July 28, 2022

'Winningest' Duck Stamp Artist Coming to 'Ding'

James Hautman is the only federal duck stamp artist to have taken first place six times, most recently this year during the 2022-2023 Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Considering that more than 100 compete each year in the contest, and that winners are not allowed to compete for the next three years, Jim’s accomplishment has made a hallowed name for him in wildlife art circles. He and his two brothers, Joseph and Robert -- also multiple duck stamp contest winners -- even made the script for the 1996 hit comedic movie Fargo.

Each year, the Refuge hosts the winning Duck Stamp Artist in October to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and the birthday of its namesake, the very first duck stamp artist in 1935. Artist-cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, in fact, is largely responsible for the Federal Duck Stamp Program, which has purchased six million acres of now-protected wetlands since its inception.

Jim takes his appearance a step further this year for the inaugural Art in the Wild Day on Saturday, October 29. In addition to a 10 a.m. presentation that day READ MORE

Watch this recent CBS Sunday Morning segment about James Hautman and his brothers below.

School Supplies for Success

As part of “Ding” Darling’s Urban Outreach efforts, DDWS is once again seeking donations to supply 600 students at Tice Elementary, a Title 1 school where we have been concentrating efforts to support success in the classroom. Thanks to a generous donation, we have already received funding for backpacks for each student. Now we are looking to fill the backpacks with everything from pencils to headphones – supplies they need to learn, achieve, and further their abilities in the 2022-2023 school year. The cost per student is $34 for a full set of supplies sourced at bulk rates.

The students start back to school on August 10, so we are collecting now to send them to the classroom as ready as they can be. Please visit our special Tice School Supplies Donation page to contribute today. Thanks for your help.

Photo Contest OPEN

July 15 marked the opening of the 30th annual “Ding” Darling Amateur Photo Contest. Deadline for submission is September 15, 2022; all entries must be submitted electronically. Cash award prizes are $300 for first place, $225 for second, and $175 for third.

The contest, sponsored by DDWS, is held in conjunction with “Ding” Darling’s Art in the Wild Day, October 29, 2022. Go online for complete contest rules, an entry form, and other contest information.

Entries must be delivered via email by September 15. For assistance, call 239-472-1100 ext. 233 or email. Entrants can pay by sending a check made out to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (P.O. Box 565, Sanibel, Florida 33957) with a memo “for photo contest" or online.

In the 2021 contest, second place went to Kathleen Colligan of Bokeelia, Florida, for her “Tri-colored Heron with its Reflection.”

What a Difference 8% Can Make!

Who would have guessed a single-digit percentage point could help protect the Refuge. In actuality, it has made a significant difference recently to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society and the future of our Refuge.

The late Joan Shkolnik loved the “Ding” Darling Refuge and saw the importance of its work in protecting, preserving, and educating. She wanted to show support for this work through her estate by leaving 8% of it to DDWS in her will. Joan had no idea what, if anything, would be left in her estate when she passed away, but she had a friend call DDWS to find the wording needed to make her wish for a legacy gift come true. After including READ MORE

Learn more about planned giving to support the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

August 4: Great American Outdoors Day

Thursday, August 4, marks the celebration of Great American Outdoors Day across federal lands. It is now one of six fee-free days the government has designated throughout the year. Besides touring Wildlife Drive admission-free that day, you can also visit the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels), participate in a free family scavenger hunt to win a prize, and go on guided tours.

A sneak peek at the day's scavenger hunt

WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) will be open to the public for three days: August 3 from noon to 3 p.m, August 4 from noon to 3 p.m., and August 5 from 9 a.m. to noon.

2022 Scholarship Awards

DDWS recently awarded $33,700 in conservation education scholarships to 14 students from the surrounding five-county area. During its 16-year history, the DDWS Environmental Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $233,200 to deserving students.

“The Society is committed to educating today’s youth to become future conservation stewards,” said DDWS Education Committee Chair Wendy Kindig. “We partner with businesses, families, and individuals to provide annual scholarships to award to outstanding students pursuing degrees related to conservation, wildlife biology, environmental engineering and policy, and science. A big thank you to our scholarship sponsors for their support.”

Eleven donors sponsored the 14 scholarships this year. In READ MORE

Four-time repeat recipient Mallory Poff works on her project to design a solar-powered mobile cooling unit for

small farms.

Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.

"Ding" Darling Artist in Residence Calls on Quality Life Center

Refuge Artist in Residence for 2022-23, Jacqui Roch, along with other Refuge team members, visited the Quality of Life Center in the Dunbar community of Fort Myers this week to engage summer campers in creating wildlife art from repurposed, recycled materials. Their artistic creations will go on display for a time at the Center’s art gallery.

Jacqui lives in Miami and spent a month over the summer offering painting demonstrations and other art programs at the Refuge. She will be making more visits throughout the year and from September 1 through October 25 will be exhibiting works she has created while spending time at “Ding” Darling.

Project Refuge Upcycled Wonders Exhibition

A selection of creations from the past two Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash events is on display in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium through August 30, daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Project Refuge debuted in 2019 to celebrate the Refuge’s 75th anniversary and raise awareness for recycling. It spawned an encore 2022 fashion show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, which hosted both events. The current, free Upcycled Wonders: Project Refuge Designs Exhibition showcases 18 of the fashions modeled at the events. Signage describes the creations and provides factoids about waste and recycling and their impact on the environment.

Other art exhibitions scheduled for the Visitor & Education Center in coming months include:

2022-23 Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch Exhibition – September 1 - October 25, 2022
Duck Stamp Artist Jim Hautman Exhibition – October 29 - November 13, 2022
Ikki & Polly Matsumoto Art Exhibition – Mid-November - December 31, 2022
Vince Thomalla Art Exhibition – January - February 2023
Niki Butcher Art Exhibition – March - April 2023 (sponsored by Wayne & Linda Boyd)

Donate to support the Refuge in continuing art shows in the Center.

Show Us Your 'Ding" Merch!

As part of our new “show your merch” promotion, “Ding” Darling volunteer John Maclennan sent us this photo last week from Canyonlands National Park in Utah, wearing one of his favorite “Ding” T-shirts. Lookin’ good, John!

When we use your photo in “Ding” on the Wing of our logo merchandise featured at your favorite (preferably outdoors) spot, you are automatically entered in a quarterly drawing for free prizes. Email us your snapshot with the following information: your name, address, and phone number; where the shot was taken; any relevant details about the location and why you like the particular product you’re featuring. The next drawing will be held the end of September.

Cartoon of the Month

Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling (1876-1962) is known for his timeless editorial cartoons. This October 1926 cartoon titled “Beginning to see the bottom of the tank” proves the point. Like many of the 15,000 cartoons he published in his lifetime, its relevance endures through the decades.

Click cartoon to see it enlarged.

Selfie Challenge

“Ding” Darling has been selected among 12 of the 568 refuges nationwide to participate in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s #WildForAll Challenge. For the month of August, the Refuge challenges visitors to use its #WildForAll station and other Refuge locations to snap selfies and post them on their social media channels. Use the #WildForAll and #DingDarling tags to become eligible to win prizes. Watch the Refuge and the DDWS Facebook pages and future “Ding” on the Wing bulletins for more details. Or just drop by the Visitor & Education starting August 1 and ask how you can get involved.

Refuge #568

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge recently announced the newest refuge in the 568-refuge National Wildlife Refuge System. Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge protects a 38,052-acre conservation easement in northwest Montana. It preserves crucial wildlife habitats and supports continued public access for recreational activities such as trail-hiking and fishing.

The Gray Wolf is among the species Lost Trail NWR protects

Observation Tower Temp Closure

The Wildlife Drive Observation Tower will be undergoing renovations – including a new roof and decking -- and will be closed until further notice. Note that Wildlife Drive will remain OPEN, however expect periodical traffic interruptions as workers offload supplies at the tower.

GOING GREEN

Sea Turtle Conservation

With summer sea turtle nesting season in full swing, it’s important to adapt your beach-time habits to protect mother and hatchling turtles. Please follow these guidelines to promote conservation of our endangered sea turtles.

Lights disorient sea turtles, causing potential grave danger. If you live or are staying near the beach, close curtains and turn off outdoor lights at night. When walking the beach, use only red light. Do not use white flashlights and cell phone or camera lights.
After a day of digging holes and building sandcastles on the beach, be sure to level the sand. Holes and sand structures can trap hatchlings trying to make it to the sea.
Remove all furniture, beach toys, and trash from the beach. These too can trap and injure sea turtles.
Never disturb a sea turtle nest. If you are at the beach during a nesting event (burying eggs, hatching), keep your distance to observe. And again, no camera flash, please.

Thanks for looking out for one of Florida’s most precious creatures.

Photo by Steve Hilger

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

Common Gallinule chicks are learning the ways of the world at the Wildlife Education Boardwalk. When Common Gallinules hatch, they have small spurs on their wings that make it easier for them to climb in and out of their nest.

Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.

If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to DDWS intern, Hayley Caylor for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.