Ding Darling National wildlife Refuge

Wildlife on Sanibel now have a few more acres to romp around on safely thanks to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.The Society recently closed on a 21.5-acre parcel of land adjacent to Bay Drive thanks to a donation from the family Pine Rock Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The land will become part of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

As the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva continue to assess the damage to homes and businesses after Hurricane Ian, some community organizations and concerned citizens have joined to create the SanCap Citizens for a Resilient Future. Their goal is to spark conversations on how to rebuild on the islands so that structures and people can become more resilient for future storms. The group recently hosted the first of two formal gatherings .

Southwest Florida has a plethora of opportunities to volunteer with environmental attractions, whether it be for a retiree with lots of time and a bunch of skills to offer or a high schooler with little time and experience but with enthusiasm to donate some time during summer break.

When author, art therapist, and environmental educator Holly Merker learned she had cancer she turned to her lifelong passion for birdwatching as a sort of therapy. Preview the lecture she’s giving at “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society called, “Ornitherapy: How a Deeper Experience with Nature Can Enrich Your Mind, Body, and Soul.”

Editor's Note: Since the publication of this piece, the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge has reopened its visitor and education center amidst…