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DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

By REFUGE/DDWS 1 min read
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REFUGE/DDWS The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Drive will be free and open to the public on July 4-5 for the Semiquincentennial Independence Day holiday weekend.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) provided the following updates for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel:

– Wildlife Drive and its trails and restrooms will be free and open to the public on July 4-5 for the Semiquincentennial Independence Day holiday weekend. In addition, Tarpon Bay Explorers and the Bailey Tract will be open. The Visitor & Education Center, including the Refuge Nature Store and restrooms, and refuge offices will be closed on July 4.

– The “Ding” Darling Amateur Nature Photography Contest will open on July 15. Submissions will be due by Sept. 15.

– Submissions for the “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photo Contest will be open from Oct. 1 through Jan. 15.

– Art will meet nature at Art in the Wild on Oct. 20-22.

– The refuge will celebrate Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday on Oct. 21.

– The REVIVE! Trash-To-Fashion Couture Collection Show will be held on Nov. 4. Afterward, some of the creations will be on display from Nov. 12 through Dec. 27 in the refuge’s Auditorium.

To reach REFUGE/DDWS, please email