WoW Update: Keeping on Keeping on
“Hurricane Ian is not stopping this FREE outreach tool, providing field trips to our area schools,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger, Toni Westland, recently reported to the “Ding” Darling Complex team about WoW (Wildlife on Wheels). “Refuge staff, Ding volunteers, and the Friends group are teaching about the importance of the USFWS system, four Florida ecosystems, native wildlife, and more! Tice Elementary has been first with over 400 students… By winter break, we will reach four schools and over 1,200 students.”
This week, Urban Education Leader, Melissa Maher, shared an inspiring story about a unique group of students she taught at Caloosa Elementary in Cape Coral. Two students in the group she was leading didn't speak English, but understood Spanish. Unfortunately Melissa doesn't speak Spanish. However, when she explained to the students she spoke French, one of the students excitedly responded in French. Melissa was then able to teach the lesson despite a language barrier. The conservation education work being done at "Ding" is the perfect example of meeting communities and people where they are currently at and working together to fill in essential gaps. This way students and communities can focus on the environmental lessons being taught.
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Caloosa Elementary Title-1 students experience WoW | |
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WoW wraps up its visit at Caloosa Elementary this week and looks forward to the school visits that are fully booked through the end of March 2023. Photographed is DDWS Urban Education Leader, Melissa Maher and students learning with the WoW team at Calossa Elementary.
On Monday, team members helped Tice Elementary with its Pocket Refuge project. Following Thanksgiving, WoW will be educating classes at Villas Elementary in Fort Myers November 28-December 9, and then on to James Stephens Elementary in the Tice community. The team will help the school celebrate its Fall Fest, which is open to the public, on Wednesday, December 14.
WoW currently operates with a reduced team due to Hurricane Ian's impact on staffing. Now, more than ever, Refuge community outreach needs your help. Donate to support the upkeep and programming for WoW efforts to reach Title 1 schools and underserved communities with conservation messaging and education.
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Hurricane Update
Our Resource page will be consistently updated and we will include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access sites doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. Please call us with any 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:
- The Hurricane Ian Recovery Updates hosted by the City of Sanibel on Facebook Live will move to a new location for those who choose to attend the updates in person. The Updates will be held at the Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers 33901. Check www.mysanibel.com for the schedule.
- Red Tide update along Captiva coast.
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Reality check for residents and typical visitors of Sanibel.
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Volunteer Opportunities at F.I.S.H. of SanCap - Call Kim Ouellette, Operations & Volunteer Manager at 239.472.4775 or via Email.
- Lee County Property Appraiser offers a direct link to upload photos and other info of property damage and more post-hurricane property resources including info about Tax Roll Value Letters.
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Spotlight: Friends Rebuilding
As a regular feature, “Ding” on the Wing will spotlight a business on the islands that has strongly supported the Refuge in the past and now needs us all to rally behind it as it navigates the long and arduous road to recovery.
Today, we start with a friend who has enriched the Refuge in so many ways – her art, her energy, her positive spirit. Rachel Pierce found her way to Sanibel Island, she says, thanks to “Ding” Darling. It started when she guest-hosted our first Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash in March 2020, while serving as an NBC2 news anchor. As she transitioned from that position to pursue her dreams of becoming a full-time artist, she stepped into the role as Refuge Artist in Residence in 2019. She stayed on through the COVID-19 crisis and continues to support “Ding” Darling, even after Hurricane Ian took a vicious swipe at her dreams – virtually demolishing her new Rachel Pierce Art Gallery on Sanibel Island along with her home and art storage unit.
Watch for news of projects she is working on for us and, in the meantime, please support Rachel’s strides toward recovery via her online store.
Rachel is hosting her first post-storm pop-up shop, see details below.
Holiday Pop-Up Shop by Rachel Pierce
Thursday, December 8, 2022, 5-8pm
15900 Saint Charles Harbour Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33908
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Instagram Takeover
On Tuesday, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce Instagram page turned over its feed for a “Ding” Darling Takeover. You can view the Takeover by clicking on the “Ding” Darling circle above the Chamber’s regular feed.
A big “Ding” thanks to the Chamber for providing this access to its more than 17,100 followers. A huge fan favorite was the wildlife update reel at the Refuge with almost 10,000 views.
The Takeover highlighted DDWS and Tarpon Bay Explorers, the Refuge recreation concession. Representatives introduced the two factions, gave post-hurricane updates, and answered viewers’ questions.
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Carol Strange, former Sanibel Island resident and Refuge volunteer | |
John Gunter from Winston Salem, North Carolina | |
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased their #DingStrong merch. If you would like a chance of being showcased with your #DingStrong merch in our "Ding" on the Wing e-newsletter, please send a photo and your name to April Boehnen. | |
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 .
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"Ding" Dolphins Throwback
Meryl Rosner shared a photo (above) from 2019 of two dolphins at the Refuge. Signs of all kinds of wildlife surface at the Refuge. Just like wildlife, the Sanibel-Captiva community and residents are resilient after Hurricane Ian.
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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.
Rose Garden
The sun arose (like a rose),
Classic and captivating in its beauty;
The day breaks (again, like a rose)
Smooth and silky and bold
(Not without its thorns)
With a promise as reaffirming, as
fragrant, as timeless, as colorful
As its deep and layered folds.
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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!
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These are just snapshots of some of the things taking place at your Wildlife Refuge. Please check our website to learn more!
Sincerely,
Birgit Miller, Executive Director
"Ding" On The Wing composed by Chelle Koster Walton. Designed by April Boehnen.
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