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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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| Please be courteous to nesting birds along the Indigo Trail. Noise pollution from loud conversation and light pollution from flashing cameras could negatively impact their nesting success. |
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Deadline for public comment
The Refuge is accepting public comments on proposed changes to the Refuge's recreation fee structure, scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2020. Through
May 31, 2019, comments can be submitted to "Ding" Darling via
email, phone (239-472-1100), or mail (1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, Florida 33957).
READ MORE
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Change for Good
The Refuge Nature Store recently unveiled a fun new donation box as a way to help support the Refuge, pictured here with Assistant Store Manager Carrie Harmon. "Change For Good" allows you to leave your pocket change (or drop some bills) and help directly support the Refuge. Stationed at the entrance to the Nature Store, it has grabbed the attention of many of our visitors, kids and adults alike, who love racing their coins to the end of the maze.
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Memorial Day Schedule
Wishing all our readers a relaxing holiday weekend and a solemn day of remembering our fallen heroes on Monday, May 27. Wildlife Drive, Bailey Tract, and Tarpon Bay Explorers will remain open for regular hours throughout the weekend. The "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center, Nature Store and Refuge and DDWS offices will be closed all day May 27.
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'Ding' on the Wing
Goes Biweekly
Following this current issue of your email newsletter from DDWS, "Ding" on the Wing goes to a biweekly frequency for the summer and fall months. Expect your next edition to arrive in your inbox on Thursday, May 30. Nearly 12,000 people receive this email, and if you know of anyone who would enjoy this email, click the Share button and send it to them or sign them up here.
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Your support is still needed: 68-Acre Acquisition
We hope to have a final accounting by June, when we anticipate hearing more on the final determination of Lee County Conservation 20/20 on this important property. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
continues to move
forward with its project to raise $3 million in private donations to complete the $9.5 million acquisition of Wulfert Bayous, the last large parcel of unprotected and undeveloped land on Sanibel Island. Click
here
to read more about the project and to make contributions today.
To make donations or pledges in person,
contact Birgie Miller
, Executive Director at 239.292.0566
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Becky Woodward and Avery Renshaw.
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Welcome, Biology Interns
Two new biology interns joined the "Ding" team effort last month.
Avery Renshaw and
Becky Woodward plan to stay into mid-December as part of the Refuge's long-running internship program, supported by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Avery, originally from Mount Airy, Md, most recently interned with Mote Marine Lab's Coral Reef Ecological Processes Program in the Florida Keys. She graduated in
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ADVOCACY:
At Season's End
A Status Update on Water Quality Initiatives
by Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, DDWS Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
As the tourist and Florida legislative seasons end, there are reasons for optimism relative to some of the recent initiatives to improve the quality of the water that surrounds the Refuge. Unfortunately, that optimism needs to be guarded, because so much more needs to be done. This article will highlight some of what has been accomplished in the last few months and some of the key initiatives that still
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Artist 'in Residence' Program
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Ed plans to create a wildlife mural this month with kids at Quality Life Center in the inner-city community of Dunbar.
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Working from his studio at Blind Pass on Sanibel Island, wildlife artist Ed Anderson from Boise, Idaho, will be participating in an eight-week artist "in residence" educational program at the Refuge
through July 1
. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society is hosting the program as part of the
Refuge's 75th Anniversary Celebration
running through December 1, 2020.
"Our Refuge was created by conservation artist Jay Norwood 'Ding' Darling in 1945, so it's more than fitting that we begin celebrating our 75th anniversary with interpretive art programs," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "Darling, who created READ MORE
 Mark Your Calendars: DDWS will be hosting a free Open House Reception with Ed Anderson on Thursday, June 13, at the Rauschenberg Estate located on Captiva. The artist will be painting and greeting guests. Stay tuned for more detailed information.
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Earth Day Contest Winners
An award celebration for the student Earth
Day contest co-sponsored by "Ding" Darling
Wildlife Society, the Refuge, and The City of Sanibel Recreation Center took place at The Sanibel School last week. Song, poem, and coloring contests
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Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland with contest winners and Sanibel Rec's Trish Phillips
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yielded five winners. The winner of the poem contest was fourth grader Sammy Wells. The
winner of the
song contest was seventh grader Adam Kolar. The winners of the coloring contest
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First place winner in the coloring contest.
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included second grader Kayla Cavanaugh, fourth grader Gia Lackenby, and third grader Karmindy Schafer. DDWS provided
all prizes for contest winners.
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| Nate Caswell |
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Farewell, Nate
Next week, Refuge and DDWS staff bids a fond adieu to Refuge Deputy Manager Nate Caswell, who has served in that position since November 2016. Nate heads to a new position at the New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Albuquerque. We wish him all the best in his life post-"Ding."
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Quality Used Canon Lens Available
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society recently received a donation of several Canon lenses and other photography equipment from a retired physician and avid phototographer. The equipment is available for sale; prices are negotiable. If you have any questions or would like to make an offer contact Associate Executive Director Lynnae Messina.
One lens remains for sale: Canon lens EF 600MM 1:4 L IS USM. The lens comes
complete
with a carrying case and hoods
. All equipment is in excellent condition.
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Eco-Friendly... in the Bag
The Nature Store's new ECOBAGS are a collection of reusable bulk produce sacks made from natural or organic cotton. Take them with you to the grocery store or use at home to store your fruits, vegetables, dried legumes, and grains. We carry a variety of drawstring bags, from fine to large cotton mesh, plus a string bag with handles for easy carrying at the store or farmer's market. 
Stop in today to pick up your ECOBAGS and other eco-friendly items. Or contact Store Manager
Ann-Marie Wildman
at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for information about mail-ordering these to anywhere in the U.S.
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 the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A.
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Eastern Chipmunk |
Location:
Benton, Kentucky (8,500 acres)
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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.
Straw Vote 
Wild applause for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for vetoing House Bill 771, which would have prohibited the enforcement of city laws to ban plastic straws. Sanibel Island is among the cities in Florida that have already enacted the prohibition of selling and distributing plastic straws. Thanks to everyone who made their objections to HB771 known to the governor. Click
HERE
to read the veto.
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Clyde Butcher's Everglades collection will be on display November 13 through February 5 in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center. Photo by Clyde Butcher.
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Save the Date: Clyde Butcher Photography 75th Anniversary Exhibition
Often tagged "the Ansel Adams of Florida," photographer Clyde Butcher has made for himself a big reputation based on big black-and-white nature images taken with big cameras. From November 13, 2019, through February 5, 2020, the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society will be hosting and mounting a special Clyde Butcher exhibition as part of the
Refuge's 75th anniversary celebration
. The award-winning artist captures the Florida Everglades, coastal islands, and other unspoiled areas with stunning READ MORE
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Click
HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings
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Osprey |
The Ospreys have been raising young in their nests for a couple of weeks now. Soon, the adults will migrate north and the juveniles will stay on Sanibel as they grow stronger for next year's migration.
Thank you Charles Armfield for this awesome photo.
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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Stay tuned as we reveal our calendar of special activities to celebrate the Refuge's 75th anniversary starting later this year. |
Open House with Artist "in Residence" at Rauschenberg Estate - June 13, 2019
75
th
Anniversary Happy Hour Holiday Shopping
- December 1, 2019
75
th
Anniversary Lecture Series
- January 17-April 3, 2020
Official 75
th
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 Christopher Gutierrez & April Boehnen.
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