The J.N. “D'ing” Darling National
Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel, Florida
Even if your travel plans don’t typically include visiting
one of the 538 refuges that are protected by the National Wildlife
Refuge System across the United States, the J.N.
“Ding” Darling NWR on Sanibel Island is an
attraction you will not want to miss.As important to Sanibel’s culture as her shelling, the Ding Darling NWR is the beating heart of the island, providing protection for the plant life, migratory birds, and aquatic wildlife that make Sanibel a tropical paradise.
If exploring the great outdoors is something you haven’t experienced much since grade school, we promise that Ding Darling NWR will awaken the nature enthusiast in you that you never knew existed.
Ding Darling NWR is one of the highest rated destinations in the country for observing wildlife, with the refuge reporting 850,000 visitors each year. Currently, the refuge protects more than 6300 acres of wildlife habitat with more than 200 species of birds, 50+ species of mammals, and 30+ species of reptiles and amphibians making it their home for at least part of the year. Several threatened and endangered species have benefited from the preservation of the habitats found in the Ding Darling NWR, and the reserve is a much appreciated symbol of the care Sanibel’s residents have taken to preserve the wealth of wildlife and beauty on the Island.
For more information on the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and for tips on making it a part of your vacation on Sanibel Island, please select one of the following links: