May 12, 2022

Tomorrow: 10th Annual“Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament

The “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament celebrates 10 years on Friday, May 13. 58 teams will compete for a total purse of $60,000 this year. All tourney entry fees get paid out in cash prizes for this catch-and-release tournament. First-place winning team receives $27,000 and the highly coveted pink tarpon jacket. The tournament has raised nearly $800,000 to date to support water quality research and wildlife conservation at the Refuge, contributed entirely by our generous sponsors and silent auction earnings. Stay tuned for the winning teams in next week’s “Ding” on the Wing.

Thanks to the following 2022 sponsors

Title Sponsor: Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille

Silver King Anniversary Sponsors: Bill & Laurie Harkey, Raiser's Edge, The Szymanczyk Family

Premiere Sponsor: Cast About Charters

Presenting Sponsors: Captain Diva, David & Judy Baum, Two Lane Lager

Platinum Sponsors: Diversified Yacht Services, Law Office of Christopher G. Hill, Organzied Chaos, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Shawn Kelly Fishing Charters, CustomTeesNow, YETI, Whitney's Bait & Tackle

Gold Sponsor: Anisa Stewart Jewelry, Captain Matt Mitchell Fishing Charters, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Jeff & Toni Kordell, Mabry Brothers Inc., Milestone Auctions, On Island, R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Trophy Case of Fort Myers, Dave & Denise Bunning, Bay Marine, Fort Myers Marine, Congress Jewelers

Silver Sponsors: Captiva Cruises, Peter & Barb Rogers, Law Office of Janet M. Strickland, Island Sun, Bailey's General Store, Grandstand, Florida Weekly, Taylor & Betsy Hay, Jensen's Marina & Cottages, Luc Century, Over Easy Cafe

Project Refuge Designs Exhibition

“Ding” Darling’s Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash 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. Now, two separate exhibitions will open to the general public to showcase some amazing designs from the two runway shows.

The new Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community exhibits its “Castoffs to Couture: Selections from Project Refuge of the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society” to the public through June 25. The arts center, previously closed to the public during COVID-19 precautions, presents 18 stunning fashions, each one fabricated with a minimum of 75 percent reclaimed or recycled, nonperishable materials, such as used bags, soda-pop tabs, packing foam, paint chips, old towels, and face masks. Following its exhibition at Shell Point, the “Upcycled Wonders” exhibition comes home for display at the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center July 5 through August 30 daily READ MORE

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

We Want Your DDWS Memories

As we progress closer to the 40th anniversary of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society’s (DDWS) chartering on Oct. 6, we are making plans for a special retrospect in our fall Society Pages quarterly newsletter. As a staffer, board member, volunteer, donor, or friend of DDWS, do you have one specific memory that stands out and you can share? Please contact Chelle Koster Walton to submit. Photos are especially welcome.

May 14: World Migratory Bird Day at the Refuge

On Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., “Ding” Darling honors World Migratory Bird Day with a conservation fair on grounds in front of the Visitor & Education Center. The city of Sanibel and island conservation partners will set up booths to raise awareness for the plight of migrating birds caused by lighting in the night skies. Visit our partners, learn more, and spend time in the free Center. Then, go looking for birds on Wildlife Drive, and spread the word about dimming night lights to save wildlife

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.

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

Location: 6,440 acres; Muleshoe, Texas

Totemic fauna: Sandhill Crane, Golden Eagle, Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Visitor tips: The refuge is admission-free. Highlights include the Nature Trail and Paul’s Lake Overlook.

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

GOING GREEN

Travel with Purpose

Travel is routinely denigrated for its crushingly negative impact on the environment. But as this article points out, travel also is crucial in educating individuals about the plight and importance of nature. By experiencing wild destinations firsthand, travelers become environmental advocates. Make the most of your summer travels by seeking out lesser-known refuges and conservation areas rather than popular, over-populated beaches and national parks.

Photo by Peg d'Entremont

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

A North American River Otter family has been spotted hanging around Indigo Trail near the toll booth. Females give birth to 1 to 6 young per litter, with an average of 2 to 3. Otters are born with fur, but are otherwise helpless. Females give birth, nurse, and care for their young in a den near the water. The young are weaned at about 3 months old and begin to leave their mother at 6 months old. Adult females care for their juvenile offspring, who disperse by the time the otters give birth again. River Otters become mature at 2 to 3 years old.

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.