December 15, 2022

A Special Message from Teddy Roosevelt

Thanks to Refuge Ranger Toni Westland for bringing us the video message from Teddy Roosevelt. (Joe Wiegand of The Teddy Roosevelt Show) See Video Below

Thank YOU! Challenge MET

WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL! Thank you to all our supporters for helping us reach $100,000 towards rebuilding the Refuge. With the assistance from our anonymous donors from Bainbridge Island, Washington, your impact has been doubled.

Every day we see signs of improvements on our Refuge, whether that be new growth on our mangroves, the return of the White Pelicans, or the simple sound of passing warblers. Cleanup efforts are underway, but there is still so much work to be done. Hurricane Ian took a major toll on our beloved National Wildlife Refuge, but the support of our community and supporters displays the power of working together. Thank you for coming together to raise $200,000 for the Refuge.

We are still in need of support due to the large amount of damage at the Refuge. If you are interested in continuing to aid in these efforts, please donate today.

New Board Member & Officers

At its recent remote annual meeting on December 7, the DDWS Board of Directors welcomed Sanibel Island resident Mark Heiman for a three-year term and Past President Mike Baldwin as a member of the Emeritus Board. DDWS also reelected board members Phyllis Gresham, Bill Harkey, Robin Kirk, and Bill Valerian. The Board later elected officers President Wendy Kindig, Vice President Bill Harkey, Secretary Mark Heiman, and Treasurer Bill Valerian. Mark Heiman moved three years ago to Sanibel Island from Ohio. He has retired from a career in READ MORE

Photo: Mark Heiman

Refuge Cleanup with a Ranger

Want to help clean up the mess left behind by Hurricane Ian? We do too! Join a Refuge Ranger every Wednesday to start gathering all the small debris left behind. This program is a part of our Wellness Wednesday, and we will talk about the benefits of being active and spending time in nature. We will target different parts of the Refuge every week. Meet at the Visitor & Education Center parking lot for a safety brief before traveling to the cleanup site of the week. The Refuge will provide the gloves, bags, and grabbers. Participation is limited; preregister on Eventbrite.

NOTE: You must be able to access the Refuge and Sanibel for this clean up. We will not be transporting anyone over the causeway at this time.

ShopDingDarling.com

Remember, profits from all Nature Store sales go directly to the Refuge for educational programs, wildlife research, and overall conservation efforts.

Hurricane Update

We will consistently update our Resource Page and include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access those sites doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any Refuge questions at 239-292-0566.

For residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian, here is a printable pdf of resources. We are trying to keep it updated and hoping it helps.

Here are a few new links:

Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais comes down heavy on the slow pace of housing trailers from the federal government.
State still working with boat owners to remove vessels in wake of Hurricane Ian. Read More.
FWC published the Red Tide Status updated for this week. In Lee County, concentrations were background to low.
SCCF published a Caloosahatchee Condition Report covering November 29-December 5, 2022.
Sanibel Mayoral Proclamation for guidance on pool/spa dewatering; temporary building permit demoliton fee; temporarywaiver of temporary structure fee for recreational vehicles MORE

Refuge Update

At the December 7 DDWS Annual Meeting, Refuge Complex Project Leader Kevin Godsea gave a status report on post-hurricane clean-up and rebuilding progress at the Sanibel Island campuses. Currently, all Refuge waters, land, and facilities are closed to the public.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service crews from up north will be working on shoring up washouts and safety hazards along Wildlife Drive, trails, and Tarpon Bay Explorers, with a projected opening date for the Drive and some of the trails late January – early February.
Indigo and Calusa Shell Mound trails suffered more severe damage and likely will not reopen for a year or more.
Besides washouts, Tarpon Bay Explorers experienced roof damage and loss of equipment. Although no date has yet been set, limited operations should begin soon.
Refuge staff is organizing crews of on-island volunteers to walk Refuge properties on clean-up detail. Watch for more information.
The wildlife at the Refuge is doing well, although the recent red tide resulted in some fish kill. Staff is seeing lots of White Pelicans and other birds and Bobcats too, eating Horseshoe Crabs. Rangers have seen few Marsh Rabbits or many other small mammals.
In general, the Visitor & Education Center fared well, but damage to the air-conditioning will require re-engineering to raise ductwork above the flood zone. Staff hopes to partially reopen the Center, but currently there is no timeframe.
In partnership with the Refuge, DDWS is helping to fund the work taking place by former fishing guide Ozzie Fisher and his team, who pivoted operations to barging under the name FMT Hauling. After about 2.5 weeks of hard work, Ozzie and his team were able to pull 40,000 pounds of marine debris from Tarpon Bay and the estuary.
While “Ding” Darling remains closed to the public, we want to remind our local nature-lovers that trails at our two other refuges within the complex remain open and ready for explorers curious for new habitat. This week we highlight the 1.22-mile Marsh Trail at Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, accessible from Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail). The free trail leads through salt marsh habitat to an observation tower. The refuge also has nearly 5 miles of paddling trails.

WoW Update: Thankful Students

WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) has been getting around since its return to the road following Hurricane Ian. And it has been making a huge impact with students and teachers along the way. The sweet thank you notes have been pouring in. Here’s a small sample of handmade cards from Title-1 school students at Caloosa Elementary in Cape Coral and Villas Elementary in Fort Myers.

While the Refuge is closed to school groups due to hurricane damage, WoW is the most important tool in the “Ding” repertoire for education and community outreach, both crucial to the Refuge mission. It keeps us #DingStrong. WoW currently operates with a reduced team because of the hurricane’s impact on staffing. Now, more than ever, Refuge community outreach needs your help. Donate today to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts. Thank you for helping us spread the conservation message to those with limited opportunities to experience and appreciate the wonder of nature.

Refuge Programming & Events

The Visitor & Education Center and Wildlife Drive remains closed due to hurricane damage until further notice. Consequently, many programs and events have been canceled. Read DOTW for news of activities that are still being planned.

Pop-Up Nature Store at the Coconut Point Farmer’s Market continues every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by for holiday gifts or just to say hello.
Starting January 2, the Refuge Wellness team begins mindfulness programming at the Sanibel Rec Center. Stay tuned for details.
The Refuge will judge its annual Cartoon Contest submissions from Patriot Elementary in Cape Coral on December 19. Watch for winning submissions.
Go Bully for "Ding" - An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt, our major annual fundraiser, takes place on March 6, 2023, at Broadway Palm in Fort Myers.
The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19, 2023. The opening for registration, however, has been postponed until further notice. Thanks to our 2023 sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact April Boehnen.

The annual “Ding” Darling & Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest continues! Deadline for entries is March 1, 2023. Contact Sierra Hoisington for information.

Photo caption: Planning for mindfulness programs at the Sanibel Rec Center is underway.

Year-End Giving to Support Refuge Recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we know many of our readers are struggling with their own finances and personal rebuilding. Our hearts are with you, as we know how difficult it can be.

For others, year-end tax-deductible giving might be an option. If so, we hope you will consider supporting the work at Refuge rebuilding from Hurricane Ian and continuing our education and research mission.

While the Refuge will receive federal funds for recovery efforts, it has been our experience that this funding falls far short for accomplishing all the work needed. That is the reason the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge was established more than 40 years ago. We work to help fill in the gaps where federal funding falls short. DONATE TODAY!

Pick a Refuge Wish List Gift

With the holidays upon us, you may want to add the Refuge to your gift list this season. Take a list of our Symbolic Gifts for Wildlife to see how you can benefit those that mean the most to us – the wildlife.

Show Us Your #DingStrong Merch

Thank you to everyone who has purchased their #DingStrong merch. We can't wait to see all our supporters in their newest additions to their winter fashion. For a chance to be highlighted in "Ding" on the Wing, send in a photo of yourself wearing your #DingStrong merch to April Boehnen.

The date to receive your #DingStrong merch orders by Christmas has passed. However, #DingStrong merch is timeless. Order yours today.

Vince & Gail Thomalla

Central Wisconsin

Terry Dempsey

New Hampshire

Feel-Good Finds

If you have a photo, poem, video, or other feel-good find and you'd like the chance to be highlighted in our "Ding" on the Wing, please email it to April Boehnen.

A Poem by Meghan Prindle

During the height of COVID, the Daily Dose of Ding gave Meghan a sense of calm and peace she needed. During the chaos of Hurricane Ian, she has been sending her original poems as her way to pay back what she received from "Ding" during a rough time.

The Hope that Kills

His quotes fall flat in 2D

tropes of toxic positivity;

But fleshed out

and savored uncynically,

like shortbread,

square and straightforward and buttery,

it's a proposition of

"what ifs"

and "just maybes"

and "being the change you wish to see"

and a challenge to still believe;