Ding Darling Wildlife Society Inc

Programs: The society's mission is to work at enhancing the educational opportunities for the nearly 800,000 annual j n "ding" darling national wildliff refuge ("refuge") visitors about the importance of conservation and wildlife protection and to assist the refuge in this work through the funding of new exhibits, written materials, classes, lectures, internship program, biology research, land acquistion and overall public relations and community outreach each year. The refuge staff details a list of their priorities that the federal government is unable to fund. These are all supporting the mission of the refuge in promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the natural history and natural environment of the area, and in particular the refuge itself. Funding covers a wide range of items, including the internship program, biology research equipment, student housing, volunteer training, appreciation materials, printing of brochures, maps and activity books, enhancing the exhibits and assisting with community outreach with nearly 800,000 annual visitors from around the world. It is the goal of giving them an amazing experience in the hopes they will become conservations stewards here and where they come from. The society also provided funding for the articulation of a manatee skelton, it was a priority of the refuge to truly enhance this educational tool by building and designing a hands-on educational exhibit around the skeleton called "marvelous manatee" exhibit. The society provided the funding and assistance to the refuge in helping this exhibit become a reality. It includes life sized replicas of an adult and baby manatee, along with fact flip books and a "forensic science" table where visitors of all ages can learn more about the science involved with protecting the endangered manatee. All species of sea turtles are endangered and with sanibel being one of the top tourist destinations in the country, it is imperative that the visitors to the island understand the importance of protecting our sea turtles, particularly during nesting and hatching seasons. The society provided funding and assistance to the refuge to design brochures to be used in the education center as well as gulf front resorts and hotels, life-sized sea turtle replicas to be used in off-site education classes as well as on-site clases teaching people about turtles. Also included in the project was the design of a new sea trutle activity book which kids of all ages, including adults, enjoy. This is offered free to all education center visitors.