Photo from “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society
Because Earth Day 2019 falls on the Monday following Easter, a day off for many students, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has expanded the free event to include a full day of tours, crafts, films, and programs on Monday, April 22.
Bike or hike Wildlife Drive for free from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take part in recycled earth crafts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the free-admission Visitor & Education Center, and meet Bagzilla, a “bag monster” dressed in the average person’s annual plastic bag consumption. Interesting films will be shown throughout the day, with short discussions afterward.
See below for the day’s schedule of free activities.
7 am – 4 pm: Free admission to Wildlife Drive for hikers and cyclists ONLY
9 am: Straws film, 32 minutes, Visitor & Education Center
9 am – 11 am: Biking the Refuge Tour, bring your own bike and meet at the flagpole
9:30 – 11 am: Birds & Wildlife Car Caravan Tour, meet at the flagpole
10 am: Bag It! film, 45 minutes, Visitor & Education Center
10 am – 11 am: Beach Walk, meet at Gulfside City Park, city parking fees apply
10 am – 3 pm: Recycled nature crafts in the Visitor & Education Center
11 am – 12 noon: Refuge Photo Walk, meet at the flagpole
11 am – 11:30 am: Horseshoe Crab program, Visitor & Education Center
1 pm: Addicted to Plastic film, 53 minutes, Visitor & Education Center
1 pm – 1:30 pm: Gators & Crocs program, Crossdike Pavilion
2 pm: Plastic Paradise film, 57 minutes, Visitor & Education Center
2 – 3:30 pm: Refuge Clean-Up, meet at the flagpole
For more information on Earth Day at the Refuge, call 239-472-1100 or visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/events.
