provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Jan. 10 marked a day for celebrating new glowing touches to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island as refuge fans gathered to cheer the ribbon-cutting for Ranger Toni’s Nature Nook, two Pollinator Gardens, and the return of the Welcome Archway.
“Thanks to donors, refuge staff, and volunteers, we are able to take our refuge welcome to a whole new level as we build back from recent hurricane damage,” said Ann-Marie Wildman, executive director of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), which helped make the enhancements outside the Visitor & Education Center possible. “These new elements begin the visitor’s immersion into refuge conservation and wildlife at the visitor center’s very doorstep.”
Wildman helped cut the ribbon with refuge complex manager Kevin Godsea and DDWS board president Bill Harkey.
“These new additions enhance the visitor experience and symbolize our resilience and dedication to preserving nature,” said Godsea. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society and all the generous donors who made this possible. Your support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. As we cut this ribbon today, we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion.”
The Nature Nook will serve as picnic and education space for school groups and visitors of all ages, interpreting five refuge habitats and their wildlife. Named for former, longtime supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland, it represents her vision for replacing the office space beneath the visitor center and administration building destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. It features hands-on exhibits and an original sculpture commissioned from island artist Andrew Corke – a roseate spoonbill fashioned from recycled bicycle tires.
Visitors learn about life in the wetlands, ocean, coastline, estuary, and uplands from exhibits Westland designed.
The Pollinator Gardens teach adults and children the importance of providing habitat for birds, bees, and other pollinators with custom interactive signage also designed by Westland. Visitors can absorb the peace and beauty of the gardens from colorful butterfly-shaped benches soon to be installed. Future donations will continue to support the addition of pollinator-friendly plants and interpretive exhibits.
The original Welcome Archway underwent restoration immediately after the storm as staff designed a newer version of the 3D depiction of refuge creatures installed in 2013. North Carolina wildlife artist David Williams of Wingin’ It Works, who sculpted the original archway plus elements of the center’s America’s Best Restrooms, created the latest archway version.