Refuge’s Wellness Week guest speaker to present lecture
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that Dr. Joseph Blanda will present a free, in-person lecture, “Nature Can Heal,” on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Doors will open at 9 a.m., and seating will be first-come.
One of the experts presenting during the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s upcoming Wellness Week, he is a retired orthopedic surgeon who now helps people with wellbeing and mindfulness. By sharing his knowledge on how the outdoors can cure people, Blanda hopes more people will get more involved in helping nature heal.
“For my lecture, I will discuss my big year of birding, how it helped me heal from the loss of my son, how that deepened my love of nature and made me more of an advocate for nature,” he said.
A member of the Sierra Club since 1989, Blanda currently sits on the executive committee for the club’s Portage Trail Group, promoting inclusion, sustainable living and political awareness. He is also an active board member of the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where he leads mindfulness walks in nature.