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Thanks to those who have completed the survey. If you haven't already done so, we would appreciate your help in taking this five-minute survey. We will be using the results to better understand how people perceive our organization. Thank you so much for your time.
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#DailyDoseofDing
The DDWS staff has been busy bringing the healing sunshine and beauty of the Refuge to the public through 30-second social media videos. Follow on Facebook to see our #DailyDoseofDing, brief virtual visits to the Refuge for those who can't make it.
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Your Backyard Nature
Whether you live on Sanibel Island or in a completely different environment in faraway places like Delaware or Washington State, we want to see what you're seeing in your habitat while you are staying safe at home.
Thank you to Allison Kelly
for sharing a backyard nature photo of Sandhill Cranes and their chicks from Palm Bay, Florida.
Please email y our nature photos so we can share them in "Ding" on the Wing and by social media. Include details about the photographer and where the photo was taken.
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These gifts were made to DDWS in honor of and in memory of friends and families during July 2020. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation HERE.
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'Ding' Day Postponed to December 1
Refuge staff recently announced that the new date for the 32nd annual "Ding" Darling Day will be Tuesday, December 1, 2020, in conjunction with its 75th Anniversary Celebration. Originally set for Sunday, October 18, the event has been postponed due to safety concerns from COVID-19 spread.
"We were planning on a really big 'Ding' Day celebration this year for the 75th, so when federal directives made our traditional October festival out-of-the-question, we decided we could still make a big deal on our READ MORE
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The upcoming season's "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series will evolve with the times and persisting distance protocols by moving to the larger venue of the Sanibel Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way. The free lectures will occur on five select days throughout the season with one 10 a.m. lecture per day.
The 17th annual "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series, which runs January 29 through March 19, 2021, featuring photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher, Feather Thief author Kirk W. Johnson, and eminent authorities on water conservation, eagles, owls, and woodpeckers.
"The uncertainties of COVID-19 challenged us to experiment READ MORE
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Intern Thank-You
Education Intern Anna Tursky exited the Refuge team on July 31. "I'm grateful I got to be a part of such a driven and influential refuge and friends group," she wrote in her farewell thank-you letter. We wish Anna, now a member of our extended "Ding" family, all the best with her upcoming pursuits.
Click on image to see letter enlarged.
Internships for Education, Biology, the Society and Visitor Services are made possible through donations to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. If you are interested in supporting the internship program, click HERE to make a gift. Thank you!
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Refuge Update
NEW THIS WEEK: Besides the return of Wildlife Drive fees on August 3, the "America's Best Restroom" outside the Visitor & Education Center has reopened to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The water bottle filling station adjacent to the restrooms will also be accessible. For everyone's safety, these facilities will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. On August 4,
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| | The Refuge's "America's Best Restroom" and water bottle filling station are again open to the public. |
Tarpon Bay Explorers resumed narrated tram tours of Wildlife Drive on the following schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Call 239-472-1351 or 239-472-8900 for the latest information.
Keep current on changes and developments via our dedicated web page.
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Bird Bingo and Ocean Bingo are among its family-friendly games. Also check out the wildlife-themed jigsaw puzzles and the ever-challenging Scramble Squares matching puzzle game. Order your favorite today and don't forget to send one to a friend.
Game on! Gather the family for some "Ding"-style playtime.
Curbside Pickup
 FREE curbside pickup is available for orders placed
online. Avoid shipping charges while our physical Refuge Nature Store is closed. Simply select "curbside pickup" at checkout, and a member of our team will contact you within the next business day to schedule a pickup time convenient for you. Curbside pickup is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. To ensure a personalized experience for each customer, we will contact you directly when your order is ready. Email us today for more information.
Now you can follow the latest gifts available by online order at our ShopDingDarling.com Instagram page. Follow today to keep in the loop about products as they become available.
Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research and overall conservation efforts.
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 Support Those Who Support Us
The local and island business community needs us now, more than ever. Each week, we are highlighting local businesses that have provided support for conservation efforts at the Refuge through the years. They have invested in the community and the Refuge, and we hope the community will do what they can to help them.
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Diversified Yacht Services: DYS maintains, repairs, and upgrades luxury yachts and vessels of all sizes at Fisherman's Wharf on Fort Myers Beach. Onsite boating services include regular maintenance, mechanical and electronic installs and repairs, varnish and cosmetic services, and a 150-ton travel lift. A marina, full-service fuel dock, and well-stocked ship's store complete this one-stop shop for comprehensive marine services. Call 239-765-8700
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Media Source: A member of the Advertising Specialty Institute, Media Source is a dependable, quality promotional product distributor. Its inventory of brand-able promotional products, also known as ad specialties, ranges from pens and coffee mugs to USB flash drives, reusable water bottles, and umbrellas. Call 239-931-3230.
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Casa Ybel Resort: When you're looking for a luxury island staycation, accommodations for friends and family, special event planning, or fine dining, turn to Casa Ybel and its 23 acres of beachfront playground. Its 114 self-catering suites and two public dining venues face the gulf, surrounded by lush gardens and spreads of green lawn, at 2255 West Gulf Drive. Call 239-472-3145.
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ADVOCACY IN ACTION
An Update on Modifying Lake O's Release Schedule
by Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
It is reasonable that so much attention is currently being paid to the pandemic and the associated economic crisis. We all hope that before too long those issues will be behind us. However, when they are behind us, we will still be facing significant water issues. Because of that, we must continue to focus on improving the quantity and quality of our water resources. With that goal in mind, the next couple of articles will discuss where we stand with some key water resource topics. This article will focus on two of the initiatives that have the goal of modifying Lake Okeechobee's release schedule and will point out why it can be so difficult READ MORE
In Case You Missed It: Florida's Blue Green Algae Task Force is considering a toxic algae water quality standard. See more.
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 Green & Handy
Between the new camping revival and summer storm season, you need a green solution to your power needs. Check out our LuminAid inflatable solar-powered lantern, newly available from our online store. One style even includes a phone charger. It supplies 50 hours of power on low voltage after 12 to 14 hours of sun or one to two hours by USB recharge. It features five brightness settings and can light 200 square feet. Extra convenient, it packs and stores flat.
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Blast from the Past
December 1, 2020, we take a look back, through historic photographs, at the past three-quarters of a century.
The Hautman brothers of Minnesota are legendary in Federal Duck Stamp annals. Together the three - Jim, Robert, and Joe (as pictured on the left, front to back) - have won the annual contest 13 times. That means the Hautmans often visit "Ding" Darling, because each year the winner is contracted to appear at "Ding" Darling Day. And because their close friend, the late Don Wildman (front right), was a loyal supporter and board member of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Also pictured here in 2000 is Gene Steele, another late, great board member.
Do you have any historic "Ding" photos to share? Please email and let us know.
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Roseates Live! from the Refuge August 6 - TODAY
Don't miss Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland's Roseate Spoonbills lesson live from "Ding" Darling today, August 6, at 1 p.m. on Conservation Connect Live. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service presents the weekly educational tool about wildlife, geared toward students during stay-at-home learning.
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| | | Photo by Sylvia Guarino | |
Here's the upcoming schedule:
August 6 - Roseate Spoonbills/"Ding" Darling NWR
August 13 - Humpback Chub
August 20 - Monarch tagging
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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. that is open to the public.
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| | Image courtesy of
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
Location: 36,000 acres of Connecticut River watership in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut
Totemic Fauna: Canada Lynx, Shortnose Sturgeon, Dwarf Wedgemussel
Visitor's Tip: Due to the large area covered by the refuge, the weather can be varied between locations. Check the local forecast and be prepared.
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| | | Shortnose Sturgeon | |
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| | Canada Lynx, image courtesy of
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.
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| | | Photo credit: Jim Bennight | |
This Great Egret surely thinks it stands out in a bowl of spoonbills. Remember the best times to see birds on Wildlife Drive are at low tide and early in the morning.
To 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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National Public Lands Day - September 26, 2020
75th Anniversary Proclamation at City Hall - November 3, 2020
Official 75th Anniversary Celebration & "Ding" Darling Day - December 1, 2020
75th Anniversary Gala Celebration - December 1, 2020 - Sponsors needed!
DDWS Annual Meeting - December 2, 2020
Clyde Butcher Book Signing - December TBA
National Bird Day - January 5, 2021
Bi-Weekly Film Series - January-April, 2021
Volunteer Training - January 14, 2021
2021 Annual Fundraiser - February 10, 2021
Earth Day at the Refuge - April 22, 2021
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition - October - Mid-November 2021
Niki Butcher Photographic Exhibition - Mid-November - December 2021
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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 Boehnen & Sierra Hoisington.
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2021 Lecture Series Moves
