|
|
|
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
January 23, 2018
|
|
| |
|
|
Refuge funding continues to decline and it is private philanthropic support that helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
|
Click the logo to read about our
45/82 Society. Email
us or call 239-472-1100 ext. 4 about becoming a member of this special group of people.
|
|
| |
|
"Ding" Darling Back Open
Since a Continuing Resolution (CR) was signed last night, the federal government is back open, including the
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. All Refuge lands are back open, as well as the Visitor & Education Center.
|
Tomorrow, January 24:
Tapped Film
Darling Visitor & Education Center auditorium. The film asks the question: Is access to clean water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold? From the production of plastic to the ocean where so many of plastic bottles end up, the inspiring documentary follows the bottled water industry and the communities
READ MORE
Click HERE for a printable 2018 Film Series flyer.
Watch the trailer here:
|
|
This Friday, January 26: The Gulf Lecture
Note: The Friday Lecture is being held at its normal location in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium.
The collision between civilization and nature in the Gulf of Mexico becomes a uniquely American story in the environmental epic
The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea
by Jack E. Davis. On Friday, January 26, the author will be presenting two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the 2018
"Ding" Darling Lecture Series
. The New York Times Book Review called
The Gulf
a "beautiful homage to a neglected sea." It won the 2017 Kirkus Prize and is a READ MORE
|
|
Friday, February 2: Lost Antarctica Lecture
 |
|
|
James McClintock in Antartica
|
Marine biologist James McClintock spent three decades studying a continent few people ever see for his book
Lost Antarctica: Adventures in a Disappearing Land
. On Friday, February 2, he will be presenting two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., part of the 2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series. One of the world's leading experts on Antarctica, McClintock introduces readers to this fascinating frozen world and the extraordinary wildlife that persists despite the harsh conditions. Baleen whales, leopard seals, king crabs, Adélie penguins, 50-foot algae, sea spiders, coral, and READ MORE
|
|
|
|
Sponsor of the 2018 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series
|
|
Lecture Seating Policy
Seating for the lectures is limited and available on a
first-come basis. Early arrivals can save one extra 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.
|
|
Take Action for Clean Water
|
|
|
|
Before and after Okeechobee releases in 2016
|
|
On January 9, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) released a progress report on the implementation of Florida Senate Bill 10 (SB10). SB10 is the 2017 legislation, signed by Governor Scott, that requires an optimally configured reservoir to be built south of Lake Okeechobee in the Everglades Agricultural Area to support Everglades restoration and the recovery of Florida Bay and to reduce releases to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. Excessive releases into the Caloosahatchee continue to have a negative impact on the ecology and environment of the Refuge and on Sanibel Island in general.
Despite considerable public input seeking the legally mandated optimal reservoir design, the SFWMD delivered a report that did not address this concern. Although the SFWMD did identify and evaluate five potential options for siting and construction of the reservoir, it did not meet the mandate of the legislation. As such, it did not consider options to increase the footprint and effectiveness of the reservoir. A larger reservoir footprint provides the opportunity for less Lake Okeechobee discharges to the Caloosahatchee and more fresh water for the Everglades and Florida Bay.
Please click HEREto ask Governor Scott for his intervention and support (Florida residents only).
|
February 14, Go Wild: Sponsor Showcase
|
|
|
|
The Cedar Chest mascot with the Refuge Blue Goose mascot
|
|
Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry
comes in this year as a Go Wild for "Ding" sponsor at the Protector Level. They have also designed a custom 14k gold piece inspired by this years' event logo for our auction. The event takes place on Wednesday, February 14, at The Community House on Sanibel Island. This year's theme - In the Nest - celebrates the courtship and birthing of birds at the Refuge. Only 50 spots remain for this sell-out event.
Register
today to attend for $125 per person. For more information about the event, click
HERE
2018 Sponsors:
CHAMPION Sponsors
Entire meal donated by:
GUARDIAN Sponsors
PROTECTOR Sponsors
DEFENDER Sponsors
 
|
|
February 22: Dinner with Stephen Kress
|
|
|
| Photo by Dr. Stephen Kress |
|
Only a hand full of seats remain
for Dinner with Stephen Kress, noted bird activist, at "Ding" Darling on Thursday, February 22. 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 READ MORE
To register for Dinner with Stephen Kress which are $100 per person, click
HERE.
|
|
Kicking Plastic
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.
Why reduce your use of plastic?
This week's tip ponders the question of why plastic in your life is a big minus. Here are just a few reasons:
·
Most plastic is made from fossil fuels.
·
The plastic we use today will outlive us.
·
Plastic litters, pollutes, and harms wildlife by entanglement and ingestion.
·
Plastic isn't truly recycled, it's downcycled.
·
Most plastic is unnecessary - designed for one use, or for the dump.
·
It's bad for our health.
Click here to learn more about the why and how of reducing plastic in your life.
"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.
|
Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
A kayaker photographed this
juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at the Refuge. Did you know Black-crowned Night Herons nest in groups with herons, egrets, and other species of birds, and will also brood any chick that is placed in its nest? They don't distinguish their own offspring from others. ⠀
Thanks to bearthimages.com for the photo
A Cormorant snagged a nice meal on Sunday during low tide off Wildlife Drive.
Thanks to Steve Kinsley for the photo
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, 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.
|
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
.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
