Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida, USA
Posted by: 
BoomersOTR
N 26° 26.745 W 082° 06.805
17R E 388991 N 2925529
A national wildlife refuge located on Sanibel Island, Florida.
Waymark Code: WMZFXR
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/05/2018
Views: 7
Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling was instrumental in the effort to block the sale of a parcel of environmentally valuable land to developers on Sanibel Island. At Darling's urging, President Harry S. Truman signed an Executive Order creating the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945.
The refuge was renamed in 1967 in honor of the pioneer conservationist. The refuge consists of over 6,400 acres of mangrove forest, submerged seagrass beds, cordgrass marshes, and West Indian hardwood hammocks. Approximately 2,800 acres of the refuge are designated by Congress as a Federal Wilderness Area.
The refuge was created to safeguard and enhance the pristine wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. Today, the refuge provides important habitat to over 245 species of birds.
The Visitor & Education Center features interactive exhibits on refuge ecosystems, the work of Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling, migratory flyways, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and a hands-on area for children. The Center is open daily except for most federal holidays. The Center hours are January to April from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and May to December from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Center is located on Sanibel-Captiva Road two miles west of Tarpon Bay Road. The Nature Gift Store is located in the Education Center and is operated by the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society- Friends of the Refuge. Visitors can find numerous field guides, nature books, children's books, shirts, postcards, and many other items. Revenues from the Nature Gift Store help fund many programs at the Refuge.
Open every day but CLOSED FRIDAYS, you can drive, hike, or bike through the 4-mile Wildlife Drive. There are three trails that can be accessed from Wildlife Drive: Indigo Trail and the Wildlife Education Boardwalk (4 miles round trip), Shellmound Trail, and Wulfert Keys Trail. Common sightings include a large variety of waterbirds and shorebirds especially during the winter months, as well as raccoons, alligators, marsh rabbits and occasionally otters and bobcats. Wildlife Drive fee $5.00 per vehicle or $1.00 per bicyclist/hiker. Indigo Trail $1.00 per bicyclist/hiker.
Name of Source Book: 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die (2003 Edition)
Page Location in Source Book: 607-608
Type of Waymark: Wildlife Refuge
Location of Coordinates: Entrance to Wildlife Drive
Cost of Admission (Parks, Museums, etc.): 5.00 (listed in local currency)
List Available Hours, Dates, Season:
Visitor & EducationCenter is open daily except for most federal holidays. The Center hours are January to April from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and May to December from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wildlife Drive hours are posted on the web site.
Official Tourism Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Because of the vastness of many of the "non-localized" sites (Gobi Desert, Great Wall of China), waymark owners are encouraged to allow visits that reflect different perspectives and experiences.
Localized waymark sites (Structures, Landmarks, Businesses) should reflect standard waymarking visit criteria (Logs & photos).