Sign-ups open for DDWS events to support refuge
As the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge enters its 2024 season in support of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, it recently announced dates and sign-ups for four major events: two Distinguished Author lectures, Go Wild for “Ding” — Into the Night, and the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament.
“We are back in full-force this season to raise funds for refuge needs following destruction from Hurricane Ian in 2022,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “We’ve returned with our traditional fundraisers, plus a couple of truly exciting lectures by in-demand authors that promise to sell out quickly.”
Prolific and top-selling novelist Barbara Kingsolver will speak with her daughter and co-author, Lily Kingsolver, at a special lecture on Jan. 11. Tickets went on sale today, Nov. 30.
The Kingsolvers have published the children’s picture book “Coyote’s Wild Home.” Lily Kingsolver’s first book takes young readers into an Appalachian forest, where a girl and coyote pup each have their first woodland adventures. On their separate journeys into the wilderness, the two intertwine paths to the delight of readers. Her famous author-biologist mother is known for an extensive bibliography of bestselling novels, such as “Poisonwood Bible,” “Prodigal Summer” and “Demon Copperhead.”
Florida’s favorite murder-mystery-with-a-twist writer, Carl Hiaasen will appear on Feb. 29. Ticket sales will open on Dec. 7.
A former Miami Herald columnist who uses Florida’s political system as fodder for chart-topping crime novels like “Squeeze Me,” “Tourist Season” and “Hoot,” he will talk about corruption, scandal and how to turn them into humor and fiction. Part of his young-readers series, Hiaasen’s latest novel “Wrecker” follows the adventures of a Key West boy dealing with “smugglers, grave robbers, and pooping iguanas.”
Both lectures will start at 10 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Tickets are $25 each.
Tickets for the DDWS’ biggest annual fundraiser on Feb. 7 are limited and selling quickly. This year’s Go Wild for “Ding” — Into the Night will delves into the “after-hours” world of refuge yellow-crowned and black-crowned night herons. The annual dinner and live auction event will take place at the refuge and will feature live entertainment, plus always a few surprises. Attendees can expect the traditional auction of an original, carved Jim Sprankle feather pin, including membership into the prestigious Flock of the Feather Club. Reservations are required at $150 per person.
Registration also has opened for the 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament on May 10. Participation is limited to 60 boats for the one-of-a-kind catch-and-release tournament benefiting water-quality research and refuge programming.
For more information, tickets or registrations, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Go Wild for “Ding” and the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament. For more information, email April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org.