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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
December 6
, 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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We WON! Click
HERE to read more about the nations best restroom
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We're in the holiday spirit!
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Special lectures and free
refreshments will be highlights of the Refuge Nature Store's Shop "Ding" holiday event in the Visitor &
Education Center,
hosted by the
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society on Thursday, December 13,
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Charles LeBuff and Betty Anholt will debut their new book and present
two special lectures that day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with book-signings to follow.
Their Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story releases earlier this month and will be available for purchase and a special offer that day
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The Store will offer a special discount on this new book that day only, along with other exclusive buys.
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READ MORE
Click HERE for a flyer.
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Island authors Betty Anholt and Charles LeBuff will present two lectures that day.
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Clockwise from top left: Mike Baldwin, Bill Valerian, Wendy Kindig, Sarah Ashton
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Annual Meeting Elections
The DDWS Board of Directors welcomed two new members at its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, December 5: David Jeffrey and Dick Levinson
. The membership reelected
incumbent director Sarah Ashton.
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New board member David Jeffrey
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The Board also reelected a slate of officers for 2019: President Mike Baldwin, Vice President Sarah Ashton, Secretary Wendy Kindig, and Treasurer Bill Valerian.
To read the 2017/2018 Annual Report, please click
here
.
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Society Founder Award
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| (L to R) Jim Sprankle and Board President Mike Baldwin |
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DDWS presented a Founder Award, in its second year of existence, to Jim Sprankle at the annual meeting. The award goes to individuals who have made a vital contribution to the success of the Society. Past recipients include Millie Ford, Marilyn Kloosterman, Bill Rankin, and Jeanne Rankin. Those selected as a Society Founder are recognized with their name on a wall plaque specifically designed for this purpose and displayed in the Society's offices.
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High School Water Testing Field Trip
Thanks to grant funding from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, 42 students from Cape Coral High School visited the Refuge last week to work on a water quality  testing project. They are analyzing water sample
s from Wulfert Key and the Wildlife Education Boardwalk for pH, nitrates, salinity, and other indicators. The Refuge education team will be further developing water quality field trip curriculum for future school groups, with the help of resident volunteers Dr. Jerry and Melinda Sweeten. To support the Refuge education efforts, click HERE to make a gift.
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Now, as the year winds down, is the time to start planning for charitable deductions on your 2018 income taxes.
New tax laws make it even more lucrative for persons ages 70-1/2 and older to make contributions
.
Your contributions to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society support our new water quality studies, wildlife conservation, and the opportunity to educate future generations on the importance of preserving planet Earth. Click
HERE
to read our latest appeal.
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The seventh annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series kicks off its biweekly showings this winter with a schedule of seven films that explore natural facets from plastic pollution and pythons to sea turtles and Jane Goodall. The series runs January 9 through April 3.
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society hosts the free film showings in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center with sponsorship from
Sanibel-Captiva Beach Resorts
.
Seating is limited and on a first come basis.
Click
HERE
for more information.
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Refuge Mowing
Due to equipment breakdowns and under-staffing as a result of budget cuts, the Refuge has scaled back mowing and trimming along Wildlife Drive. "Some areas are intentionally being allowed to regrow to provide habitat for pollinators or cover for other wildlife, but most traditional 'windows' are just behind schedule due to insufficient staffing and equipment availability," said Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik. He pointed out that in 2008, the Refuge had a $3M budget with 22 permanent staff members. That has been slashed to the current $1.3M budget and 10 permanent staff members. "We are doing the best we can," he added.
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society works to support the Refuge where government funding fall short. To make a gift to support the work at the Refuge, click HERE
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Registration opened Monday for the
2019 "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament. The field of 55 boats has been filled for the tournament, which takes place on May 3. To be placed on a waiting list, please call 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
Since the tournament pays out 100% of registration fees in prizes, it supports the Refuge projects entirely through sponsorships. To become a tournament sponsor, please contact
Birgie Miller at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.
Thanks to those sponsors who have already stepped up to make this another stellar event.
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CURRENT STARTING POSITION SPONSOR:
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New Resident Volunteers
Since late September, seasonal resident volunteers have been arriving from points across the U.S. to stay and work at the Refuge. This week, the Refuge welcomes first-time resident volunteers
Carl and Sandy Greenbaum
. They will be presenting interpretive programs and leading nature tours throughout their stay until mid-April.
The Greenbaums, who hail from Boston originally, have been volunteering across America for 12 years, the last eight living full-time in their RV. In their previous lives, Sandy worked as an educator and Carl for 30 years as an engineering manager for a non-profit technology company.
"Our favorite place is the one we're at, so right now it's 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge," said Carl. "Some of our past favorites are Grand Teton National Park, Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and our very first position at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge."
"We love everything about 'Ding,' but particularly the birding and the award-winning bathrooms," said Sandy.
Returning resident volunteers include Bob and Joan Gonzer, Ken and Louann Gum (who will arrive later this month), Ron and Mary Horney, and Jack and Patty Wettstein. Resident volunteers put in hours at the Refuge in exchange for space and utilities to accommodate their RV homes.
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Tasteful Bling for Holiday Giving
Our newest jewelry is not only attractive, but also environmentally responsible. Both the recycle
d glass and Metal Monk lines re-purpose materials to create necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The recycled glass pieces evoke the sea, while the Metal Monk items boast a Victorian aesthetic.
Stop in to pick up your holiday gifts today, or contact Store Manager
Ann-MarieWild
man
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information on ship
ping
. Click
here
to view a gallery of other available gifts at the Nature Store.
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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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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Image courtesy of Aric Crabb |
Location: Sonoma, California (13,190 acres)
Totemic fauna: Canvasback, Ridgway's Rail, Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse
Fun for the Family
:The Skaggs Island Bicycle Ride in May provides an opportunity to explore this former top-secret naval communications site, which is normally closed to the public.
Visitor's tip:
The Tolay Creek Tubbs Island Trail provides public access. Docent-led walks to the Sears Point tidal marsh restoration area are available on Saturdays.
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| Canvasback by Greg Block |
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| Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse by B. Moore Peterson |
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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
Home Heating
As temperatures dip this winter, follow the advice of local power company
LCEC
for heating your home most efficiently: "Heating is the most intense use of electric energy in the average home and is the most expensive electric appliance. Since heating can cost two to three times more than cooling, save by using heating blankets or small portable space heaters to heat only the rooms that you are occupying. LCEC recommends setting the thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit when heating the home."
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
An immature Roseate Spoonbill courtesy of new Board Member David Jeffrey. The Spoonbills have been all over Wildlife Drive and the Indigo Trail recently.
T
o see more wildlife photos like this one, 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 Development Officer,
Sierra Hoisington, for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.
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Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
Free Winter Programs
- January 7-May 5, 2019
Woodring Homestead 100th Anniversary Exhibit Unveiling
- January 23, 2019
Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibit - January 23-March 25, 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 Christopher Gutierrez & April Boehnen.
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