|
TOMORROW, March 4: Four-Fifths a Grizzly Lecture
“Do unto ecosystems as you would have them do unto you,” is the motto of wildlife biologist and writer Douglas Chadwick. He will speak about his philosophy and new book Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that Just Might Save Us All at his upcoming free DDWS lecture on Friday, March 4. It takes place at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 2050 Periwinkle Way, starting at 10 a.m.
Chadwick has written 14 books and more than 200 articles, including National Geographic coverage that spans 35 years. In what has been called his career-capping book, Four-Fifths a Grizzly presents an engaging series of personal essays that illustrate the interconnectedness of nature, advocating READ MORE
Photograph: Douglas Chadwick in the field
| |
Celebrating Women in Conservation
Women's History Month begins this month and is a month-long celebration acknowledging the vital role women play in all facets of our society.
Here at the Refuge, we celebrate and recognize the women in conservation both in our past and our present. People like Esperanza Woodring, Jane Goodall, Rahibai Soma Popere, Silvia Earle, Rue Mapp, Louise Merrimon Perry, and so many others have led and continue to lead the way to make this world a better place for all.
Join us in celebrating women's history month and International Women's Day by honoring or memorializing a woman or girl in your life who has been important to you.
All donations will be added to our Dr. Louise Merrimon Perry Fund Conservation Fund for Girls (LMP Fund for Girls), a fund that will support projects and events encouraging women and girls to learn, grow, and explore with nature.
To ensure your donation goes to the LMP Fund for Girls, please include the phrase "LMP Fund" in the gift comments section. Make a gift NOW and honor a woman in your life with a gift.
| |
|
Free Season Refuge Programs
Following the new protocol for free Winter Refuge Programs, staff and volunteers are offering a revolving schedule of programs through April 16. The schedule changes weekly according to staffing availability. All programs take place outdoors with a limit of 10 participants. Please wear a mask when unable to maintain a safe distance of six feet from one another.
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 3: Birding the Refuge Tour, 8:30 a.m. check
- Today, March 3, Mindfulness Walk at Bailey Tract, 8:30 a.m.
- Today, March 3: Bailey Tract Walk, 9:30 a.m.
- Today, March 3: Gators & Crocs Talk, 1:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 4: Indigo Trail Tour, 9:30 a.m.
- Friday, March 4: Birds of the Refuge Walk, 1:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 5, Biking the Refuge Tour, 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, March 5: Beach Exploration, 10 a.m.
- Saturday, March 5: Birds of the Refuge Talk, 1:30 p.m.
- Sunday, March 6: Florida Manatee Talk, 1:30 p.m.
- Monday, March 7: Beach Walk, 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 8, Advanced Birding the Refuge Tour, 8:30 a.m.
Photograph: Volunteer Sandy Greenbaum leads Bailey Tract walks most Thursday mornings.
| | |
Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts. | |
|
Citizen Science: Report Horseshoe Crabs
It’s almost spring and that means peak mating season for horseshoe crabs. Help biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gather valuable information about these ancient creatures by reporting sightings on the online survey.
Reporting horseshoe crab sightings provides valuable information about habitat use, population distribution, and environmental conditions for nesting. Although horseshoe crabs have existed for more than 450 million years, scientists are still learning about READ MORE
| |
Memorial & Honor Gifts
Donors made these gifts to DDWS in honor and memory of friends and families during February 2022. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation here.
| | |
|
Retail Help Needed
The “Ding” Darling Nature Store team is looking for a new member. We are seeking an individual for a part-time, paid role, someone who will head our 2250 Periwinkle Way location for two days a week. Currently the biggest need is for Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Preferably, this will be a year-round position, however, we are flexible and can adjust the schedule to better suit a qualified individual. The staffer might also cover the flagship location inside the Visitor & Education Center at the Refuge on an as-needed basis. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the “Ding” team in a creative, hands-on role, please email Chris Galloway or call the store at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for details.
| |  |
|
Lori Lawrence Art Exhibition
Art exhibitions have returned to the auditorium in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center. Now underway through April, we feature the nature art of upstate New York artist Lori Lawrence. Face masks are required in the Center at all times. Below is the schedule of upcoming exhibitions.
Lori’s artist statement: “Throughout my career as an artist, I have roamed between figurative and abstract expression. This has always seemed natural for me. Movement, line, color, and love of whatever media I am working with are always present in my work. For me personally, it is so important to present the glory not the destruction. At this time even more than before, it feels like a calling out that is urgent.”
Schedule of upcoming exhibitions:
- Lori Lawrence Art Exhibition – Through April 30, 2022
- Jim Bennight Photography Exhibition - May 1-June 30, 2022
- 2022 Artist in Residence (TBA) Exhibition - September 1 to October 31, 2022
- Niki Butcher Art Exhibition - November 15-December 31, 2022 (sponsored by Wayne & Linda Boyd)
| | |
|
Refuge Spotlight - America's Best Kept Secret
In each issue of “Ding” on the Wing, we showcase one of the nearly 570 refuges across the U.S.A.
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Location: 37,515 acres between Parker and Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Totemic fauna: Yuma Clapper Rail, Razorback Sucker, Desert Bighorn Sheep
Visitor tips: Visitors to the refuge enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, wildlife observation and photography. Admission is free.
Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
| |
|
GOING GREEN
Go Truly Green for St. Paddy’s Day
Plastic beads, derbies, and “Kiss Me I’m Irish” buttons: They are ubiquitous tokens of celebrating the green on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a good time to remember the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” mantra to keep our planet green. Pack away decorations and novelties for use next year – no one will remember them after a year’s time. Skip the plastic cups for your green beer, Irish whiskey, and other beverages. Reusable cups and bottles will keep your drinks colder and your Earth greener.
| | |
|
|
A Mangrove Cuckoo has been spotted hanging around Indigo Trail's Wildlife Education Boardwalk and toll booth. Like other cuckoos, the secretive Mangrove Cuckoo is a quiet and still presence as it watches for insects and small lizard prey. This slender, long-tailed bird nests in tangled mangrove forests of southern Florida; in its large Caribbean and Latin American range it occurs in lowland and foothill rainforests as well.
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. | |
Upcoming Events
2022 Lecture Series – Through March 25, 2022
2022 Virtual Film Series – Through April 13, 2022
Free Refuge Programs – Through April 16, 2022
Lori Lawrence Art Exhibition – Through April 30, 2022
Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash - March 31, 2022
April No-Foolin’ Volunteer Appreciation Drive-Through - April 1, 2022
“Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival @ Lakes Park – April 24, 2022
Jim Bennight Photography Exhibition - May 1-June 30, 2022
10th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament – May 13, 2022
Free Summer Refuge Programs – June 12-August 7, 2022
Artist in Residence Exhibition - September 1 to October 31, 2022
Niki Butcher Art Exhibition - November 15-December 31, 2022 (sponsored by Wayne & Linda Boyd)
| |
|
These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website to learn more!
Sincerely,
Birgit Miller, Executive Director
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by Christina Hester and Hayley Caylor.
| |
|
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
| | | | |
