Lecture Series 2012

The eagerly awaited 11-week “Ding” Darling Nature Store Lecture Series kicks off at J.N. “Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island Jan. 20, 2012, with an expert on climate change and an opportunity to view the refuge’s traveling The Changing Refuge climate change exhibit.

This year for the first time, due to their popularity, the free lectures will be held twice Friday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Sanctuary Golf Club of Sanibel Island is sponsoring the 2012 lecture series with support from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS).

"The Sanctuary Golf Club has a true commitment to conservation and the health of our wildlife, and it's great to have them team up with the DDWS on our lecture series,” said Birgie Vertesch, DDWS executive director.

Other highlights this season include Charles LeBuff, author of the new Images of America: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and celebrity birding authors Don and Lillian Stokes. The season’s complete schedule is listed below. Engagements are subject to change, so please check here before each lecture.

Book signings follow all of the starred (*) lectures. Seating for the. lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis.

As usual, Wildlife Drive is closed on Friday, but visitors are welcome to enjoy the FREE Education Center and recreational opportunities at Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s official concessionaire located at it Tarpon Bay Recreation Area.

For more information, call 472-1100 ext. 241 or log on to www.dingdarlingsociety.org.

January 20 – Anne Morkill, Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex Manager – USFWS’ role in Climate Change
January 27 – Amy Bennett Williams – Images of America: Along the Caloosahatchee*
February 3 –Larry Richardson – Where Photography Meets Science: Using Remote Cameras to Capture the Florida Panther
February 10 – Charles LeBuff – Images of America: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge*
February 17– Nationally recognized birders, authors Don & Lillian Stokes – Bird Identification*
February 24 – NO Lecture – Volunteer Award Luncheon
March 2 – Author Blair Witherington – Florida’s Living Beaches* (part of the 75th Shell Fair & Show Shellabration! 2012)
March 9- Refuge Biologist Jeremy Conrad - Alligators
March 16 – Dr. Dale Gawlik – Wading Birds
March 23 - Roger L. Reep & Robert K. Bonde - The Florida Manatee*
March 30 – Live indigo snake presentation by Dennis Giardina, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist
April 6 - Just Ducky! - unveiling of new Duck Station touch screen with decoy carver Jim Sprankle and Ranger Toni