provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Author Jeri Magg shares the stories of 36 island females in her book Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva. Her lectures continue the 2026 “Ding” Darling Friday Lecture series on March 5 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in The Roost at the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center on Sanibel Island.
From pioneers like Esperanza Woodring and Chico’s cofounder Helene Gralnick to bike path proponent Mariel Goss and refuge land (Perry Tract) donor and ophthalmologist Dr. Louise Merrimon Perry, Remarkable Women takes an inspiring ride through island bygones.
A Sanibel resident since 1980 and former newspaper contributor, Magg has been writing about island history as a freelancer for more than 20 years. She will sign copies of her books, available in the Refuge Nature Store, following the two lectures. Profits from Nature Store sales directly benefit refuge education and research.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) co-hosts the eight-part lecture series with the refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Peter B. Griffin and Joanne S. Griffin sponsor Magg’s lectures. A video of her appearance will be available in a “Ding” on the Wing e-newsletter following the lectures.
While the refuge auditorium is undergoing renovations, all remaining 2026 lectures take place in The Roost outdoor pavilion. Seating is limited on a first-come basis. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs to ensure a seat. Most of the open-air seating is under cover, however DDWS suggests sunscreen, bug spray, and weather-appropriate attire.
See the complete listing of the season’s lectures below and at dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series. Starred (*) lectures indicate those with book-signings following the lecture.
Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.
*March 5 – Sanibel Author Jeri Magg, Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva – Sponsors: Peter B. Griffin and Joanne S. Griffin
*March 26 – Author/Photographer Paul Bannick, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers – Sponsors: Hank & Linda Spire
April 2 – Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, “Live Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting” – Sponsor – Friends of the Refuge
*April 9 – Author/Conservationist Tina Morris, Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle
*April 16 – Sanibel Author Charles Sobczak, The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida — Sponsor: Hightower Advisors Fort Myers
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