Refuge lands, waters open to public
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel reported that public access to its lands and waters — such as Wildlife Drive, the Indigo Trail, Bailey Tract trails and the Tarpon Bay Explorers — is open. It includes the restrooms on Wildlife Drive and narrated tram tours on Wildlife Drive on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Most U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will not be available during the government shutdown, and the Visitor & Education Center, restrooms, Refuge Nature Store and administrative offices are closed. Shopping is still available at shopdingdarling.com. For more information, visit https://www.doi.gov/shutdown. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.