Like us on Facebook
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
In This Issue
Wildlife Drive Repaving
Upcoming Events
Trailgate Party
FREE Season Programs
Art and the Refuge
Wildlife Sightings
 900 Fans and Counting
In November, we boosted efforts to capture our 1,030th Facebook fan to celebrate the Society's 30th anniversary. The numbers have jumped! We already surpassed the 900 mark last week. All new fans since November will be entered into a drawing once we reach 1,030. The winner will receive a $30 credit in the Refuge Nature Store. Click here to become a fan.

 

Stokes Birding Tour
stokes
Only 15 seats are left to be a part of this exclusive tour with
longtime Sanibel Island winter  residents and nationally acclaimed bird authors Don and Lillian Stokes on the morning of Friday, February 8, 2013. Wildlife Drive is normally closed on Fridays, meaning  READ MORE  


 

 

Quick Links
Roadwork
 Wildlife Drive Repaving
The Refuge's 4-mile Wildlife Drive will be closing for repaving from May through September 2013.  This construction project will replace the existing open-grade pavement on Wildlife Drive with an READ MORE

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 Calendar  

  

January 16, 2013

Pubic Unveiling of "Living with Dinosaur's Exhibit @ 9:00 a.m.

 

January - April 2013

Lecture Series sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community

 

January - April 2013

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!

 

 January 3, 2013
banner
Film Series Kickoff

green fire "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society debuts its inaugural eight-week Film Series on Wednesday, January 9, at 3:30 p.m. in the "Ding" Darling Education Center with the documentary Green Fire.

 

The film explores the life and legacy of legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold and the many ways his land ethic philosophy lives on in the work of people and organizations all over the country. Green Fire shares highlights from Leopold's life READ MORE 

 

Thanks to our Film Series Sponsor:  The Sanctuary Golf Club

Trailgate Party in February
trailgate invite
Tickets are $75 per person. Reservations can be made by clicking here
 

Invitations are ready for the mail and people are already calling in to make their reservations to attend the Cuckoo for "Ding" Trailgate Party fundraiser on February 15, 2013.  It will feature a live and silent auction, including a weekend day photo boat tour with professional photographers Sara Lopez and Dick Fortune. Learn how to catch the essence and beauty of Southwest Florida through their 

eyes when you join them on the boat for a photo lesson and session out on the water and lunch in a seaside restaurant. For a list of other auction items, including the hand carved Mangrove Cuckoo by Jim Sprankle, click here.  To pay for a reservation today, CLICK HERE

Thank  you to our Sponsors:

Cuckoo Level:  Hans & Leslie Fleischner
Jim and Patty Sprankle; Wilbur Smith Law Firm.  
Dolphin LevelSanibel Captiva Trust Company.  
FREE Season Programs
A naturalist-guided Indigo Trail Hike is one of more than 200 free programs the refuge offers daily throughout the season.
From fishing and biking the Refuge, to learning about gators and crocs, the seasonal calendar of free programs and tours begins on Sunday, January 6, and runs through March 29. 

Daily programs begin at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse topics as Nature Photography, Plants of the Bailey Tract, Calusa Shell Mound Tours, Florida's Venomous Wildlife, and Family Craft & Story Time. "We have something for visitors of all ages," said Refuge Education Specialist Ranger Becky Wolff. "The free Refuge programs and tours last anywhere from a half hour to two hours."   For a full calendar of programs and tours and descriptions, click here
Refuge Nature Store Spotlight
Auto Coasters
Locals know that stoneware Auto Coasters are an absolute must to absorb "beverage sweat" when driving in Southwest Florida heat and humidity. The Refuge Nature Store has in stock a variety of fun tropical designs. Stop in to pick some up today, or call 239-472-1100 ext. 241 or email to order. Remember, all proceeds from Nature Store purchases benefit the Refuge.
Painting Sale Adds to Our Coffers
Krupa In the tradition of big sales for Black Friday, artist Stacie Krupa of the Grille Gallery at George & Wendy's Seafood Grille
 posted on Facebook that all of her paintings would be available for only $2,000 each, one day only. Regular customers of the Grille, John and Cheryl Carrigan heard about this the day after and were disappointed they had missed the sale, because they had their eyes on the elephant painting. So John made an offer- the painting for $2,000 plus a $500 donation to charity. Stacie agreed and the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, which normally gets 5% of every Grille Gallery art sale, got a check for $500! What great community support we receive! Thanks everyone.
Wildlife Sightings  
Week ending January 1,
 2013
Snowy Egret Photo by  Christine Kliewer
 
 
Current
 
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,
Birgit Vertesch, Executive Director
 
"Ding" On the Wing composed by Chelle Walton
Assisted by interns Karen Lopresti and Jess Shelton