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Obituary for Mark Banks
Last week, we shared the sad news about the passing of Mark Banks, who served on the DDWS Board of Directors from January 2015 until his death last month. This week, we share Mark's
obituary
and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
If you would like to make a contribution in his memory to support the conservation efforts at "Ding" Darling click HERE.
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These gifts
were made to DDWS in honor of and in memory of friends and families during March 2020. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation
here.
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| Green Heron photo by David Jeffrey |
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Support your local businesses wherever you are living around the country.
Give Where You Can
Like other nonprofit organizations,
DDWS fundraising efforts suffer severely from
COVID-19, especially with the closure of the Refuge Nature Store and its e-commerce site. It's a difficult time financially for one and all, but one small and easy way you can opt to donate to Refuge efforts, while you are ordering supplies for delivery, is to sign up for the
Amazon Smile program
to designate a portion of your Amazon.com purchases as a donation to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society.
Search "ding darling" to designate us as your charity. Then, every time you wish to make an Amazon purchase, log into http://smile.amazon.com rather than the regular Amazon site. Amazon will donate 0.05% of your purchase directly to DDWS to benefit the Refuge. (Prices for items on smile.amazon.com are the same as on Amazon.com.)
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Refuge Status - COVID-19 UPDATE
As of today, Wildlife Drive, its trails, and its restrooms along Wildlife Drive remain open.
The main parking lot at Bailey Tract is closed at the request of the city of Sanibel, to deter beach parking. Arrivals by bike and foot can still access the Tract's trails from the Tarpon Bay Road entrance. The Island Inn Road entrance is completely open for parking, hikers, and cyclists.
Online Nature Store Status: Note that the
online Nature Store will no longer be receiving orders because we cannot physically accept deliveries and will not have access to inventory until the Visitor Center reopens.
Message to Our Friends
As we all know, the COVID-19 virus has impacted everyone globally. The Refuge too is feeling the adverse effects. We've been uplifted by so many stories that exemplify the extraordinary compassion, dedication, and generosity of neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues during these challenging times. Meanwhile, the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society will continue to move forward in the conservation efforts of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge the best we can, remaining hopeful that this uncertainty will pass very soon.
To our many partners and donors, thank you for your wonderful support of our mission and programs. During these challenging times, please know that we are taking careful steps to ensure that your gifts are being spent wisely, where the need is greatest.
As we all experience social isolation, we hope that you will take time to reconnect with nature daily as an outlet to reducing stress and promote healing, making sure to maintain the 6-feet distance from others. We know that these uncertain times will pass, and we look forward to once again being able to enjoy nature and our beloved Refuge without restrictions.
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Weekday #DingatHome postings include crafts and experiments on
Fun-Time Friday.
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#DingatHome
To keep our fans and friends in touch with nature and engaged in calming, educational activities during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Refuge and DDWS have debuted programs for stay-at-home families and individuals. They have created virtual experiences that all ages can enjoy via social media and the #DingatHome
web page.
Last week, the Fort Myers News-Press listed #DingatHome as the #2 Top 10 things to do online this weekend.
#DailyDoseofDing
The DDWS staff are busy bringing the healing sunshine and beauty of the Refuge to the public through 30-second social media videos. Follow on
Facebook
t
o see our archive of #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge.
Refuge Cams around the country
Wildlife Photos at Ding
On the Society Facebook page, there is an album of photos you can peruse while you are staying home and staying safe.
Click to see the album.
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Update on Water-Related Issues
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
For good reason, right now everyone's attention is focused on the coronavirus. However, we will get through this pandemic and when we do, there will still be water quality issues that impact the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. With that in mind, this article gives a brief update on some key water quality issues. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) In February, the SFWMD issued a "Request For Bids (RFBs)" for the construction of an inflow/outflow canal that will bring water from Lake Okeechobee into the Everglades
READ MORE
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Florida Junior Duck Stamp Winner
For the third year in a row, Anna Grace Swanson took Best of Show in the 2020 Florida Junior Duck Stamp competition, which was judged by virtual means at the Refuge this week. Her portrait of a Red-breasted Merganser (below) took first place among 918 entries from throughout the state. Anna Grace is an 11th-grader at Temple Christian School in Titusville.
The Junior Duck Stamp program began on Sanibel Island, next door to the Refuge at The Sanibel School. Art teacher Jaye Boswell started it as a way to teach her students art and natural science at the same time. Jaye still often judges at the competition. The Junior Duck Stamp competition then became a national program and is run out of the USFWS.
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At a teleconference meeting last week, the DDWS Board of Directors welcomed two Sanibel Island residents as new members: William (Bill) H. Harkey and Robin E. Kirk.
Bill, a fifth-generation California "farm boy," grew up on a peach and prune ranch in northern California. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1971, he began a 30-year career in the U.S. Army, finishing as the director of public affairs at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, before he retired. He participates actively in the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva and is an avid golfer.
Robin grew up in the Ozark foothills of Arkansas with a love for nature and education, which led to an elementary education degree from Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Her deep passion for nature and getting children to read resulted in volunteering for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, where she worked with school groups. Later, Robin served as a seasonal park ranger and self-published children's nature books that would encourage children to READ MORE
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Title Sponsor
Starting Position Sponsor
Champion Sponsors
Premiere Sponsor
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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'America's Best-Kept Secret'
In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A.
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Western Tanager |
Location: 39,116 acres near Tulelake, California
Totemic Flora & Fauna: White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Western Tanager
Visitor's Tips: A 10-mile auto tour route allows for wildlife observation throughout the year.
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The refuge is known for its migrating waterfowl.
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| Photo credit: Sylvia Guarino |
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American Kestrels have been spotted around the Refuge lately, especially at Bailey Tract. Did you know they
are attracted to many habitats modified by humans and are often found near areas of human activity?
T
o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:
If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to Development Officer
Sierra Hoisington
, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
75th Anniversary Island "Spoonie" Island Scavenger Hunt Kick-off - June 1, 2020
"Ding" Grand Marshal in Fourth of July Parade - July 4, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding": The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Holiday Shopping Night - November 30, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - November 2021
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our
website to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by April Arthur & April Boehnen.
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