Theodore Cross High School Photo Contest Deadline!
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The deadline for the second annual "Ding" Darling
Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest is February 25, 2015. Local high school students have the opportunity to win prizes
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"Waterbirds" is a book by Theodore Cross which features amazing photographs of waterbirds from around the world
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First prize in the contest is a Canon camera package with two lenses and a carrying case plus a class field trip and more.
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Make a Difference
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Act today to keep refuge water clean and accessible.
Take two minutes to support issues that affect your Refuge, community, and economy. The time is now to address the responsible use of Amendment 1 funds and the federal government's financial support of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Click here to learn how to be heard.
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Responsible Birding
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Don't intentionally ruffle any feathers when viewing and photographing Refuge wildlife.
The Fort Myers News-Press covered the recent rash of unethical birding practices at the Refuge this week. Click here to read the article.
Always remember: Wildlife comes first at the Refuge. Observe and photograph birds and other wildlife responsibly.
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Upcycle! Art Fest Artists
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A fish wall hanging of recycled tin by Bradenton, Florida, artist Kevin Webb
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The 2015 Upcycle! Art Fest jury committee has approved more than 20 artists to participate in the second annual festival on April 1 and 2, 2015, at the Refuge Visitor & Education Center.
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Upcycled jewelry by Kathleen Jones from Sanibel Island
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Admission to the two-day event -- which includes art exhibits and sales, a silent auction on participating artists' works, Make-and-Take recycled art projects, environmental exhibitors, and nature films - is FREE.
Click the Upcycle! logo below to learn more and view our Gallery of Works.
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Week Ending Feb. 10
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Cuddle up to your loved ones this Valentine's Day!
Photo by Carol Rothman
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Lecture Series
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TOMORROW - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Longtime winter residents of Sanibel Island, nationally acclaimed bird authors and TV personalities, Don & Lillian Stokes, will present two "Beautiful Birds of Sanibel" programs followed by book signings
THANK YOU to our 2015 Lecture Series Sponsor:
Click here to view the 2015 Lecture Series schedule.
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Today, February 12th, is the 53rd Anniversary of Jay N. "Ding" Darling's death in 1962. "Ding," the namesake of our Refuge and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist, penned this cartoon to announce his own death in the Des Moines Register. It features many of his greatest works, including the U.S. Refuge System's blue goose logo. "Ding"headed the U.S. Biological Survey, the forerunner to the Fish & Wildlife Service, for 18 months, during which time he introduced the Duck Stamp Act of 1934. He also designed the very first duck stamp. Click on the cartoon above to see it enlarged
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
The third annual "Ding" Darling Wednesday Film Series continues it s bi-weekly showings with Sharkwater: The Truth Will Surface. In this true-life adventure, biologist and filmmaker Rob Stewart brings us closer to sharks than ever before. Driven by a passion fed from lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and READ MORE.
The film begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Visitor & Education Center. Seating is on a first-come basis, so plan to arrive early.
Thank you to our 2015 Film Series Sponsor:
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FREE - Butterflies Program
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Join us in the Visitor & Education Center
Auditorium A on Thursday, February 19 at 12 noon for a special Live Native Butterflies of Southwest Florida program.
Speakers Gary and Alice Lavimoniere, volunteers at the Refuge and Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, will follow a short PowerPoint presentation with on-going interpretation until 1 p.m., featuring five live native butterfly species, host plants, and live caterpillars and chrysalides. Admission is free.
The program will repeat on Thursday, March 5 and 19.
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Pre-Auction Bids
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Trailgate 2015
"Dinner & Puffins in Maine" has sold out.
You can, however, still place pre-auction bids
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Don Stokes on Wildlife Drive
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to support the Refuge and win fabulous items. This year's headlining live auction items include carvings by master bird sculptor Jim Sprankle, Or bid on a one-week birding camp on Hog Island in Maine.
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"Sprankle Feather" carving by master wood sculptor Jim Sprankle
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private Refuge Birding Tour.
To place a pre-auction bid on these and other items, call Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566. To view images of these and other live and silent auction items, please click here.
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Trailgate 2015: Sponsors
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Thanks to our generous Trailgate sponsors!
Champion Sponsors
Mark & Gretchen Banks, Peter & Paula Bentinck-Smith, Wayne & Linda Boyd, John & Kathy McCabe
Mike & Terry Baldwin, Jay & Cindy Brown, Amanda Cross, Don & Ann-Marie Wildman, Darlene & Bob Duvin, Shaker Investments, Sarah Ashton, Realtor Royal Shell & Jim Metzler,
Defender Level
Thanks to all our wonderful supporters who donated auction items:
Authentic Maine Lobster Bakes, Mark and Gretchen Banks, Barbara's Cereal, Beach Pies, Paula and Peter Bentinck-Smith, Cheryl Black, Blue Coyote, Cedar Chest, Luc Century, Cip's Place, Zoe Cohen, Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, Jerry Edelman, Fresh Taqueria, George and Wendy's Seafood Grille, Doris Hardy, Judy Hicks, Al Hoffacker, Hog Island Audubon Camp, Island Paws, Island Therapy Center, Jacaranda, Jerry's of Sanibel, Stephen Kress, Sarah Lathrop, Laughing Pelican, Lazy Flamingo, Lighthouse Caf�, John McCabe, John MacLennan, Birgie Miller, Over Easy Caf�, Pinocchio's Italian Ice Cream, Sandbar Restaurant, Sanibel Day Spa, Sanibel Grill, Sanibel Seashell Industries, Sanibel Oasis/East End Deli, Sanibel Sprout, Sanibel University, Jim Sprankle, Don and Lillian Stokes, Suncoast Beverages, Sweet Melissa's Cafe, Tarpon Bay Explorers, The Timbers, Traders Caf�, Vera Bradley Bags, Vortex Optics, Wilford and Lee, Yolo
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Register Now for Tarpon Tourney
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"Ding" Darling & Doc Ford Tarpon Tournament on May 9, 2015. For rules and registration info and to the 2014 results, click here
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Needed: For Upcycle! Art Fest
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One of the projects for this
year's Upcycle! Make-and-Take tables is creatures such as bunnies, octopi, and possibly manatees made out of recycled socks. We will also be making the T-shirts bags again this year. Please see the list of items below we need for the projects and email us if you have donations. Or drop them off to the Visitor & Education Center reception desk. Thanks for your help!
� Clean, new or gently used socks of any color
� Clean, new or gently used T-shirts
� Good fabric scissors
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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 Sarah Lathrop and interns Kasey Robb and Madison Durley
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