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In This Issue
South Seas Island Resort
Tarpon Tournament Video
Upcoming Events
Jan. 11 Fitness Fair
Trailgate Party
Wildlife Sightings
Quick Links
Welcome South Seas!
Welcome to South Seas Island Resort, our newest Guest Contribution Partner. By Participating in our accommodations partnership program, the resort agrees to give guests the option of adding $1 per night to their bill as a donation to support the Refuge. Thanks for the
amazing support from South Seas and all of our partners!
For information on joining the program, please contact Birgie Miller Vertesch.

Save the Date 
May 3, 2014
Click logo to watch a video produced by WGCU about our Tarpon Tournament!


Hurry in for your cold weather wardrobe. The Refuge Nature Store has got you covered with cozy sweatshirts and long-sleeved Teeshirts.
All store purchases directly benefit Refuge wildlife.
 
  
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 28 
Stokes Birding Tour - Only a few spots remain!
 April 16 -Upcycle Art Fest
October 19-25 , 2014  - 25th Annual "Ding" Darling Days 

 

      

January 11 Fitness Fair at the Sanibel Health Club.  Proceeds from their silent auction will benefit the Refuge! 

 

                                                  
Reminder: New Tram Parking
This week the Refuge begins its new seasonal strategy to improve parking at the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center.  Along with Tarpon Bay Explorers, staff will be testing a system whereby tram tourists will still buy their tickets at the Visitor & Education Center parking lot booth, but then will drive south less than half a mile to the Refuge Special Events Parking Lot to board the 90-minute tram tour.
As the transition begins, tram tickets will also be for sale at the new parking lot site. For more information, please call Tarpon Bay Explorers at
239-472-8900.

Lecture Series Kicks Off January 17
Hear about the underbelly of Florida wilderness and how state wardens track wildlife thieves at lectures by Bob H. Lee, author of Backcountry Lawman: True Stories from a Florida Game Warden. The Two lectures begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, January 17, in the free Visitor & Education Center.  Lecture Series is sponsored by The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.

Most people have never imagined the often dicey, sometimes comical and bizarre job of a Florida game warden. Backcountry Lawman tells what it's like to catch an armed poacher READ MORE
 
5 Reasons to "Trailgate" - Feb. 21, 2014

                            

#1.  You can dress up silly for free photo booth picture. 
#2. You can become a member of the elite Sprankle "Feather Club".
#3. You can bid LIVE on an original, "Ding" Darling political cartoon 
#4. You will enjoy luscious "trailgate" food under the tent at the Refuge. 
#5. You can bid on vacations, hand-painted bikes, art work, and other unique Refuge-related items during the silent auction.

Attendance for the "In the Pink Trailgate Party" is limited. Click here to register before it's too late! 

A loud round of applause for our sponsors  
Spoonbill level:
 
Sawyer Smith from the Wilbur Smith Law Firm, Trailgate sponsor at the Roseate Spoonbill level
Mark & Gretchen Banks,

  

Wildlife Sightings

Photo by Theresa Baldwin



  
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 Miller, Executive Director  
"Ding" On the Wing composed by Chelle Walton 
Assisted byJess Shelton and intern Sarah Lathrop