Welcome to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Aerial

Susan White/USFWS

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The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations.
J. N. "Ding" Darling is one of over 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

2008 "Ding" Darling Days

Roseate Spoonbill

Denny Souers

The refuge is continually looking for an outgoing, self motivated individuals to participate in its Environmental Education and Biology Internships. Contact Toni_Westland@fws.gov or Joyce_Mazourek@fws.gov for more information.

Teddy Roosevelt Programs

Hours of Operation

Wildlife Drive
Closed Friday
Saturday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. - sunset

Education Center
M ay 1 - December 31
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

January 1 - April 30
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Red Mangroves

Cindy Anderson/USFWS

There are over 20 dedicated full time and part time staff members who are charged with carrying out the mission of the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Teacher Grant Application
Student Scholarship Application

Contact Us

Paul Tritaik, Refuge Manager

Phone: (239) 472-1100

1 Wildlife Dr.

Fax: (239) 472-4061

Sanibel, FL 33957

Email: dingdarling@fws.gov

U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service| National Wildlife Refuge System

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