March 24, 2022

TOMORROW: Bird Nests Lecture Wraps up Series

Few creatures craft such brilliant and involved homes as birds do, says Stan Tekiela, author of Bird Nests: Amazingly Ingenious and Intricate. For the lecture series finale, he explores bird construction techniques on Friday, March 25, at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island, starting at 10 a.m.

“From holes drilled into trees to intricately woven cups, these magnificent structures are worthy of our admiration,” says Tekiela. The Minnesota naturalist, wildlife photographer, and writer originated his popular state-specific field guides on birds, trees, wildflowers, and READ MORE

Thank you to our sponsors!

Did you miss recent lectures? You can view the March 4 Douglas Chadwick lecture HERE , thanks to sponsors Diane Esslinger and the Jenni & Kyle Foundation.

You can view the March 11 David Sibley lecture HERE, thanks to sponsors Stan & Connie Grayson, HighTower Fort Myers, and Drs. John & Wendy Kindig.

John McCabe COTI Citizen of the Year

On March 17, COTI (Committee of the Islands) awarded our own John McCabe, DDWS Past President and Emeritus Board Member, the well-deserved honor as the islands’ Citizen of the Year.

“As a retired physician, John has taken his talent of listening and processing of information into the realm of conservation,” said Barbara Joy Cooley, COTI Board Member and John’s neighbor. “He is that quiet leader who finds ways to get people to work together toward a common goal of protecting our natural resources. He takes the ego out of the equation and has demonstrated the impact of effective partnerships. His quiet demeanor, passion for the mission, patience, and persistence while working toward the end goal are what have made John so effective for the ‘Ding’ Darling Refuge complex in all areas, but in particular, in land acquisition.

Over the years, John has been instrumental in acquiring more than 100 acres of Sanibel property to protect under Refuge auspices, beginning in 2013 with the 6.56-acre Woodring Point, ending with this year’s 8.5-acre Boone property, and including the 68-acre Wulfert/Lee Anne Tauck Conservation Tract in 2019.

“Were it not for John McCabe and his passion for conservation and land preservation, this island would be a different place,” concluded Barbara Joy Cooley at the award presentation.

Photograph: COTI President Larry Schoop (middle) and Board Member Barbara Joy Cooley award John McCabe

Sad Farewell to a Faithful Friend

Last week, the Refuge received this note from Mary McGregory, daughter of longtime Refuge volunteers Bill and Jeanne Rankin: “Wanted to let you know that Bill and Jeanne Rankin are together again and no doubt raising some hell in heaven…. Thanks for keeping them out of trouble.”

Jeanne, preceded in death by her husband, served on the Board of Directors for 14 years, from 1993 to 2007 and volunteered as a Rover, front desk attendee, and Nature Store volunteer for 30 years starting in 1992. She accumulated 10,538 hours of service. In 2018, the Rankins received the prestigious Founders Award for individuals who made a vital contribution to the success of the Society within the first 10 years of its foundation.

“We remember Bill and Jeanne most for their contributions in building the Visitor & Education Center back in 1999, and for being the self-appointed, unofficial guardians of the Refuge’s first crocodile of 24 years. The female croc, whom they dubbed “The Madame,” died in 2010 and is remembered in the Center in a display featuring her articulated skeleton,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "We will miss Jeanne's smiling face, devotion, and cheerful sense of humor."

The family will hold an ashes-scattering service April 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ on Periwinkle Way.

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

Celebrating Women in Conservation

March is the perfect time to celebrate the impact of women in our personal lives and throughout the world during Women’s History Month. Here at the Refuge, we celebrate and recognize women in conservation both in our past and present.

We encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on the amazing women who helped shape you into the person you are today. Consider a gift in their honor or memory to benefit the conservation work at “Ding” Darling. Donations can go to support the Dr. Louise Merrimon Perry Fund Conservation Fund for Girls (LMP Fund for Girls), which was named and established to recognize a strong, independent woman who impacted Sanibel Island, its residents, and the Refuge. The LMP Fund for Girls supports projects and events encouraging women and girls to learn, grow, and explore with nature.

Make a gift NOW to honor a woman in your life. To ensure your donation goes to the LMP Fund for Girls, please note “LMP Fund” in the gift comments section.

Free Season Refuge Programs

Staff and volunteers are offering a revolving schedule of free Winter Refuge Programs, through April 16. The schedule changes weekly according to staffing availability. All programs take place outdoors with a limit of 10 participants.

On the Refuge Eventbrite Page, you will find details of the week’s tours so you can pre-register. (Please remember to cancel your reservation if you are unable to make it.) Upcoming programs:

Today, March 24: Birding the Refuge Tour, 8:30 a.m.
Today, March 24: Gators & Crocs Talk, 1:30 p.m.
Friday, March 25: Indigo Trail Tour, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, March 25: Birds of the Refuge Walk, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 26: Mindfulness Walk at the Bailey Tract, 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 26: Beach Exploration, 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 26: Birds of the Refuge Talk, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 27: Florida Manatee Talk, 1:30 p.m.
Monday, March 28, Beach Walk, 9:30 a.m.

April 24: ‘Ding’ Darling Day Conservation Carnival

Postponed from October 2021 because of a COVID surge, the 33rd annual “Ding” Darling Day celebration migrates to Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Sunday, April 24. This year, the Refuge will jointly observe Earth Day, which falls on April 22, with “Ding” Day activities.

The Refuge and DDWS have planned a full day of free Conservation Carnival activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free outdoor activities include tours of the WoW Wildlife on Wheels mobile nature experience, carnival games, prizes, Earth Day crafts, a dunk tank, artist-in-residence programs, guided bilingual birding walks, a biking tour, snow cones, and educational interactions with other local conservation organizations. Note: Lakes Park charges a fee for vehicular parking.

“We look forward to reinventing ‘Ding’ Darling Day to make that connection actually out IN the community,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who chairs the event’s committee. “Expect fun and enrichment for the entire family.” Watch DingDarlingDay.com for details as they unfold.

DDWS seeks sponsors for the event, which will be highly publicized throughout the Southwest Florida area. Contact April Boehnen at april@dingdarlingsociety.org or 239-472-1100 ext. 4 for more information.

“Ding” Darling Day 2022 Flyer

Thanks to the following sponsors who have already shown their support:

Great Egret Sponsors: Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille

Great Blue Heron Sponsors: Gretchen Banks, John R. Wood Properties, The Island Sun and The River Weekly News

Reddish Egret Sponsors: Bank of the Islands, Media Source, Mike & Terry Baldwin, Mitchell's Sand Castles

Snowy Egret Sponsors: Florida Southwestern State College Foundation, Florida Weekly, John & Anette Gritti, Jensen's Marina & Cottages, Kearns Restaurant Group, McCallion & McCallion Reality, Parker Waichman LLP, Sanibel Moorings, Southern SnoBalls, Tarpon Bay Explorers; 50% Off Framing

WoW at the Refuge

Haven’t had the chance to tour the WoW Wildlife on Wheels mobile nature experience? It will be open to the public for free touring at the Refuge the following dates and times:

TODAY, March 24, 12 - 3 p.m.
Friday, March 25, 9 a.m. -12 p.m.

Refuge Spotlight - 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.

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

Location: 19,000 acres; southern Jackson County, Mississippi

Totemic fauna: Sandhill Crane, Dusky Gopher Frog, Henslow’s Sparrow

Visitor tips: During fall and winter, the refuge offers free guided tours to spot Sandhill Cranes. Reservations are required.

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

GOING GREEN

Maintain your pool efficiency

Make your swimming pool an eco-oasis. Install a solar pool heater and a pool pump timer to help reduce electricity usage. A sphagnum moss filter will decrease the amount of chlorine needed. Source

Photo by Jim Bennight

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

As spring brings sunnier days, American Alligators are beginning to spend more and more time sunning themselves at the Refuge. These large reptiles live around 50 years in the wild, and after they reach four feet long, alligators have no predators except for humans and sometimes other alligators.

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 Development Assistant Jessica Barry for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.