Last Day @ Ding & Upcoming Plans

Sanibel, FL (82 degrees, blue skies, humid)

Going Away Party for the Volunteer Residents

Our last day of volunteering at J.N. Ding Darling NWR was today. It was difficult to say goodbye to all our friends and staff. We have had such a wonderful experience and plan to return again next winter. When we first started full timing we decided to not return to the same destination, however, never say never. Sanibel and this refuge are very special and we are thrilled to be coming back again.

I gave my last Alligator/Crocodile talk today. I love doing this program and today a real alligator swam up behind the shelter to show off for the crowd. It's interesting doing talks which can be interrupted by nature. I've learned to be very flexible with these talks and having a real alligator nearby trumps a photograph or display anytime.

Crocodile skelaton

The skulls of the crocodile and alligator are a big hit. I use them to demonstrate the differences between them. I also have teeth, scutes, a hatchling in an egg, Caiman skin purse, photographs, and even a hair ball (big hit with kids). The rope is used to demonstrate the different lengths of these reptiles as they grow. So, if you have any questions about alligators just let me know.  Later in the day we stopped for lunch at a local deli and someone pointed at me and said "hey, there's the alligator lady".  Too funny. Who would have thought I'd be an expert in this topic.  Life as a refuge volunteer opens up some cool opportunities.  :)

Alligator skull

The resident volunteers have become such good friends. We have shared lots of meals, birding, kayaking, and so many laughs together. They are all very talented and generously volunteer their time to the refuge in many capacities.

Charlie and Lynda

Charlie and Lynda have volunteered at the refuge for three winter seasons. They volunteer with the education department and assist with the local school programs and community outreach.  Grade schools come to the refuge for a full day of learning about habitats.  Half of the day is spent at the refuge and the other half at the Shell Museum.  They sure have a lot of patience with all those little ones. They also do an interesting program for Elderhostel.

Linda and Allen 

Linda and Allen are interpretive volunteers and give a wide variety of free programs for visitors such as birding in the refuge, reptiles, raptors, and nature/plant walks.  They also help out in the visitor/education center.This is their fourth winter season and Jimmy has loved their dogs Phaedra and Zoe too.

Patsy and Bob

Patsy volunteers in the visitor center and assists the Refuge Volunteer Coordinator (Jeff)  in a myriad of duties. She sure stays calm in a very hectic enviorment.  Did you know the refuge has over 700,000 visitors a year? Many of them start at the visitor center and she helps coordinates with Jeff over 260 volunteers.  Most of them work at the information desk in the center.  Bob volunteers in maintenance department and works with John each week. He's a very handy guy.  Be sure to read our previous post about what it's like to be a maintenance volunteer.  

They will be volunteering for the Elk Refuge this summer in Jackson Wyoming. They helped us get our next "gig". More about this later in the post.

Patty, Jack, and John

Patty and Jack are interpretive volunteers too. They give some great programs including one about the Caloosa Indians. In addition, they assist in the visitor center and with the Duck Stamp program.

We also had two other resident volunteers, Ginny and Ken.  Ginny worked in administration and Ken worked in maintenance.  They left a few weeks ago and most everyone else leaves after the Easter holidays.  

Joyce, Toni, Allen, and Linda

The refuge held a fun going away luncheon for us. Joyce (Deputy Refuge Manager) pictured above is John's boss in the maintenance  department. Toni is the Lead Refuge Ranger, whose endless energy and enthusiasm for refuge is contagious.  

Becky and Jeff

Jeff is our amazing volunteer coordinator. He wears many hats at the refuge and is so knowledgeable. We really appreciate all he does for us. Becky is the Education Coordinator and  she is very busy with all the school programs and the Junior Duck Stamp Program.

Jimmy loves it here too. Catching a lizard is his life quest but to date he has not been successful. He is also very busy guarding our coach while we are working and taking lots of naps. Being a Parrothead, he thinks Florida is a perfect location.

Jimmy Doodle

Today we said goodbye and packed up all our stuff. Getting ready to leave always takes several days of prep after you've been in one place for an extended time. 

We are excited to be heading west over 1900 miles and are planning on spending five months in the Grand Tetons National Park area in Wyoming. We will be working for the Grand Teton Association. This is a non- profit organization which operate six book stores in the area. All the profits go to the National Park and supply the brochure you receive upon entering and other programs the Federal Government cannot provide. Ding Darling has a similar Friends Group called the Ding Darling Society. Our beautiful sites at the refuge were built with some of these funds. Over five million dollars was raised to build the visitor center at the refuge. These Friends Groups fund a wide variety of projects and services and are so valuable.

John will be working in the warehouse organizing bookstore items which comes in and delivering them to the bookstores. I'll be working in administration answering phones, filing, helping with fund raisers and "other duties as assigned". Check back soon for all the details and by all means stop by and see us if you are in the area. Yellowstone National Park is a close neighbor. 

Oh, did I mention its snowing in the Tetons right now.  After being in Florida for a year and a half it's going to be shock. Stay tuned.  

Grand Teton National Park

The Day In The LIfe of a Resident Refuge Maintenance Volunteer

J.N. Ding Darling NWR (Sanibel, FL)  82 degrees, blue skies

We will soon be finishing up our winter volunteer assignment at J.N. Ding Darling NWR. I thought it might be fun to let you know how John spends a typical day volunteering at this beautiful refuge.  John works three, eight shifts per week, and this is how he spent last Friday.

His day starts very early at 6:30 a.m before the refuge is open.  Dawn is breaking and the no-see-ums can be fierce if there is not a breeze.  Sometimes a little bit of "sanibel aftershave" is needed (aka bug spray).

Dawn at the refuge

First task of the day is blowing the parking lot, sidewalks, and ramp leading up to the visitor center removing debris and leaves.  Trash is also picked up from several areas and taken to the main dumpster.

Blowing the sidewalk and parking lot outside of the refuge

Afterwards there is a meeting with the maintenance refuge staff and tentative plans are made for the day.  John says it's always tentative because "stuff" happens. Today a boat motor had stopped working on the biology boat and their next stop after the meeting was to  check it out. On Friday John worked with Toby, an employee whose position is shared with the refuge and SCCF (Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation).  

Biology Boat

After examining the motor it was  determined the boat needed to be taken to the marina for more extensive repairs and it was towed.

Working tow boat (John & Toby(

Getting ready to tow the biology boat

Mission accomplished, now on to the next task.  A sign in  Tarpon Bay needed a small repair.

It was a nice day out on the water.  It's a tough job, but someone has to volunteer.  :)

Upon return to the refuge, the boat was dropped off and washed down.  Equipment is kept in good working order on the refuge.  The maintenance department has some some very nice equipment.  We have worked for campgrounds in the past and having good, well maintained equipment, to use is not always the case.  

Next stop is out to one of the trails to do a little bit of maintenance.  

Look who is peaking out beneath the brush.  Can you see him?

Here is a closer view.  It's a huge gopher tortoise.  Pretty cool!  Being surrounded by nature is such an added benefit.

Part of the day is spent driving to all the locations needing some maintenance or going out ot get supplies. A truck is provided for use while you are working.

Next stop...a bathroom toilet is leaking in the administration office.  Toilets are always a one or two "tripper" to fix.  Usually some parts are necessary and these have to be picked up at a local hardware store if not in stock.  

The last job involved a little bit of mowing.  Let's just say there is a lot of grass to mow on this island and it grows very fast in Florida.

Well, the day is now over.  A maintenance volunteers job is really never done.  There is always a very long "honey do" list.  John has really enjoyed this volunteering job very much. Everyday is different and there is a lot of variety. He feels his skills are valued and appreciated and he has learned a lot too. Life is good!