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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
April 6, 2017
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Craig Koppie |
TOMORROW
April 7 Lecture
Author and bald eagle savior Craig A. Koppie will appear at the Refuge on Friday, April 7, following the release of his latest co-authored book Mr. President and the First Lady: The DC Eagle Cam Project. As part of the 2017 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series, Craig will present two free lectures at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. about his longtime fascination with raptor nests, his work restoring decimated bald eagle populations in the late 1970s, and his part in installing the eagle cam at the United States National Arboretum in READ MORE
Thank you to our 2017 Lecture Series Sponsor
Lecture Seating Policy:
Seating for all lectures in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium is 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.
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Wednesday, April 12 Film
The documentary film
The Future of Energy: Lateral Power to the People
completes the fifth annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series on April 12, at 1 p.m. in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center auditorium. Featuring some of America's top energy specialists and ecological visionaries,
The Future of Energy
presents a clear path towards a new energy paradigm while
informing how everyone can participate in creating a 100 percent renewable energy solution to the READ MORE
Thanks to our generous film series sponsor:
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Charles Sobczak
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Friday, April 14 Final Lecture
Charles Sobczak, author of
Alligators, Sharks, & Panthers: Deadly Encounters with Florida's Top Predator - Man
, will be presenting two programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, April 14, as the finale to the 2017 "Ding" Darling Lecture Series at the Refuge. Charlie's PowerPoint presentation will examine man's complex and often strained relationship with the planet's other top predators. It explores recent and historical fatal attacks on humans in Florida and how these have influenced our perception of wildlife here and READ MORE
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SanCap Cares Auction to Benefit 'Ding'
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Jim Sprankle's Tri-colored Herons sculpture will raise money to support "Ding" Darling and Golisano Children's Hospital. Photo courtesy of Skipp Tutor
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The life-size sculpture "Ding's Darlings - Two Tri-colored Herons" by famed island wildlife sculptor Jim Sprankle goes up for auction for SanCap Cares' 17
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annual Island Celebration on April 9, 2017, to benefit Golisano Children's Hospital. The intricate piece, depicting a pair of mating birds, is a top feature of the event's live auction, and all funds raised by its sale will be split 50-50 between Golisano Children's Hospital and the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society.
Brenda and Dewey Tate, former Sanibel Island residents, donated the 3-feet-high sculpture. "Dewey and I were drawn to Sanibel years ago because of the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge," said READ MORE
The Tri-colored Herons sculpture will be on display at The Sanctuary Golf Club (2801 Wulfert Rd.) starting April 1.
People who are interested in placing bids by phone before or during the event, should contact Amanda Cross at SanibelCaptivaCares@gmail.com or 239-472-2082.
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Visit from 'Teddy'
"President Theodore Roosevelt" (reprisor Joe Wiegand) entertained and educated families and other friends of the Refuge with his presentation on March 27 to commemorate Teddy's first visit to Sanibel and Captiva islands in 1917 for a fishing expedition in what is now known as Captiva's Roosevelt Channel. "He had an impressive turnout," said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. "One man was so moved by the performance, he wrote a check to support the Refuge on the spot. Thanks to Joe Wiegand for his always-popular portrayal of our 'Nature President.'"
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Memorial Bench Dedication
Friends and family of Irene Raber (center front, with child on her lap) gathered at the Refuge's Wildlife Education Boardwalk last week for a
 ceremony dedicating a new bench in memory of
her daughter, Susie Raber Satterfield, a nutritionist and marathon runner. Irene volunteers at the Refuge. Joining her, to the right, Mary "Sally" Reed is a former volunteer and longtime family friend. |
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Junior Duck Stamp Judging
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Photographer and Refuge volunteer Jim Bennight, Alliance for the Arts Director of Operations & Education Brandi H. Couse, nature artist Nancy Tome, federal duck stamp artist John Brennan, and Deputy Refuge Manager Nate Caswell with the five winning artworks
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The Refuge hosted the Florida Junior Duck Stamp Contest judging last week to select the Best of Show duck art to represent the
state at the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest on April 21 in Charleston, South Carolina. Out of 2,882 entries this year, 15-year-old Faith Malfa from Pasco Fine Arts Center in New Port Richey took Florida
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Faith Malfa's Gadwall duck portrait took Florida Best of Show.
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Best of Show. Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who oversaw this year's state contest and many in the past, will be the emcee for the federal judging in Charleston.
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April 11: Meet the 'Audubon Artists'
A group of local fine artists are displaying their works at the Refuge Visitor & Education Center through April 27, 2017. The "Audubon Inspiration" exhibit is curated by Cello Bennett, widow of the late artist Gale Bennett (1939-2008), along with artists Marcy Calkins and Jane Hudson. Nine artists in all are part of the exhibit. Meet some of them during a special "meet & greet" on Tuesday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Before his death in 2008, Gale 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. Click here to read more about how this exhibition honors his legacy. |
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Meet Bagzilla, a "bag monster" dressed in the average person's annual plastic bag consumption.
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Earth Day at the Refuge
Bike or hike Wildlife Drive for free, see a free film, and take advantage of free programs at this year's Earth Day at the Refuge on
Saturday, April 22, 2017
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 We will celebrate the 47th anniversary of Earth Day with activities that include an earth-friendly Family Story & Craft, free Gators & Crocs and Birding the Refuge programs, and the appearance of Bagzilla READ MORE
FREE! Reusable bags made from recycled water bottles to the first 50 people to come to our Earth Day activities starting at 10 a.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Classroom
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Tarpon Tourney Sponsors Spotlight
A big Blue Goose salute to two of our generous sponsors for the sixth annual
A special thanks to Platinum Sponsors
As 100% of the entry-fee 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 (registration is currently filled), please contact Executive Director
Birgie Miller
by email or phone (239-292-0566).
Tournament sponsors for 2017 include:
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
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Because of the popularity of our handmade pottery
pieces, we have recently
restocked with new pieces. Sea turtle-themed works by Sanibel Island artist
Jerry Edelman start at $30.
Spoon rests by a
different local artist feature lizards, dolphins, and birds for $24.95 each. Her whimsical shell-shaped soap dishes
are $24.50; the platter sells for $65.
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.
Location
:
Southeasternmost point of Georgia
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Courtesy of USFWS |
Totemic Fauna
: Black Bear, Sandhill Crane, and American Alligator
Fun for the Family
: The Swamp Island Drive, hiking trails, canoe/kayak trails, and boat trails
Visitor's Tip
: For best wildlife observation, visit early morning or later in the evening.
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Black Bear |
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Sandhill Crane
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Sanibel Moorings Contribution
Maintenance Manager Rory Ode and General Manager Kari Cordisco from Sanibel Moorings resort present the "Blue Goose" - "Ding" Darling's mascot - a check for the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society in the amount of $5,000. The funds represent Sanibel Moorings' annual contribution to DDWS as a new Guest Contribution Program (GCP) partner. GCP partners offer guests the option of contributing $1 per night to support the Refuge. Other businesses interested in participating in the GCP should contact Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by email.
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Photo courtesy of Terry Baldwin |
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| Photo courtesy of Rebecca Clemens |
This week at the Refuge, two wildlife sightings signaled the arrival of spring. On the left, a Prothonotary Warbler was spotted along Indigo Trail. On the right, a group of Black-necked Stilts are shown flying into a pond at the Bailey Tract.
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.
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at
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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