"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
September 25, 2014
In This Issue
Welcome New Interns
Nat'l Public Lands Day
Upcoming Events
Upcycle! Artists
Pardon Our Dust
Thursday Trivia
'Ding' Days Sponsors
Wildlife Sightings
Quick Links


Welcome New Interns
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society continues its support of the refuge and DDWS internship programs this fall with the hiring of two new interns who will work for both the refuge and its friends group.  Kasey Robb and Dana Desousa clocked in for service earlier this month.  Kasey, a geology graduate from READ MORE
 
"Best Of" Award
Refuge Manager Paul Tritaik accepted an award from the Islander
newspaper at a recent awards luncheon, after the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge won Best Family Attraction in this year's Best of the Islands readers' poll.
 
The Refuge will celebrate on this Saturday, Saturday, September 27, 2014 with a "re-think/recycle" craft, hiking, a special film and other free activities.
Admission to Wildlife Drive that day is FREE for everyone all day, from 7 am to 7 pm.  
Explore Wildlife Drive and its trails for free on this Saturday.
The day's events begin at 10:00 am with a free guided hike along Indigo Trail to the Education Boardwalk, where visitors can READ MORE

 

Make plans now to attend the 3rd Annual Trailgate Party February 17, 2015.  

 

Click here for a full calendar of events and programs.
 

Happy Hour Holiday Shopping - December 2

Society Annual Meeting - December 3, 2014

Friday Lecture Series - January 9-April 10, 2015

Trailgate Party 2015: Dinner & Puffins a la Maine - February 17, 2015
 


Earth Day at the Refuge - April 18, 2015


 
'Ding' Days Scavenger Hunt
Take a selfie with a mangrove tree.  Name three birds you spot from the Wildlife Education Boardwalk.  Download the new free Discover Ding game app.  Get a Refuge Ranger's autograph.  These are just four of the fun activities that could help earn you one of 25 prizes during our Silver Scavenger Hunt, part of "Ding" Darling Days, October 19-25, 2014. 

Complete 25 of the 40 activities to become eligible for prize drawings; you need not be present to win.  Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet at the Welcome Table near the ramp on
Family Fun Day, Sunday, October 19, or at the Reception Desk in the Visitor & Education Center the rest of the week.  Turn in your completed sheet at the Reception Desk Sunday through Saturday.
"Ding" Darling Days and so many other activities at the Refuge would not be possible without the support of sponsors.  Please visit our sponsors for "Ding" Days and thank them for supporting the Refuge.  To see a sponsor list, click HERE
Upcycle! Artists Showcase
Starting in October through the end of 2014, the Refuge Nature Store will be showcasing the work of artists who participate in our annual Upcycle! Art Fest.  Their work, which makes use of re-imagined materials, will be for sale during the three months.  Next month, the store will feature the nature-inspired work of Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild members starting October 6.  Repurposed art will include Angela Aradia's pottery from re-
Glass night lights by Lorraine Capps
claimed clay, Lorraine Capps' glass pieces using some recycled material, and 
Mixed media collage by 
Toni Ory
Toni Ory's mixed media collages made from recycled paper scraps and found objects.  Watch next week's bulletin for news of more artists.
Pardon Our Dust
In preparation for "Ding" Darling Days, October 19-25, the Refuge Nature Store
is getting a facelift.  the store will remain open during its redesign phase.  Come take a peek at our progress!
As part of our renovation, we are replacing display cases, and are proud to have made a new business partner in the process.  We donated cases to The Sanibel Sprout and in return the health food store and restaurant, which is relocating to the Bailey's shopping center, will be displaying one of our new donation boxes. To learn how your business can partner with "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society to support the Refuge, contact Birgie Miller via email or 239-292-0566. 
 
Thursday Trivia
Sandy Boyle was the first person to correctly answer our trivia question last week with Anhinga! Congratulations Sandy!


Answer this trivia question below from our Discover Ding game app.  (download October 19).  Email the correct answer first and win a prize from the Refuge Nature Store. The correct answer and winner will be posted in the next "Ding" on the Wing.

Trivia Question: 
"I'm the 747 of "Ding" Darling's bird
world. With a wingspan of up to nine
feet, I have the longest at the refuge.
I can also carry up to 3 gallons of fish
in my mouth! Who am I?"
Our Blue Goose mascot recently paid a visit to Matzaluna Italian Kitchen to thank management and staff for its support of this year's "Ding" Darling Days and to promote the new  Discover Ding game app.




Thanks to our generous sponsors who make "Ding" Darling Days happen this year
ROSEATE SPOONBILL

 GREAT EGRET

GREAT BLUE HERON
REDDISH EGRET
SNOWY EGRET

Wildlife Sightings
Tricolored Heron Photo by Al Hoffacker



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 Koster Walton
Designed by Associate Director Sarah Lathrop and intern Kasey Robb