"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society--Friends of the Refuge

P.O. Box 565
Sanibel Island, Florida 33957
239-472-1100 ext. 233
Fax 239-472-7803
dingdarlingoffice@yahoo.com

OUR MISSION

Look How We Put Our Contributors' Generosity To Work for Wildlife & Conservation Education

• Spearheaded and financed the $3.3 million Refuge Education Center and exhibits
• Established the "Ding" Darling radio information system for visitors
• Assisted Refuge with plans and building of new observation tower
• Purchased computer and other office equipment for Refuge staff
• Built the Education Pavilion on the Cross Dike Trail
• Planned and implemented the Refuge iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive
• Funded new Duck, Marvelous Manatee, and Living with Dinosaurs Exhibits
• Supported new Calusa Shell Mound Trail and Buck Key Paddling Trail renovations
• Building the new Children's Education Boardwalk
• Supports education and biology intern programs
• Operates Refuge Nature Store
• Organizes and funds the annual "Ding" Darling Days
• Provides the Refuge manager a discretionary fund for emergency use
• Supplies materials to area teachers for "Ding" Darling field trips
• Provides informational nature conservancy materials for Refuge visitors
• Provides and replaces interpretative signage and outdoor kiosk displays
• Contributes tens of thousands of dollars each year for special Refuge projects
• Funds research projects
• Administers historic traveling exhibits of "Ding" Darling political cartoons
• Represents the refuge system and its budget needs at a national political level