September 30, 2021

New Intern Arrives

Christina Hester recently arrived from Pembroke Pines, Florida, to help the Refuge with staff shortages in the coming season through an internship with DDWS. The Florida native graduated December 2019 from Florida International University in Miami with a double major in journalism and philosophy. Before coming to Sanibel Island, she worked at the YMCA in her suburban hometown as a member engagement representative and also freelanced as an artist and media editor.

“The Refuge is one of the most beautiful locations ever,” said Christina, who has quickly become enamored by the Sanibel's beaches and their seashells. “I feel so fortunate that I get to be here every day and appreciate the serenity that doesn't exist on my side of the state.”

“Our interns bring youthful energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to the Refuge team and in turn learn about nonprofit and Refuge operations,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “Our Friends Group works hard to assist the Refuge, through monetary support, with conservation work and messaging, community outreach, and programmatic and staffing needs. These are all important skills our interns learn and take with them into their professional lives.”

For more information about the Refuge internship program and to make a donation in support of it, contact Lynnae Messina, DDWS Associate Director, at 239-472-1100 ext. 233.

‘Ding’ Darling Day Postponed

Due to federal restrictions regarding the coronavirus, the 33rd annual “Ding” Darling Day at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Sunday, October 10, has been postponed until April 24, 2022.

“Public health and safety are at the forefront of our concerns,” said Toni Westland, Supervisory Refuge Ranger. “We regret the necessity to change plans, but with recent spikes in coronavirus cases locally, we do not feel comfortable risking a crowd, regardless of the fact that we carefully planned an outdoor, distanced event this year.”

“We thank the local organizations and generous sponsors who helped plan and support our best efforts to bring this outreach event to the greater community,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller.

The rescheduled spring 2022 “Ding” Darling Day will have a Conservation Carnival theme, as earlier planned. Watch dingdarlingday.com and “Ding” on the Wing for more details.

Sponsorships are available for the event, which will be publicized region-wide. Join the following distinctive sponsors in showing your support of the Refuge and its conservation mission.

THANK YOU SPONSORS:

Great Egret Sponsor: Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille;

Great Blue Heron Sponsors: Island Sun, John R Wood Properties;

Reddish Egret Sponsors: 400 Rabbits, Bank of the Islands, Media Source, Mike & Terry Baldwin, Mitchell's Sand Castles;

Snowy Egret Sponsors: Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation, Florida Weekly, John & Anette Gritti, Jensen's Marina & Cottages, Sanibel Moorings, Southern Snoballs

BECOME A SPONSOR

Columbus Day Closures

On Monday, October 11, Refuge offices and the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center will be closed in observance of Columbus Day.

TO REMAIN OPEN: Wildlife Drive and trails, Tarpon Bay Explorers recreation concession, Bailey Tract, and our America’s Best Restroom at the visitor center.

Temporary Friday Closure of Visitor & Education Center to End

Starting Friday, October 1, the Refuge Visitor & Education Center will resume Friday operations 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (The Nature Store will be closed that day for inventory.) The Refuge temporarily had closed Fridays for a few weeks due to off-season volunteer dropout over COVID-19 concerns. The Visitor Center will remain closed Sundays until further notice. Hours for the Visitor Center and Refuge Nature Store are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Wildlife Drive remains closed on Fridays as always.

Wild Daze Ale: New Label, Rollout Announcement

Mark your calendars and watch “Ding” on the Wing and social media for more information about the rollout of DDWS’s exclusive Wild Daze Ale on December 4. The launch event starts at 4 p.m. at Fort Myers Brewing Company in Fort Myers, part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration. The Refuge WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile interactive experience will be onsite for the celebration, along with food trucks and other special goings-on.

“We have a lot to celebrate in 2021 and 2022, and Wild Daze Ale promises to add a fun spin to the celebration,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “We thank Fort Myers Brewing for this spirited collaboration, with hopes this will become an annual tradition.”

JJ Taylor Companies will distribute canned Wild Daze Ale only on only Sanibel and Captiva islands this first year. The exclusive brew will be available with a limited window of around six months after its rollout.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill and Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel Island and ‘Tween Waters Island Resort on Captiva Island will be selling the beer, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting READ MORE

Latina artist and Miami native Emily Alvarez designed the label for Wild Daze Ale.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Help Increase Funding to the National Wildlife Refuge System

As of September 21, Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown as the situation surrounding our FY2022 federal government budget remains in limbo. The previous deadline for this decision coincided with the beginning of fall, and the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. What does this decision and continuing resolution mean for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the entire National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS)?

Visit this special advocacy page to read more and to connect immediately with your congressional representatives to voice support for the NWRS.

Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.

Photo Contest Deadline Extended to October 15

The “Ding” Darling Day Amateur Nature Photography Contest has been extended to an October 15 deadline. Winners will be announced in the November 18 “Ding” on the Wing. For more information, contact Sierra Hoisington at 239-472-1100 ext. 4.

In the 2020 contest, Ellen Trevor won first place, Rett Hill won second place, and Martha Huard won third place. Click HERE to see more winners.

National Public Lands Day

It was a sunshiny day, and lots of visitors turned out Sunday, September 25, for National Public Lands Day. They enjoyed free admission to Wildlife Drive and tours of the WoW mobile interactive experience. Many collected litter in exchange for a free public lands one-day pass; others picked up our new Junior Ranger booklet to earn their badge.

Congratulations, Jess!

Former Visitor Services and WoW Intern extraordinaire Jessica Barry will begin in her new role as part-time DDWS Development & Outreach Assistant tomorrow, October 1. Jess will be located in the reception area of the DDWS offices and will work with the team on a number of development and outreach tasks and projects. We are so happy to have Jess staying on.

Congratulations Hautman Brothers

Our favorite Federal Duck Stamp artist family placed first and second in the 2022-2023 contest recently streamed online. This is Jim Hautman’s sixth first-place win. Brother Bob placed second. Five-time winner Joe Hautman, the third brother, last took first place in 2016. The Hautmans have a close connection with “Ding” Darling through the late Don Wildman, a former DDWS board member, and current Emeritus Board Member Jim Sprankle, both of whom have had close friendships with the Minnesota family through the years. We look forward to hosting the family next year as part of our April 24, 2022, “Ding” Darling Day.

This segment takes you to a fun look of spoof contest entries and a related auctio n selling spoof entries this year to benefit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. WARNING: The video segment contains strong language.

Current Mask Policy

In areas of substantial or high community transmission, agencies must require all federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask inside of federal buildings. COVID data recently rose sharply in Lee and Collier counties, according to CDC data tracker. "Ding" Darling is, therefore, in an area of "high community transmission." Visit this COVID-19 web page for more information.

Donors made these gifts to DDWS in honor and memory of friends and families during August 2021. Thank you to everyone who supported the Refuge in this thoughtful and meaningful way. Make a memorial or honor donation here.

WoW Community Visit

On Wednesday, September 22, the WoW team spent the day at the Gladiolus Food Pantry in Fort Myers reaching out to the underserved community about “Ding” Darling, its wildlife, and its mission. More than 150 people stopped by to experience the interactive exhibits inside and out.

Snowbirds on Their Way

As they were making their way south to “Ding,” seasonal resident volunteers Sandy and Carl Greenbaum snapped this photo of another Sanibel snowbird species, White Pelicans, en route from Grand Teton National Park.

Refuge Spotlight - 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.

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Location: 3,850 acres; 20 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts

Totemic fauna: Blanding’s Turtle, Muskrat, Great Blue Heron

Visitor tips: Boating, auto touring, and hiking – including a 1,500-foot boardwalk -- are available at the refuge.

Image courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

GOING GREEN

Reusable Face Masks

With the resurgence of COVID-19, single-use face masks once again are ending up on beaches, in waterways, and in landfills as unsightly and contaminated trash. If your job does not require single-use masks, invest in cotton cloth ones you can launder and reuse. Our online store has a wide selection of face coverings in fashionable designs, including our popular Roseate Spoonbill masks embroidered with the Refuge's name.

Photo by Cheryl Anderson

Wildlife Sightings & Tides

Monarch Butterflies always bring a smile to visitors' faces. Did you know they travel between 1,2002,800 miles while migrating?

Click HERE to see this week's wildlife sightings.

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.