Bird watchers and animal lovers, get those cameras ready. Sanibel Island’s “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will reopen its popular Wildlife Drive next month.
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“Ding” Darling announced the news Tuesday, along with what’s going on with other parts of the Hurricane Ian-damaged refuge.
The announcement was timed deliberately for Tuesday, March 14 — the 120th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System, according to a news release.
“The ‘Ding’ team, with help from refuge crews around the U.S., has been working nonstop to get parts of the refuge open so the public can once again view the wildlife, which has made a remarkable comeback since Hurricane Ian, especially the birds,” refuge project leader Kevin Godsea said in the news release.
“It’s fitting that we make the auspicious, highly anticipated announcement of our Sanibel reopening to honor the occasion when, 120 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt created the National Wildlife Refuge System right here in Florida, at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge,” Godsea said.
Before the pandemic and Ian, nearly 1 million people visited Wildlife Drive every year.
The four-mile, one-way road takes motorists, cyclists and hikers through parts of the 6,300-acre preserve —home to more than 200 species of birds, alligators and other animals.
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Godsea credited many people with the reopening of Wildlife Drive and other parts of the refuge.
“We could not have mitigated the severe damage we suffered this quickly without the incredible support of our wonderful friends group, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, and all the help we received with cleanup from civic groups, condo associations, students and just so many other volunteers,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who brought us to this point.
“Cleanup will be ongoing for quite a while, so it’s tremendously gratifying to see and feel the love from friends and fans all over the U.S.”
The announcement follows the Feb. 1 reopening of the refuge’s Tarpon Bay Recreation Area. Until that point, the refuge had been closed to the public since Hurricane Ian.
When will Sanibel’s Wildlife Drive reopen?
The gates to Wildlife Drive reopen Tuesday, April 4, for the first time since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28. The near-Category 5 storm badly damaged the refuge habitat and its facilities.
The “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center also reopens that same day.
Wildlife Drive’s observation tower will be accessible to the public starting April 4, along with a section of Indigo Trail, Wildlife Education Boardwalk and Wulfert Key Trail.
Fishing and paddlecraft-launching spots on the drive will also open, and narrated tram tours will start again (Tuesdays and Thursdays only, for now). For exact times and reservations, visit tarponbayexplorers.com.
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The center’s auditoriums and classroom are still closed until further notice, according to the news release.
Other attractions that remain closed include:
- Most of Indigo Trail, except for the segment between Wildlife Drive and Wildlife Education Boardwalk,
- Mangrove Overlook,
- Calusa Shell Mound Trail,
- And the trails of Bailey Tract.
Refuge employees are continuing to clean up those areas, according to the news release. No reopening dates have been set.
At Tarpon Bay Recreation Area, the Tarpon Bay Explorers recreation concession will offer limited facilities, rentals and tours. Current hours are limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (last rentals at 3 p.m.).
Guided kayaking tours of Commodore Creek Trail are available at 10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Hours and admission for Wildlife Drive
Wildlife Drive hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Thursday (closed on Fridays). Admission is $10 for vehicles, $1 for pedestrians and cyclists.
Along with the exhibit area in the Visitor & Education Center, the Refuge Nature Store will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Thursday (closed on Fridays, for now).
For more information about Wildlife Drive and “Ding” Darling, visit fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling or facebook.com/dingdarlingrefuge.
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News.Email him [email protected] or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1). You can also call at 239-335-0368.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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