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Holiday Hours! |
The "Ding" Darling Education Center will close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, but Wildlife Drive will remain open for normal hours. The Education Center usually closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but exact times have yet to be determined. Watch our Facebook pages for updates.
Tarpon Bay Explorers will close Christmas Day, but will be open for regular hours throughout the rest of the holiday season. |
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Doc Ford's Kicks
the Bottle, Too
 Thanks to Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille for its loyal support of the Refuge, including this latest show of encouragement for our Kick the Bottle initiative. We invite other businesses to join the effort to reduce the overwhelming waste produced by one-use plastic bottles. Doc Ford's will be donating a portion of every sale of these bottles to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec. 27, 2012
Yellowstone Wolf Expert Doug Smith Lecture @ 11:00 a.m.
January 16, 2013
Pubic Unveiling of the new "Living with Dinosaur's Exhibit @ 9:00 a.m.
January - April 2013
Lecture Series sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community
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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Happy Holidays and a healthy, prosperous 2013 to all our loyal "Ding" on the Wing readers. Thanks for your support in keeping life wild at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge! |
| Having Fun at the Trailgate Party! |
 | | Jim Sprankle's carving of Mangrove Cuckoo will be the featured live auction item |
If you haven't marked your calendar yet for the Cuckoo for 'Ding' Trailgate Party, put a big red circle around February 15, 2013.
The Mangrove Cuckoo sculpture is complete, and the live and silent auction items are pouring in. Check out the unique artwork and some of the other items here.
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An Adirondack chair donated by the island's Ace Hardware and hand-painted by fine-art painter and master naturalist Randon Eddy. |
Thank you to our Sponsors:
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Wolf Lecture | |
The eagerly awaited Refuge Nature Store Lecture Series kicks off at the Refuge early this year with a special presentation on Thursday, December 27, 2012, by Dr. Douglas W. Smith, a senior wildlife biologist for the Yellowstone Center for Resources in Yellowstone National Park.
Smith, who has appeared numerous times in television interviews and shows, will present his program "The Wolves of Yellowstone: The First 15 Years" READ MORE |
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New Officers & Emeritus Board Member |
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Board of Directors elected officers for its 2013 year at its December 5, 2012, meeting. They are, clockwise from upper right: John McCabe, president; Doris Hardy, vice president; Susan Casell, secretary; and David Wright, treasurer.
Former DDWS board member
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John McCabe and Terry Baldwin |
Terry Baldwin became the newest member of its Emeritus Board by unanimous vote at the recent annual meeting.
Terry served on the Society's Board of Directors from 2003 to 2012, seven of those nine years as secretary. She also chaired the membership, emeritus, and READ MORE |
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Support Conservation with a Year-end gift |
 As 2012 draws to a close, please consider the value of making year-end donations to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society to support efforts to protect our wildlife within the Refuge.
Once December 31 has come and gone, your tax liability for the 2012 tax year will be set in stone. Potential changes in federal tax laws make year-end giving even more important.
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Photo by Wayne Kliewer |
Your gift, regardless of its size, will be appreciated and put to good use. Only with the help of people like you, who have compassion for our wildlife and its protection, can we truly make a difference.
You can make a year-end charitable gift online through PayPal, by CLICKING HERE or by calling 239.472.1100 ext. 4. |
Wildlife Sightings Week ending December 18, 2012 |
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Lesser Black-backed gull
Photo by intern Tony Henehan |
Current
Tide Information |
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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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