Rotary Happenings: Refuge, DDWS share events and programs
Energy and enthusiasm was abundant at last week’s Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club meeting. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Associate Director Ann-Marie Wildman shared the many new and exciting events and programs happening.
The refuge’s updated mission of “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people” is quite accurate. It is partnering with others to offer some of the best programming.
Art in the Wild will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and the birthday of namesake Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, and its Lecture Series addresses topics such as surviving hurricanes and microplastics in water. Its Wildlife of Wheels mobile classroom visits schools, libraries, conservation-minded events, and economically challenged and minority communities to teach about water quality, the ecosystem, wildlife and other topics.
The refuge’s Nature Wellness program offers wellness of the mind and mental health with The Self-Guided Mindfulness Trail, meditation, Mindful Mondays and refuge yoga, amongst other opportunities. It also offer scholarships and internships for students interested in environmental studies.
Be sure to visit the refuge in person. Or visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling or https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/ to see all of the programs and events offered.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club meets on Fridays at 7:30 at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.