DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's waters, lands and facilities are closed to the public until further notice due to hurricane damage. Consequently, many programs and events are canceled

In addition, the DDWS provided the following updates:

∫ “Ding” Darling Nature Wellness is partnering w i t h t h e S a n i b e l R e c r e a t i o n C e n t e r f o r a f r e e Mindfulness Meditation Class on Wednesdays at 8:30 a m and a free Guided Mindfulness Walk on S a t u r d a y s a t 1 0 a m P r e r e g i s t e r a t DingDarling Eventbrite com

∫ Most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Nature Store will pop up at the Outdoor Gallery and Island Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rachel Pierce Art Gallery, at 1571 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

∫ The 10th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest is open The deadline for entries is March 1 For information, contact Ali Reece at alison@dingdarlingsociety org

∫ The DDWS' major annual fundraiser, “Go Bully for “Ding” An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt,” will take place on March 6 at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers Reservations are open

∫ “Ding” Wellness Week will precede National Mental Health Awareness Week, May 3-10

∫ The annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament remains on the calendar for May 19 Registration is open The DDWS thanked the 2023 sponsors To become an event sponsor, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety org