JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island




Any trip to the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva in the Gulf of Mexico must include a visit to the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is named after the political cartoonist J. Ding Darling, who was ahead of his time by taking a great interest in the environment. Darling fell in love with Sanibel Island and used his influence and political connections to protect the pristine wildlife and surrounding wetlands. Today, approximately 50% of Sanibel is part of the wildlife refuge, best known for its spectacular bird populations, as well as the peaceful existence of many previously endangered species.

Darling’s background is almost as colorful as the Sanibel sunsets. Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling spent his early years exploring the grasslands of Nebraska and South Dakota, where his life-long interest in animals and conservation began. Darling studied medicine at Beloit College in Wisconsin, although he was suspended multiple times for his pranks, including evil cartoons lampooning the college. Despite his rocky start, he was always influenced by a favorite biology teacher who taught him to see the world as a complete system.

Darling dropped out of medicine when his career as a cartoonist took off. Darling, nationally syndicated, was famous for his clever drawings on a wide range of subjects, beginning in the early 1900s. The name “Ding” evolved from his pseudonym in his cartoons, created by combining the first initial of his name with the last three letters.

He published his first conservation cartoon during Teddy Roosevelt’s first term as president in 1901 in support of Roosevelt’s campaign for the establishment of a forest service. Later, the two became great friends. Darling authored two books and won the Pulitzer Prize for cartoons twice in 1923 and again in 1942. As an avid nature lover and bird watcher, Darling was most concerned with wildlife exploitation and habitat destruction. irreplaceable of waterfowl. He used the power of his pen to introduce Americans to environmental concerns.

In July 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed “Ding” Darling director of the United States Biological Service, the forerunner of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In his 18 months as Director, Darling became known as “the best friend a duck has ever had” due to his efforts to start the Federal Duck Stamp Program and the design of the first duck stamp. The proceeds from the sale of these stamps were used to purchase wetlands for wildlife habitat protection and to vastly increase the area of ​​the National Wildlife Refuge System. Darling also developed partnerships with state universities to train scientists in the emerging study of wildlife biology.

At Darling’s urging in 1945, President Harry S. Truman signed an Executive Order creating the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. Sanibel had long been one of Ding’s favorite birding spots and he was eager to protect it. In 1965, the refuge was renamed the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in his honor. Today, the refuge consists of more than 6,400 acres of mangrove forest, part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S. Approximately 2,800 acres are designated as wilderness to protect endangered and threatened species and to provide feeding, nesting and resting areas for the more than 220 species of birds that make the refuge their home. December to March are considered the best months to visit bird watching. In particular, the Center recommends scheduling a visit around low tide when birds forage in exposed marshes.

Visitors to the island rave about the 5+ mile nature trail through the Wildlife Refuge. Along the trail, visitors often catch a glimpse of an alligator, night heron, or white ibis. For a $ 1 donation, nature enthusiasts can grab the “Wildlife Management Guide” and view a number of rare plants and birds from a shaded vehicle – a comfort in what can become a very damp. Other recreational opportunities surrounding the refuge include fishing, boating, kayaking / canoeing, biking, nature photography, and of course, bird watching.

Founded in 1982, the Ding Wildlife Society funds many of the refuge’s educational initiatives, including the various brochures, directional and interpretive posters, and exhibits. It also makes larger educational projects possible, including the Education Center building and its exhibits, and many of the volunteer programs. And, true to the original mission of its namesake, the Society continues to purchase and preserve parcels of land for the refuge.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Post