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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
September 20, 2018
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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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Refuge funding continues to decline; private philanthropic support helps fill in the gaps. Thank you for your support.
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Bailey Tract Planting
On August 24, Refuge staff planted 9,500 plugs of native marsh cordgrass in preparation for the Bailey
Tract reopening on September 1, following a three-month marsh habitat restoration project. The project included hydrologic enhancements that benefit most of the wildlife that inhabits the tract. Species such as secretive marsh birds and others dependent on cordgrass marsh habitats will benefit as a result.
We will need volunteers in the near future to help with one more of these plantings. Keep a lookout in upcoming "Ding" on the Wing bulletins for this call for volunteers!
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This Saturday
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At 8:30 a.m., Tarpon Bay Explorers offers 25% off its Guided Kayak Tour. Rentals are also discounted throughout the day.
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The Refuge will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 22, with free admission to Wildlife Drive, discounts at
Tarpon Bay Explorers
, and special activities. Wildlife Drive opens at 7 a.m. for free touring and closes at 7 p.m. Narrated tram tours will run at regular cost and schedule - 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. The always admission-free "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center opens READ MORE
Click
HERE
for the National Public Lands Day flyer.
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Welcome New Education Interns
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Shay Hart and Emily Herz
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Two education interns joined the team effort at the Refuge earlier this month. Shay Hart and Emily Herz plan to stay through the school year as part of the Refuge's internship program supported by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS).
Hart is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor's degree in biology and an ecology focus. A native of Meriden, Conn., Herz graduated from the University of Maine in May with a bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology and a minor in education. D
DWS provides living stipends and other benefits for about a dozen interns each year. The Refuge supports interns and resident volunteers with free housing.
"Our interns bring youthful energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the refuge team," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "We are READ MORE
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 Advocacy Update
by Jim Metzler & Sarah Ashton, DDWS Co-Chairs
One of the primary ways that the Federal government funds projects in areas such as navigation, shoreline protection and environmental restoration involves passing a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Last week the U.S. House of Representatives approved WRDA 2018. The act approves several projects, such as the EAA reservoir, that are expected to significantly improve the quality of the water that surrounds the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. See more.
The U.S. Senate is likely to vote on the act by the end of September and we are asking you to write to your U.S. Senator and let him/her know that you are requesting that they vote to approve the act.
Please click here to ask your senator to vote to approve WRDA 2018.
It is worth noting that while WRDA is necessary to authorize projects, it typically doesn't fund them. Congress must appropriate funding for some or all of the projects authorized by WRDA in one of the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations bills. Assuming WRDA 2018 passes the Senate, we will be back to you at an appropriate time to seek your help in encouraging Congress to fund the projects that will be beneficial to the Refuge. Thank you for making your voice heard.
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You're Invited: D.C. area Reception
"Ding" Darling is flying up north & we would love to see you! If you live around the Washington, D.C, area or will be there visiting November 10, click
here to see our invite to a reception at
Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge and plan to join with us!
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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, and materials. Each class is limited to 15 scouts on a first-signup basis. There are only 10 spaces remaining, so register today at 239-472-1100 ext. 237. Click
HERE
to view the program's flyer.
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Black Skimmers at Bunche Beach,
a bird haven
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"Let's Get Outside Day" kicks off this year's weekend-long "Ding" Darling Days on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Refuge. The free Bunche Beach Birding Tram departs from the Refuge at 8 a.m. to experience low tide at the active birding park. The three-hour tour is an annual highlight of "Ding" Days, and spaces are limited, so make reservations with
Tarpon Bay Explorers (TBE)
in advance at 239-472-8900 or on its website.
The Bunche Beach tour is one of a number of special activities READ MORE
Click
HERE
for a beautiful flyer/poster.
Sincere 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
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| Chicago Midwest Claims, Inc. |
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Christmas in September?
It's never too early to start planning your holiday gifting. In preparation for our annual Happy Hour Holiday Shopping in November (see
below
), we have begun  purchasing for the season with these nature-themed pillows, towels, and napkins. The Mary Lake-Thompson-designed, 100% cotton products include 16x16-inch pillows filled with a feathers and down blend, flour sack towels, and four-packs of napkins festooned with holly, pine, birds, and bees.
Stop in and pick up your holiday gifts 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. Proceeds from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs and wildlife research.
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Happy Hour Holiday Shopping
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Among holiday merchandise, you can find these beautiful carved Peruvian gourd ornaments
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Free refreshments, extended hours, and complimentary gift wrapping: Mark your calendar for
Tuesday, November 27,
the date of the Refuge Nature Store's fifth annual Happy Hour Holiday Shopping event in the Visitor & Education Center. The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society will keep the store open two extra hours after the Center closes, from 5 to 7 p.m. The Refuge Nature Store has stocked special holiday items for the event, and it will have gift consultants ready with
READ MORE
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In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of more than 560 refuges in the U.S.A.
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Bald Eagles, images courtesy of
U.S. Fish Wildlife Service. |
Location:
1,085 acres; Pickstown, South Dakota
Totemic fauna:
Bald Eagle
Visitor's tip:
More than 200 Bald Eagles winter at the refuge. Peak viewing happens in December and January. To protect the eagles from disturbance, the refuge itself is closed to visitors. Viewing of the eagles is provided on the west bank of the Missouri River.
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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
Kids in the Green Hour
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Fishing is one of hundreds of ways you can get your children outside.
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With kids back in school and homework and friend meet-ups to occupy their spare moments, setting aside time to play outside can easily slip off the agenda. Behavioral researchers, doctors, and the
National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
recommend from a half-hour to 60 minutes of outside time in parks or even in your own backyard daily. The NWF's
Green Hour program
"is designed to encourage, parents, schools, childcare centers, park agencies, camps, grandparents, and others to adopt a goal of an hour per day of time for children to play and learn outdoors in nature." Click on the link for facts about the relationship of nature to health and suggestions for getting kids outdoors.
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
An Osprey was seen soaring overhead on the Wildlife Education Boardwalk.
This Reddish Egret was seen "dancing"/foraging for fish off of Wildlife Drive.
Thank you to our new "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society intern,
Chris
Gutierrez, for these wonderful shots. He, along with some other new interns, will be featured in
upcoming e-newsletters.
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.
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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
Go Wild for "Ding" Fundraiser - February 13, 2019
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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 Sierra Hoisington.
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