DDWS to host Distinguished Authors series
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge has engaged bestselling authors Barbara Kingsolver and Carl Hiaasen for this season’s Distinguished Authors events, which will benefit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Kingsolver will speak on Jan. 11 with her daughter, Lily Kingsolver, who collaborated with her on “Coyote’s Wild Home.” Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 30. Hiaasen will appear on Feb. 29 and tickets will go on sale on Dec. 7. Both lectures will be held at 10 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Tickets are $25 for each lecture and will be available via Eventbrite. “Both Carl and Barbara demonstrate deep concern for the environment and wildlife in their writings. We are beyond thrilled to bring such talented and celebrated authors to the island for such a worthy cause as the refuge continues to recover and rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Ian,” DDWS Associate Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. She thanked the Szymanczyk family for helping to make the Hiaasen event possible; the DDWS is seeking sponsors for Kingsolver’s lecture. For more sponsorship information, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org.