December 29, 2022

Happy New Year!

Here’s hoping that 2023 brings renewal to our beloved Refuge and happiness and prosperity to you. We look forward to connecting with all of our friends in the new year. Thanks to everyone for their love of the natural world and forthe J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Wellness Program Expands

Building on the 2022 debut of Wellness Week and the Bailey Tract Mindfulness Trail, the Refuge partners with the Sanibel Recreation Center to offer residents and island workers opportunities to relieve the stress of post-hurricane recovery and everyday life through free meditation and nature mindfulness programs.

Starting Wednesday, January 4, as part of the 2023 Nature Wellness Program, Refuge mindfulness specialists will lead half-hour, entry-level Mindfulness Meditations at the Rec Center starting at 8:30 a.m. The seated meditation programs will take place every Wednesday following. On Saturdays, starting at 10 a.m. on January 7, 60-minute Guided Mindfulness Walks will depart from the center for an outdoor READ MORE.

New Help for WoW

DDWS has hired Kelsey Hendrix, a former educator at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, as a part-time staffer to help out with the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom following staff cuts due to Hurricane Ian. Since January 2020, Kelsey has worked as the Education Coordinator and Marine Biologist at Sanibel’s shell museum, just down the road from the Refuge, which is currently closed until further notice. “Kelsey’s training in conservation-related education and Spanish makes her a good fit for the WoW mission to bring a love for nature to local Title-1 school students,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “We also are happy to be able to employ someone from our partner organizations job-displaced by the hurricane.”

Photo caption: Kelsey works with a group of students at James Stephens Elementary.

WoW Update: Record-Breaking Year

Despite bouts of COVID outbreak and a hurricane that shut down operations for a month, the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) managed to reach more people in 2022 than it did the previous year – 10,330 this year versus 10,030 last year.

“As an educator, it is not the numbers that matter,” said Urban Education Leader Melissa Maher. “What matters the most is for the WoW to get students engaged in their individualized learning, along with them becoming inspired to carry on our mission. The last few weeks out at schools have proven this to be true!”

The numbers for 2022, nonetheless, illustrate the impact the WoW team is having. It visited eight schools throughout the year where it reached 5,060 students. (Nearly half of that number – 2,125 – visited after Hurricane Ian between November 1 and December 20.) Another 715 kids learned from the WoW team at five off-campus summer camps. At 10 public outreach events, including open houses at the Refuge, 2,430 toured WoW.

“The impact they are making with the students as well as with the families is evident and so important to continuing the conservation mission in our wider communities and with our next generation of conservation stewards,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller.

WoW currently operates with a reduced team because of the hurricane’s impact on staffing. Now, more than ever, Refuge community outreach needs your help. Donate today to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts. Thank you for helping us spread the conservation message to those with limited opportunities to experience and appreciate the wonder of nature.

Photo caption: Done for 2022, but look for the WoW back on the road by January 9.

Hurricane Update

We will consistently update our Resource page and we include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access sites doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any questions at 239-292-0566.

For residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian, here is a printable pdf of resources. We are trying to keep it updated and hoping it helps.

This week's new information:

City of Sanibel Hurricane Ian Recovery Update - December 26, 2022
Attempts to fix Florida’s failing property insurance market
Applying sound economic policy to Hurricane Ian recovery
Sanibel should reconsider bus service article
What visitors should expect returning to Sanibel once the island reopens to non-residents next month.

Spotlight: Friends Rebuilding

Island Inn, Sanibel’s oldest resort at 127 years old, helps out the Refuge as a sponsor and by donating accommodations to visiting lecturers, presenters, and other VIP guests. Hurricane Ian swept away most of the inn’s units, but on October 29, about a month after the storm hit, it was able to open 12 suites.

“This was because of the investments that were made in 2018 when we replaced our circa-1960s Matthews Lodge and assorted operations buildings with new structures built to code and cat-5 standards,” said Chris Davison, General Manager. “The newly constructed buildings weathered Hurricane Ian as designed, with systems such as geothermal cooling proving to be invaluable. In the immediate wake of the storm’s destruction, we were able to provide running water and sewer, full electricity, hot water, air conditioning, and internet access to those who needed it most.”

The inn plans to rebuild in its entirety, opening eight more units this February and continuing until all 54 are operating, along with its restaurants and other amenities.

“Our philosophy has always been that a rising tide lifts all boats,” said Chris. “We're proud of our longstanding support of the island's nonprofits, the city of Sanibel, its residents, and its other businesses. Our past investments stand as a testament to the Sanibel Plan and have proven to provide water, power, and shelter to first responders, utility workers, and property owners when it is needed most, thus expediting the island's recovery as a whole.

“Now, facing arguably our most substantial challenge in our 125-plus year history, we hope our steadfast commitment to the island and the Sanibel Plan serves as inspiration for our residents, businesses, and our entire community. We all must dig down deep and make the sacrifices needed to ensure Sanibel remains a barrier island sanctuary in which a diverse population lives in harmony with the island's wildlife and natural habitat.”

As a regular feature, “Ding” on the Wing spotlights a business on the islands that has strongly supported the Refuge in the past and now needs us all to rally behind it as it navigates the long and arduous road to recovery.

Conservation Cartoon Contest Winners

On December 19, staff at Florida Panther NWR, part of the greater “Ding” complex, judged the more than 160 entries for Cape Coral’s Patriot Elementary School Cartoon Contest. The contest began more than 30 years ago to honor the legacy of political cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. Before COVID, “Ding” Darling educators would engage six fourth-grade classes throughout the district. Now in evolution, the contest this year involved also students at The Sanibel School. The Refuge will judge their artwork once the school reopens next month. Read more about the contest and this year’s winners in this local newspaper article. READ MORE

Refuge Programming & Events

The Visitor & Education Center and Wildlife Drive remain closed due to hurricane damage until further notice. Consequently, many programs and events have been canceled. Read DOTW for news of activities that are still being planned.

Refuge Cleanup with a Ranger takes place every Wednesday at 9 a.m. Meet at the Visitor & Education Center parking lot for a safety brief before traveling to the cleanup site of the week. The Refuge will provide gloves, bags, and grabbers. Participation is limited; preregister on Eventbrite.

“Ding” Wellness Week aligns with National Mental Health Awareness Week, May 10-16.
Pop-Up Nature Store at the Coconut Point Farmer’s Markets continues every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by for gifts or just to say hello.
The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19, 2023. Registration opens January 17. Thanks to our 2023 sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact April Boehnen.
Starting January 4, the Refuge Wellness team begins half-hour Mindfulness Meditation programs at the Sanibel Rec Center every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.
January 7 begins Saturday Guided Mindfulness Walks at Sanibel Rec. The one-hour, outdoor walks start at 10 a.m. Space is limited and available on a first-come basis.
In January, the Refuge Education Team begins its round of school visits to get students excited about the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Watch this video created by “Ding” rangers to learn more about the contest and how to draw a duck. The judging for the Florida contest is held each year at “Ding” Darling, where the program got its start.
DDWS’ major annual fundraiser goes by the name Go Bully for “Ding” – An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt on March 6, 2023.
“Ding” Wellness Week aligns with National Mental Health Awareness Week, May 10-16.
The annual “Ding” Darling & Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest will go on! Deadline for entries is March 1, 2023. Contact Sierra Hoisington for information.

Photo caption: Join a Refuge Ranger for post-hurricane cleanup detail.

Wellness Tip

This week we start a new “Ding” on the Wing feature as we roll out our Nature Wellness Program for 2023. Watch here for tips and advice on how to center your mind and world outdoors and when you can’t make it outside.

Do you have trouble keeping your mind and thoughts in the present moment? Try setting random timers on your phone throughout the day, and title them “What was I just thinking about?” Every time the alarm goes off, use this as an opportunity to check in with yourself and see what you were thinking about. Were you thinking about future plans? Maybe about something that happened in the past? The hope is that with consistent prompting, we will begin to “check-in” with ourselves and where our mind is without the prompting of an alarm. Let us know if you try this and how it works for you.

Do you have other tips that keep you centered, grounded, and mindful? Contact Ranger Jess and please share.

Cartoon of the Month

“Darling noted the beginning of every New Year, often reflecting the highlights of the past year and commenting on prospects for the coming one,” wrote the late Christopher “Kip” D. Koss in his book A Ding Darling Sampler. Kip was the grandson of the great editorial cartoonist, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. In this Depression-era “Ding” cartoon, the 1933 New Year’s baby totes a wagon of remedies and tells The World to cheer up: “You’re more scared than sick anyway!”

Happy New Year everybody: Click cartoon to see it enlarged.

"Ding" Merch

“Thank you to Meghan Prindle for sending in a photo of her #DingStrong sticker. We love seeing "Ding" merchandise all over the world."

ShopDingDarling.com

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

#DingStrong Shirts & Fans

Thank you to everyone who has purchased their #DingStrong merch! For a chance to be highlighted in "Ding" on the Wing, send in a photo of yourself wearing your #DingStrong merch to April Boehnen.

If you still need to purchase your #DingStrong merch, you can do so HERE.

Dottie Deans, Janet Kamp, Lois Richardson

Dale Longfellow

Donate Here

Learn More about Year-End Giving

A Snapshot from the Bailey Tract

Photo credit: Sue Danford. This photo was taken in 2017 and was a happy memory for Sue.

Signs of wildlife returning are everywhere, like this Gopher Tortoise at the beach on Sanibel only a few weeks ago.

Photo by Sherri Heil

Feel-Good Finds

If you have a photo, poem, video, or other feel-good find and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen .