Refuge donor funds annual WoW internship
As a clinical child psychologist in private practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Betty Bishop sees daily the importance of education at all levels. As a devoted, 50-year fan of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, she understands the need to support environmental education with the end goal of maintaining a supply of conservation stewards to carry forward the refuge’s mission to protect wildlife.
Bishop discovered the refuge in 1963 while visiting family in Naples. Since 2010, her visits to the island include almost daily birding excursions along Wildlife Drive and the Bailey Tract. As a result, Bishop established the permanently endowed Betty Bishop Education Fund with the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) in 2021 to support a variety of education initiatives.
She also saw, however, the need to support a refuge intern, and since she loves the work of the Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) mobile classroom, she chose to support it through her IRA minimum distributions.
“I see the importance of nature for all generations, and ‘Ding’ Darling is in my heart,” Bishop said. “I believe in the need for the next generation to learn about birds, mammals, plants, insects, and marine life, so they realize the importance of protecting places like national wildlife refuges around the country. The WoW interns are today’s environmental teachers, and what better way to support the WoW effort than through an annual internship.”
“‘Ding’ Darling is at the heart of the island, and friends like Betty and so many others hold the refuge in their own hearts, making a very real difference,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “Supporting internships is vital to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. Internships offer hands-on experience, equipping young conservationists with skills in wildlife management, environmental education, and research. By supporting interns, we are investing in the future of these precious ecosystems and cultivating a passionate workforce dedicated to protecting our planet’s natural resources.”
For more information about funding an intern, contact Wildman at 239-789-8991 or wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.