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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
April 27, 2017
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Earth Day at the Refuge
The Refuge hosted an Earth Day celebration on Saturday with free Wildlife Drive admission for hikers and bikers, a free sea turtle story-and-crafts activity, and other programs about Refuge wildlife.
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Mangrove cuckoo by Bill Fischer
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Refuge Biologist, Jeremy Conrad
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Refuge Biologist Part of Award-Winning Team
Refuge Lead Biologist Jeremy Conrad was part of a 25-person,
intra-agency LandCarbon Team that recently earned the Unit Award for Excellence of Service from the Department of the Interior. The team greatly expanded knowledge of biological carbon sequestration and successfully conducted the first-ever comprehensive national assessment of biological sequestration, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The team's mandate was to quantify the amount of carbon stored in ecosystems, the capacity of ecosystems to sequester carbon, and the rate of greenhouse gas fluxes in and out of the ecosystems. Congratulations to Jeremy and his team!
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Island Paws people and DDWS staff: Trasi Sharp, Carrie Alexander, Diane Weir (bottom), Liza Clouse, and Sarah Lathrop
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Benefits Refuge
Tips to "Barktenders" (and DDWS staffers) Sarah Lathrop and Carrie Alexander brought in nearly $600 to benefit the Refuge at
Island Paws'
end-of-season Yappy Hour on April 21. We used the opportunity to educate dog-owners about the Refuge pet policy: The Refuge welcomes dogs with responsible owners who use a 6-foot leash and pick up after their pets.
Thanks to Island Paws, Sarah, and Carrie for this contribution to Refuge efforts.
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A Victory for Water Quality
Our voices have been heard!
In a landmark decision earlier this week, the Florida House and Senate have agreed to pay for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. "The decision is a critical positive step toward curbing excessive summer releases of contaminated water into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and with their resultant negative impact on the waters of the Refuge," said DDWS Vice President and Advocacy Committee Chair Mike Baldwin. "However, several hurdles remain before the reservoir becomes an operational reality, including anticipated passage of a House bill to enact the plan, Federal fund-sharing for the project, and supportive actions on the part of the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."
CLICK HERE
to read the News-Press' coverage of the victory.
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Tarpon Tourney Sponsors Spotlight
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 donating an item for the auction, please contact Executive Director
Birgie Miller
by email or phone (239-292-0566).
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6th Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament
TITLE SPONSOR:
PREMIER SPONSORS:
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Mark & Gretchen Banks
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
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Wednesday Reading in the Refuge programs include a story and crafts.
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Free Summer Programs Begin June 7
Wildlife Wonders talks, weekly walks, and nature crafts highlight the free summer programs to be offered June 7 through August 5, 2017, at the Refuge. Summer programming is made possible by support from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends
READ MORE
Click here
to view and print the summer programs brochure.
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No Summer Camp this Year
"This summer we were forced, regrettably, to cancel our Nature Explorers Summer Day Camp because of staffing shortages," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "The federal hiring freeze leaves us without an education specialist to oversee the camp. But fortunately our Friends group provides us with the interns and financial backing we need to continue our free weekly summer programs."
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At the Refuge Nature Store
Check out our stock of handy-dandy wood products to take home or give as special gifts. Refuge 5x7 picture frames in two different designs sell for $25. Beautifully carved wooden puzzle boxes feature Refuge wildlife at $37.95 each. Sea turtles, Refuge birds, and other clever designs grace oval wooden hangings for your wall, each $42.99.
All proceeds from Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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With many of our loyal volunteers leaving or now gone for the summer months, the nature store is hoping for a few new volunteers willing to work once a week for shifts no more than 3 hours. Interested? Call Nature Store Manager Jeanne Walsh at 239.472.1100 ext. 241
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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.
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Leafcutter Bee, photo courtesy of USFWS
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Location
:
Loleta, California
Totemic Fauna
: Leafcutter Bee, Western Sandpiper, and River Otter
Fun for the Family
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Environmental education and field trips offer hands-on learning in an "outdoor classroom" setting.
Visitor's Tip
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November through April are the best months for bird watching.
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| Photo courtesy of USFWS |
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River Otter, photo courtesy of David F. Thomson |
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Cape May warbler by Robert Gallucci
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Blue Grosbeak by Jim Bennight
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Two colorful photos of songbirds spotted on the Refuge this week. If you post your "Ding" photos to social media, don't forget to tag us and use #DiscoverDing!
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
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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