterly newsletter. Click
here
for the latest edition, just out.
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Wednesday's Reading at the Refuge program includes nature crafts.
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Free Summer Programs Underway
Wildlife Wonders talks, weekly walks, and nature crafts highlight the free summer programming the Refuge offers through August 5, 2017. Summer programs are made possible by support from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society READ MORE
Click
here
to see and print the summer programs brochure.
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Shorebird lovers can bring beach wildlife home with these sculptures made from fast-growing Albeesia and coffee trees, which are farmed sustainably in Indonesia and carved by generational family artisans using centuries-old techniques. The fair-trade sculptures are handpainted with non-toxic materials and finished with a light wax.
The set of Grey Godwits is $164. Buy the Willet for $67, the Greater Yellowlegs for $69, plus other popular species.
The 2017-2018 Federal Duck Stamp has been released and is available at the Nature Store. It portrays three Canadian geese by five-time Duck Stamp Contest winner
Jim Hautman
, who will appear at this year's
"Ding" Darling Days
in October. Purchase of the Federal Duck Stamp supports the acquisition and protection of federal conservation lands by 98 cents for every dollar spent. Stamp-holders also gain free admission into national wildlife refuges for one year.
Stop in and pick up your sculptures and duck stamp today.
Remember, proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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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.
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Burrowing Owl chicks
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Location: Approximately 1.1 million acres in North Central Montana
Totemic Fauna: Burrowing Owl, Sharp-tailed, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Fun for the Family: Fishing, elk viewing, hiking, dinosaur exhibits at the interpretive center, and a 19-mile, self-guided auto tour route
Visitor Tip
: Due to the Refuge's immense size and remote location, visitors should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.
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Photos courtesy of USFWS |
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Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep |
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Photo courtesy of Sylvia Guarino |
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Photo courtesy of Slyvia Guarino |
The Bailey Tract this week has been very active with wildlife sightings: on the left, a very focused Green Heron; on the right, an adorable Marsh Rabbit.
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, click on our social media links:
or go to the Society website to view the
live webcam
!
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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National Public Lands Day (fee-free day on Wildlife Drive) - September 30, 2017
Veteran's Day Weekend (fee-free days on Wildlife Drive) -- November 11-12, 2017
Happy Hour Holiday Shopping - November 29, 2017
DDWS Annual Meeting - December 15, 2017
Friday Lecture Series - January 19-April 4, 2018
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 Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington.
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