Special ‘Ding’ lectures examine islands’ conservation ethic
Authors Charles LeBuff and Betty Anholt will debut their new collaborative historic work at free lectures on Dec. 13 at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor & Education Center.
Their slide presentations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. will cover highlights of their book, “Protecting Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The Conservation Story,” releasing that month. Book-signings will follow each.
Their book is available for purchase in the Refuge Nature Store.
LeBuff, who served as a refuge officer from 1958-1990, has also written “Images of America: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge” and other books on island history. Island historian Anholt authored an earlier book, titled “Sanibel’s Story: Voices and Images from Calusa to Incorporation.”
Their new book examines the overarching impulse of residents and visitors to protect the islands.
“People from former presidents and cabinet-level executives to those whose names have often been forgotten have made it their mission to guard the integrity of the islands’ natural systems,” the book jacket states. “This book describes the evolution of the conservation ethic on the islands and how it continues despite numerous obstacles.”
The lectures are sponsored by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 241.
For more information on the DDWS, visit dingdarlingsociety.org.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.