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January 11: Tarpon Bay Explorers Saturday
As part of the Refuge's 75th Anniversary Celebration, Tarpon Bay Explorers, "Ding" Darling's official recreation concession, will be offering free and discounted activities through November 2020. The second Tarpon Bay Explorers Saturday takes place this weekend with a whopping 25% discount on all kayak and nature boat tours that day. Click here to read about all that TBE has in store during coming months.
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TBE boat tours visit the rookery islands of Tarpon Bay.
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January 17: Julie Zickefoose Lecture
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Julie Zickefoose shares tales of an orphaned blue jay.
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Popular bird author-illustrator Julie Zickefoose kicks off the 16th annual "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series with her story about an orphaned blue jay named Jemima. On January 17, she will deliver two free lectures about her latest book,
Saving Jemima: Life and Love With a Hard-luck Jay
at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at
READ MORE
Thank you to our 2020 Lecture Series Sponsors:
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Free Winter Programs Now Under Way
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As we celebrate "Ding" the man for the Refuge's 75th Anniversary, winter programs highlight his life with a special program at 10 a.m. every Tuesday.
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The seasonal calendar of free Refuge programs is on track, running through Sunday, April 19. Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse activities and topics as "Ding" the Man, Beach Walk, Nature Photography, and Indigo Trail Walk.
Special this year, in honor of the Refuge's
75th Anniversary
, the "Ding" the Man program takes place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the READ MORE
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 ADVOCACY IN ACTION
What Can We Expect from the Red Tide Task Force?
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
Florida red tide
is one of the major ecological threats facing Florida. Because of the seriousness of the threat, in mid-2019 Governor DeSantis announced the appointments of 11 expert researchers and leading scientists to a reconstituted task force within
Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
This article will discuss the history of that task force, which is READ MORE
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January 15:
Theodore Cross
High School Photo Contest Deadline
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Brigette Grover from Port Charlotte High School received Honorable Mention for this photo titled "Sunset". |
The seventh annual "
Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest deadline is January 15. It invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that include a Canon
READ MORE
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Tips for Attending Lectures
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We will be using wristbands this year to improve the lecture queueing process.
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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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New Interpretation Sign
 The Refuge recently placed new interpretative signage on the Wulfert Key Trail. The illustrated sign informs visitors about the importance of sea grasses in the key's estuary. The waters in that area are a no-motor zone to protect the grass habitat for the benefit of birds, manatees, and other sea creatures.
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January 28: FREE Binoculars 101
A representative from Vortex Optics, vendor for the binoculars the Refuge Nature Store sells, will be presenting a free workshop on Binoculars 101 Tuesday, January 28, at 1 p.m. in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center Auditorium. Attendees will receive an understanding of binoculars use , plus a coupon for 10% off any pair of binoculars in the store.
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EVCO Attendees Invited to Clyde Butcher Exhibition
DDWS, host sponsor for the
Everglades Coalition (EVCO) Conference
January 9-11 at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva, invites all attendees to visit the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center for a free viewing of the Clyde Butcher American Everglades Collection exhibition during their stay.
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EVCO participants are invited to see Clyde Butcher's American Everglades Collection at the Refuge.
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While there, visitors can purchase Clyde Butcher books, cards, and logo wear at the Refuge Nature Store, profits from which benefit conservation education and research at the Refuge.
Visitors also have the opportunity to purchase a Clyde Butcher photographic print READ MORE
Thanks to sponsors Mark & Gretchen Banks for making the Clyde Butcher exhibition possible.
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Go Wild Auction Items 
Auction items are an exciting part of this annual event, and a number of one-of-a-kind artwork and experiences will be available.
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Award-winning author-photographer Paul Bannick will host a private tour as a Go Wild live auction item.
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Auction Item: Award-winning author and wildlife photographer Paul Bannick will host a
private island birding tour
for up to four people on Thursday, March 5, as a banner auction item at the eighth annual fundraiser for DDWS and the Refuge. Go Wild for "Ding" - Lovin' Spoonbills takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at READ MORE
Thanks to our generous sponsors who make
Go Wild possible.
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Go Wild for "Ding" Sponsors
Call of the Wild Sponsor
Champion Level Sponsors
Guardian Level Sponsors
Protector Level Sponsors
Defender Level Sponsors
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Tickets are currently on sale for four big events this coming season. Go online to find links for purchasing tickets now, before they sell out.
February 12, 2020
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March 10, 2020
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March 20, 2020
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Become an event sponsor and join an elite group of special supporters who want to do more for enhancing the conservation work at the Refuge. CALL 239.472.1100 ext. 239 to learn more.
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Sustainability Woven into Fashion
Mother Erth creates a line of earth-restoring handbags made from plastic foil that was intercepted before polluting the land and oceans. The rescued trash is woven into beautiful, one-of-kind works of art by artisans who are providing for their families and creating a better future for them by reducing plastic pollution. The Nature Store carries a full line of sizes from zipper pouches and small totes to wood-handled bags and large totes. Get yours in time for Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash in March.
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.
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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WoW Mobile Needs Heavy Duty Pick-up Truck
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| An artist rendering of WoW's look by May Jernigan. |
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WoW will wow students and adults alike with its hands-on exhibits.
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Thanks to all who have contributed toward our exciting Wildlife on Wheels mobile outreach project.
To bring the project to completion by our March 2020 goal - in time to be part of our
75th Anniversary Celebration
- we need to raise an additional $45,000 to $85,000 to purchase a heavy-duty truck. We are seeking a truck donation or monetary donations and pledges of any size. Please contact
Sierra Hoisington
at 239-472-1100 ext. 4 for more information or visit our
donation page
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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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Red-cockaded Woodpecker
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Location: 35,000 acres near Gray, Georgia
Totemic Fauna:
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bobcat
Visitor's Tips: Start your visit at the visitor center, then enjoy the refuge's hiking trails and auto-tour route to further your experience.
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Bobcat
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Images courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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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.
Give Back Box
Givebackbox.com not only allows you to reuse cardboard boxes that contain shipped items you ordered online, it encourages you to repurpose clothing, pet supplies, and household goods to benefit more than 20 charities. Merely empty the contents of your shipped box, pick from such charities as the Salvation Army or Second Chance Humane Society (or allow givebackbox.com to choose), fill the box with items you wish to donate to the charity, print out a prepaid mailing label to affix to the box, and ship via UPS or the postal service. Visit givebackbox.com for detailed instructions.
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
Janet Kirk spotted an elusive Mangrove Cuckoo earlier this week. "The Mangrove Cuckoo was once thought to be fully migratory in Florida, but winter sightings are becoming increasingly frequent in all parts of its Florida range."
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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Volunteer Training - January 16, 2020
National Wildlife Day Celebration - February 24, 2020
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
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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