February 23, 2023

Hurricane Update

We consistently update our Resource Page and include a hurricane update each week in our "Ding" on the Wing. Please access those doing a better job with on-the-ground updates, such as the City of Sanibel. 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: 

• Red Tide Alert posted for Lee County
• Wink News: "Red tide persisting in some SWFL waters" article.
• Right-of-way placement of debris deadline extended to March 1.
• 50% Rule: Agency relents on Lee Co. property appriaser values. Article
• City of Sanibel: Household Chemical Waste Collection Event Set for March 1, 2023. Read here.
• SanCap Citizens for a Resilient Future will hold the first of a two-part "town hall" style meeting on March 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at BIG ARTS, with live-streaming also available. It will focus on sharing community stories about Hurricane Ian experiences. As part of the group's consortium, DDWS urges your attendance.
• The CROW Gift Shop has reopened at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd Sanibel, FL 33957
• Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island seeks submissions for a special temporary exhibit "In the Wake of the Flood: Community Photographs of Hurricane Ian and Its Aftermath." Please send images here. 
• Hope Rising: Sanibel Rec Center is hosting a post-Ian artistic presentation on Sanibel on Wednesday March 8.
• Wink News: "Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille reopening on Sanibel after post-Ian repairs" article.
• Santiva Chronicle: "Chamber Creates Wander Map App As Interactive Guide To Opened Businesses" article. View interactive map.
• Public beaches that have reopened on Sanibel/Captiva include: Tarpon Bay Beach and Blind Pass Beach. Learn more
• News-Press: "Hurricane Ian: Another Southwest Florida lodging landmark not returning. What we know." article.
• Gulfshore Business: "Legislature passes reforms to secure SWFL’s property insurance situation" article.
• "How two islands could shape Florida’s post-Ian recovery" article.
• "The climate change real estate bubble risks billions" article.
• News-Press: "FEMA threatens removal of Lee County property owners from National Flood Insurance Program" article.
• City of Sanibel Resolution of FEMA concerns with Sanibel Market Value Determinations post Hurricane Ian.
• Naples Daily News: "Florida lawmakers look at change to ‘Save Our Homes’ property tax cap" article.
• FGCU: Scientists studying Ian’s impact on artificial reef damage, coral read more
• "Observation of the Coastal Areas, Estuaries and Deltas from Space" article.
• Disturbance events such as hurricanes make landscaped and natural areas more susceptible to invasion by pest plants and the introduction of invasive exotic plant species. Now is the time to check your property for invasive exotic plants to remove.
• Lee County Horticultural Agent Stephen Brown to Provide Post-Storm Landscape Restoration Lecture 3 p.m., March 2, 2023, at BIG ARTS
• Lee County OKs new Big Carlos bridge, new Read More

ShopDingDarling.com

Starting TODAY (February 23) you can find this exclusive design at tour "pop-up shop" at the Sanibel Market from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. through Sunday, February 26. The Sanibel Market is located at Rachel Pierce’s Art Gallery, 1571 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island, directly across from Dixie Beach Boulevard. This wonderful collection includes men’s and women’s t-shirts, matted prints, die-cut stickers, wooden postcards, and magnets. Each piece is made and packaged in the USA, using entirely recycled, reclaimed, eco-friendly, sustainably sourced, and non-toxic materials. Those looking to support can come by and find the entire Wild Spaces Collection along with other wonderful “Ding” gifts.

Anyone who is out of the area, fret not! Look for the online launch of our new collection next week.

Celebrate and help protect our wild spaces today with your purchase.

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

Scott Becque’s “Azure Eye Ring” took second place.

Almost Sold out!

Reservations for DDWS’ annual fundraiser Go Bully for “Ding” – An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt are open and selling out quickly, closing February 27 at 5 p.m. Only 10 tickets remain.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, at Broadway Palm in Fort Myers. In consideration of the hardships many island residents and business owners have suffered since the hurricane in September, DDWS has lowered the price of tickets to $75 per person this year.

Learn more from Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Weigand, who headlines the evening’s event, or visit our webpage. Thanks to all our fabulous sponsors (see below).

Current sponsors:

Call of the Wild Sponsors: Gretchen Banks, Jim & Liz Birmingham, The Bluedorn Family, Jim & Patty Sprankle



Champion Sponsors: Wayne & Linda Boyd, Bill & Laurie Harkey, Jo Smith, In Memory of Boomer Duvin

Guardian Sponsors: Milestone Auctions, Willam & Barbara Millar, Bill & Heather O'Keefe, Doug & Sherry Gentry, Susan & Bob Thoresen

Protector Sponsors: Mike & Terry Baldwin, Tiffani Kaliko & John Silvia, Kay & John Morse

Defender Sponsors: A Friend of the Refuge, HighTower Advisors Fort Myers, Chip & Nancy Roach, Hank & Linda Spire, The Gresham Family, Bob & Kathy Wiesemann, Sanibel Captiva Islander, Paul Harmon, Laura & Shawn Shaffer

Spotlight: Friends Rebuilding

As a regular feature, “Ding” on the Wing spotlights 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 road to recovery.

Congratulations to our generous business partner, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, which officially reopened on Sanibel Island Friday, February 17, with a Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting.

“We're excited to get back open after a long 4.5 months of rebuilding,” said Joe Harrity, one of the restaurant’s partners. “We've heard nothing but excitement about our reopening, and the reopening of the island as a whole. Being able to get our employees back to work is a great feeling as well, as about 75 percent of our staff prior to the storm are coming back, and some never left, helping us through the rebuild.”

The popular restaurant returns not only with familiar faces, but the same look and menu to bring back a sense of comfort and normalcy. As in the past, the restaurant opens daily for lunch and dinner.

“We received about eight inches of water throughout the building,” said Joe. “We decided it was best to cut the four feet of drywall and wainscoting to remove any possibility of mold. We are getting all new booths, and did a completely new paint job inside, so the place will really look nice.”

“We’ve had so many inquiries wondering when Doc Ford’s will reopen,” said John Lai, chamber president and CEO. “It’s such a huge feeling of progress to have its doors back open for some Yucatan shrimp and an icy mojito.”

“We are so happy for Doc Ford’s,” said DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller. “They’ve always been there for us – as major sponsors of the ‘Ding’ Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, ‘Ding’ Darling Day, and other events to support the Refuge. We urge all our friends to again support the restaurant.”

Photo credit Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

Solar Co-op Meetings

DDWS is partnering with Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a non-profit co-op whose purpose is to provide residents and businesses in Lee and Collier counties with collective buying power to affordably convert to solar energy. The co-op has scheduled one upcoming informational Zoom meeting and two in-person meetings in Fort Myers and on Sanibel. Attend any of the FREE events by clicking below to pre-register. Times for all of the meetings are 6 to 7:30 p.m.

 ZOOM MEETING: Tuesday, February 28

IN-PERSON MEETING: Tuesday, March 14

at All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

IN-PERSON MEETING: Wednesday, March 15

at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel Island

Refuge Programming & Events

The Visitor & Education Center and Wildlife Drive remain 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.

• “Ding” Darling Nature Wellness is partnering with Sanibel Rec Center for two weekly programs on Fridays and Saturdays while Refuge facilities undergo recovery efforts. Please reserve your spot for Mindfulness Meditations and Guided Mindful Nature Walks.
• Visit the “Ding” Darling outreach team at the 12th annual Burrowing Owl Festival in Cape Coral on February 25.
• Register now for the February 28 Zoom meeting for the Solar United Neighbors (SUN) Southwest Florida co-op.
• Deadline for entries for the annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest is March 1, 2023. Contact Ali Reece for information.
• DDWS’ major annual fundraiser goes by the name Go Bully for “Ding” – An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt on March 6, 2023. Reservations closed February 27 at 5 p.m.
• Solar United Neighbors (SUN) will hold in-person informational meetings March 14 in Fort Myers and March 15 on Sanibel Island.
• Deadline for the Florida Junior Duck Stamp Contest is March 15.Email or call (239-940-0169) Ranger Toni Westland for more information.
• Sounds of the Sand fundraiser at Bell Tower on March 25 benefits Refuge hurricane recovery and conservation. DDWS, Two Lane Lager, and Bell Tower partner for the free event.
• Deadline to apply for DDWS Scholarships for Environmental Studies is March 31.
• “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival once again visits Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Saturday, April 22 in concert with Earth Day.
• May 3-10, “Ding” Wellness Week precedes National Mental Health Awareness Week.
• The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament takes place May 19, 2023. Registration is open. Only three spots remain. Thanks to our 2023 sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact April Boehnen.
• Nature Store pops up at the Rachel Pierce Art Gallery marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Upcoming dates: Upcoming dates: February 23, 24, 25, and 26
• Refuge Cleanup with a Ranger takes place every Wednesday in February at 9 a.m. Participation is limited; preregister on Eventbrite. 

Photo caption: Join Friday Mindful Meditation at Sanibel Rec Center in partnership with “Ding.”

WELLNESS TIP

Hydration Motivation

As part of our Nature Wellness Program for 2023, watch here for tips and advice on how to center your mind and improve your wellbeing both outdoors and indoors.

Water: The majority of our planet and physical bodies consist of it. Staying properly hydrated is essential for physical and mental health, yet the National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that nearly 75% of adults live day-to-day chronically dehydrated.

The tip this week: Find creative ways to drink the recommended amount of water (no one size fits all, so check with your doctor to be sure). Add frozen fruit to your water, get a fun water bottle, create a water-drinking challenge with a friend, or combine drinking a cup of water with a pre-existing routine such as brushing your teeth.