Ribbon-cutting for Roving Ranger, Learning Lavatories
As one of the first stops visitors to Sanibel and Captiva often make, the SanCap Chamber of Commerce restrooms recently have become something of a billboard for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, modeled after the refuge’s popular and award-winning Learning Lavatories.
The artistic redesign, funded by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge with support from the Lee County Tourist Development Council, debuted on April 16 with a dual ribbon-cutting for the restrooms and the Sanibel refuge’s new Roving Ranger mobile visitor center.
“When ‘nature calls,’ visitors will find themselves surrounded by scenes from ‘Ding’ Darling in the restrooms at the back of the chamber visitor center,” DDWS Events, Communications & Marketing Manager April Boehnen, who worked with chamber staff on the project, said. “In 2018, the refuge won the America’s Best Restroom award for its nature-inspired, artistic restrooms, and we are using that as a springboard for introducing visitors to the islands and refuge during their ‘pit stop’ at the chamber, which has always been such an awesome partner in our efforts.”
The design starts with the wall just beyond the glass door to the restroom area and continues into each restroom, running along the walls and inside and outside of the stalls. Inside the stall doors, visitors can learn fun facts about signature refuge birds.
“We have a captive audience to influence for a few minutes,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “It’s a good way to offer visitors an introduction to Sanibel’s nature ethic while giving the chamber a conversation-piece facility.”
“We are so excited about this fun and informative upgrade to the visitor center restrooms,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “We applaud ‘Ding’ Darling for its always innovative and creative ways to turn visitors on to all the refuge has to offer. It really is a gem when it comes to island attractions, and visitors are always interested in learning more. This is a win-win.”
The refuge introduced its Roving Ranger, a colorfully wrapped truck that staff will use for community outreach, earlier in the month. It is the first such vehicle in the national refuge system. Educators are able to greet visitors through a window on the side of the truck and at informational tables and hands-on exhibits outside of the vehicle.
The SanCap Chamber of Commerce is at 1159 Causeway Blvd., Sanibel.