From bird brains to world renowned nature photographers, python hunting to Indigenous Floridians, the 20th annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series covers diverse and fascinating topics from Jan. 9 through March 20, 2025. The free lectures take place in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium on Sanibel Island, most of them twice daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on certain Thursdays throughout the season.

 

The series opens with celebrity photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher on Jan. 9. That particular lecture, “Portraits of Real Florida,” will take place at 1 p.m. only. The Butchers will jointly speak about their highly admired photography and how it reflects the many facets of Florida from the wilderness of the Everglades to quaint but quirky small towns around the state.

 

Aimee Copeland follows that lecture on Jan. 23, also as a kickoff to the Wellness in Nature @ “Ding” four-day event. A holistic psychotherapist, motivational speaker, and amputee, her Aimee Copeland Foundation and two lectures focus on the importance of accessible outdoor spaces and inclusive recreation.

 

See a calendar of the season’s seven lectures below and at dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.

 

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) co-hosts the lectures with J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.

 

“We are honored to welcome such an impressive roll call of authors and experts in their nature-related field,” said DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman. “The series started in 2005 to bring more visitors to the refuge following Hurricane Charley in 2004. It is fitting we celebrate our lecture series’ 20th year as we continue to strengthen following Hurricane Ian in 2022.”

 

Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in and save their seat and one extra with personal items ahead of lecture times and then can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or risk being reassigned.

 

To learn more about sponsoring or co-sponsoring a lecture, contact April Boehnen at [email protected] or 440-452-9083. Partial sponsorships begin at $1,000.

 

All lectures take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Starred (*) lectures indicate books or other items will be sold following the lecture.

 

*Jan. 9– Photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher (1 p.m. only) “Portraits of Real Florida” – Sponsorships available

Jan. 23 – Psychotherapist/Motivational Speaker Aimee Copeland, “Wellness in Nature” – Sponsors Jim & Linda Winn

*Jan. 30 – Author/Indigenous Native David Rahahę·tih Webb, The Spanish Seminole: The Untold History of the Spanish Indians as Shared by a Descendant – Sponsorships available

*Feb. 6 – “Python Huntress” Amy Siewe, “Burmese Pythons in the Everglades” – Sponsors: Susan & Cliff Beittel

*Feb. 27 – Author/photographer Budd Titlow, Bird Brains: Inside the Minds of our Feathered Friends – Sponsorships available

March 13 – Actor Joe Wiegand,  “President Teddy Roosevelt Reprised” – Sponsorships available

*March 20 – Author Charles Sobczak, “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” – Sponsorships available

 

ABOUT DDWS

As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].