Refuge’s WoW team visits local school
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) team attended Pelican Elementary’s STEM Night on Sept. 3 in Cape Coral. It interacted with 325 individuals focusing on a butterfly theme. Students were able to view a proboscis under a microscope. They also acted as pollinators by “flying” a butterfly on a string around to different flowers while spreading “pollen” (paint). After learning about butterflies and pollination, students received a butterfly mask to take home. In addition, the DDWS reported that several Title I schools have committed to visits for the 2024-25 school year — amounting to a reach of an estimated 8,000 to 9,000 students. To date, the tentative WoW schedule is as follows:
– Oct. 15 through Nov. 1: Tice Elementary in Fort Myers
– Nov. 4-22: Lehigh Elementary in Lehigh Acres
– Dec. 2-20: Varsity Lakes Middle School in Lehigh Acres
– Jan. 6-17: G. Weaver Hipps Elementary in Lehigh Acres
– Jan. 21 through Feb. 11: Oak Hammock Middle School in Fort Myers
– Feb. 13-28: Manatee Elementary in Fort Myers