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New Intern |  |
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society welcomes the newest addition to the "Ding" community. Intern Ana Tapia joined the Refuge staff last week after finishing an internship at Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges.
Ana will be working as the environmental education intern for the next six months. A Tampa, Florida, native and University of Florida alumnus READ MORE
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Education Grants
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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society recently awarded $4,005.34 in grants to seven conservation education-related projects at seven different Lee County School. Teachers submitted nine grant applications to the DDWS Environment Education Committee. The committee chose seven awards READ MORE
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Junior Photo Workshop |  | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec. 27, 2012
Yellowstone Wolf Expert Doug Smith Lecture @ 11:00 a.m.
January 15, 2013
Public Unveiling of new Welcome Archway.
January 16, 2013
Pubic Unveiling of the new "Living with Dinosaur's Exhibit @ 9:00 a.m.
January - April 2013
Inaugural Film Series sponsored by The Sanctuary
Feb. 15, 2013
Cuckoo For "Ding" Trailgate Party
May 3, 4, 2013
"Ding" Darling Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament!
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Guest Contribution program |
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GermanVisitors make a $1 contribution at TBE. |
Last month, Tarpon Bay Explorers (TBE), the Refuge's official recreation concession, announced that as part of our Guest Contribution Program it has added $31,750 to DDWS coffers "one dollar at a time." Since March 2009, TBE has been asking visitors if they'd like to participate in the fund-raising effort.
TBE, along with our accommodations partners, participate in our Guest Contribution Program. To see how your business can participate, contact Birgie Vertesch at 239-292-0566 or by email. |
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| Cuckoo for "Ding" Auction |
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Master sculptor Jim Sprankle puts the finishing touches on his Mangrove Cuckoo for auction. |
As Jim Sprankle finishes up his original Mangrove Cuckoo sculpture for live auction during the Cuckoo for "Ding" Trailgate Party on February 15, 2013, other silent and live auction items are being donated to the Refuge. They include a guided excursion with the mangrove cuckoo biologists to capture and track the cuckoo, unique works of art from Luc Century, Myra Roberts, Marianne Ravena and others, including a one-of-a-kind children's quilt handmade by Ranger Toni's mother. Tickets are $75 per person and reservations can be made by calling 239.292.0566. Click here to read more about the acution and event sponsors.
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2013 Lecture Series |
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DDWS Executive Director Birgie Vertesch and Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik accept a check to sponsor our 2013 Lecture Series from Lynn Schneider of Shell Point. |
The eagerly awaited 11-week "Ding" Darling Nature Store Lecture Series kicks off at the Refuge on Sanibel Island early on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at 11 a.m. with Dr. Douglas W. Smith, a senior wildlife biologist for the Yellowstone Center for Resources in Yellowstone National Park, presenting his program "The Wolves of Yellowstone: The First 15 Years" in the "Ding" Darling Education Center Auditorium.
Sponsored by The Shell Point Retirement Community, the regular 2013 Lecture Series season starts Friday, January 18, with an Alligators: Living Dinosaurs lecture, part of the Refuge's Living with Dinosaurs Week and exhibit unveiling.
Because of their popularity, the free 2013 lectures will be held twice each Friday in the "Ding" Darling Education Center Auditorium READ MORE
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Farewell to a Friend
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 Tim Gardner, a kind and loyal friend to "Ding" Darling Refuge and many other organizations and causes on Sanibel and Captiva, passed away on November 25, 2012. He was 70 years old. Known for his sly sense of humor and ready willingness to jump in on any project whenever or wherever needed, Tim volunteered at the Refuge as a heavy equipment operator and member of the Board of Directors.
He contributed 4,000 hours to the Refuge during the past 21 years, including time spent READ MORE
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12/12/12 Holly-Day Deals |
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Yummy scents and all-natural ingredients make the store's new soaps the perfect stocking stuffer. |
Skip the mall crowds and big-box stores. Shop for unique, truly Sanibel items during the "Ding" Darling Refuge Nature Store's Holly-Day event on Wednesday, Dec. 12 (a.k.a. 12/12/12), from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
In honor of the 12/12/12 date, the store will put its new 2012 Photography Contest note cards up for a 12 percent discount that day only. Also, the store will showcase READ MORE
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Wildlife Sightings Week ending December 6, 2012 |
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Photo by 2012 Second Place Winner
Liz Noffsinger |
Tide Information |
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Refuge Store Spotlight:
Photo Contest Note Cards | |
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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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