The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge was created as the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge on December 1, 1945, during the administration of Pres. Harry S. Truman. The refuge was renamed in 1967 to honor J.N. "Ding" Darling, a syndicated editorial cartoonist. He wintered on Captiva Island and advocated the establishment of the refuge. Situated on a barrier island in Southwest Florida, the refuge is a jewel among the 553 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Sanibel, once cherished by the conquistadors, is renowned as one of the best places on the planet to collect seashells and watch birds. Now an island-city, incorporated in 1974, Sanibel is famous for its land development code, which helps make the city a special place. "Ding" Darling would not completely approve of what has happened to the island he once loved, but he would applaud the human effort that has saved the island's wetlands and nurtured his wildlife refuge.
Living Sanibel is the only book you will need while on the islands! With more than 650 full-color photographs, illustrations and trail maps, Living Sanibel is the most complete identification guide to the native plants, animals and eco-attractions of Sanibel and Captiva ever compiled.
Best Books of the Month: Wall Street Journal, Kirkus Reviews From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Gulf, a sweeping cultural and natural history of the bald eagle in America. The bald eagle is regal but fearless, a bird you’re not inclined to argue with. For centuries, Americans have celebrated it as “majestic” and “noble,” yet savaged the living bird behind their national symbol as a malicious predator of livestock and, falsely, a snatcher of babies. Taking us from before the nation’s founding through inconceivable resurgences of this enduring all-American species, Jack E. Davis contrasts the age when native peoples lived beside it peacefully with that when others, whether through hunting bounties or DDT pesticides, twice pushed Haliaeetus leucocephalus to the brink of extinction. Filled with spectacular stories of Founding Fathers, rapacious hunters, heroic bird rescuers, and the lives of bald eagles themselves—monogamous creatures, considered among the animal world’s finest parents—The Bald Eagle is a much-awaited cultural and natural history that demonstrates how this bird’s wondrous journey may provide inspiration today, as we grapple with environmental peril on a larger scale.
A guide to the best scenic day hikes and overnight trips along the state-spanning Florida Trail, this book helps readers of all backgrounds and experience levels plan an adventure exploring natural Florida.
A spectacular collection of the world's most beautiful waterbirds, celebrating both those oceanic wanderers that live at sea, coming only land only to breed, as well as those shorebirds and so-called colonial nesters that live on land but are almost always found never water.
Completely updated, Canoeing & Kayaking Florida, 2nd is the most comprehensive guide to the best of Florida's unique streams, springs, creeks, and rivers. Engaging and concise yet filled with carefully selected details vital to any successful Florida paddling adventure, Canoeing & Kayaking Florida spares readers encyclopedic fluff in favor of practical, no-nonsense information. With expanded regional maps and revised river maps, Canoeing & Kayaking Florida is simply the best and most informative Florida paddling guide available. Florida has a lot of sand, but it also has a lot of water--and not just for drinking. It's only natural that native Floridians and transplants alike paddle and ply the waterways of this waterway-rich state. Of course, Florida's native Indians and subsequent settlers used the creeks, streams, and rivers long before the first plastic kayak or fiberglass canoe took to this watery paradise. In the early 1970s, the state of Florida established a canoe trail system, which was born out of paddlers discovering the many destinations here. For various reasons, this state-sanctioned canoe trail system lost momentum. Building on the state's efforts and adding their own discoveries, paddling enthusiasts Elizabeth F. Carter and John L. Pearce brought together the rich and varied streams, creeks, and rivers of Florida. Together, they penned the original version of portions of this book, A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Streams of Florida, Volume I. Their book covered the north central part of the state as well as the panhandle. This was followed by A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Streams of Florida, Volume II, written by Lou Glaros and Doug Sphar. Their book covered the southern half of the state. Paddling grew steadily in Florida due in part to these excellent guidebooks, establishment of paddling clubs, positioning of outfitters on rivers, and population growth. More people explored new waterways, not only in new kayaks made of varied plastic but also ultra-lightweight canoes easy to paddle and transport. More recently, a rise in the use of recreational kayaks has led to a rebirth of paddling's popularity. In 2004, Molloy worked on a new consolidated paddling guide to Florida and refloated previously covered rivers, checking access points, and floated new waterways to highlight newer opportunities for Florida paddlers. Several new wilderness streams were added to the book. In the new 2007 edition, Molloy and Elizabeth Carter added a few more streams, and revised the maps for easier use. For over 20 years, Menasha Ridge Press's Canoeing & Kayaking Florida has provided the essential information needed to paddle the waterways of the Sunshine State.
