provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Sanibel Island will come alive with color, creativity, and conservation spirit Oct. 20–22 as J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society‑Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) host Art in the Wild, a three‑day celebration honoring the 150th birthday of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling—America’s beloved conservation cartoonist and visionary.
This milestone event invites the public to explore how art and nature intersect, following in the footsteps of Darling himself more than a century ago.
The event kicks off Tuesday, Oct. 20, with plein-air artists creating live along Wildlife Drive. An origami project workshop and other nature crafts will happen that day in The Roost alfresco space and Ranger Toni’s Nature Nook. Seven-time Federal Duck Stamp artist Jim Hautman will make a special guest appearance to present his work and current Florida Junior Duck Stamp winner Beckett Smith. He will be on hand to sign his winning 2026-27 stamp.
The following day, Oct. 21, is the birthday of the Refuge namesake, a famed conservationist and Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist of the early 20th century. “Ding” Darling wintered on Sanibel and Captiva and was instrumental in creating the Federal Duck Stamp Program and refuge that now bears his name.
“Ding” reprisor Tim Milligan, along with President Teddy Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand, will make 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. presentations that day and will also participate in the unveiling of the permanent 3D Donor Wall at The Roost.
Art in the Wild wraps up Thursday, Oct. 22, with the judging of plein-air art, photography and birding walks, and an award ceremony for the “Ding” Darling Amateur Photography Contest. Watch for news of more activities throughout the three-day event.
Event sponsors to date include Gretchen Banks and Sanibel Moorings. To learn more about sponsorship, contact Jeff Decker at jeff@dingdarlingsociety.org.