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Film Series: |  | |
A photojournalist, a conservationist, and a bear biologist walk into a swamp. This is no joke: In fact, the three actually hiked and paddled 1,000 miles over 100 days from the Everglades to Okefenokee Swamp to explore the Florida Wildlife Corridor (FWC) that the National Wildlife Refuge System hopes to turn into the next Florida refuge.
Follow their challenging journey at "Ding" Darling Refuge's airing of Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. in the "Ding" Darling Education Center auditorium. Sponsored by the Sanctuary Golf Club of Sanibel Island
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The Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition team braved wildlife-rich waters and terrain to lay groundwork for future refuge lands. |
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Sea Turtle Lecture
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SCCF biologist Amanda Brant relocates a sea turtle nest on Sanibel Island. |
SCCF biologist and Sea Turtle Specialist Amanda Bryant, with "Ding" Darling Biologist Jeremy Conrad, will present a special program on "Sanibel Sea Turtles" at the Refuge on Friday, April 5, at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. in the free Education Center. It is the last of the 11-week "Ding" Darling Lecture Series sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community.
Amanda, a Philadelphia University graduate with a bachelor's degree in environmental and conservation biology, has focused her interests and work on READ MORE. |
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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!
May 21-August 15, 2013
Summer Programs at the Refuge
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Campaign Challenge Donation |
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Campaign Chair Jim Sprankle shows off the latest leap in donations. |
We're Almost There!
News last week of an anonymous $200,000 challenge donation to the "Ding" Darling Preservation Campaign brings the total pledged to the $1.6 million mark. If the challenge is met, another $200,00 will meet the campaign's $1.8 million goal. To make a donation online, click here. To read more about the challenge donation and status, please click here. Many thanks to our loyal friends and donors who have helped us get to this point.
The "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the jewel in Sanibel's crown and has made our island what it is today, a place teeming with wildlife, not homes and high-rise buildings. Sanibel and Captiva islands would be very different today had this Refuge not been established in 1945. Please consider rising up to this challenge and join with us to support this important preservation campaign. |
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Mangrove Cuckoo Research Update |
 | | Mangrove Cuckoo with yellow eye ring |
Mangrove Cuckoo researchers Rachel and Steve Mullin were excited to report recently their first capture of a cuckoo with a yellow eye ring. It was their second capture and tag of the season. They continue to track their movements by foot and kayaks as they search for others. Stay tuned for a full biologists' report in upcoming "Ding" on the Wings. Click hereto read a wrap-up of last year's inaugural field studies. |
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Boardwalk Work Begins
Indigo Trail Temp Closure | |
 Clearing work began earlier this week behind The Sanibel School for the
Children's Education Boardwalk, which will connect the school and Refuge when completed this summer. As construction begins next week, Indigo Trail will close to hikers and bikers Tuesday, April 2, through Friday, April 5. It will reopen for the weekend -- Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. The trail will be closed again Monday, April 8, to Wednesday, April 10, to finish work. The trail will open again on Thursday, April 11, unless prevented by unforeseen delays. Further announcements will be made at that time.
When completed, the Children's Education Boardwalk will be open to the public READ MORE |
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Tarpon Tourney Update |
 | | Nick Fischer helped Team Doc Ford's take first place last year in the inaugural tournament. |
Only 14 spots remain in the 50-boat-limit tournament, which pays out 100 percent of fees READ MORE
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Refuge Nature Store Spotlight |
 Magic T-shirts Surprise the kids with these fun T-shirts in their Easter basket this year. Instead of coloring Easter eggs, they can walk out into the sun and watch their shirts magically transform into brilliant colors.
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 26, 2013 |
 | Reddish Egret White Morph
Photo By Dick Stilwell |
Current
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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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