Refuge lifts temporary Friday closure for center
As of Oct. 1, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor & Education Center resumed Friday operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It temporarily had closed Fridays for a few weeks due to off-season volunteer dropout over COVID-19 concerns. The center will remain closed on Sundays until further notice; Wildlife Drive remains closed on Fridays as always. In addition, the refuge’s offices and center will be closed on Oct. 11 in observance of Columbus Day. The America’s Best Restroom at the center, Wildlife Drive and trails, Bailey Tract, and Tarpon Bay Explorers will be open for the holiday.