The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located in southwestern Florida, on Sanibel Island in the Gulf of Mexico. It is named for the cartoonist Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling.
The 5200 acre (21 km2) refuge was established in 1976, to protect one of the country’s largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems. The refuge is well known for its migratory bird populations. Hurricane Charley struck the refuge on August 13, 2004, causing major changes to the topography and ecology. The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of the following: the Darling Refuge itself, and the Caloosahatchee, Island Bay, Matlacha, and Pine Island National Wildlife Refuges.
The trip will be this coming Wednesday, Februaray 3rd. Jerry Waters will lead this Photo Group trip. He will car pool at 6:00 AM from the Publix parking lot on Burnt Store Road and US 41. Please arrive a few minutes before 6:00 AM so we can be on the road by 6:00. Everyone is welcome. Contact Jerry for more information at waters.jerry@gmail.com.
Please remember that there is a $6 toll per car to use the bridge to get onto Sanibel Island, and that there is a $5 per car fee to get onto the Wildlife Drive that take through the refuge.
The next photo trip to Wakodahatchee and Green Cay is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1st, and Wednesday, March 2nd. If you are planning to go, please book your room for Tuesday night, March 1, in the Delray Beach / Boynton Beach area. Spring break begins in March so rooms in the area will be at a premium. Many places are already booked solid. Contact Jerry Waters for possible leads on available places to stay.