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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
January 31
, 2019
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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 America's best restroom.
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TOMORROW February 1: Richard Crossley Lecture
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Richard Crossley
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While working on
The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl
, Richard Crossley decided he needed to drive to the Arctic Ocean in northern Alaska from his home in Cape May, New Jersey. In his thick Yorkshire accent, with a sense of humor and a disdain for political correctness, Richard will talk about his 16,000-mile adventure during two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on February 1, part of the 2019 lecture series at the Refuge. An internationally acclaimed birder, photographer, and award-winning author of "The Crossley ID Guide" series, the Yorkshireman READ MORE
Thank you to our 2019 Lecture Series Sponsor
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Government 'Cease-Fire' Means Reprieve
Whereas the soft reopening of the Visitor & Education Center was scheduled to end February 2, last week's decision to temporarily open the government for three weeks extends that date to
February 15. All Refuge facilities are at this time operating at full capacity during regular hours.
All Refuge employees will be allowed to work during the period and will receive their back pay.
Click
HERE
to keep up to date on how the government shutdown is affecting the Refuge.
To voice your opinion to elected federal officials to keep the government open, please click HERE.
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Let's Inform the Army Corps about Harm to the Refuge
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
The Army Corps of Engineers is beginning a study that will result in a
new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). The new manual won't impact the quality of the water that the Refuge receives. It could, however, significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of dirty water being released from Lake O down the Caloosahatchee to the Refuge.
The study begins with a
series of meetings to solicit public input.
The first two meetings will take place on Tuesday, February 5, 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Lee County Mosquito Control District Training Center, 15191 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres.
It is critical that as many people as possible attend these meetings and let the Army Corps know in detail about the harm that the Refuge experienced last summer, and that the Corps needs to minimize harm to the Refuge when creating a new LOSOM.
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Refuge Participates in Heart Healthy Month
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Learn about Refuge flora and fauna on a naturalist-guided tour of Indigo Trail.
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In partnership with the city of Sanibel Recreation Department, the Refuge has added a number of its programs to the city's February calendar for Heart Healthy Month. Please get outside and join us for the following FREE activities:
Tuesday 2/5 and 2/19: Birding the Refuge Tour
Thursday 2/7 and 2/14: Biking the Refuge Tour
Wednesday 2/13: Birds and Wildlife Tour
Saturday 2/23: Indigo Trail Walk
Tuesday 2/26: Biking the Refuge Tour
Thursday 2/28: Birds of the Refuge Program
Click
here
for more information about the Refuge's seasonal free programs and tours.
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Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibition
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One vignette represents the home's kitchen and yard during the times of Esperanza Woodring.
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The public is welcome to view the free
Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibition
now on display in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium through March 25. Visit the exhibit Sunday through Thursday (closed Fridays) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Click
HERE
to read a
Florida Weekly
article about the exhibition and the Woodrings' rich history.
Thanks to our sponsors below for making this exhibition possible.
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Woodring 100th Anniversary Exhibition
GOLD LEVEL
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Ralph & Jean Woodring
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SILVER LEVEL
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The seventh annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series continues its biweekly showings on February 6 with a free showing of
A Plastic Ocean
at 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium.
A Plastic Ocean
's message raises awareness of plastic pollution and the existing solutions. The documentary follows the scientific journey of plastics in our oceans, demonstrating that once they enter the oceans, they break up into small particulates that poison marine life and enter the food chain. Humans eventually consume READ MORE
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Thank you for our 2019 Film Series Sponsor
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Go Wild for 'Ding' Registration: 25 Spots Remain
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This Osprey sculpture, created by island artist Andrew Corke (sculptor of our restroom manatees) from recycled bike tires, will go on the live auction block at Go Wild. Donors Cal and Jill Werner are pictured here with Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik. |
Registration for the seventh annual fundraiser for the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society on
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
, at the Sanibel Community House, is filling fast. This year's
Go Wild for "Ding" - Call of the Osprey
theme continues a series of bird-themed events to benefit the birds, other wildlife, land acquisition, and conservation and education efforts at the READ MORE
Thanks to our sponsors for their generous contributions to this event. To become a sponsor, contact
Dot Voorhees
at 239-472-1100 ext. 239.
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CALL OF THE WILD SPONSORS
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DEFENDER LEVEL SPONSORS
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To become a sponsor call Dot with the DDWS at 239.472.1100 ext. 239
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March 31: Scholarship Application Deadline
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DDWS Education Committee chair Wendy Kindig (left) and Development Officer Sierra Hoisington present Danielle Winchel from Cape Coral with her scholarship check, funds provided by Wendy Schnapp (right) co-owner of Tarpon Bay Explorers.
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March 31 is application deadline for scholarships from the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each. High school seniors, college students, and graduate students in or from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties pursuing degrees in environmental-related studies can apply. Now in its 13th year, the DDWS scholarship program presented its first awards in READ MORE
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A Note of Gratitude
 Thank you to this Facebook friend and Refuge fan who chose to direct birthday donations to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. You can quickly donate to DDWS anytime by hitting the DONATE button our landing page. Asking your friends to donate is an extra special way to support Refuge programs and meaningfully gift others for a special occasion.
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From the Heart
Let your Valentine know how much you care with a stunning package of gifts from the Refuge Nature Store. Our
Valentine's Day
collection includes a beautiful, completely hand-beaded bag, appropriately titled "Heartthrob," by internationally renowned designer Mary Frances; along with a candy apple red Corkcicle water bottle, a box of chocolates, and a $25 gift certificate to the Nature Store. The collection, priced at $225, can be shipped to any U.S. address. It will arrive beautifully
wrapped and complete with a Valentine's Day card. All you need to do is include your special message for inside the card. This collection is limited to the first four collectors only, so call 239-472-1100 ext 241 today to reserve your gift.
Lovely Linens
The Refuge Nature Store offers a wide selection of nature-inspired linens from Mary Lake-Thompson, whose whimsical designs are highly sought-after. From beautiful tea towels to pillows and napkin sets, we have something for every decorating and entertaining need.
Stop in and pick up your linenware 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
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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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2019 Seasonal Prescribed Burns
During the 2019 spring/summer season, the Sanibel Prescribed Fire Task Force is planning prescribed burns on the following conservation lands:
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Legion Curve
Sanibel-Captiva Rd. Parcel
SCCF/City of Sanibel
Sanibel Gardens Preserve;
Frannie's/Johnston Preserve;
North Center Tract
To view a map of the conservation lands, please click here.
We would like to invite the public to an informational meeting on Friday, February 8, 2019, at 10 a.m. in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center to discuss the burn plans and address any questions or READ MORE
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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.
Kudos to Nestle
Nestle, the world's largest packaged food company, recently announced its intention to eliminate all single-serve plastic from its products and to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by the year 2025. Source:
FastCompany.com
To show your commitment to the environment and awareness of the marine plastic crisis, investigate the makers of products you regularly use and voice your concerns about plastic pollution.
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
Thank you to David Jeffrey for capturing these photos of Snowy Egrets during a feeding frenzy on Wildlife Drive this past weekend.
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| Willdlife Drive Feeding Frenzy. |
Click above
for an awesome video David Jeffrey shared when taking the photos above.
T
o see more wildlife photos 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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Clyde Butcher Photography Exhibition
- November 12, 2019-February 6, 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 Christopher Gutierrez & April Boehnen.
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