To further its mission reaching and connecting with underserved urban communities, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge returns to Lakes Park in Fort Myers for its 36th annual “Ding” Darling Day on Saturday, April 26. The celebration also observes Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22.
The refuge and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) have planned a full day of Conservation Carnival activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special free outdoor activities include carnival games, prizes, Hoverball archery, a dunk tank, a rock-climbing wall, facepainting, Earth Day crafts, guided walks, snow-cones, and educational interactions with other local conservation organizations.
“Moving ‘Ding’ Day to Lakes Park has been a fabulous success,” said Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who chairs the event. “We bring the refuge to the community for a free taste of nature and conservation.”
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), and Tarpon Bay Explorers cosponsor “Ding” Darling Day with generous support from the local community and businesses.
DDWS seeks sponsors for the event, which will be highly publicized throughout the Southwest Florida area. Contact Jeff Decker at [email protected] for more information. Watch dingdarlingday.com for details as they unfold.
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].
