Used Furniture Needed! |
Got some furniture, or appliances you would like to get
rid of? Please consider donating items for our intern housing. Lee County Mosquito District has donated mobile housing to the Refuge, but the units will need to be outfitted before they become habitable. Please take a look at our list of needs by clicking HERE and contact Birgie Vertesch at
239-292-0566 or email if you can help. |
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Holly Days Shopping This Weekend!
Skip the mall crowds, the Black Friday madness, and the big-box stores. Shop for unique, truly Sanibel items during the Refuge Nature Store's two Holly Days events on Saturday, November 24, and Wednesday, December 12 (a.k.a. 12/12/12) starting at 2 p.m.
During the festive events, the top-rated Refuge Nature Store will showcase special new gifts
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Refuge Nature Store Spotlight |
If you missed the premiere of America's Darling: The Story of Jay N. "Ding" Darling during "Ding" Darling Days, or caught it and wantto own it, you are in luck! We have a limited number of DVD copies in the Nature Store. It is a wonderful story of an amazing man. See rare footage of artifacts and images from the life of our Refuge's namesake.
Order yours today by calling 239-472-1100 ext. 241 or emailing the bookstore by Clicking Here. |
Did you Hear?
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USA TODAY recently listed Sanibel and "Ding" Darling as one of "10 great places for families to escape the snow." CLICK HERE to read more.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov. 24, 2012
Refuge Nature Store "Holly Day"
Dec. 12, 2012
Refuge Nature Store "Holly Day"
Dec. 27, 2012
Yellowstone Wolf Expert Doug Smith Lecture @ 11:00 a.m.
Feb. 15, 2013
Cuckoo For "Ding" Trailgate Party
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| At Thanksgiving, more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress at the Society and the J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR possible. Let us all give thanks for every small and great thing in our lives. May you and your loved ones have a Happy Thanksgiving. |
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The eagerly awaited "Ding" Darling Lecture Series kicks off at J.N. "Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island with an early lecture on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at 11 a.m. Dr. Douglas W. Smith, a senior wildlife biologist for Yellowstone National Park will be presenting his program "The Wolves of Yellowstone: The First 15 Years" in the "Ding" Darling Education Center Auditorium.
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DDWS Executive Director Birgie Vertesch and Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik accept a check to finance the 2012-2013 Lecture Series from Lynn Schneider, assistant VP for marketing & communications at Shell Point Retirement Community. |
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Cuckoo for "Ding" Trailgate Party |
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Make plans now to attend Feb. 15! |
Master carver Jim Sprankle
continues to work on the Mangrove Cuckoo sculpture that we will auction off for our Cuckoo for "Ding" Trailgate Party on February 15, 2013, at the Refuge.
To get the sculpture in top artistic shape following its service in the field for the Refuge's first-of-its-kind Mangrove Cuckoo study, Jim had to strip it of its lacquer and paint. He is now refeathering it with delicate instruments to prepare it for its final paint job and perch on a mangrove branch.
Whoever goes home with this unique bird will have a priceless collectors item and will be helping protect the Mangrove Cuckoo where the dollars will go to support this research project.
To help raise additional support, event sponsors are needed. Currently, the following individuals and businesses are sponsors. Cuckoo Level: Hans & Leslie Flesichner; Jim & Patty Sprankle. Dolphin Level: tba. Bear Level: tba Gator Level: Bailey's General Store; Gulf Coast Palm & Tree; Jacaranda Restaurant; John Grey Painting; Queenies Ice Cream; Sanibel Fish House; Suncatcher's Dream; The Sanibel Design Center and VIP Realty Group. To read more about the event and how to become a sponsor, CLICK HERE
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New Exhibit Unveiled! |
A crowd of media, refuge donors and friends, The Sanibel School fifth-grade class, and representatives from the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) applauded at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, as "Ding" Darling Refuge officials and partners unveiled the long-awaited Marvelous Manatees exhibit. The exhibit enhances the educational value of an articulated manatee skeleton READ MORE |
Biology Update - Sanibel Rice Rat |
Update by Biology Intern Kim Ramos
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Sanibel Island is the only place in the world with this species of rat |
The Sanibel Rice Rat, Oryzomys palustris sanibeli, is native to and found only on Sanibel Island. It has reddish brown fur, small round ears, pink feet, a tail that is darker on top than on bottom, and it lives in cordgrass marshes. The rat is listed as a species of special concern in Florida. Biologists at J.N "Ding" Darling NWR have been trapping annually for the Sanibel Rice Rat since 2003.
During the years of 2003-2006 an average of 18 rice rats were captured per year. It wasn't until 2009 when the Refuge staff caught a rice rat, when two were found. Since then, trapping efforts have yielded no rice rats, until this year.
During the last week of October, Refuge biologists trapped two rice rats. Both rats received uniquely numbered, silver ear tags. All rats captured are measured and released. The data that biologists are collecting will help guide habitat management decisions in the future to ensure the rice rat's continued survival. With another month and half left in trapping for this year, Refuge staff is looking forward to seeing more rice rats.
The "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society supports the Refuge intern program with gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. |
Wildlife Sightings Week ending November 20, 2012 |
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2012 Honorable Mention Sherm Bedford |
Tide Information |
SATW Worldwide Phoenix Award
| The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) last week presented its 2012 Phoenix Award to the Refuge and Society jointly at a special reception at the Refuge. Dignitaries and refuge partners from Sanibel and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) attended the reception. SATW journalist READ MORE |
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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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