DingonWing banner
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
July 6, 2017
In This Issue

We hope everyone had a fun & safe 
Fourth of July!

Photos courtesy of

Donations and a grant will continue our mission of educating future conservation stewards.
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.
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.
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.
"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.  
Doc Ford's Top 'Ding' Days Sponsor

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
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:  
           
 Island Condo Maintenance
Cape Coral Kiwanis
   
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.

SNOWY EGRET SPONSORS: Barefoot Charley's Painting CoGrounds by Green Ways , Marina Customer Service Training, Sanibel School Steel Drumming Band, George & Wendy Schnapp, Jim & Anne Scott, Vasanta Senerat, Winston & Barbara Spurgeon, Chelle Koster Walton.

Event Sponsors
Logo USFWS         
Summer 2017 Newsletter Online

Catch up on all our latest news through our online quarterly newsletter. Click here  for the latest edition, just out.

 
Wednesday's Reading at the Refuge program includes nature crafts.
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.


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. 
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 and wildlife research.

In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.  
 

 
Burrowing Owl chicks
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.
Photos courtesy of USFWS

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Photo courtesy of Sylvia Guarino
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:

Like us on Facebook  View on Instagram

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.
Free Summer Programs  - June 7-  August 5, 2017

National Public Lands Day (fee-free day on Wildlife Drive) - September 30, 2017

29th Annual "Ding" Darling Days -  October 15 - 22, 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
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,
Birgit Miller, Executive Director

"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton.  Designed by Emily Koval and Sierra Hoisington. 
Like us on Facebook View on Instagram View our videos on YouTube