Keep Voting!
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One of 20 candidates for USA Today's Best Birdwatching reader's poll, Sanibel Island is currently in fifth place. Vote daily through November 10, 2014, by clicking here.
A vote for Sanibel Island is a vote for "Ding." Here's the poll's description of Sanibel birding: "During the winter, J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge becomes a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers who come to see roseate spoonbills, herons, bald eagles, American white pelicans and countless shorebirds, often at amazingly close range."
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Fee Free
November 11th
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On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, in honor of Veteran's Day, Wildlife Drive will be open free to all visitors. It's a good time to come say hello to the white pelicans and other "snowbirds" that are starting to arrive steadily. Photo courtesy of Theresa Baldwin.
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Management
Job Swap
Joyce Palmer atop Lookout Mountain in Colorado. |
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Joyce Palmer, Refuge Deputy Manager, is spending a month in Lakewood, Colorado, as the software development team leader in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's (FWS) Branch of Communication Technology. Andrey Andreyev, who normally wears that hat, is taking Palmer's place
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Andrey Andreyev
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| Click here for a full calendar of events and programs.
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As 2014 draws to a close, please consider the value of making a year-end donation to the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society to support efforts to protect our wildlife within the Refuge. Your tax-deductible gift helps support the Refuge in areas such as conservation education, water and wildlife research, environmental scholarships, trails
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Teacher Grants Deadline Extended
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DDWS will award up to $10,000 in grants this school year.
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The deadline for "Ding" Darling teachers conservation grants has been extended to November 17, 2014. Click here to read more.
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Upcycle! Artist in Refuge Nature Store
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This month's recycled art sale in the Refuge Nature Store showcases the work of Jay Lana, who took second place in last year's Upcycle! Art Fest. Jay fashions creative lamps from salvaged plumbing, automotive, electrical, and other parts.
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FREE Kids Fishing Derby this Saturday
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Kids who are able to hold their own fishing pole may participate in the free second annual "Ding" Darling Kids Fishing Derby to be held on the Sanibel Causeway Islands Park (Island A) on Saturday, November 8, 2014.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on the causeway, and ages 15 and younger start fishing at 9 a.m. and finish READ MORE
The event is also made possible by support from the Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club; Lexington Fishing Club; Sanibel Island Fishing Club; Trophy Case of Fort Myers and Lee County Parks & Recreation.
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| First place: Charles Woodrich's Prothonotary Warbler |
On October 25, 2014, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society announced the winners of our 27th annual "Ding" Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest at a special Conservation Art Day presentation in the Refuge Visitor & Education Center, part of the week long "Ding" Darling Days
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Minority Outreach
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| Family Fun Day |
In keeping with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's mission to draw minority audiences out into nature and the careers of conservation, the Refuge and DDWS have stepped up efforts to bring to the Refuge children and families that might not otherwise visit. This year for "Ding" Darling Days we advertised on 97.7 Latino radio, which brought its van out for Family Fun Day. The result? A lot of happy Hispanic faces enjoying the free activities and all the Refuge has to offer. Click here to read the local paper's article about our efforts.
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Holiday Cards
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Our 2014 Holiday Card Sets are selling quickly, so come in and get yours today.
Click here to view the entire set
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One of the six different photos featured on the 2014 Holiday Cards.
Reddish Egret by Al Hoffacker
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Mail-order your cards by calling 239-472-1100 ext. 241.
Remember, all proceeds from purchases in the Refuge Nature Store benefit the conservation efforts at the Refuge.
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Thursday Trivia
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Congratulations to Cindy Seaman for being the first reader to correctly identify the Osprey last week!
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.
"I secrete a toxin that keeps any other plants from growing next to me and from using MY precious water. I'm also related to poison ivy and poison oak, so if you have sensitive skin, keep clear! My canopy shades out other plants; my shallow roots cause erosion; and wildlife has no interest in using me as shelter!
Because of this, I now take up almost 1 million acres in Florida alone! Who am I?"
Email us with the correct answer and win a prize from the
Refuge Nature Store!
Don't forget to download your FREE "Discover Ding" Game App
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'Ding' Darling Days
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Families enjoyed our photo board at Family Fun Day and Conservation Art Day.
Saturday, October 25, brought our 25th annual celebration of "Ding" Darling Days to a lively end as families poured into the Visitor & Education Center for programs throughout the day. An estimated 5,500 people participated in free activities at the Refuge during the weeklong event, October 19-25. Once again, we thank our generous sponsors for making this event possible every year and Tarpon Bay Explorers for its crucial role in "Ding" Darling Days.
To become a sponsor for next year's "Ding" Darling Days, please email or call Wendy Schnapp, 239-470-1877.
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'Ding' Days 25th Anniversary Sponsors
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Thanks to our generous sponsors who make "Ding" Darling Days happen this year
ROSEATE SPOONBILL
GREAT EGRET
GREAT BLUE HERON
,Casa Ybel Resort, Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Intech Printing, Island Sun, Jerry's Foods, KLJ, Mike & Cannella Mullins, Ocean's Reach Condominiums, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Jim & Patty Sprankle
REDDISH EGRET
SNOWY EGRET
Barefoot Charley's Painting Co., Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Jerry Edelman & Maryanne Daly, Florida Weekly, George & Wendy's Seafood Grille, Good Wheels, Grounds by Green Ways, Island Therapy Center, Over Easy Cafe, Panther Printing, Sanibel Art & Frame, Wendy & George Schnapp, She Sells Sea Shells, Winston & Barbara Spurgeon, Suncatchers' Dream, Congress Jewelers
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2015 Trailgate Party - Make your Reservation NOW
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| Click Above to make your reservation |
Make plans now to attend the third annual "Ding" Darling Trailgate Party on February 17, 2015, to benefit Refuge research and education. This year the Wildlife Society takes the trailgating theme to Maine with "Dinner & Puffins".
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Dr. Stephen Kress with one of his beloved Puffins
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And because Maine is too chilly for outdoor trailgating this time of year, the trailgate party will take place
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Recent Sightings & Tides
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2014 2nd place winning photo by Bill Fischer
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Tides
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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,
Designed by Associate Director Sarah Lathrop and intern Kasey Robb |
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