Use time off to experience the outdoors
12/28/20 11:56 PM
If 2020 gave us anything, it was extra time. Many used this time to reconnect with the outdoors.
As we round out the year, and many people are burning through vacation days, consider taking a trip to explore an unknown outdoor destination. Here are five of my favorite places to visit:
Brown County State Park, Nashville
Nicknamed the “Little Smokies” because of the region’s resemblance to the Smoky Mountain National Park, Brown County offers visitors a chance to spread out amongst the hills, hollers and ridgetops many wouldn’t expect to find in southern Indiana. Encompassing nearly 16,000 acres, you can find true solitude in the park’s wilderness. Taking a winter hike along one of the many trails is a great way to experience wildlife and natural scenes without the crowds of summer.
Holiday shopping at TBE benefits wildlife refuges
By TBE - | Dec 23, 2020
Tarpon Bay Explorers operates a nature-themed gift shop with holiday options for the whole family, with proceeds from the sales helping to support conservation efforts all over the United States.
Gifts include home décor, fishing shirts and tackle, children’s clothing and more.
In addition, 12 percent of all purchases as well as TBE rentals and tours go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the care and protection of National Wildlife Refuges throughout the country.
Tarpon Bay Explorers is the concession to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It is the only company licensed to provide recreational and educational activities and tours in the refuge.
‘Ding’ artist-in-residence program ready to kick off
By REFUGE / DDWS - | Dec 23, 2020
PHOTO PROVIDED
The art of Rachel Pierce reflects her love of sea and nature.
Beginning Jan. 5, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s 2021 artist in residence Rachel Pierce will kick off a series of free biweekly, plein-air art demonstrations and monthly Friday Art Journal Walks. The refuge and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge support the season of nature-art events, which will also include visits to underserved youth organizations and a grand finale exhibition.
Through April, Pierce will do her popup demonstrations along Wildlife Drive on the first and third Tuesdays and Thursdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to stop and chat with the artist in a safe and distanced manner while watching her create her brand of whimsical impressionistic art inspired by sea- and bird-life.
Bank supports refuge’s anniversary with sponsorship
By REFUGE / DDWS - | Dec 11, 2020
PHOTO PROVIDED
DDWS Associate Executive Director Lynnae Messina, David Lowden and Willy Ocasio with Bank of the Islands, and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge wound up more than a year’s worth of 75th anniversary celebrations recently, thanks to the support from sponsors such as Bank of the Islands, which donated $5,000 toward the refuge’s special events and exhibitions. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Executive Director Birgie Miller reported: “Bank of the Islands has always been generous with its refuge support, and we are so grateful. The DDWS supports refuge conservation and education efforts.
December 11 fishing report from Byron Stout
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Jeremy Rounding was offshore in Brandon Wilks’ flats skiff, chumming at night when this dandy blackfin tuna responded. It was one of a pair, plus a cooler full of big mangrove snapper.
Char Mercer and Hannah Lane had a big time in Wiggins Pass catching mangrove snapper, including some keepers, Sunday with Char’s husband, Rick.
This 27-inch mutton was one of many Will Kures and his family caught on cut thread herrings, 25 miles off Naples on the All In with Capt. Jim Rinckey.
All In Capt. Kees Van Der Aa’s African pompano rounded out the box, which also included four snapper species and two big porgies, all delicious.