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"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter
January 5, 2017
In This Issue
Film Series
High School Photo Contest
Lecture Series
Refuge Nature Store
Go Wild for "Ding" Auction
Refuge Spotlight
Land Acquisition
Upcoming Events
Wildlife Sightings
Quick Links
Our 2017 FREE Film Series  kicked off 
January 4, 2017. To learn more, click the logo to the right. 
THANK YOU to our 
Film Series Sponsor
DEADLINE to Enter:  January 15

The fourth annual "Ding" Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest has a deadline of January 15, 2017. The contest invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that include a Canon digital SLR camera package, chartered class trips to the Refuge, and copies of Waterbirds READ MORE
DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller accepts a gift from the Sanibel Neighbors Cub to support conservation efforts at the Refuge.
2017 tournament was full in two days!  Click the logo above to see our current tournament sponsors.
Free Refuge Winter Programs Jan. 3 - Apr. 23

Free Indigo Trail walks take place every Friday at 10:00 a.m.

From birding and biking the Refuge, to learning about manatees and venomous wildlife, the seasonal calendar of free programs and tours at the Refuge begins on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, and runs through April 23. Daily programs start at 8:30 a.m. and include such diverse topics as Nature Photography, Beach READ MORE
Lectures begin 
January 20, 2017
Click the logo above to learn more.
2017 Lecture Series

Welcome to Subirdia, Heart of a Lion, and A Naturalist Goes Fishing: The book titles featured in the 2017 "Ding" Darling Friday Lecture Series are as intriguing as varied. 

The series takes place in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium starting Friday, January 20, and winding up April 14. The free 12-lecture series kicks off with two consecutive READ MORE  

Thank you to our 2017 Friday Lecture Series
Newly inducted Junior Rangers who came to visit from Bonita Springs and became knowledgable "scatologists" after visiting the education boardwalk along Indigo Trail.
Beach Time!  


Take your wildlife look to the beach with our 
canvas beach bags featuring original critter designs: Roseate Spoonbill, Sea Star, Dragonfly, and Seahorse, each $35. And don't forget to pack your FitKicks water shoes for wading and shelling. In a variety of colors and patterns, they retail for $13.99 a pair. 

Stop in today to pick up your beach supplies, or contact Store Manager Jeanne Walsh by clicking HERE or by phone at 239-472-1100 ext. 241 for more information about these and other featured products.  

 All proceeds from store purchases go to benefit the conservation efforts at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. 
                   
Go Wild for "Ding"  February 8, 2017
Only 100 Seats Remain
$125.00 per person ($100.00 is tax deductible)
 
The Go Wild for "Ding" event sells out quickly, so make your reservations today by clicking the button below.  

Go Wild for 'Ding' Live Auction 

#1 out of only three prints of a work by five-time Federal Duck Stamp winner Joe Hautman is up for live auction. 
A life-size aluminum alligator-heron sculpture, carvings by famed bird sculptor Jim Sprankle, and a very limited-edition print by five-time Federal Duck Stamp winner Joe Hautman will be live-auctioned at the fifth annual fundraiser for the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society. Go Wild for "Ding" - Give a Hoot takes place on Tuesday, February 8, 2017, at the Sanibel Community House. This year's Go Wild theme continues a series of bird-themed events to benefit READ MORE

Admission to Go Wild is by advanced reservations only. To register TODAY, click HERE or the "Register Now" button below.  


Nationally renowned wood sculptor, Jim Sprankle, and the gray phase Screech Owl feather pin which he recently completed for auction. 








Bid on this one-of-a-kind alligator-heron aluminum sculpture by artist Michael Mistler before or during the event.

photo by Jim Bennight














Go Wild for 'Ding' Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring our BIG Go Wild for "Ding" - Give a Hoot fundraiser on February 8?  Email or call us at 239.292.0566 

Thanks to our growing roll of generous sponsors: 
Champion Level Sponsors: 
Mark & Gretchen Banks
Wayne & Linda Boyd

Guardian Level Sponsors:   
      
Protector Level Sponsors:
Sarah Ashton & Jim Metzler, Mike & Terry Baldwin, Amanda Cross

 

Defender Level Sponsors
Barrier Island Title Service, Doug & Sherry Gentry, Greenwood Consulting Group, John Grey Painting;Phyllis Gresham, Hank & Linda Spire, Tree West LLC

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor and joining those listed above, email or call us at 239-292-0566
America's Best-Kept Secret
In each issue of "Ding" on the Wing, we showcase one of the more than 560 refuges across the U.S.A.

Photos courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
   
Location: 28,000 acres 12 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland
Totemic Fauna: Bald Eagle and Tundra Swan
Fun for the Family: Visitor Center features exhibits, raptor cams monitors, a second floor observation area, a library, a butterfly garden, and a bookstore.
Visitor's Tip: No fishing is allowed from the refuge shoreline or the Wildlife Drive.

Help Save the Island
Little Blue Herons are among the species whose habitat the Wulfert Road property acquisition will benefit. Photo by Ellen Trevor

Ding Darling Wildlife Society has undertaken a campaign to acquire 8.15 acres on Sanibel Island's Wulfert Road as a crucial wildlife corridor for the "Ding" Darling Refuge. We must raise $2 million in private funds to purchase the parcel, which lies between SCCF land and the Refuge. Donors have already committed $600,000 of needed funds, so the goal is to raise the remaining dollars by February 2017. If not preserved by the Refuge, the land could be developed with as many as five dwellings and READ MORE
 
For more information, contact Executive Director Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or by email 

Free Winter Programs - Jan 3 - April 23, 2017

Biweekly Wednesday Film Series - January 4-April 12, 2017 


Weekly Friday Lecture Series - January 20-April 14, 2017

Go Wild for "Ding" - February 8, 2017

Stokes Birding Tour (FULL)  - February 10, 2017

Volunteer Awards Luncheon - February 10, 2017


29th Annual "Ding" Darling Days - October 15-21, 2017

Great Horned Owl photos taken by Janet Kirk

   To see more wildlife photos, click on our social media links:
Like us on Facebook View on Instagram
or go to the Society website to view the LIVE WEBCAM!!

If you have taken any beautiful, interesting, or just plain goofy photos taken at the Refuge, send them to Carrie Alexander for a chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters.

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 Sarah Lathrop, Emily Koval, and Sierra Hoisington.

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