Sydney Ray recently joined the team at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island as part of a partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers. She will assist Urban Education Leader Melissa Maher and her team as an educator for the refuge’s WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile classroom.
Ray, a Fort Myers resident for 18 years, is a junior at FGCU working towards her bachelor’s degree in child and youth studies. After learning WoW’s STEAM-friendly curriculum, she will assist with hands-on teaching, working 10 hours a week throughout the semester to earn clinical requirements for her program.
“I’m excited to work with students and help them learn about the ecosystems in southwest Florida,” said Ray, who enjoys relaxing at the beach or poolside in her spare time.
“This is our first such partnership with FGCU’s Child and Youth Studies Program, and it has been three years in the making,” said Maher. “It is a win-win for both the student and our WoW program: Sydney gains valuable on-the-job experience while WoW gains a leader to teach our mission to Title-1 students throughout the school district. We heartily welcome Sydney.”
The refuge and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) engage about a dozen interns each year to assist staff cut by federal budget-trimming. DDWS provides living stipends and other benefits for most interns at the refuge.
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].
