Indigo Trail.
Wildlife Drive Tram Tour
Naturalist-narrated tram tours of Wildlife Drive at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge depart Saturday through Thursday and last 90 minutes. Check the website for tour times or call 472-8900. tarponbayexplorers.com.
Kayak Tour
Kayak with an experienced naturalist through the mangroves or explore low tidal flats within Tarpon Bay at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Tarpon Bay Explorers offers various kayak tours and rentals every day. tarponbayexplorers.com.
Nature & Sealife Cruise
At 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily, enjoy a naturalist-led, covered pontoon boat cruise around Tarpon Bay within the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about Tarpon Bay’s rich mangrove estuary ecosystem and get an upclose look at wildlife. The first half-hour includes touch tank aquariums. Reservations recommended at 472-8900. tarponbayexplorers.com.
Evening Cruise
Join Tarpon Bay Explorers daily as the sun goes down for a naturalist-led cruise to the rookery islands. Witness hundreds of birds swooping in to roost for the night and Sanibel’s famous sunset. Along with the diversity of birds, visitors may also see bottlenose dolphins or manatees. The first half hour includes touch tank aquariums. Start time changes with sunset. Reservations recommended at 472-8900. tarponbayexplorers.com.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14
Birds & Wildlife Tour
Follow along on a car caravan tour of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The tour highlights the fascinating natural wonders of the unique mangrove ecosystem and the wildlife that lives in the area. Meet at the parking lot flagpole at 9:30 a.m. Bring drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
Thursday, Monday and Tuesday
Biking the Refuge Tour
Bring your bicycle and join a naturalist on the Wildlife Drive/Indigo Trail loop to learn about the bird life and ecology at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the parking lot flagpole at 9:30 a.m.; the tour lasts 90 minutes to two hours. Bring drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday
Standup Paddleboard Lesson & Tour
Join an ACA-certified paddleboard guide and naturalist at 9 a.m. for a paddleboard lesson and excursion at Tarpon Bay in the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Learn how to paddleboard or fine-tune your skills while learning about Tarpon Bay’s rich mangrove estuary. Reservations recommended at 472-8900. tarponbayexplorers.com.
FRIDAY, FEB. 16
Beach Walk
Join refuge guides for a one-hour exploration of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Perry Tract. Meet at Gulfside City Park at 8:30 a.m. to learn about this vital beach ecosystem. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
Teddy Roosevelt Lectures
Joe Wiegand has been bringing President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt to life for more than a decade and has performed in all 50 states and overseas, including a White House performance in honor of Roosevelt’s 150th birthday in 2008. As part of the free “Ding” Darling Friday Lecture Series, Mr. Wiegand will address the audience on period environmental issues. They take place at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the free “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center. 472-1100 ext. 4, dingdarlingsociety.org.
Indigo Trail Walk
Naturalists lead a free 2-mile tour identifying and discussing the ecosystem’s plant and animal species along the trail at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the parking lot flagpole at 11 a.m. for the 90-minute walk. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
Bailey Tract Tour
Walk the 2-mile trails of J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Bailey Tract with a naturalist to learn about the inhabitants of this freshwater ecosystem. Meet at the Bailey Tract parking lot on Tarpon Bay Road at 1 p.m. for the free 90-minute tour. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
SATURDAY, FEB. 17
Story & Wildlife Wonders
Join a naturalist for story time at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the different wildlife that calls the refuge home. The free half-hour program starts in the Visitor & Education Center at 9:30 a.m. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
SUNDAY, FEB. 18
Beach Walk
Join refuge guides for a one-hour exploration of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Perry Tract. Meet at Gulfside City Park at 9:30 a.m. to learn about this vital beach ecosystem. Bring your shell bag. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
TUESDAY, FEB. 20
Birding the Refuge Tour
Follow a naturalist along Wildlife Drive at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge from the comfort of your car. The bird identification caravan tour begins at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the parking lot flagpole at 9:30 a.m. Bring your own binoculars, drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray. 472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org.
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