Wellness in Nature @ “Ding” to feature activities
The fourth annual Wellness in Nature @ “Ding” will take place on Jan. 23-26 at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.
Sponsored by the refuge and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), the activities will range from a low-tide bird photography workshop and sunset yoga to Planting Seeds of Connection Workshop.
“The purpose of the four-day event is to draw in and connect with new-to-‘Ding’ visitors about the value of conservation,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said. “It facilitates experiences that foster a deeper, more meaningful connection to nature and centers around the ways nature and humans help each other heal.”
The event will kick off on Jan. 23 with keynote lecturer Aimee Copeland from Atlanta, Georgia. She will talk about her personal story of a crippling accident and her foundation focused on the importance of accessible recreation spaces and opportunities. Copeland will speak at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
On Jan. 25, the event will reach its peak with a Wellness in Nature Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Roost. It will feature open-air live music, eco-creation stations, sunset yoga, refreshments and other mind-body activities, including an Interactive Conservation Pledge Wall.
One highlight on the event’s final day, Jan. 26, will be the Walk for Wellness: Learn the Basics of Energy Medicine from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
“The refuge has hosted Wellness in Nature events for three years, starting in 2021 with the unveiling of our self-guided Mindfulness Trail at the Bailey Tract, the first of its kind in the nearly 570 national wildlife refuges across the U.S.,” she said. “Each year, we fine-tune the activities with the purpose of getting people outdoors to better their health and well-being.”
Registration is open and free for the activities, but space is limited.
Ten walk-in spaces will be available the day of for activities.
For more information, including the full schedule and Eventbrite registration link, visit https://dingdarlingsociety.org/nature-wellness.
The refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Wellness in Nature @ “Ding”
When
Jan. 23-26
Where
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to community