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Celebrity birding authors Don & Lillian Stokes to sign new book at "Ding" |  |
Longtime winter residents of Sanibel Island and nationally acclaimed bird authors and TV personalities Don and Lillian Stokes will make a personal appearance at the Refuge Nature Store in the "Ding" Darling Education Center on Wednesday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to noon to sign copies of their just-released Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region. The latest in their line of more than 30 photographic birding guides, it, along with READ MORE
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Don and Lillian Stokes with Refuge Nature Store manager Lise Bryant. |
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"Ding's" Fire Guys
"Ding" Darling Biologist Jeremy Conrad, along with Refuge Fire Operation and Fuel Technician Paul Ryan, will talk about "Fire: The Secret to a Healthy Eco-System" at a special presentation at the Refuge on Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. in the free "Ding" Darling Education Center. The lecture is part of the "Ding" Darling Lecture Series sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community. Jeremy started working at Loxahatchee NWR on Florida's East Coast as an invasive READ MORE | |
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Farewell to the Woods |  |
Refuge and DDWS staff last week surprised Bill "Woody" and Judy Wood with a "sweet" send-off card as they prepare to leave for home in Colorado this week. The Woods have been with us for six seasons as Resident Volunteers. Last year, Woody stepped in to help in maintenance when a staff member was called to duty in Afganistan. "He spent a year as an emergency hire," said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. "The Woods are just so awesome and never want any recognition. We wanted to make sure they know how much we appreciate them!" |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January - April 2013
Lecture Series sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community
January - April 2013
Film Series sponsored by The Sanctuary Golf Club
April 20, 2013
Earth Day at the Refuge
May 3, 4, 2013
"Ding" Darling Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament!
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"Ding" campaign steps up efforts as it nears goal. |
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"Teddy Roosevelt" and saving the Woodring Homestead |
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Preservation Campaign Chair Jim Sprankle with a few committee members- Doris Hardy, Lisa Heidrick, DDWS President John McCabe, and DDWS Executive Director Birgie Vertesch. |
Ongoing contributions to the "Ding" Darling Preservation Campaign bring the total pledged to the $1.3 million mark this week, short of the $1.8 million goal by $500,000. "The closer we get, the harder we have to work at it," said Campaign Chair Jim Sprankle. "We see light at the end of the tunnel, but we are making a final big push as season comes to an end and we try to capture the attention of our seasonal visitors and residents. A BIG thank you to the local Zonta chapter for featuring the Woodring Homestead during their annual "Peek at the Unique" and allowing us to share information on the campaign.
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Dan and Gina Deddens from Shrewsbury, Missouri, have been visiting "Ding" Darling for years. They opted to pledge to the campaign by a monthly credit card donation. Click here to make your gift to support this important campaign. |
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Got Great Egrets? | |
 The Canadian Wildlife Service is tracking Great Egrets' movements out of Ontario in the fall to determine where they winter. Of the 53 reports that have been received of banded or tagged egrets from outside of Ontario, nine (18%) have come from the Caribbean islands. During that same time period, the other 82% of the egrets reported were found along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey to Florida. You can contribute to this study by examining egrets for red leg bands or the orange or green wing tags. NOTE THAT SOME OF THE ORANGE BANDS HAVE FADED TO WHITE. If you see a banded or tagged egret, try to read the character on it, e.g. 32A. Please report any sightings--include the date, time, and location of the sighting, and the color of the tag and the characters on it-- to chip.weseloh@yahoo.com. Include your name and contact details.
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President Teddy Roosevelt himself stopped by "Ding" Darling last Thursday to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the National Refuge System. He visited Woodring Point, Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille, Tarpon Bay Explorers, and the Education Center, where he talked about his life. Actor Joe Wiegand plays the part of the "conservation president," and is a good friend of the Refuge. |
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Tarpon Tourney registration deadline
April 26
Only 18 Spots Remain |
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Tarpon Bay Explorers, the Refuge's recreation concession, has generously sponsored two teams for the tournament- Fish 'N' Chics and Fishaholics. |
If you haven't registered yet for the Second Annual "Ding" Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament, better hurry. Spots are going fast for the 50-team field taking place May 4, 2013. If you've registered but haven't paid, you may be forfeiting a strategic starting position. Early Payment means early departure. Remember, all fees go into the 100% awards purse. For more information on the tournament and registration, please click here.  | |
Team Tarpon Bay Fishaholics |
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Refuge Nature Store Spotlight |
 Summer break is coming: Are your kids ready to explore and learn about nature while school's outs? These spiral-bound log books make it fun and easy to keep up writing and science skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for the wilds. Stop in to pick up yours today, or call 239-472-1100 ext. 241 or email to order. All proceeds from Refuge Nature Store purchases benefit Refuge wildlife. |
Wildlife Sightings Week ending March 19, 2013 |
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Horseshoe Crabs |
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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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