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Tips for Attending Lectures
The free "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series has become increasingly popular. Because we want to keep the lectures admission-free and we are restricted by the fire department to the number of seats we can fill, the lectures often reach their capacity quickly. We have tried various strategies for easing the frustration of people we are unable to seat. This year, we try a new strategy using wristbands.
We have also compiled
TIPS
to help.
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February 24:
Join a free guided bike tour, play wildlife trivia games, watch a free film, and take advantage of Refuge Nature Store specials during
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TOMORROW:
'Improbable Tales' of Florida
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Jeff Klinkenberg
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Jeff Klinkenberg engaged a professional symphony orchestra tuba player to determine whether bull gators, during mating season, would respond with thunderous bellows to a low B-flat note; thus the name of on of his books,
Alligator in B Flat
. The award-winning journalist will present two programs beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, February 21, in the admission-free "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center. Subtitled "Improbable Tales from the Files of Real Florida," Klinkenberg's collection of essays covering all facets of life in Florida were culled from nearly 40 years as a chronicler of Florida culture for the
Tampa Bay Times
, formerly the
St. Petersburg Times
. In 2018, his latest book,
Son of Real Florida: Stories from My Life
published. "Nobody writes about the real Florida with as much READ MORE
This year's series is part of the Refuge's
75th anniversary celebration activities.
Thank you to our co-sponsors of the free 12-lecture series with support from DDWS.
See lecture tips
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Friday, February 28: Panther Survival Lecture
 The cast of characters in
Cat Tale
includes a grizzled Texas puma hunter who decides he likes his prey better than the sheep he was hired to protect; a pioneering female scientist who once gave a dying panther mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; a museum employee who became known as "the Scat Lady;" a native American tribal chief who killed a panther and ate its heart; and the fabled, fragrant Skunk Ape. The book's author, Craig Pittman, will present two programs beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, February 28, in the READ MORE
NOTE: Pittman will also be speaking about two of his other books, which will be for sale in the Refuge Nature Store:
The Scent of Scandal and
Oh, Florida.
Can't make it to a lecture? Watch it in real time or at any time after the lecture on Facebook Live.
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Go Wild Raises Nearly $315K for Refuge Education!
See the Video shown at Go Wild about the importance of supporting conservation education:
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Support Conservation Education at "Ding"
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Polished or matte finish, from 16- to 25-ounce capacity, solid colors or vibrant scenes and patterns: There is a Corkcicle for everyone! Perfect for that early morning coffee or tea before birding at the Refuge, the classic tumbler features a BPA-free plastic lid with a sliding tab closure to keep drinks from splashing out. The new sport canteen with 20-ounce capacity, a folding handle, and flip-up straw tip is perfectly suited for staying hydrated on the bike trail. For max capacity, the 25-ounce canteen will keep your favorite beverage close at hand all day long. Made with stainless steel and triple insulated, all canteens feature ice-friendly openings. They will keep cold drinks cold for 25 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours.
Stop in the store today or contact Nature Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about mail-ordering store products. Visit our
online store for convenient ordering of some of our most popular items.
Remember, members of "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society receive a 10% discount at the Nature Store. Profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Thank you to our generous sponsors and all of our fabulous supporters!
Click
HERE for additional photos from the event:
Call of the Wild Sponsor
Champion Level Sponsors
Guardian Level Sponsors
Protector Level Sponsors
Defender Level Sponsors
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Douglas Brinkley
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Renowned American historian Douglas Brinkley has honored the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society with an offer to speak during his upcoming visit to Sanibel Island. DDWS will host a lecture and lunch with Brinkley on
Sunday, March 15, at 12 p.m. at The Sanctuary Clubhouse. The author will speak about this latest book,
American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race,
and will touch upon his work-in-progress,
Silent Spring Revolution
. The latter book brings to light environmental heroes of the early 1960s, including Rachel Carson, President Kennedy, and Stewart Udall. Only 100 tickets for the lunch event are available at $75 each. Contact READ MORE
Reservations are required
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Ed Anderson took inspiration from Roseate Spoonbills, the Refuge's official 75th anniversary birds, during his "residency."
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Idaho wildlife artist
Ed Anderson kicked off the Refuge's
75th Anniversary Celebration last summer with an eight-week
artist "in residence" educational program, where he gathered inspiration during daily visits to the Refuge. The results of that inspiration-- about a dozen paintings and art journal entries -- will go on exhibit in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium
February 25 through April 24, 2020.
The exhibition opens on February 25 at 9 a.m. with
a reception featuring refreshments and an artist appearance that will include a "live paint" performance. Admission to the exhibition is free
READ MORE
Thanks to the sponsor of the Artist "in Residence:"
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 ADVOCACY IN ACTION
An Update on Climate Change
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
According to
a 2018 report
issued by the U.S. government, as a result of global warming
we can expect to experience a range of effects including continually rising tidal levels, stronger hurricanes, and, since they are driven in part by warmer water, more harmful algal blooms. All these effects will adversely impact the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
In February, the Captiva Island Yacht Club's environmental committee hosted a presentation and discussion on climate change led by READ MORE
In case you missed it: Florida Senate Bill 178, which would keep state-financed builders out of coastal areas unless they first conduct sea level impact projection, is beginning to face opposition. SEE MORE .
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Refuge at Chamber Business Lunch
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Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland talked about the
Refuge's 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce lunch last week. She showed some never-before-seen "Ding" artifacts, including a refuge sign Darling himself made in his garage.
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Toni brought along Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand (left) and "Ding" Darling reprisor Tom Milligan to the Chamber Lunch. Teddy presented Tarpon Bay Explorers' Wendy Schnapp and Adam Sauerland with a Teddy bear for their good work in getting people outdoors as the Refuge's recreation concession.
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'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.
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Moose |
Location: Near Caswell, Maine
Totemic Flora & Fauna: Moose, Upland Sandpiper, Snowshoe Hare
Visitor's Tips: Begin your visit with a trip to headquarters to learn about more than 13 miles of foot trails for wildlife viewing and the auto tour route.
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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.
Responsible Beaching
As the weather in Southwest Florida turns ideal for a day at the beach, keep in mind these five guidelines for keeping green along the shoreline:
1.
Pack in, pack out: Remove all belongings you brought with you.
2.
Pick up trash: Go the extra step and carry out trash you find at the beach, even if it doesn't belong to you.
3.
Drink responsibly: Take your beverages to the beach in reusable containers and forget the straw.
4.
Pet control: Keep pets on a leash to minimize impact on wildlife, and clean up after them.
5.
Mind your snacks: Do not feed birds on the beach and secure food so those crafty seagulls can't steal it.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
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| Photo credit: Rebecca Clemens |
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"Hear ye, hear ye:
Roseate Spoonbills have been spotted at 'Ding'. Come out to the Refuge to enjoy Wildlife Drive and possibly see some Spoonies."
T
o see more wildlife photos click on our social media links:
If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos at the Refuge, send them to Development Officer
Sierra Hoisington
, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Global Recycling Day - March 18, 2020
Spring Migratory Sale at Nature Store - April 15, 2020
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2020
Endangered Species Day at the Refuge
- May 15, 2020
75th Anniversary "Ding:" The Man, The Art, The Stories Exhibition Opening
- October 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Holiday Shopping Night - November 30, 2020
Official 75th
Anniversary Celebration
- December 1, 2020
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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 April Arthur & April Boehnen.
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