|
|
|
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
October 18, 2018
|
|
| |
|
|
Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
|
|
|
Click the logo to learn more about our 45/82 Society and leaving "Ding" Darling in your estate.
|
|
|
|
LeBuff-Anholt Special Lecture
|
|
|
Charles Lebuff & Betty Anholt
|
Authors Charles LeBuff and Betty Anholt will debut their new collaborative historic work at two free special lecturesat the Refuge Visitor & Education Center on
Thursday, December 13
. Their slide presentations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. will cover highlights of their book
Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story
, which releases earlier that month. A book-signing with the authors will follow both lectures. Their book will be available for READ MORE
|
Land Acquisition Project: Are you a Lee County Resident or Property Owner?
We need your help.
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) has been working behind the scenes to find ways to acquire 68 acres along Wulfert Road and San-Cap Road, which have been approved for development by the City of Sanibel. The DDWS currently has an option to purchase this land to delay the development, but time is of the essence. If this acquisition can work, it will ultimately be a partnership with the DDWS, Lee County and the Refuge.
It recently passed the Conservation Land Acquisition & Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC). This is the step necessary to move the property forward for consideration by the Lee County Commissioners for acquisition using Lee County 20/20 funds. We anticipate this is going in front of the commissioners for a vote in November.
If you are a Lee County resident and/or property owner, you can help in these efforts by contacting the Lee County Commissioners and sharing with them how important protecting these 68 acres are to you and to the island community for conservation and water quality. Click HERE to send a letter that you can edit to urge the commissioners to support the acquisition of this important parcel of land.
|
|
Teacher Grant Deadline
 |
|
|
Refuge educators visit the grant-funded "Hydroponic Community Garden"project at the Neil Armstrong Elementary in Port Charlotte last school year.
|
Deadline for the 13th annual DDWS Teacher Conservation Grants is October 31. Up to $10,000 in grant awards are available to districts, schools, and individual teachers in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties this school year for conservation education-related projects.
Teachers in the three-county area may apply for grants up to $1,000 each to fund new classroom science projects, promote stewardship, purchase teaching aids, acquire classroom materials, and conduct work projects in their community or beyond. This year, two grants up to $3,000 are also available to school- and district-wide projects. All applicants are invited to submit READ MORE
|
|
|
|
| Frank Brinker of Oberageri, Switzerland, won first place for his Great Blue Heron portrait titled "Shakin'" |
|
'Ding' Days Photo Contest Winners
On Saturday, October 13, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society announced the winners of its annual "Ding" Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest at a special Conservation Art Day presentation. Earlier, on September 28, judges had selected three winners and 11 honorable mentions out of 121 entries from 20 states, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. All photograph entries were READ MORE
Click here
to see a slide show of the 14 top placers in the contest.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to LCEC for a generous grant to support Boy Scout Badge University
|
|
Boy Scout Badge University
|
|
|
Local Boy Scouts presented the flag raising ceremony at Sunday's family fun day |
On November 17, the Refuge and "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society will host their first Merit Badge University for registered Boy Scouts of America. Scouts will have the opportunity to earn up to two out of six badges being offered that day. Cost is $20 for up to two classes, lunch, goodies, snacks, badge workbooks, take home project materials and other items. Each class is limited to 15 scouts on a first-signup basis for a total of 90 scouts.
Only a few spaces remain, so register today
at 239-472-1100 ext. 237. Click
here
to view the program's flyer.
|
'Ding' Days: A
Bang-Up Weekend
The 30th annual "Ding" Darling Days filled the weekend with opportunities to get outside, get artsy, and get entertained. We celebrated the 142
nd
birthday of our namesake,
Jay N. Darling
. We applauded the fine art of duck stamp contest winners, who continue the
federal conservation program
Darling started in 1934. We entertained families while teaching them about wildlife and its importance. We hiked and biked the Refuge, heard live
musicians, watched puppet shows, tried out Animal Yoga, shot bows-and-arrows, and made recycled crafts. Thanks to all who attended our three days of eco-festivities and particularly to our partners,
Tarpon Bay Explorers
and our generous
sponsors
, listed below.
Deep gratitude goes to our 2018 sponsors, who make it possible to offer this educational event free to the public.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL SPONSOR
GREAT EGRET SPONSORS
GREAT BLUE HERON SPONSORS
|
|
|
| Chicago Midwest Claims, Inc. |
|
 
|
Novelty Beaded Bags
The Mary Frances line of unique beaded and embroidered coin, clutch, and other style purses is now represented in the Refuge Nature Store with wildlife themed pieces that bring sparkle to every outfit and conversation. The Nature Store is the exclusive store selling Mary Frances products in this area. Prices vary.
Stop in and pick up your learning toys today. Or contact Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
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.
|
In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
|
|
|
Images courtesy of U.S. Fish Wildlife Service |
Location: Upham, North Dakota (58,693 acres)
Totemic fauna: Ring-necked Pheasant, Whitetail Deer, Muskrat
Fun for the Family
: Auto tours, birdwatching, canoeing, fishing, hiking
Visitor's tip:
Two auto tour routes include the 22-mile Scenic Trail, which traverses marsh, riverine, and forest habitat, and the 5-mile Grassland Trail, which passes through prairie habitat adjacent to a large marsh.
|
|
|
| Ring-necked Pheasants |
|
|
|
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
Why reduce your use of plastic?
This week's tip ponders the question of why plastic in your life is a big minus. Here are just a few reasons:
· Most plastic is made from fossil fuels.
· The plastic we use today will outlive us.
· Plastic litters, pollutes, and harms wildlife by entanglement and ingestion.
· Micro-plastic ingested by marine life attracts toxins that eventually can end up in our digestive system when we eat seafood.
· Plastic isn't truly recycled, it's downcycled.
· Most plastic is unnecessary - designed for one use, or designed for the dump.
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.
|
Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
Fall migrants are starting to arrive. Photographers captured American Avocets and a Yellow-throated Warbler
on Wildlife Drive last week. They must have known it was 'Ding' Days weekend!
Thank you to "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Intern Chris Gutierrez (left) and photographer Janet Kirk (right) for these wonderful shots.
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.
|
Volunteer Holiday Luncheon
- December 14, 2018
Free Winter Programs
- January 7-May 5, 2019
Woodring Homestead 100th Anniversary Exhibit Unveiling
- January 23, 2019
Volunteer Awards Luncheon
- February 8, 2019
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
