Entry #5

This picture is of me at the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island:)

1. Describe your experience and how you feel in this environment.

I had a great experience. It was absolutely beautiful out on the island in this preserve. My boyfriend and I made a day of it; we went out while it was still sunny and walked through the preserve and then cooked out on the beach. I was saying to him how good it was that we have these preserves. I can't even imagine what kinds of commercial hotels would take over if it wasn't for the preserve. I felt very peaceful and stress-free out there. It's so nice to get away from the "city" life.

2. How have the elements shaped the natural surroundings?

The natural surroundings have shaped the land and the environment in this preserve. We walked past an area where you could tell a fire had been started to burn away all the dead brush. Also, the winding river that runs through the refuge have allowed mangroves to grow all along the banks. Since there has been a lot of rainfall out on the island lately, you can see where the plants are starting to bud with new growths.

3. How does the topography (surface features of a place...i.e. positions and elevation) affect the plant and animal species found in the natural surroundings?

The topography of the refuge greatly affects the type and species of animals and plants you will find in the area. Since the water is brackish, you will find freshwater fish, such as bass, and saltwater fish such as tarpon. The land is very flat, so this is a friendly environment to animals who do not climb. Also, the environment is very wet. There is a snaking river throughout the preserve, so this allows for plants such as the mangrove to grow plentifully.

4. Does water management influence the area?

Water management does indeed influence this area. Water quality, quantity, and timing are specific prolems and concerns for the health of this refuge complex. These impacts are being analyzed through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project and Southwest Florida Feasibility Study.

5. Share one unique characteristic of this special environment.

In 1926 a hurricane came through and destroyed everything on the island. The environment has been rebuilding itself since.

6. Describe the history of this environment and how it came to be a protected area.

The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife 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.

A political cartoonist with an eye toward conservation, Jay 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 this refuge in 1945.