Island Calendar
TALKING POINTS
BIG ARTS Talking Points series will present Ian Sherr on “Is Internet Privacy Even Possible?” on Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. in Christensen Hall, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. For tickets, call 239-395-0900. For information, visit www.bigarts.org.
THE FORUM
BIG ARTS The Forum series will present Dr. Arin Reeves on “Challenges to Women Leading in America” on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Christensen Hall, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. For tickets, call 239-395-0900. For information, visit www.bigarts.org.
MONDAY NIGHT FILM
BIG ARTS will hold its Monday Night Film on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in Christensen Hall, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. The film is “And Then We Danced” (2019). For tickets, call 239-395-0900. For information, visit www.bigarts.org.
New refuge sign interprets mosquitos
By REFUGE / DDWS - | Feb 3, 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED
PHOTO PROVIDED
Lee County Mosquito Control District Deputy Director Eric Jackson and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea dedicated the new interpretive sign last week.
One of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s unsung wildlife residents received its due last week when representatives from a partnership with the Lee County Mosquito Control District dedicated a new interpretive sign at the historic Colon’s Point along Wildlife Drive. “The Salt Water Mosquito: A Mighty but Tiny Resident” reveals how mosquitos are responsible for the building of Wildlife Drive as a result of drainage ditches dug in 1962. Colon’s Point memorializes LCMCD heavy equipment operator Colon Moore, who did most of the digging. The new signage lays down some positive facts about mosquitos and their island populations. Refuge management created the panel as part
Refuge announces planned pile burn for Friday
By CITY OF SANIBEL - | Jan 21, 2021
The city of Sanibel has been notified by the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge that the refuge plans to conduct pile burns on Jan. 22 starting at approximately 9 a.m. at the Gavin site, located on the north side of Sanibel-Captiva Road.
The piles consist of vegetative debris collected over time from maintenance work conducted at the refuge. No or limited impacts are expected from the burns. The refuge advised that smoke signs will be installed on Sanibel-Captiva Road.
For questions, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Zone 5 Prescribed Fire Specialist Greg Suszek who will serve as the burn boss for the pile burn at 239-877-9545 or greg suszek@fws.gov.
Godsea appointed to lead Southwest Florida refuge complex
By REFUGE / DDWS - | Jan 21, 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kevin Godsea is taking over management of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge as project leader of a newly formed Southwest Florida refuge complex.
Having filled the role of acting refuge manager at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2019, Kevin Godsea is stepping up to the position of permanent project leader at the new Southwest Florida National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It includes Florida Panther, Ten Thousand Islands, Pine Island, Matlacha Pass, Island Bay and Caloosahatchee NWRs. Godsea has been serving as refuge manager for Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands for 10 years.
Visiting students explore Tarpon Bay, Sanibel refuge
By TARPON BAY EXPLORERS - | Jan 20, 2021
PHOTO PROVIDED
First Baptist Academy students prepare to take of on a bicycle ride through Wildlife Drive.
On Jan. 4, students from the First Baptist Academy in Naples journeyed to Sanibel to spend the day exploring the J.N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. During the winter term, the school allocates a week’s worth of time to promote a particular interest of the students. The subject for these 13 high schoolers was environmental sciences.
First, the students hopped into kayaks to explore Tarpon Bay’s Commodore Creek Trail with naturalist Brie Coffman. A low tide made for superb birding. White pelicans could be seen by the dozens flying overhead or swimming from nearby sandbars. Wading birds peppered the edges of the mangrove roots stalking for prey.