From Burmese pythons to fire ants, Brazilian pepper to lionfish, Sanibel Island author Charles Sobczak covers them all during his “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” PowerPoints, part of the “Ding” Darling Lecture Series. His free lectures take place Thursday, February 20, starting at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

 

Based on information gathered for his three award-winning non-fiction titles, Sobczak’s presentations take an in-depth look at a wide array of non-indigenous species that have invaded Florida over the past 100 years. They also will explore natural migrations, such as the more recent arrival of the African cattle egret and western coyote. While his lectures offer solutions to controlling many of the unwanted visitors, it also clearly demonstrates that some of the unwanted visitors are here to stay.

 

To date Sobczak has authored 10 books, including three non-fiction titles, two selected works, and five novels. His varied interests have taken his writing from the Fond du Lac Indian reservations outside of Cloquet, Minnesota, to Istanbul, Turkey.

 

Sobczak’s non-fiction work focuses on local and regional Florida flora and fauna, including Living Sanibel: A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva. Following his lectures, he will sign copies of his Florida books.

 

DDWS co-hosts Sobczak’s lectures, part of a seven-lecture series, with the refuge and sponsored by Friends of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society. Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors. Learn more about the lecture series at dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.

 

Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in after 9 a.m. for the morning lecture and 12 p.m. for the afternoon and obtain a free entrance wristband so they 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.

 

Below is the calendar of upcoming scheduled lectures. Book-signings will follow all remaining lectures.

 

Feb. 20 – Author Charles Sobczak, “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” – Sponsors: Friends of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society

Feb. 27 – Author/photographer Budd Titlow, Bird Brains: Inside the Minds of our Feathered Friends – Sponsor: A Friend of “Ding” Darling

March 13 – Actor Joe Wiegand,  “President Teddy Roosevelt Reprised” – Sponsors: Heather & Bill O’Keefe

 

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].