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Sanibel Island What began as a sandbar is now Sanibel, a ... · For over 2,000 years the Calusa...

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Sanibel Island What began as a sandbar is now Sanibel, a barrier island fringed with mangrove trees, shallow bays, and white sandy beaches located off the southwest coast of Florida. For over 2,000 years the Calusa Indians made the lush island, with its ready source of food from the sea, their home. By the mid-1800s, European settlers arrived and soon displaced the Calusa tribe. For years the island was mainly used by farmers until a fierce hurricane in 1926 destroyed the agriculture industry. Construction of the Sanibel Causeway in 1963 opened the way for tourism on the island. David Meardon
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Page 1: Sanibel Island What began as a sandbar is now Sanibel, a ... · For over 2,000 years the Calusa Indians made the lush island, with its ready source of food from the sea, their home.

Sanibel IslandWhat began as a sandbar is nowSanibel, a barrier island fringed withmangrove trees, shallow bays, andwhite sandy beaches located off thesouthwest coast of Florida.

For over 2,000 years the CalusaIndians made the lush island, with itsready source of food from the sea,their home. By the mid-1800s,European settlers arrived and soondisplaced the Calusa tribe.

For years the island was mainly usedby farmers until a fierce hurricane in1926 destroyed the agricultureindustry. Construction of the SanibelCauseway in 1963 opened the way fortourism on the island.

David Meardon

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J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife RefugeJay Norwood Darling wasinstrumental in the effort to block thesale of a parcel of environmentallyvaluable land to developers onSanibel Island. At Darling’s urging,President Harry S. Truman signed anExecutive Order creating the SanibelNational Wildlife Refuge in 1945.

The refuge was renamed in 1967 inhonor of the pioneer conservationist.The refuge consists of over 6,400 acresof mangrove forest, submergedseagrass beds, cordgrass marshes, andWest Indian hardwood hammocks.Approximately 2,800 acres of therefuge are designated by Congress as aFederal Wilderness Area.

The refuge was created to safeguardand enhance the pristine wildlifehabitat of Sanibel Island, to protectendangered and threatened species,and to provide feeding, nesting, androosting areas for migratory birds.Today, the J. N. “Ding” DarlingNational Wildlife Refuge providesimportant habitat to over 220 speciesof birds.

Francine Litofsky

Francine Litofsky

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J. N. “Ding” DarlingBorn in Norwood, Michigan in 1876,Jay Norwood Darling was to becomeone of the most well known men ofhis era. A nationally syndicatededitorial cartoonist, he was famousfor his witty commentary on themany different subjects thatconcerned the nation.

An affable, dynamic, and talentedman, Darling began his cartooningcareer in 1900 with the Sioux CityJournal. After joining the Des MoinesRegister as a cartoonist in 1906, hebegan signing his cartoons with thenickname “Ding” – derived bycombining the first initial of his namewith the last three letters.

In 1924, “Ding” was honored with aPulitzer Prize for a cartoon thatespoused hard work. He would againwin this prestigious award in 1942.An avid hunter and fisherman, Darlingbecame alarmed at the loss of wildlifehabitat and the possible extinction ofmany species. As an early pioneer forwildlife conservation, he worked thistheme into his cartoons andinfluenced a nation.

“Ding” Darling Foundation

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In July 1934, President Franklin D.Roosevelt appointed “Ding” Darlingas the Director of the U.S. BiologicalSurvey, the forerunner of the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service. In his 18months as Director, Darling initiatedthe Federal Duck Stamp Program,designed the first duck stamp, andvastly increased the acreage of theNational Wildlife Refuge System. Healso developed partnerships withstate universities to train scientists inthe emerging study of wildlife biology.

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With the passage of the MigratoryBird Hunting and ConservationStamp Act in 1934, all waterfowlhunters 16 years and older becamerequired by law to purchase aFederal Duck Stamp. Proceeds fromthe sales of these stamps are used topurchase wetlands for the protectionof wildlife habitat. Since 1934, over$750 million in funds have beenraised and more than 5.3 millionacres of habitat have been purchasedfor wildlife.

Darling also designed the Blue Gooselogo, the national symbol of therefuge system. Rachel Carson, authorof Silent Spring, scientist and chiefeditor for the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService from 1932-52, wrote of theemblem, “Wherever you meet thissign, respect it. It means that theland behind the sign has beendedicated by the American people topreserving, for themselves and theirchildren, as much of our nativewildlife as can be retained along withour modern civilization.”

“Ding” Darling Foundation

This blue goose, designed by“Ding” Darling, has become asymbol of the National WildlifeRefuge System.

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Estuarine EcosystemThe J. N. “Ding” Darling NationalWildlife Refuge is located within anestuary, an area where salt water andfresh water mix. Estuaries createsome of the most nutritionally richhabitat for thousands of species ofplants and animals in an intricatefood web. The basis of this food webin South Florida is the extensivemangrove forests and productiveseagrass beds. Microorganisms thriveon the decaying leaves of seagrassesand mangroves, providing additionalfood for other animals. Rich in marinelife, these shallow waters attractthousands of fish, shrimp, crabs, andsnails, which are preyed upon by thenumerous wading birds of the refuge.

Seagrass beds and mangrove forestsserve as shelter, nursery, and feedingareas for many fish species such asmullet, snook, red drum, snapper andother marine organisms. Refugewaters provide essential habitat forfish that help to support the worldclass sport fishing of this estuary.Healthy seagrass beds are essentialto grazing species such as theendangered West Indian manateeand green sea turtles.

Francine Litofsky

USFWS

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

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The estuary is also importantto the thousands of shorebirds suchas red knots, dunlin, and numeroussandpipers that use the refuge asresting and feeding grounds duringtheir migrations. Great blue heron,reddish egret, roseate spoonbill, andother wading birds use the manyislands as roosting sites, and manynest on the rookery islands found inthe estuary. The refuge is also ahaven for many threatened andendangered species, such as theFlorida manatee, wood stork, andAmerican crocodile.

Uplands and Interior WetlandsThe sand and shell ridges of ancientbeach berms provide relatively highand dry ground on the interior of theisland and are dominated by seagrapes and cabbage palms. Sawpalmetto, wild coffee, Jamaica caper,and other subtropical shrubs form theunderstory of this forest environment.Tracts of hardwood forests, calledhammocks, are vegetated by gumbolimbo, strangler fig, mastics, andother tropical trees.

The upland vegetation providesessential food and shelter tomigrating songbirds during their longmigratory journeys. Many animalsfind homes in this woodlandenvironment such as: bobcats, marshrabbits, racoons, gopher tortoisegreen anole and Southern blackracers.

Jason Hanley/USFWS

Toni Westland/USFWS

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The freshwater wetlands on theisland’s interior exist as isolatedstrands of what historically was anextensive system of marshlands foundthroughout Sanibel Island. Among thegrasses can be found such marshvegetation as Spartina, leather fern,sedges, and cordgrass. Alligators,river otters, turtles, and frogs areamong the many wildlife species thatare commonly found in this habitat.

Refuge ManagementThe J. N. “Ding” Darling NationalWildlife Refuge achieves its goal ofconserving wildlife by managingwildlife habitat. Refuge managers andbiologists make concerted efforts torestore, enhance, and protect habitattypes against the ever changingconditions found on the refuge.

In the late 1960s the refuge built adike through the estuary to create two areas of impounded water in aneffort to control mosquito populations.For many years, the water level waskept high during the mosquitobreeding season in an attempt toprevent mosquitoes from laying theireggs on the exposed mud flats.Unfortunately, this also degraded theoverall health of the habitat in theimpoundments and reduced theirusefulness for all wildlife.

Susan White/USFWS

George Graham

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Today, the water levels follow thenatural tidal fluctuations. The waterlevels in the impoundments areartificially lowered only to coincidewith the spring and fall shorebirdmigrations in order to provide optimalfeeding habitat for the hundreds ofbirds that use the refuge as arefueling area.

Exotic plants can quickly invaderefuge lands and out-compete nativeplants, degrading habitat necessaryfor wildlife. To combat the invasion,the refuge staff chemically andmechanically treats hundreds of acresof non-native plants, such asBrazilian pepper and Australian pine.

Prescribed fires are used to maintaina variety of plant communities, mimicnatural fire cycles, and reducedevastating fire conditions. Controlledfires help wildlife by enhancing newplant growth, eliminating thickundergrowth, and controlling non-native plants.

Scientists from the refuge andpartner organizations study wildlifepopulations and habitat conditions toensure management and public useactions benefit a healthy ecosystem.

Kendra Willet/USFWS

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

Paul Ryan/USFWS

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South Florida EcosystemMillions of acres of unique SouthFlorida environments have been lostto meet the needs of agriculture andgrowing cities. Restoration of theSouth Florida ecosystem, includingthe Everglades, has become one ofthe largest coordinated conservationand restoration efforts everundertaken. Private organizationsand local, state, and federalgovernments are working togetherto restore this fragile environment.

The health of J. N. “Ding” DarlingNational Wildlife Refuge and itsestuarine environment are dependenton the health of the Evergladeswatershed, which encompasses theKissimmee River, Lake Okeechobee,and the Caloosahatchee River.Artificially regulated freshwaterreleases into the Caloosahatcheedirectly affect the refuge and its waterquality. Too much freshwater (or toolittle), at the wrong time, candebilitate the fragile estuarineecosystem and its dependent wildlife.

Recreational OpportunitiesEducation CenterVisitors can orient themselves withthe refuge and receive valuableinformation at the “Ding” DarlingEducation Center. This state-of-the-artCenter was constructed with $3million in private donations from therefuge friends’ group, the “Ding”Darling Wildlife Society. The Center,opened in 1999, features interactiveexhibits on refuge ecosystems, thework of “Ding” Darling, migratoryflyways, the National Wildlife RefugeSystem, and a hands-on area forchildren.

The Center is open January 1 –April 30 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, andMay 1 – December 31 from 9:00 am to4:00 pm, and is free of charge. TheCenter is staffed by the hundreds ofvolunteers that donate their time tothe refuge. These volunteers provide

David Meardon

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information and assist with anyquestions from visitors. Outside thefront doors of the Education Centercan be found an information boardthat identifies recent wildlife sightings.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Societyoperates a bookstore in the EducationCenter. Visitors can find numerousfield guides, nature books, children’sbooks, shirts, postcards, and manyother items. Proceeds from the storehelp to support the programs on therefuge. Visitors can also purchase aFederal Duck Stamp in the bookstore.Money from the sale of the FederalDuck Stamp is used to purchase landfor the National Refuge System.

Wildlife Observation/Wildlife DriveThe most popular place to view wildlifeon the refuge is Wildlife Drive. This 4-mile, one-way road leads you throughthe heart of a mangrove forest. Whileon Wildlife Drive, you will begin toappreciate why “Ding” Darling wantedto protect this fragile and fascinatingenvironment. Today, nearly 800,000visitors travel Wildlife Drive annually.

Visitors can access Wildlife Drive byvehicle, guided tram, bicycle, or onfoot Saturday through Thursday. TheDrive is closed to all access onFridays to allow staff to performmaintenance of the road and viewingareas and conduct biological studies.It also provides time of reduceddisturbance for the wildlife. You can

USFWS

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

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still hike the Indigo Trail, visit the Bailey Tract, or visit the EducationCenter explore Tarpon Bay with ourrefuge concessionaire. Visit:www.tarponbayexplorers.com

An entrance fee of $5.00 per vehicleor $1.00 per pedestrian/bicyclist over15 years old is required. Thosevisitors carrying a current FederalDuck Stamp, Senior Pass, AccessPass, Annual Pass or Refuge AnnualPass are not required to pay theentrance fee. A self-guided tape/CDabout the Wildlife Drive and asouvenir booklet are available forpurchase in the Education Center.

Visitors may tour the Wildlife Driveand most of the trails by bicycle. Allbicyclists must obey the one-way lawon Wildlife Drive. From the EducationCenter, it is an 8-mile loop alongWildlife Drive returning along themain bike path along Sanibel-CaptivaRd., or a 4-mile loop along WildlifeDrive returning via cross-dike alongthe Indigo Trail.

The best time to observe wildlife isnear low tide when the birds arefeeding in the exposed mud flats.Early morning or evening can alsobe a time of heightened wildlifeactivity. November through April arethe optimum months for bird viewingon the refuge. Water and insectrepellent can be purchased in thebookstore, and binoculars can bechecked-out at the Information Deskin the Education Center.

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

Jeff Com

bs/USFWS

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Wildlife can often be seen close to theroad or trails. Alligators can be seenbasking along the water’s edge, heronsand egrets often fish near the watercontrol gates, and raccoons and marshrabbits can be seen feeding in thebrush. For your own safety, pleasedo not approach or feed anywildlife. These animals are wildand can be dangerous. Feeding ofwildlife is illegal, and violators willbe prosecuted.

HikingThere are three trails that can beaccessed from Wildlife Drive

The Indigo Trail, 4- mile, round-trip,Indigo Trail leaves from theEducation Center parking lot andends at the universally accessiblecross-dike, which extends from theDrive. Along the trail, visitors oftenspot wildlife such as alligators, night-heron, or white ibis.

The Wulfert Keys Trail off the WildlifeDrive is a short 1/3-mile-long trailwhich follows a power line access toPine Island Sound. Here, visitors willget a spectacular view of the Sound andmay see brown pelicans and osprey.

The Calusa Shell Mound Trail is a1/3-mile, universally accessible,interpretive boardwalk thatoriginates near the end of WildlifeDrive. The Trail meanders through ahardwood hammock that has grownon top of an ancient Calusa IndianShell Mound. Visitors will learn aboutthe ancient Indians, as well as theunique hammock environment whilereading the interpretive panels. Thisis an excellent place to spot warblersand other migratory songbirds duringthe spring and fall migrations.

Bailey TractLocated off of Tarpon Bay Road, theBailey Tract is a unique area of therefuge. This 100-acre parcel is an

George Graham

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

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interior wetland where freshwaterplants and wildlife dominate. The trails can be accessed by walking orbiking from sunrise to sunset. Thosesearching for freshwater bird speciesand songbirds are not oftendisappointed during spring and fallmigration. Also seen in this area arenumerous alligators and turtles. Thelucky person may even spot a bobcat.

FishingRecreational fishing and dip netting ofcrabs in the refuge is a welcomedactivity when done in accordance withcurrent Florida state fishing andrefuge regulations and in compliancewith refuge special designation areas.Visitors should refer to the J. N.“Ding” Darling Fishing and Boatingbrochure and the Florida fishingregulations, both of which can befound in the Education Center, formore information. Many people fish forsheepshead, spotted sea trout, snook,redfish, and the occasional tarponalong the Wildlife Drive. Fishing froma boat is also allowed in accordancewith state and refuge regulations.Visitors should pick up a refugeboating and fishing brochure to seespecific regulations, closed areas, andno motor zones.

Canoeing/KayakingThere are two designated kayak/canoelaunch sites along the right side ofWildlife Drive where visitors maylaunch. The impoundments on the leftside of Wildlife Drive are closed to allvessels and public access beyond the

Sunny Day Guide

Frank Moore

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

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area closed signs. Guided kayak and canoe tours areoffered from Canoe Adventures alongWildlife Drive and in Tarpon Baywith Tarpon Bay Explorers. There isalso kayaking/canoeing around BuckKey off of Captiva Island.

Wildlife PhotographyNature photography, bird watching,and observing other wildlife isencouraged anywhere along theWildlife Drive or the trails. Visitorsshould be courteous to others andrespectful of wildlife. You may stopand park on the right-hand side ofWildlife Drive and comply with all“area closed” signs. When there iswildlife on or near the Drive, do notapproach or disturb. There are oftenvolunteers along the Drive and trailswho can answer questions andidentify birds.

Tarpon Bay Recreational AreaTarpon Bay Explorers is the refuge’slicensed concessionaire. They run theguided tram tours along Wildlife Driveleaving from the Education Centerparking lot. They provide kayak/canoeand sealife interpretive tours, wherevisitors can view refuge marine life upclose. Visitors may also rent bicycles,kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, andfishing equipment; purchase bait andfishing licenses; or book a charterfishing trip.

Refuge ConcessionaireTarpon Bay Explorers239/472-8900900 Tarpon Bay Rd.Sanibel, FL 33957tarponbayexplorers.com

Canoe Adventures239/472-5218

“Ding” DarlingWildlife Society239/472-11001 Wildlife Dr.Sanibel, FL 33957

dingdarlingsociety.org

Sunny Day Guide

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Cindy Anderson/USFWS

The J. N. “Ding” Darling NationalWildlife Refuge is located on thesubtropical barrier island ofSanibel in the Gulf of Mexico.

The refuge is part of the largestundeveloped mangrove ecosystemin the United States. It is world

famous for its spectacularmigratory bird populations.

J. N. “Ding” Darling is one of over550 refuges in the National WildlifeRefuge System administered bythe U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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J.N. ”Ding“ DarlingNational WildlifeRefuge Calendarof EventsNature has its own timetable, hereare some sightings to look for.

January� Interpretive programs and tours

are held January-March� An abundance of shorebirds,

waterfowl, wading birds,passerines, and raptors can befound

� Numerous waterfowl canbe observed

February� Wading birds begin to show

breeding plumage� Shorebirds are plentiful and often

seen feeding on mudflats

March� Florida Jr. Duck Stamp Art

Competition entries are due� Refuge water impoundment

draw down to coincide withshorebird migration

� Peak of osprey nesting� Some adult spoonbills leave the

refuge to head to nesting groundsApril� Earth Day Festival – in cooperation

with island partners� White pelicans begin to

migrate north� Peak of wading bird nesting� Peak of snowy plover nesting� Black-necked stilts begin to nest at

the Bailey Tract

May� International Migratory Bird Day –

2nd weekend in May� Mangrove cuckoo sightings are

more frequent� Sea turtles begin to nest on

Sanibel beaches� Male alligators may be heard

bellowing to attract a mate

USFWS

USFWS

Denny Souers

USFWS

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June� National Boating and Fishing Week� Sea turtle nesting continues� Female alligators begin to nest

July� 4th of July Parade – in cooperation

with the City of Sanibel� Manatees can be found in

Tarpon Bay

August� Manatees can be found in

Tarpon Bay� Sea turtle hatchlings are emerging

from their nests� Beginning of migratory bird season

September� �National Public Lands Day� �Ding” Darling Children’s Editorial

Cartoon Contest� National Estuaries Day – last

Saturday in September� Spoonbills returning to refuge

October� �Ding” Darling Days/National

Wildlife Refuge Weekwww.dingdarlingdays.com

� Refuge water impoundmentdraw down to coincide withshorebird migration

� Shorebirds are visible inrefuge impoundments

November� White pelicans begin to arrive on

the refuge

December� Manatees can be seen at Lee

County Manatee Park

Other Yearly Events� Homeschool Day – varies by

subject and month� Jr. Refuge Manager Badge – daily

in Education Center� Earthcaching Activity for families-

daily in Education Center

Denny Souers

Denny Souers

Terry Baldw

inUSFWS

Terry Baldw

in

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J.N. “Ding” DarlingNational Wildlife Refuge1 Wildlife DriveSanibel, FL 33957239/472 1100www.fws.gov/dingdarlingemail: [email protected]

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

October 2010

Denny Souers

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge


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