‘Ding’ Days Technology Monday gets techies outdoors
Inspired by “Ding” Darling Refuge’s new iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive, the weeklong “Ding” Darling Days debuts Technology in the Outdoors Day this year on Monday, Oct. 17.
Public school children are off that day; and they, their parents, and techies of all ages are invited to attend a full day of events that combines gadgets with nature.
Special tours and demonstrations will introduce visitors to the 10-station iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive, where they will use smartphones and tablets to scan QR codes and connect with interactive YouTube videos for a free ranger-narrated tour.
Other demonstrations included GPS-based Earth-caching at the refuge and the Education Center’s eBird Trail Tracker computer, where guests can identify birds and their songs and enter their refuge sightings.
Throughout the day, visitors can watch short films featuring seven of the 550-plus refuges throughout the nation. Films begin every hour on the hour in the Education Center Auditorium starting at 9 a.m.
The 22nd annual “Ding” Darling Days kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 16, with Family Fun Day and closes with Saturday’s Conservation Art Day, Oct. 22.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge sponsors “Ding” Darling Days with support from Tarpon Bay Explorers, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other private and business partners.
For a full “Ding” Darling Days schedule, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com or call 472-1100.
“Ding” Darling Days sponsors include Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill, Ocean’s Reach, Times of the Island (TOTI) Media, Sundial Beach & Golf Resort, Bailey’s General Store, The Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Island Sun, Jerry’s Foods, Royal Shell, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Jim and Patty Sprankle, ‘Tween Waters Inn, West Wind Inn, Mike and Terry Baldwin, Art and Susan Cassell, Bank of the Islands, Caloosa Tent & Rentals, Matzaluna the Italian Kitchen, R. S. Walsh Landscaping-In the Garden, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis, SanibelSusan Realty Associates, The Clem Werner Family, Barefoot Charley’s Painting, Big Red Q Quickprint, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP), Dan Hahn Custon Builders, George & Wendy’s Corner Grill, Good Wheels, Island Therapy Center, Mast Family Culligan, Over Easy Cafe, Panther Printing, Re-Newal Water, Sanibel Art & Frame, She Sells Seashells, Suncatchers’ Dream, Winston and Barbara Spurgeon, Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant and Traders Cafe.