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In This Issue
Winter Programs
2014 Officers
Clear Your Gear
Upcoming Events
Theodore Cross Photo Contest
Trailgate Party!
Winter Film Series
New Emeritus Member
Upcycle! Art Fest
Wildlife Sightings
Quick Links
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays and a healthy, prosperous 2014 to all of our loyal "Ding" on the Wing readers. Thanks for your support in keeping life wild at the Refuge. Please keep DDWS in mind for last-minute gifts and year-end gift-giving.
  
Winter Programs
From birding and biking the Refuge, to learning about gators and crocs, the seasonal calendar of FREE programs and tours at the Refuge begins on January 2, 2014, and runs through April 25. CLICK HERE for a complete calendar of activities and descriptions. This year's Friday Indigo Trail Walk takes in the new Wildlife Education boardwalk 

 

2014 Officers
The DDWS Board of Directors reelected its officers for 2014: (from right top, clockwise) President John McCabe, Vice President Doris Hardy, Secretary Susan Cassell, and Treasurer David Wright.

Clear Your Gear
Thanks to our Operation Scissors monofilament clean-up crew for its diligent work in the Refuge. Fishing line and equipment can cause serious injury to wildlife, as these photos reveal. To see more of the Clear Your Gear slide show, please CLICK HERE.
  
   
Click here for a full calendar of events and programs.
 
January 5-April 20 2014 - Winter Refuge Programs
January 8-April 16 2014 - Bi-Weekly Film Series
  
January 17-April 11 2014 - Weekly Friday Lecture Series,
 February 21 2nd Annual Trailgate Party  
February 28 - Stokes Birding Tour  - Only 10 (ten) spots remain!
April 16 -Upcycle Art Fest
October 19-25 , 2014  - 25th Annual "Ding" Darling Days 

 

"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
"Ding" Video
Our 90-second "Ding" Darling: America's Birding Hotspot video debuted last week. The project was made possible by a marketing grant from BP-Amoco. It and a shorter, 30-second version will be broadcast in the off-season via in-room hotel networks and Comcast media buys. CLICK HERE to have a look, and please share by email and social media.
Men's Shopping Happy Hour  
Our "Men-Only" Last-Minute Holiday
Shopping Happy Hour on Monday, December 23, will lubricate your buying mechanisms with beer and pretzels from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The Refuge Nature Store has stocked some special holiday gift items especially for the event, and it will have gift consultants and personal shoppers ready with suggestions and free recycled-paper gift wrapping. 
  
"All proceeds from Nature Store purchases go directly to benefiting wildlife and conservation," said Store Manager Lise Bryant. "So we'd thought it would be a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit with an altruistic twist".  
  
Free "manly" gifts to anyone who buys something.  Holiday shopping should be fun and this will be a fun night with unique gifts for all members of the family. 
  
Ladies, you are welcome too!
Scat & Tracks
The Refuge debuted the final phase of its Wildlife Ed
This replica bobcat scat is on the top of the panel, which has a lid that is lifted to give the answer to curious minds.
ucation
 
Boardwalk last week, which features replicated tracks and scat panels for more than a dozen animals.    
Designed by David Williams of WinginitWorks, the scat panels educate about the animal's diet and habits.  As one can imagine, the children love them! 
  
  Donations from Society Members, memorial contributions for Win Kloosterman, a challenge grant from the George & Miriam Martin Foundation and individual sponsorships of the Jim Sprankle Duck Decoy's made this amazing boardwalk possible.  Please be sure to walk or bike the approximate 1/3 mile from the beginning of Indigo Trail to experience a beautiful outdoor educational experience. 
  Inaugural "Ding" Darling Theodore Cross High School Photo Contest
The inaugural "Ding" Darling- Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest is underway, with a deadline of March 14, 2014. Invite all your talented high school friends or family in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to enter for cool prizes. 
  
Named in memory of the late, great bird photographer, Theodore Cross, who also marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., advised presidents on anti-poverty programs and wrote the influential book Black Capitalism, this contest hopes to encourage budding photographers to get out in nature and capture the wonder through their lenses. 
For guidelines and other contest information, please CLICK HERE or call 239-472-1100 ext. 249.  
  "In the Pink" Trailgate Party Update
Great news: Chris Coile will be providing music for the upcoming Trailgate Party: In the Pink on February 21, 2014, at the Refuge. Participation in the event's under-the-tent feast and silent auctions is limited. CLICK HERE to register before it's too late- the guest list is filling up quickly!
An enormous round of applause for our In the Pink sponsors:   Spoonbill level: Mark & Gretchen Banks, the Wilbur Smith Law Firm
  
Winter Film Series
Explore where animals live as our film series kicks off January 8, 2014, with Animal House. Click the photo above to see an introduction to the film
The Second Annual "Ding" Darling Film Series kicks off its bi-monthly showings this winter with a schedule of eight films starting on January 8, 2014. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society sponsors the free showings in the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis. CLICK HERE for the 2014 Film Series schedule. 
  
New Emeritus Member
Emeritus Board Committee Chair Susan Cassell with new member Chip Lesch
Former DDWS board member Chip Lesch became the 16th member of our Emeritus Board by unanimous vote at the recent annual meeting.
"To be an Emeritus, a candidate has to have served on the board for at least six years and made an outstanding contribution to the Society," said Emeritus Board Committee Chair Susan Cassell. "Chip REALLY fits the bill!"
  
New Date for Upcycle!
Award-winning upcycle artist Andrew Corke will create a new piece for Upcycle!'s silent auction.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 16, 2014, and get ready for Sanibel Island's first fine arts and crafts event to require the use of repurposed and re-envisioned materials.
Twenty-five artists working in all media from around the U.S. are expected to qualify for the Upcycle! Art Fest. The festival will take place at the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring works for display, judging, and sales. CLICK HERE for details.
Visitors Spotlights
Visitors are enjoying the new replicated tracks and scat on the Wildlife Education Boardwalk. To the left, Sanibel resident Carl takes a picture of the alligator scat panel to send back to a friend in Minnesota. 
Larry and Lorraine from Michigan (right) took their first stroll down the boardwalk. Besides enjoying the new features, they had the opportunity to see the Roseate Spoonbill that often comes to feed near the boardwalk.
Wildlife Sightings
Otter photo by: USFWS


  
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 byJess Shelton and intern Sarah Lathrop