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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
February 23, 2017
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Douglas Brinkley
March 14
Dinner & Lecture
Douglas Brinkley, one of America's most renowned contemporary historians, returns to Sanibel Island for a private dinner and lecture in his honor on March 14, 2017, at the Refuge Visitor & Education Center. He will be speaking about his new book,
Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America
, with dinner to follow. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society hosts the exclusive Dinner with Douglas Brinkley starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 each for the event, of which $75 is tax deductible. Available seating is limited to the first 100 reservations. Contact
Carrie Alexander
at 239-472-1100 ext. 256 to reserve or click the RESERVE button below. History commentator for CBS News READ MORE
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Photo by Carrie Alexander
As we get busier during season, watch out for 'foot traffic' in the parking lot! Sometimes it can get a little "SCALEY"
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TOMORROW
February 24 Lecture
Carol Ruckdeschel may be the wildest woman in America. She wrestles alligators, eats roadkill, rides horses bareback, and lives in a ramshackle cabin that she built by hand in an island wilderness. A self-taught scientist, Carol has become a tireless defender of sea turtles on Cumberland Island, a national park off the coast of Georgia, just across the Florida line. On Friday, Feb. 24, Will Harlan, author of
Untamed: The Biography of Carol Ruckdeschel,
will be presenting two free programs about her work and life at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the READ MORE
The 2017 Lecture Series is made possible by a generous donation from:
Lecture Seating Policy
Seating for all lectures in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium is free, but limited and available on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can save one seat each and then may explore the Visitor & Education Center or Indigo Trail before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time.
Wednesday, March 1: FREE
Sonic Sea Film Showing
Thanks to our generous 2017 film series sponsor:
Friday, March 3 Lecture
Human and wildlife forensics both use science to link a suspect to a crime scene and victim. Yet while human forensic scientists deal with just one species of victim -- homo sapiens -- wildlife forensic scientists deal with thousands. Using real life stories from around the world, Dr. Laurel Neme, author of
Animal Investigators: How the World's First Forensic Lab Is Solving Crimes & Saving Endangered Species
, will explain READ MORE
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Welcome New Biology Intern 
New biology intern Jessie Looney recently joined the team effort at the Refuge as part of the Refuge's intern program supported by DDWS. From San Diego, California, she most recently worked for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research on San Clemente Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California.
"My job as a research assistant was to support the captive breeding program of endangered San Clemente Island Loggerhead Shrikes by providing daily care and behavioral monitoring," said Jessie. "I've worked for four years with captive wildlife programs -- zoos and nature centers, but my interest is in avian ecology in the field. This internship will provide me with experience to transition from captive work to field work."
Jessie is excited to be experiencing species that are different from California's birds and new to her. For her internship project, she envisions studying the impact of Refuge visitors on the wildlife. "San Diego is similar to coastal South Florida in that it attracts many tourists," she said. "It's important in these areas to understand the balance of protecting habitat and wildlife while simultaneously providing an enriching, educational experience for the public."
Each year DDWS supports 10 or more intern positions in the fields of biology, education, visitor services, and non-profit support with stipends and other perks. The Refuge provides on-site housing for the interns.
"The intern program not only fulfills the Wildlife Society's mission to educate a new generation of conservation stewards, but it also fills a government budget void by providing valuable manpower to assist the refuge's overworked staff due to federal cuts and hiring freezes," said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. "We are pleased we can help the refuge in this capacity." Those interested in supporting the intern program can call Birgie at 239.292.0566 or Click HERE to make a gift.
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2017 Winners Announced
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| Kaylee Robinson from Riverdale High took first place with this perspective of an animal in nature. |
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| Yenori Alvarez from Lehigh Senior High placed second with an anhinga portrait. |
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Sharleen Julot from Cape Coral High took third place with her macro shot of a flower. |
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DDWS contest organizer Carrie Alexander, Cross family representative Jim Hellmuth, first-place winner Kaylee Robinson, contest judge Deb Szymanczyk, and Refuge Ranger Monica Scroggin. Jim Hellmuth had been a long-time friend of Theodore Cross and shared information about Theodore Cross with the student participants and their families.
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At a special ceremony on February 18, the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) announced winners and finalists in the fourth annual
"Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest
at the Refuge. Sponsored by the Theodore Cross Family Charitable Foundation, the competition invited high school students from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that included READ MORE
Click
here
to view photographs by the 15 contest finalists and winners.
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Doc Ford's Sponsors
2016 Tarpon Tourney
"Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's
Tarpon Tournament on Friday, May 19. Registration for the 50 available boat entries has already filled as anglers anticipate another exciting tournament with the highest purse ever, due to a rollover because last year's tournament resulted in only three winning teams.
As 100% of the purse goes to awards, we raise money from this fundraiser for the Refuge strictly through
sponsorships
and silent auction. For information on becoming a sponsor or auction
donor or to add your team to the tourney waiting list, please contact Executive Director
Birgie Miller
by
email or phone (239-292-0566).
Thanks to our sponsors who have already stepped up to support tarpon tournament:
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
Sponsorships are still available! If you are interested in learning more click
here or contact Executive Director Birgie Miller at (
239) 292-0566.
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Refuge Ranger Paul Tritaik presents Becky with a farewell plaque.
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 Farewell to Becky
Staff and volunteers celebrated a bittersweet send-off to Ranger Becky Larkins, who left her position as Refuge Education Specialist on February 18 to take the position of Supervisory Refuge Ranger at the Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex in Lacombe, Louisiana, about 45 minutes north of New Orleans. Farewell and warm wishes to the Larkins family, which is, by the way, expecting Baby Girl Larkins in mid-May.
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Jane Hudson's Audubon-inspired portrait of Caracaras
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Audubon-Inspired Art Exhibit Coming
A group of local fine artists will display their works at the Refuge Visitor & Education Center from March 1 through April 30, 2017. Cello Bennett, widow of the late artist Gale Bennett (1939-2008), curates the "Audubon Inspiration," along with artists Marcy Calkins and Jane Hudson. Before his death in 2008, Bennett, a local artist with an international reputation, taught for 40 years at art centers in the area. He was planning a series of paintings inspired by the works of famed bird artist John James Audubon. "Unfortunately Gale did not live long enough READ MORE
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In response to requests by Refuge visitors, the Refuge Nature
Store has added two carefully vetted travel guidebooks to Southwest Florida and the entire state. The
Sarasota, Sanibel Island, & Naples Explorers Guide,
by our own publicity specialist, Chelle Koster Walton, sells for $21.95.
Backroads of Florida
, by the husband and wife team of Paul M. Franklin and Nancy Mikula, is $22.99. Stop in and pick up your copies today, or call Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about these and other featured products
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All proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Special Reading Program
My Little Book of Manatees illustrator Stephanie Mirocha made a guest appearance at the Refuge on Saturday to take part in the weekly free Family Craft & Story Program.
Refuge Ranger Becky Larkins offered information about manatees and led a puppet craft activity. Look for copies of
My Little Book of Manatees
in the Refuge Nature Store or call Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 to order copies.
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Snowy Owl; photo courtesy of USFWS
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Location
: Sequim, Washington
Totemic Fauna
: Harbor Seal, Columbian Black-tailed Deer, Snowy Owls
Fun for the Family
: Wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, lighthouse tours, fishing, and shell-fishing
Visitor Tip
: Before you visit, be sure to check if any areas have been closed for migrating birds.
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Columbian Black-tailed Deer; photo courtesy of USFWS
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Photo by Brooke Wi
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Reddish Egrets are among the species whose habitat the Wulfert Road property acquisition will benefit. Photo by Jim Bennight
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Land Acquisition Campaign:
Help Save the Island
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society has undertaken a campaign to acquire 8.15 acres on Sanibel Island's Wulfert Road as a crucial wildlife corridor for the "Ding" Darling Refuge. We must raise $2 million in private funds to purchase the parcel, which lies between SCCF land and the Refuge. If not preserved by the Refuge, the land could be developed with as many as five dwellings and READ MORE
For more information, contact DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by
email.
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March 14, 2017
May 18-19, 2017
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Photo by Dave Raphael |
This week at the Refuge, two common inhabitants were spotted along Wildlife Drive. On the left,
Common Ground-Doves
in a close-up perspective allow viewers to notice their distinct coloration. On the right, a
Double-crested Cormorant
spreads its
wings out to dry.
If
you have taken any beautiful, interesting,
or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to Society intern
Carrie Alexander
for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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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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The documentary film 
