End-of-Year Giving Challenge

Thanks to the Bluedorn Family for a $15,000 match challenge for unrestricted use in supporting the Refuge in coming months. “As an active volunteer with the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society, I see the work they do in supporting the Refuge,” said Barbara Bluedorn. “Our family saw how important unrestricted giving was during COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian, and hope this challenge match will encourage others to make year-end unrestricted gifts, trusting DDWS will use them effectively in supporting the conservation work at the Refuge.”

To help meet the challenge and double your impact, please make a donation by December 31 and add a note to credit the contribution to the Bluedorn Family Match Challenge. Bonus: Your end-of-year donation is also tax-deductible. In addition to checks and credit cards, gifts can be accepted through appreciated stock transfers and IRA distributions. Contact Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 for more information. 

Thankful for Nature… and You

Start your Thanksgiving Day gratefulness with a drive around Wildlife Drive in appreciation of the beauty and delight nature provides. The Drive will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the Refuge Visitor & Education Center will close for the holiday, along with Tarpon Bay Explorers (TBE) and all “Ding” Darling offices. Bailey Tract trails remain open sunrise to sunset.

Note that Thursday’s narrated tram tour of Wildlife Drive moves to Saturday, November 25, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. TBE, the Refuge recreation concession, will also be adding an extra Kayak Trail Tour to the schedule on Friday, November 24, at 10 a.m.

Wishing you a day filled with gratitude, peace, friends and family, and all your favorite holiday treats.

Photo by Chris Gutierrez

‘Ding’ Darling Chamber Lunch Appearance

Three “Ding” Darling representatives appeared as guest speakers for the November 15 SanCap Chamber monthly business luncheon at The Community House on Sanibel Island. Supervisory Refuge Ranger led the Powerpoint Presentation about Hurricane Ian recovery and what’s new and upcoming at “Ding,” along with DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman and Tarpon Bay Explorers Manager Adam Sauerland. They informed the island business community about Refuge reopenings, recent events like Art in the Wild, and upcoming events and projects including Learning Lavatories 2, which DDWS is undertaking in the Chamber restrooms in 2024 as a spinoff of the Refuge award-winning restrooms. DDWS sponsored the luncheon, along with SCORE.

Photo from left to right: Ann-Marie Wildman, SanCap Chamber’s John Lai, Toni Westland, and Adam Sauerland

Welcome to New DDWS intern

We welcome intern Kylie Thomasen this month, who hails from Waunakee, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in life sciences communication and environmental studies, and went on to earn a master’s in environmental conservation this year. For the past two years, Kylie worked in Madison with Clean Lakes Alliance as a publications intern.

“Wildlife photography is a passion of mine, so it’s a dream to be surrounded by so many unique species of birds and other wildlife,” she said. “I am thrilled to look out the window at the office and see manatees, alligators, and lizards -- creatures I definitely don’t see in Wisconsin. Especially when I bike around the island, it’s always exciting to encounter animals I didn’t know were here.”

Kylie looks forward to exploring new ways to be creative through communications – graphic design, writing, and social media – to share and support the Refuge’s conservation message and engage with the community.

DDWS provides housing, living stipends, and other benefits for six to eight interns each year. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed onsite intern housing last year, DDWS has procured temporary housing on and off island until the Refuge is able to design and build replacement accommodations, expected by 2025.



“We welcome Kylie’s energy and enthusiasm,” said DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman. “She brings fresh ideas and outlook to our mission to reach people of all ages with the Refuge’s conservation message. At the same time, she will benefit from the team’s track record for fundraising and communication.” For information about supporting Refuge internship programs, contact Ann-Marie at 239-789-8991. 

WoW Update: Seeing Sawfish

The WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) team wowed students at Harns Marsh Elementary in Lehigh Acres recently with a real Smalltooth Sawfish rostrum that had been turned over to the Refuge after government confiscation from illegal possession. Here, intern Ashley McGovern leads a hands-on lesson about the critically endangered Refuge species using the resin-encased rostrum and artist’s illustration above her head. Next stop after Thanksgiving: WoW will visit Varsity Lakes Middle School in Lehigh Acres November 29 through December 21.

Donate today to support the upkeep and staffing for WoW. Thank you for helping us spread the conservation message to those with limited opportunities, so they, too, can experience and appreciate wildlife and its habitat.

January 18-21: Wellness in Nature Event

Save the dates for a four-day weekend focusing on the go-outdoors nature cure. Wellness in Nature at “Ding” centers at the Refuge January 18 through 21, but also reaches out into the greater community with activities at Lakes Park and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers.

The event kicks off Thursday, January 18, with a free guided biking tour led by Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland starting at 7:30 a.m. Participants must bring their own bikes and pre-register on Eventbrite after January 1, 2024. Later that day, keynote speaker Dr. Sabine Grunwald READ MORE.

Hautman Exhibition

Time is running out to view a rare collection of mostly original artwork by the three Hautman duck stamp winners through November 30. The Hautmans extended their showing following its debut at Art in the Wild last month.

“It truly is a rare event that the three brothers – Joe, Jim, and Bob – show this much work in one place and all at the same time,” said DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman, who organized the Hautman Exhibition. “The Hautman artwork is available for sale through the Refuge Nature Store, with profits benefiting conservation efforts at ‘Ding’.”

The Minnesota-based Hautman brothers have, in all, won 15 Federal Duck Stamp Contests through the years. Joe’s latest winning design graces the 2023-2024 stamp. Jim won the contest the previous year. All three brothers appeared at Art in the Wild on October 21.