Preserving History

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The bridge over Blind Pass connecting Sanibel and Captiva; photo courtesy CIHS.

Since 2012, the Captiva Island Historical Society (CIHS) has digitized more than 10,000 items, including images, documents and recordings. Recently, those digitized items were cataloged and are available for public viewing on the CIHS website. Each piece shares an intriguing tidbit about Captiva.

“It is exciting to see historical images that pop up on the screen,  » Read more

“Ding” Photo Contest Winners

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First Place Winner: Tom Korbutt – River Otter

With much anticipation (drum roll please), the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society announced the winners of its annual amateur photography contest. And they’re impressive! 120 entries from 17 states and five countries competed for cash prizes and display at the Visitor & Education Center–nearly twice as many entries as in 2015! The judges awarded 12 honorable mentions and three winners.  » Read more

On the Wings of Ospreys

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Photo by Nancy Malson

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Dec. 15, to attend a special lecture made possible through a partnership between “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and the International Osprey Foundation. At 5 p.m. in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium on Sanibel Island, ornithologist and author Alan Poole will present a free PowerPoint lecture on his extensive osprey research around the world.  » Read more

More than Turkey

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There’s more than turkey to delight guests during Thanksgiving week at Ocean’s Reach!

Thanks to the Stroud family from West Des Moines, Iowa, beach-goers also have turtles, sea creatures and mermaids to enjoy! Sharing their sand sculpting talent with others helps “play off” Thanksgiving dinner calories and is also an expression of their gratitude for sunny, warm weather and a relaxing week together.

Many of our guests are already planning their return visit for Thanksgiving 2017.  » Read more

Taste of “Taste”

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View a sampling of the fun, food and musical sensations from the 35th annual “Taste of the Islands,” a popular fundraiser on the islands for CROW.

Fifteen local restaurants provided tasty nibbles for the crowds and judges earlier this month at Sanibel Community Park. It was a food lover’s delight, with a sprinkling of live entertainment,  » Read more

WaterVentures Florida’s Learning Lab

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WaterVentures Florida’s Learning Lab will visit “Ding” Darling on Dec. 3

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Inside WaterVentures

‘Ding’ Darling’s Water/Ways exhibit programming presents interactive WaterVentures traveling lab

In conjunction with the visiting Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit at “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center through Dec. 7, 2016, WaterVentures Florida’s Learning Lab will make a one-day stop on Saturday, Dec. 3.  » Read more

Cozy Conversations

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Imagine the conversations you can have on your private lanai amid the relaxing sounds and breathtaking beauty of the Gulf of Mexico.

Just another feature that makes Ocean’s Reach so special for so many!

If you haven’t made your reservation to return, please do so soon. Cozy conversations are just waiting for you!  » Read more

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