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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
May 31, 2018
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Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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Click the logo to learn more about our 45/82 Society and leaving "Ding" Darling in your estate.
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Bailey Tract Restoration
The Refuge will be closing the Bailey Tract for four to six weeks starting on the afternoon of Sunday, June 3, 2018. The closure is for a planned hydrologic restoration project, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), commencing on the morning of June 4. To avoid public safety concerns, the Bailey Tract will be closed to all public access for the duration of the restoration project. In response to public input received by the Refuge, parts of the planned restoration have been modified to leave a part of Ani Pond open and keep READ MORE
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Mangrove Cuckoo Study to Expand
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Researchers most recently tagged a Mangrove Cuckoo trapped at the Refuge Cross Dike in February.
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The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society provides monetary support for the Refuge Mangrove Cuckoo Study to help Refuge managers determine the best ways to manage the species, whose numbers have been steadily declining. The Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) uses lightweight, state-of-the-art satellite transmitters to track cuckoos tagged at the Refuge. ARCI has proposed the addition of four transmitters to the one currently tracking a cuckoo.
Total cost for the transmitters and monitoring data is $9,000 per bird. Anyone interested in making a donation toward the purchase of the four new satellite transmitters should please contact Sarah Lathrop at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
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FREE Summer Programs
Wildlife Wonders talks, weekly walks, and nature crafts highlight the free summer programs to be offered June 6 through August 6, 2018, at the Refuge. Summer programming is made possible by support from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society READ MORE
Click HERE for a summer programs flyer.
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World Ocean's Day at the Refuge
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Come to World Oceans Day to see and learn more about this student-created leatherback turtle sculpture made from coastal trash that will be on display in the Visitor and Education Center this summer.
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Take a guided beach walk for free, watch free films, and
take advantage of
free upcycled crafts, Nature Store
specials, and hand-outs at World Oceans Day at the
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The first 50 attendees seated for the 11 a.m. showing of the film STRAWS receive a free reusable stainless steel straw.
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Refuge on Friday, June 8. High
lights of the special event include earth-friendly, upcycled crafts to take home and a ranger-led Beach
Walk and Clean-up at the Refuge's Perry Tract, accessible from Gulfside City Park. All clean-up participants receive a 10 percent discount coupon
New addition!
One more perk to visiting the Refuge on World Oceans Day: Tarpon Bay Explorers is offering a 25% discount on its Nature & SeaLife Cruise. Just mention World Oceans Day to receive the discount. Cruises start at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. that day. Reservations are recommended at 239-472-8900.
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Grant Class Report
Refuge Conservation Education Sara Hallas (blue shirt) was among a DDWS Environmental Education Committee team who recently visited Neil Armstrong Elementary in Port Charlotte to admire students' progress on a gardening project funded by a DDWS teachers conservation grant this school year.
"The students helped design, plan and decide what vegetables and fruit they wanted to grow," Sara reports. "The students and teachers learned a lot during the process as well. They found that they needed to add net to keep the birds out, they needed stakes for support and a proper way to harvest rain using the rain barrels. All in all, this environmental project is a success and I am so glad my team and I were able to visit and see what they have accomplished." To learn more about the teacher grant program, click HERE
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Tarpon photo taken at this year's tourney, courtesy of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
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DDWS raised $120,000 from tournament sponsorships, silent auction and donations this year. Proceeds will all go toward conservation efforts at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Over the last seven years since the tournament began, $450,000 has been raised to support the Refuge in the areas of water quality; wildlife research; land acquisition and restoration and education.
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Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors who make the tournament a valuable fundraiser for conservation:
TITLE Sponsor
CHAMPION Sponsors
PREMIERE Sponsors
To see our entire list of sponsors click
HERE
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Advocacy in Motion: Eden Oak
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Advocacy Committee was prepared to attend the hearing on the Eden Oak Preserve development. The development intends to construct 55 single-family homes and 55 boat slips in 36 acres of land that is currently designated coastal mangrove wetlands, located right next to Shell Point Retirement Community. The developer requested a continuance of the hearing, and it has been postponed until September 25. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, along with SCCF and other concerned conservation organizations, plans on attending the hearing on this new date and will be vocal in our concerns.
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Biology Intern Report
Written by Tayelor Gosselin before her departure this spring
Born and raised in Maine, I was not overly familiar with having alligators in my backyard or manatees and dolphins out in a bay of bath temperature water. Nor did I ever expect that I would be spending eight months in an area where these animals are as common as our Black-capped Chickadees. But lo and behold, that is exactly what happened, and I couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunity given to me.
During my time as a Refuge biology intern, working for Senior Biologist Jeremy Conrad, I was exposed to an entirely different way of life in an area distinctly diverse from what I would consider "normal." My days always gave me something new and interesting to work on and learn, whether it was scoping and marking Gopher Tortoise burrows, spending countless hours in the mangroves studying vertical land movement and sea level rise, helping FWC with a manatee rescue, conducting wading and shorebird surveys, or assisting SCCF with their winter shorebird surveys, oyster reef restoration project, and sea turtle walks.
I believe this internship helped me grow in numerous ways. For starters, I developed a deeper appreciation and interest in birds and refined my birding abilities by leaps and bounds. This was one of my main interests/goals when applying for the position, as this Refuge is dedicated to the conservation and research of bird species. In addition, I learned more about the role refuges play in educating and working with the public to further conservation and management goals. My experiences while working here have helped me to grow as a wildlife biologist, and I look forward to using what I've learned in graduate school and beyond.
I would like to thank the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society for helping young professionals like me to have this opportunity to grow. I would also like to thank those who donate to the Society. Without you there would be no funding for the Refuge to offer several different internship positions here. Thanks for everything, Sanibel!
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Wireless Upgrade
 The Visitor & Education Center recently upgraded to Comcast internet. The upgraded internet will improve the overall quality and dependability of the live observation tower camera feed, both in the center and online at dingdarlingsociety.com. Camera feed continues to work even when the Center's internet is down. The upgrades also provide the possibility for DDWS to expand and improve the usage of WiFi in the center at a later date.
The Live Refuge Cam, made possible by donations from the Gardner Families, broadcasts live feed throughout daylight hours. Click HERE to view the live cam.
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Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and Refuge staff (including former "Ding" Deputy Refuge Manager Joyce Palmer - second row, second from the left) visited the Refuge recently for a retreat. DDWS and Refuge staff and volunteers met up with them for dinner at a local restaurant.
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'Ding' Darling Days: Celebrating 30 Years
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On Saturday, visitors have a chance to meet and greet current Federal Duck Stamp winner Bob Hautman, one of the three famous duck stamp artists to have won multiple times. |
Mark your calendars for
October 12-14
, the dates for this year's
30
th annual"Ding" Darling Days
at the Refuge. "Because of increasing budget cuts and staff reductions, we are shortening this year's eco-festival from one week to three weekend days," reports Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland.
The weekend kicks off with Friday's Get Outdoors Day, followed by Saturday's traditional Conservation Art Day. Sunday Family Fun Day will crown the weekend with all-free activities for kids and adults and a celebration of "Ding" Days 30
th
year.
Click
HERE
to learn how you can help make this event possible.
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Website Privacy Policy
We value your privacy and are committed to safeguarding your information. In line with the requirements of the new data privacy law, we have updated our Privacy and Cookie Policy, effective May 25, 2018. Click here to review our policies.
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Smart Lamps
With the onset of hurricane season this week and a tropical storm already behind us, it's time to start gathering supplies. This LuminAID solar-charged, inflatable, and waterproof lamp not only lights your way for many hours after the power goes out, it can charge your phones and devices.
The indispensable lamps come in two sizes: $24.95 for the PackLite Nova with 75 lumens and micro input, or $48.95 for the Max model with 150 lumens and USB port. They are also handy for camping and boating, plus they will float in the pool for mood lighting.
Stop in and pick up your solar lamps today. Or contact Store Manager Jeanne Walsh at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about mail-ordering these and other featured products.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
Location:
28,751 acres; Baring, Maine
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Totemic fauna:
Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, American Black Duck
Fun for the Family
: Typical activities include hunting, fishing, photography, and wildlife viewing.
Visitor's tip:
Be prepared for biting insects in spring and summer and below-zero temperatures in winter. One-third of the refuge is designated wilderness area.
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In each issue of "Ding" of the Wing, we share a quick tip on how you can turn your lifestyle greener. For more information on being environmentally aware, visit our Go Green web page.
Beware the Big 4!
Start your path to plastic-free with these four environmental culprits.
Did you know that the Refuge Nature Store sells reusable and earth-friendly alternatives to all four?
1. Coffee Cups 2. Straws 3. Bottles 4. Bags
Reduce Plastic in Your Life
"Ding" Darling is committed to and has led the way on the islands in reducing the single-use plastic products that plague our planet and threaten wildlife. Thanks to DDWS' efforts, we have eliminated plastic shopping bags and one-time-use plastic water bottles in the Refuge Nature Store and at Tarpon Bay Explorers' gift shop. In recent years, the Refuge has also installed a filtered water refill station and transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
Successful parents yield successful offspring here at "Ding" Darling. Early summer is always a fun time, because those weeks of incubation have finally paid off for our feathered friends. Walk out to the
Wildlife Education Boardwalk
nowadays, and if you look carefully, you may be able to see many different adorable little chicks.
Three
Green Heron
chicks sit perched in their nest waiting for the
arrival of food.
Thanks to Jim
Bennight
for the photo.
As the days pass by, the
Green Heron chicks are growing older, stronger, and more adventurous. This chick on the left is exploring more of the branches surrounding its nest.
Thanks to Business Office Manager, Joann Hinman, for this photo.
Reach higher! These cute little
Anhinga chicks are also getting involved in the feeding. Nothing tastes better than regurgitated fish.
Thanks to Janet Kirk for the photo.
T
o see more wildlife photos like these, click on our social media links:
If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to
Sierra Hoisington for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
2019 Friday Lecture Series - January 25-April 19, 2019
Volunteer Awards Luncheon - February 8, 2019
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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 Sierra Hoisington.
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