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Photo Contest Judging |  |
Professional photographer Nick Adams, Jean Crenshaw from Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille, and Refuge Deputy Ranger Joyce Palmer judged the 25th Annual "Ding" Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest last week at the Refuge. They selected 14 winners out of 80 entries from 20 states and three countries. Winners will be announced during Conservation Art Day, Oct. 20, at 12:30 p.m. Click here for a schedule of that day's events and the entire "Ding" Darling Day s week, Oct. 14-20.
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2012 "Ding" Days Sponsors |  | |
Thanks to our "Ding" Darling Days 2012 sponsors for making this event possible.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL: Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill. GREAT EGRET: Ocean's Reach Condominiums, The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market. GREAT BLUE HERON: Bailey's General Store, Caloosa Tent & Rental, Casa Ybel Resort, Island Sun, Jerry's Foods, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Jim & Patty Sprankle, West Wind Inn. REDDISH EGRET: Mike & Terry Baldwin, Big Red Q Quickprint, Art & Susan Cassell, Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Florida Weekly,
SNOWY EGRET:Barefoot Charley's Painting; Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program(CHNEP), Congress Jewelers, Dan Hahn Custom Builders, Denny's, George & Wendy's Seafood Grille, Good Wheels, Grounds By Greenways, Gulf Breeze Cottages, Heidrick & Co. Insurance, Island Therapy Center, Mast Family Culligan, Nave Plumbing, Over Easy Cafe, Panther Printing, Royal Shell Vacations, Sanibel Art & Frame, Anne & Jim Scott, She Sells Seashells, Winston & Barbara Spurgeon, Suncatchers' Dream, Thistle Lodge |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Sep. 29, 2012
Kick the Bottle Kickoff/National Public Lands Day
Oct. 14-20, 2012
"Ding" Darling Days
Nov.13, 2012
Marvelous Manatees Exhibit Unveiling. Sponsored by WCIND
Nov. 24, 2012
Refuge Nature Store "Holly Day"
Dec. 12, 2012
Refuge Nature Store "Holly Day"
Feb. 15, 2013
Cuckoo For "Ding" Trailgate Party
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First-Ever Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit |
This year "Ding" Darling and the refuge system celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Junior Duck Stam
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The 2012 Federal Junior Duck Stamp features a pintail duck by Christine Clayton from Ohio, who will make an appearance at Conservation Art Day on Oct. 20, along with four-time Federal Duck Stamp winner Joe Hautman. |
p program, which started right here on Sanibel Island. In honor of the occasion, the Refuge Education Center Auditorium will host- for the first
time ever - the entire
collection of the original winning Junior Duck Stamps from all 50 states and the U.S. territories during
"Ding" Darling Days, Oct. 14-20."This is a big deal," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger. "I had to READ MORE
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Sprankle Cuckoo "preens" for auction |
 | | Master bird sculptor Jim Sprankle working on our Mangrove Cuckoo. |
Following months out in the field doing research for the Refuge's commissioned Mangrove Cuckoo Study, a carved wood cuckoo decoy donated by master sculptor Jim Sprankle is being cleaned up from the mangroves and remastered by Jim to be auctioned during the "Cuckoo" for the Refuge Trailgating Party on Feb. 15, 2013. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to continue the important cuckoo study next summer and toward other Refuge research and educational programs. Stay tuned for details. |
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Refuge Nature Store Spotlight
Luc Century Holiday Ornaments |
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Luc Century's 2012 keepsake etched-glass holiday ornament portrays a mother manatee and her calf. |
The tradition continues. Each year, Sanibel Island glass-etching artisan Luc Century designs a wildlife holiday ornament exclusively for the Refuge Nature Store. He creates 250 limited-edition ornaments that collectors and nature-lovers highly prize.
In honor of the forthcoming opening of our Marvelous Manatees exhibit on Nov. 13, Luc has READ MORE
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'Ding' Darling Days Highlight |
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Learn all about ospreys at this special presentation.
Photo byTheresa Baldwin |
Wednesday,
Oct. 17
WILDLIFE DAY
11am-12noon FREE
"Story of Ospreys" Presentation,
Education Center Auditorium
Mark "Bird" Westall and Claudia Burns, International Osprey Foundation. Interesting presentation for all ages.
Click here for a complete schedule of "Ding" Days activities. |
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Refuge Wish List |
 As you make plans for year-end giving, please consider Refuge needs. For a complete description of the items below and information on giving, please click here.
Any amount - Honor or Memorial Gifts. A wonderful way to recongize a loved one.
$40 per class - Owl Pellets
$80 per class - Animal Track Discovery Packs
$500 - Interpretive Wildlife Panel
$500 or more - Named Scholarship in memory or in honor of someone special
$700 - Barred Owl (taxidermied)
LOAN or Donation - Recreational Vehicle or Trailer for Intern Housing
Click Here for more details
Ensure your legacy. Please consider naming the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society in your will. |
Wildlife Sightings Week ending September 25, 2012 |
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Photo by Patty Smith |
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The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society announces its seventh annual donation of $5,000 worth of grants of up to $1,000 each to Lee County Schools for conservation education-related projects. Teachers may use the grant money to purchase teaching aids, books, and classroom READ MORE
Students at Trafalgar Elementary School in Cape Coral work on a butterfly garden funded by a 2011 DDWS teacher grant. |
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website at www.dingdarlingsociety.org to learn more!
Sincerely,
"Ding" On the Wing composed by Chelle Walton
Assisted by interns Karen Lopresti and Jess Shelton |
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