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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
May 3, 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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Trivia Thursday
Who do you think is the loudest reptile on the Refuge?
Find the answer in this newsletter.
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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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News from the Mangrove Cuckoo Study
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| The "Cross Dike" cuckoo was tagged in February. |
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Dr. Kenneth Meyer, Executive Director of the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) conducting Mangrove Cuckoo research at "Ding" Darling, reported last week: "We recently received our most important results to date. Cross Dike, the fourth and final Mangrove Cuckoo we tagged with a donated transmitter (last February, as a wintering bird) made a sudden move northeastward on a track similar to that taken by Indigo East two years READ MORE
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Farewell, Amanda
Intern Amanda Brooks will be clocking in for her last
day at "Ding" Darling on May 11. She has accepted a
position as news reporter and digital editor for the Champlain Valley News Group in Vermont. "In the short time Amanda was with us, she proved invaluable for her photography, design, and writing skills," said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. "We will miss her, but wish her all the best in her new position." Amanda joined the DDWS staff in fall 2017.
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Refuge Accepting YCC Applications
The Refuge is hiring three high school students for its annual
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
summer program to assist with maintenance and visitor services. Deadline for applications is 4 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018.
Required participation for the YCC Program: June 11 -August 3, 2018.
Compensation: $9 per hour
Work hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Sierra Moves Up!
Senior Intern Sierra Hoisington recently joined the DDWS staff in a fulltime capacity.
Sierra, a graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries biology, began in the position of DDWS intern in fall 2016. "Sierra has become a crucial part of the 'Ding' team during the past couple of years, and we are so happy she has decided to stick with us," said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. Congratulations, Sierra!
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Susan Trokey Retiring
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Susan Trokey (right) signs land acquisition papers with Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik and then-President Doris Hardy in February 2017.
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Susan Trokey started working for the Refuge in 1998 as a volunteer and serves now
as Regional Land Acquisitions Officer for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She has been instrumental in negotiating past Refuge land acquisitions. Susan recently tendered her resignation and has asked that, in lieu of gifts, friends make donations in her name towards future Refuge land acquisitions. To do so, click
here
and select Honorarium. Name Susan as honoree and in the notes or gift comments field indicate that your donation goes toward land acquisitions.
A big thanks to Susan for all her great service and for this generous and fitting farewell gesture.
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'Ding' on the Wing Goes Biweekly
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Thank You Tarpon Tourney Sponsors!
Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors who make the tournament a valuable fundraiser for the Refuge each year:
TITLE
CHAMPION Sponsors
PREMIERE Sponsors
PRESENTING Sponsors
PLATINUM Sponsors
GOLD Sponsors
   
SILVER Sponsors
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ADVOCACY IN MOTION
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The Refuge Association's Geoff Haskett and Desiree Sorenson-Groves with DDWS Advocacy Committee co-chairs Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler (right) in Washington
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by Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
On April 27, 2018 Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler, co-chairs of the DDWS Advocacy Committee, attended a quarterly meeting of the Everglades Coalition (EVCO). The agenda item of most interest to the Refuge was the discussion of the recent America's Everglades Summit. The discussion was led by Shannon Estenoz, Chief Operating Officer of the Everglades Foundation, the organization that sponsored the event. Several U.S. senators, including Florida's Rubio and Nelson, along with many U.S. congressmen, including Francis Rooney, spoke at the summit about the criticality of restoring the Everglades, Estenoz said. She also discussed the ongoing evaluation of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Feasibility Study that the Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking. It is important that the Corps finish its evaluation quickly so that funding for the project can be included in the 2018 Water Resources Development Act, Estenoz said.
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DDWS-Lehigh Acres Middle School Partnership
As a result of our annual Teachers Conservation Grants, 2015 and 2016 grant winner Michelle Start from Lehigh Acres Middle School has engaged the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Education Committee in a partnership to develop the school's STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curriculum initiative. "Right now our role is small, as the school rolls out the curriculum in phases," Committee Chair Wendy Kindig reported at a recent DDWS Board meeting. "But we've made ourselves available for meetings and projects coming up."
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Save the bees! Our display of bee products continues to grow. The newest addition, Root Candles has been supporting the beekeeping community since 1869. Proceeds from the sale of the candles benefit Project Apis m and its mission to support research on honey bee colonies.
Stop in and pick up your bee products today. Or contact Store Manager
Jeanne Walsh
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about mail-ordering these and other
featured products
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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.
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Snow Geese, images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
Location:
15,934 acres, Pingree, North Dakota
Totemic fauna:
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Fun for the Family
:
The refuge boasts a 5.5 mile auto tour and observation tower. Two blinds are available (call for reservations) for observation of the dancing Sharp-tailed Grouse from late March through early May.
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Thirteen species of ducks and geese use the refuge for breeding.
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Visitor's tip:
During spring and fall migrations, 100,000 waterfowl may be on the refuge. The "potholes" in this grassland environment are vital for migrating birds.
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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
Ten Ways to "Unpackage" Your Life
1. Bring Your Own Bag
2. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle
3. Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
4. Bring Your Own Cup
5. Slow Down and Dine In
6. Say NO to Straws or Bring Your Own
7. Avoid Heavily Packaged Foods
8. Bring Your Own Container and Utensils
9. Use No Bag or a Fabric Bag to Carry Produce and Other Grocery Items
10. Communicate: Let your friends and family know what you're doing and help them get involved. You'll be surprised how powerful leading by example can be.
Write letters to companies that over-package and tell them you're concerned about this issue.
Read more at the EPA's Trash-Free Waters web site.
Doing Our Part to Reduce Plastic
"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 DDWS has transitioned to compostable plates, cups, and flatware for event use. We have a no-straws policy.
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Click
here to see this week's wildlife sightings
As spring pushes forward, we have more opportunities to observed proud parents as they incubate and raise their young. Below are a few pictures that were taken at the right place at the right time.
A nest along the Wildlife Education Boardwalk now has three beautiful blue eggs in it. A
proud Green Heron
mom carefully watches over the eggs.
Thanks to Conservation Educator, Sara Hallas, for the photo.
On the right, an
American Alligator mom watches the waters to make sure
her babies are safe. This photo was also taken along the Wildlife
Education Boardwalk.
Trivia answer:
The American Alligator
is one of the most vocal reptiles in the world. Although they do not have vocal cords, they bellow loudly by sucking air into their lungs and then blowing it out in
different roars.
Thanks to Janet Kirk for the photo.
To see a female alligator on the Refuge bellowing
for her offspring, click
HERE.
This video was taken during a field trip with our Conservation Educator. It was an incredible wildlife sighting for school children who were bused to the Refuge through funding from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society.
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, click on our social media links:
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
2019 Friday Lecture Series
- January 25-April 19, 201
9
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 and Amanda Brooks
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