Conservation Art Day returns to ‘Ding’ Darling Days Oct. 23
The second annual Conservation Art Day will bring the weeklong “Ding” Darling Days 2010 to a close at the refuge on Saturday, Oct. 23 from noon to 5 p.m.
Highlights of the afternoon include presentations by the nationally recognized 2010-11 Federal Duck Stamp Artist Robert Bealle from Maryland, the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Artist Rui Huang from Ohio, and the Florida Junior Duck Stamp contest winner Jefferson Jones from Lehigh Acres, Fla.
“Last year, we moved the duck stamp artist presentations from Family Fun Day so we could honor the winning artists with a day devoted especially to them. So Conservation Art Day is now the time to get your duck stamps signed,” said Lead Refuge Ranger Toni Westland. “The event has grown into an afternoon of wildlife art that pays homage to the legacy of conservation art begun by our refuge’s namesake, J. N. “Ding” Darling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and the original duck stamp artist.”
Geared toward families and art enthusiasts, Conservation Art Day will offer participants a number of free interactive nature-art activities including wildlife caricatures by island-based cartoonist Dave Horton for the first 50 arrivals; a photography tram workshop on Wildlife Drive, compliments of nature photographer Terry Baldwin and Tarpon Bay Explorers; and nature drawing workshops.
Participants will enjoy free giveaways, snacks, and beverages, compliments of “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and Bailey’s General Store.
“Ding” Darling Days 2010 begins on Sunday, Oct. 17 with the traditional free Family Fun Day and continues through the week with free and discounted tours of the refuge and Bunche Beach.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, DDWS, and Tarpon Bay Explorers co-sponsor the event. Visit www.dingdarlingdays.com for a complete schedule of Conservation Art Day and other activities throughout the week.
Other “Ding” Darling Days 2010 sponsors include Breeze Newspapers, Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille, Sundial Beach Resort, Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Jerry’s Foods, Ocean’s Reach, The Royal Shell Companies, The Sanctuary Golf Club, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Jim and Patty Sprankle, ‘Tween Waters Inn, West Wind Inn, Mike and Terry Baldwin, Bank of the Islands, Barefoot Charley’s Painting, Blind Pass Condominium Vacation Rentals, Island Sun, Caloosa Tent and Times of the Islands.
In addition, other event sponsors include Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis, The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, Clem Werner Family, Big Red Q Quickprint, Casa Ybel Resort, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP), Good Wheels, Island Therapy Center, Kirchner Contracting, Lighthouse Café of Sanibel, Edward Lamotta, M.D, Over Easy Café, Panther Printing, Sanibel Art & Frame, Sanibel Day Spa, SanibelSusan Realty Associates, She Sells Sea Shells, Suncatchers’ Dream, Wendy and George Schnapp, Winston and Barbara Spurgeon, Traders Café and Twilight Café.