‘Ding’ Darling Refuge to celebrate fee-free day with activities for all ages
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will mark the second annual Great American Outdoors Day on Aug. 4 with free admission to its Wildlife Drive, plus activities for visitors.
It is one of six fee-free days designated every year at national parks and on public lands.
“The Great American Outdoors Act was a historic investment in public lands,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said, explaining that it authorized conservation funding for federal lands.
In celebration of the day, people can tour Wildlife Drive for free from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“That only happens a few times a year,” she said, noting that the entrance booth will still be staffed so information can be provided to visitors. “It’s a savings of $10 per vehicle or $1 per biker or hiker.”
From noon to 3 p.m., the Wildlife on Wheels will be set up at the Visitor & Education Center.
“It’s a 36-foot hands-on mobile classroom, which highlights the four ecosystems in the area. It’s more than what’s on Sanibel, it encompasses Southwest Florida,” Westland said. “We’ve got the ocean, we’ve got the coastline, we have the estuaries with the mangroves, and we have the uplands.”
WoW educators will be on hand to answer questions.
“We are bringing it out the day before,” she said, explaining that the WoW will be open on Aug. 3 from noon to 3 p.m. and Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. “If they miss one day, they can catch it the next day.”
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can take part in a free family scavenger hunt for prizes.
“It’s outdoors and it’s called Refuge Riddles. They’re going to have to solve riddles and get numbers, and then they’ll decipher something,” Westland said. “We do have various nature-related prizes.”
“It’s something they can do together or it gives parents a break,” she added.
Westland noted that the refuge is dog-friendly as long as dogs are on a six-foot leash and under control.
“We have people come who don’t have kids,” she said. “They come with their dogs.”
Only service animals are permitted inside the center.
At 10 a.m., there will be a free birding walk down the Indigo Trail with a ranger. Those interested in participating in the guided tour must register online in advance at dingdarling.eventbrite.com.
“Everything is always free when it comes to our programs, especially that day, on Great American Outdoors Day,” Westland said. “But signing up is necessary to hold your spot.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy.
“It’s something to do right before you go back to school,” she said. “And it’s just nice that we are able to host these free days as a system of lands and not only celebrate our Sanibel refuge, but others.”
For more information, visit dingdarling.eventbrite.com or call 239-472-1100, ext. 237.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI, please email trepeki@breezenewspapers.com