REFUGE/DDWS The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor & Education Center and administrative offices will be closed on Jan. 1 for the holiday. Wildlife Drive and the Bailey Tract will remain open for normal operating hours.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge provided the following updates for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel:

– The refuge will offer Free Winter Programs daily from Jan. 8 through March 30 for groups of 20 people or less, to include Beach Walks, Wildlife Drive Caravans, Medicinal Plants of the Refuge and Lakes Park Nature Explorations.

– The Winter Lecture Series will return from Jan. 18 through March 21.

– Wellness in Nature @ “Ding” will take place at the refuge and beyond on Jan. 18-21.

– Author David Rahahę·tih Webb will make a free presentation on Jan. 22.

– A free Estate Planning Seminar will be held on Jan. 30.

– The Go Wild for “Ding” — Into the Night fundraiser is slated for Feb. 7.

– The refuge will host a unique Solar Eclipse Viewing on April 8.

– The “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival will be held on April 20 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers.

– The 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament will take place on May 10.

– Photographer-artist Niki Butcher “Daydreaming” exhibition has been postponed until the late fall.