2024-10-31T15:41:07-04:00 2023-09-30 320394930 STROEMER & COMPANY 14030 METROPOLIS AVE STE 200 FORT MYERS FL 33912 990 2022-10-01 592240895 DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY INC DING 2394701100 1 WILDLIFE DRIVE SANIBEL FL 33957 BIRGIT P MILLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2394701100 2023-09-11 true false MARC WHITFIELD CPA P00125986 2394331002 2024-10-31 2022 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z DING DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY LAND ANN-MARIE WILDMAN 1 WILDLIFE DR SANIBEL FL 33957 7656365 false X WWW.DINGDARLINGSOCIETY.ORG X 1988 FL ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEARLY 800,000 ANNUAL JN "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE VISTORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION. 12 12 13 62 0 4903836 4960797 0 276183 426150 493209 226703 5673228 5613650 72414 60302 0 620331 614200 0 136783 1117001 1193972 1809746 1868474 3863482 3745176 18138588 22809826 73835 109739 18064753 22700087 X SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION OPERATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE WORK OF THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEARLY 800,000 ANNUAL VISITORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE WILDLIFE WHO DEPEND ON IT FOR SURVIVAL. false false 1429512 60302 FOUNDED IN 1945, THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CONSISTS OF NEARLY 8,000 ACRES OF SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. BUDGETS CONTINUE TO DECREASE, AND FEDERAL FUNDING DOES NOT COVER ALL THE NEEDS OF THIS VERY POPULATED REFUGE. AS A RESULT, THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY - FRIENDS OF THE REFUGE (DDWS) PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHERE FEDERAL FUNDING FALLS SHORT. EVERY YEAR, THE VISITATION TO THE REFUGE INCREASES AND NEARLY ONE MILLION VISITORS EXPLORE THESE PUBLIC LANDS. FOR NEARLY THAN 40 YEARS, THE DDWS HAS SUPPORTED THE REFUGE IN AREAS OF EDUCATION, LAND ACQUISITION, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AND EXHIBITS, HABITAT MANAGEMENT, BIOLOGICAL STUDIES, WATER RESEARCH, AND MUCH MORE. OUR ANNUAL REPORT CELEBRATES WHAT PHILANTHROPY MADE POSSIBLE IN 2022-2023. THE PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT WE RECEIVE FROM FOUNDATIONS, BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION- CRITICAL WORK AND SOME OF IT IS LISTED BELOW: LAND ACQUISITION & RESTORATION UPDATE - ON JANUARY 21, 2022, AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS IN THE MAKING, THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY ACQUIRED AN 8.5-ACRE LAND WHICH INCLUDES A HOME AND A 6- ACRE LAKE WHICH RUNS INTO TARPON BAY. - DUE TO HURRICANE IAN'S DESTRUCTION OF DDWS OFFICES AT THE REFUGE, SOCIETY STAFF WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY MOVE THEIR WORK SPACE INTO THE HOME DURING THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. THE HOME WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE TEMPORARY LOCATION OF DDWS OFFICES WHILE THE REBUILDING OF PERMANENT OFFICES AT THE REFUGE IS IN PROGRESS. WILDLIFE & RESEARCH - WILDLIFE: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE DDWS SUPPORTED VARIOUS CRITICAL PROJECTS TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE AND RESEARCH AT THE REFUGE. WILDLIFE - AFTER HURRICANE IAN, WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SOME OF THE FIRST SPECIES SPOTTED BY REFUGE STAFF WERE BOBCATS AND GOPHER TORTOISES. WILDLIFE GRADUALLY RETURNED TO THE REFUGE OVER THE 2022-23 YEAR. USFWS BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN AVERY RENSHAW WAS ABLE TO HELP MONITOR THIS PROGRESS. IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR, DDWS CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE SALARY FOR THE ROLE CURRENTLY HELD BY AVERY RENSHAW, THUS FURTHERING THIS IMPORTANT WORK. - WATER QUALITY RESEARCH: THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, THE SOCIETY PURCHASED WATER QUALITY MONITORING EQUIPMENT WHICH ALLOWS THE REFUGE TO CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN OUR WATERS. 45/82 - ESTATE PLANNING IS A THOUGHTFUL WAY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PHILANTHROPIC VALUES ENDURE BEYOND YOUR LIFETIME. THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST WITH THIS PROCEDURE. - THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY IS MADE UP OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE DORIS HARDY WHO DESIGNATE THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY AS A BENEFICIARY IN THEIR ESTATE PLANS. THIS PAST YEAR THE 45/82 SOCIETY GAINED SEVERAL NEW MEMBERS. - SOME OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY INCLUDE JEAN AND RALPH WOODRING, WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY INCLUDED "DING" DARLING IN THEIR ESTATE PLANNING SO THAT THEIR HISTORIC HOMESTEAD WOULD BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WOODRING HOMESTEAD - THE 6.57-ACRE WOODRING HOMESTEAD, LOCATED ON WOODRING POINT WHERE RALPH AND JEAN CURRENTLY LIVE, HAS BEEN A FAMILY HOME FOR THE WOODRINGS SINCE 1888. THE CURRENT RESIDENCE, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1916, REPRESENTS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE "FLORIDA CRACKER" STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE- ONE OF THE LAST OF ITS KIND ON THE ISLAND. - DAMAGE TO THE WOODRING HOMESTEAD FROM HURRICANE IAN WAS EXTENSIVE. HOWEVER, RALPH AND JEAN MOVED QUICKLY TO RESTORE AND REPAIR THEIR RESIDENCE TO ITS PRE-STORM GLORY. THEY HAVE RECENTLY MOVED BACK INTO THEIR HOME WHICH WAS REBUILT TO MAINTAIN ITS WONDERFUL ARCHITECTURE AND PERIOD DETAILS. - IN AN AGREEMENT THAT TOOK PLACE 10 YEARS AGO, DDWS WORKED WITH LEE COUNTY 20/20 AND THE WOODRINGS TO PRESERVE THE HOMESTEAD AND SURROUNDING LAND FOR DECADES TO COME. THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF PROPERTY IS ONE OF THE LAST UNDEVELOPED LANDS THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. THE PROPERTY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATER BODIES SUPPORT MANY ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR FEDERALLY DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITATS. PROTECTION OF THIS UNIQUE PROPERTY IS CRITICAL. EDUCATION & OUTREACH - THE DDWS AND THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKED EFFECTIVELY TOGETHER DURING THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR IN BRINGING SCHOOL KIDS BY BUS TO THE REFUGE FOR ONSITE FIELD TRIPS. - WHILE THERE WERE STILL HURDLES TO JUMP FROM HURRICANE IAN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THESE FIELD TRIPS WERE INVALUABLE TO INSTILL THE LOVE OF NATURE AND PASSION FOR PROTECTING OUR WILD SPACES WITH OUR YOUNG GENERATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP TRULY SHOWS THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION. - OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 4000 STUDENTS VISIT THE REFUGE EACH YEAR. DUE TO CLOSURES FROM HURRICANE IAN, THE REFUGE SAW APPROXIMATELY 2500 STUDENTS IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. THE ON-SITE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP WITH LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIORITIZES TITLE 1 SCHOOLS WITH A GOAL OF FOUR FIELD TRIPS FROM LEE CO SCHOOLS EACH WEEK. URBAN INITIATIVE - DDWS CONTINUED WORKING WITHIN OUR OFF-ISLAND COMMUNITIES TO BRING THE REFUGE AND CONSERVATION MESSAGING TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES UNABLE TO GET TO THE ISLAND AND REFUGE EASILY. - THROUGH THE WILDLIFE ON WHEELS (WOW), WE EXPANDED OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHEN NOT SPENDING A WEEK OR MORE AT THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS, WOW VISITED LOCAL CHURCHES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND THE REFUGE FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH. - DDWS SUPPORTED THE REFUGE'S "DING" DARLING DAY CONSERVATION CARNIVAL AT LAKES PARK IN APRIL 2023. THE CELEBRATION FURTHERED THE REFUGE'S MISSION TO REACH AND CONNECT WITH UNDERSERVED URBAN COMMUNITIES WHILE CELEBRATING EARTH DAY. VOLUNTEERS - WITH NEARLY 8,000 ACRES TO MANAGE IN THE REFUGE COMPLEX AND APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS (PRE-COVID) FROM AROUND THE WORLD, VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL TO HELPING THE REFUGE STAFF ACHIEVE THEIR CONSERVATION WORK. VOLUNTEERS HELP IN MANY WAYS AT "DING;" SERVING AS FRONT DESK AMBASSADORS, HELPING IN THE REFUGE NATURE STORE, ASSISTING ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE STAFF, RUNNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SERVING AS ROVERS ON WILDLIFE DRIVE, AND SO MUCH MORE. THE DDWS SUPPORTS THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM BY HELPING TO COVER EXPENSES FOR THIS CRUCIAL INITIATIVE. IN 2022- 23, MANY VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED THE REFUGE THROUGHOUT THE RECOVERY PROCESS FROM CLEAN UPS TO MANUAL WORK TO COVERING PHONES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. "DING" IS INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE VOLUNTEERS WHO REMAINED HELPFUL THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM - WITH A 50% DECREASE IN REFUGE STAFF, THE DDWS CONTINUES EACH YEAR IN HELPING THE REFUGE WITH THE SHORTAGES BY HIRING INTERNS TO ASSIST VISITOR SERVICES, WOW (WILDLIFE ON WHEELS), EDUCATION, AS WELL AS IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR. - IN 2022-23, DDWS SUPPORTED EIGHT INTERNS, AT THE COST OF 18,913 PER INTERN. THREE OF THE EIGHT WERE UNDERWRITTEN BY INDIVIDUAL DONORS, INCLUDING THE SUE TRAY MEMORIAL VISITOR SERVICE INTERNSHIP AND THE HARKEY DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP. THIS SUPPORT IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL AS ALL OF OUR INTERN HOUSING WAS WASHED AWAY DUE TO HURRICANE IAN AND DDWS IS COVERING ADDITIONAL RENTAL COSTS UNTIL NEW HOUSING IS BUILT. THIS OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS INTERNS TO GAIN INVALUABLE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE WHILE WORKING AT THE REFUGE. THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES TO LEARN HANDS-ON ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND REFUGE OPERATIONS, CREATING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION STEWARDS. ADVOCACY - OUR ADVOCACY COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO ATTEND MEETINGS, COALITIONS, AND CONFERENCES AS IT WORKS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. THE DDWS ALSO INVESTS IN ADVOCACY SOFTWARE TO STRENGTHEN OUR OUTREACH TO ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON AND BEYOND. SPECIAL PROJECTS & FUNDING THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY PROJECTS THAT WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. - THE ROOST: ON AUGUST 6, 2022, REFUGE AND DDWS REPRESENTATIVES BROKE GROUND ON THE LATEST REFUGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION. THE ROOST, A 1 MILLION+ PROJECT, WELCOMES VISITORS TO AN OUTDOOR FLEX SPACE FOR A BROAD SPECTRUM OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROOST WAS DELAYED DUE TO HURRICANE IAN BUT WE WERE FORTUNATE TO UNVEIL IT ON OCTOBER 21, 2023. - DDWS ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: DDWS RECENTLY AWARDED 29,200 IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO 13 STUDENTS FROM THE SURROUNDING FIVE-COUNTY AREA. DURING ITS 18-YEAR HISTORY, THE DDWS ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS AWARDED A TOTAL OF 262,400 TO DESERVING STUDENTS. ELEVEN DONORS SPONSORED THE 13 SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2022. THERE ARE CURRENTLY THREE PERMANENT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS, JANE WERNER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP, DR. H. RANDALL DEMING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, AND WIN & MARILYN KLOOSTERMAN SCHOLARSHIP. - ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION POCKET REFUGE GRANT PROGRAM: WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE EIGHT 2021-22 "POCKET REFUGES" AT LEE COUNTY DISTRICT 1429512 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false true true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 58 0 13 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false X 12 12 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X X JOY ROBERTSON 2394721100 1 WILDLIFE DRIVE SANIBEL FL 33957 BIRGIT P MILLER EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 151075 0 10716 SARAH ASHTON PAST PRESIDE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BARBARA BLUEDORN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBIN COOK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY FELKER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PHYLLIS GRESHAM BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM HARKEY VICE PRESIDE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK HEIMAN SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID JEFFREY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 WENDY KINDIG PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RICHARD LEVINSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 STUART SERGEANT BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BILL VALERIAN TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 151075 10716 1 false true false 431695 25250 4503852 1648907 4960797 439735 439735 1754965 1768550 -13585 -13585 -13585 44280 431695 146407 -102127 -90083 274152 127758 146394 146394 INSURANCE PROCEEDS 179136 179136 OTHER INCOME 3300 3300 182436 5613650 168851 496046 X 25000 25000 35302 35302 145001 66366 33183 45452 340068 197113 87104 55851 23400 15818 6552 1030 66858 44386 12532 9940 38873 22600 8212 8061 47969 47897 72 115298 92596 19771 2931 78372 50083 19012 9277 69274 49877 19397 23520 4728 18447 345 8481 8481 3082 3082 78676 78676 52206 43555 6680 1971 BOONE PROPERTY EXPENSES 256668 204727 51941 WOW EXPENSES 112574 112574 OTHER REFUGE EXPENSES 83350 83350 POST HURRICANE IAN EXPENS 61105 61105 203397 193759 7713 1925 1868474 1429512 302179 136783 2504836 612075 318000 300000 348204 390122 31081 37902 5062848 157379 4706107 4905469 9956086 15626474 274274 937784 18138588 22809826 67082 104349 5903 5390 850 73835 109739 X 12791668 17664128 5273085 5035959 18064753 22700087 18138588 22809826 X 3745176 565213 324945 X false true X true false X 7052186 2155932 4499892 4903836 4960797 23572643 7052186 2155932 4499892 4903836 4960797 23572643 1470206 22102437 127320 159555 215502 246718 439735 1188830 840761 773061 810776 1211975 274152 3910725 28672198 198519 0.77090 0.78600 X PART II, LINE 10 GROSS SALES OF INVENTORY 3,636,573 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 346779 X false 1669197 134561 240822 6509 2038071 1171985 767022 -254714 9000 6096 1669197 905909 98835 171451 4210 1171985 546866 287329 74896 3182 905909 512458 41918 5000 2510 546866 0.24410 0.75590 true false 2309500 2309500 1980428 82518 1897910 282709 16810 265899 13089 13089 477122 44962 432160 4905469 X 6325270 565213 146407 711620 5613650 5613650 2014881 146407 146407 1868474 1868474 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)3 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE ORGANIZATION IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT FLORIDA CORPORATION AND THEREFORE IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE INCOME TAX TAXES. THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE PROVIDES FOR TAXATION OF UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ORGANIZATION REPORTS NO UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME, HOWEVER, SUCH STATUS IS SUBJECT TO FINAL DETERMINATION UPON EXAMINATION OF THE RELATED TAX RETURNS BY THE APPROPRIATE TAXING AUTHORITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX FILINGS ARE SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY VARIOUS TAXING AUTHORITIES. CERTAIN INCOME TAX RETURNS FILED BY THE ORGANIZATION REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION BY THESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS ASC TOPIC 740, "INCOME TAXES" IN ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVALUATED ITS TAX POSITIONS AND ANY ESTIMATES UTILIZED IN ITS TAX RETURNS, AND CONCLUDED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUIDANCE. INTEREST AND PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE, IF REQUIRED. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2D FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 146,407 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 2D FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 146,407 GO WILD 235065 198445 36620 16085 6180 2850 29320 TARPON TOURNAME 217910 210250 7660 55669 995 23264 1 23000 23000 300 319 1375 10050 475975 431695 44280 55669 995 16385 6499 4225 62634 146407 -102127 false NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1001 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 905 WASHINGTON DC 20036 501(C) 25000 SCHOLARSHIPS 13 29200 TEACHER GRANTS 7 6102 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE ISSUES A CHECK DIRECTLY TO THE AWARD RECIPIENT, WITH NO RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON THE USE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. THERE ARE NO MONITORING PROCEDURES. false false false false false false false false false BIRGIT P MILLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 151075 10716 161791 X 44 1592694 X 2 56213 false true false FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION OPERATIONAL AND INTERPRETIVE WORK OF THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEARLY 800,000 ANNUAL VISITORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE WILDLIFE WHO DEPEND ON IT FOR SURVIVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A FOUNDED IN 1945, THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE CONSISTS OF NEARLY 8,000 ACRES OF SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS IN THE WORLD. BUDGETS CONTINUE TO DECREASE, AND FEDERAL FUNDING DOES NOT COVER ALL THE NEEDS OF THIS VERY POPULATED REFUGE. AS A RESULT, THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY - FRIENDS OF THE REFUGE (DDWS) PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT WHERE FEDERAL FUNDING FALLS SHORT. EVERY YEAR, THE VISITATION TO THE REFUGE INCREASES AND NEARLY ONE MILLION VISITORS EXPLORE THESE PUBLIC LANDS. FOR NEARLY THAN 40 YEARS, THE DDWS HAS SUPPORTED THE REFUGE IN AREAS OF EDUCATION, LAND ACQUISITION, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AND EXHIBITS, HABITAT MANAGEMENT, BIOLOGICAL STUDIES, WATER RESEARCH, AND MUCH MORE. OUR ANNUAL REPORT CELEBRATES WHAT PHILANTHROPY MADE POSSIBLE IN 2022-2023. THE PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT WE RECEIVE FROM FOUNDATIONS, BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION- CRITICAL WORK AND SOME OF IT IS LISTED BELOW: LAND ACQUISITION & RESTORATION UPDATE - ON JANUARY 21, 2022, AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS IN THE MAKING, THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY ACQUIRED AN 8.5-ACRE LAND WHICH INCLUDES A HOME AND A 6- ACRE LAKE WHICH RUNS INTO TARPON BAY. - DUE TO HURRICANE IAN'S DESTRUCTION OF DDWS OFFICES AT THE REFUGE, SOCIETY STAFF WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY MOVE THEIR WORK SPACE INTO THE HOME DURING THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. THE HOME WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE TEMPORARY LOCATION OF DDWS OFFICES WHILE THE REBUILDING OF PERMANENT OFFICES AT THE REFUGE IS IN PROGRESS. WILDLIFE & RESEARCH - WILDLIFE: THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE DDWS SUPPORTED VARIOUS CRITICAL PROJECTS TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE AND RESEARCH AT THE REFUGE. WILDLIFE - AFTER HURRICANE IAN, WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SOME OF THE FIRST SPECIES SPOTTED BY REFUGE STAFF WERE BOBCATS AND GOPHER TORTOISES. WILDLIFE GRADUALLY RETURNED TO THE REFUGE OVER THE 2022-23 YEAR. USFWS BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN AVERY RENSHAW WAS ABLE TO HELP MONITOR THIS PROGRESS. IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR, DDWS CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE SALARY FOR THE ROLE CURRENTLY HELD BY AVERY RENSHAW, THUS FURTHERING THIS IMPORTANT WORK. - WATER QUALITY RESEARCH: THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, THE SOCIETY PURCHASED WATER QUALITY MONITORING EQUIPMENT WHICH ALLOWS THE REFUGE TO CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN OUR WATERS. 45/82 - ESTATE PLANNING IS A THOUGHTFUL WAY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PHILANTHROPIC VALUES ENDURE BEYOND YOUR LIFETIME. THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST WITH THIS PROCEDURE. - THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY IS MADE UP OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE DORIS HARDY WHO DESIGNATE THE "DING" DARLING WILDLIFE SOCIETY AS A BENEFICIARY IN THEIR ESTATE PLANS. THIS PAST YEAR THE 45/82 SOCIETY GAINED SEVERAL NEW MEMBERS. - SOME OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE 45/82 LEGACY SOCIETY INCLUDE JEAN AND RALPH WOODRING, WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY INCLUDED "DING" DARLING IN THEIR ESTATE PLANNING SO THAT THEIR HISTORIC HOMESTEAD WOULD BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WOODRING HOMESTEAD - THE 6.57-ACRE WOODRING HOMESTEAD, LOCATED ON WOODRING POINT WHERE RALPH AND JEAN CURRENTLY LIVE, HAS BEEN A FAMILY HOME FOR THE WOODRINGS SINCE 1888. THE CURRENT RESIDENCE, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1916, REPRESENTS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE "FLORIDA CRACKER" STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE- ONE OF THE LAST OF ITS KIND ON THE ISLAND. - DAMAGE TO THE WOODRING HOMESTEAD FROM HURRICANE IAN WAS EXTENSIVE. HOWEVER, RALPH AND JEAN MOVED QUICKLY TO RESTORE AND REPAIR THEIR RESIDENCE TO ITS PRE-STORM GLORY. THEY HAVE RECENTLY MOVED BACK INTO THEIR HOME WHICH WAS REBUILT TO MAINTAIN ITS WONDERFUL ARCHITECTURE AND PERIOD DETAILS. - IN AN AGREEMENT THAT TOOK PLACE 10 YEARS AGO, DDWS WORKED WITH LEE COUNTY 20/20 AND THE WOODRINGS TO PRESERVE THE HOMESTEAD AND SURROUNDING LAND FOR DECADES TO COME. THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF PROPERTY IS ONE OF THE LAST UNDEVELOPED LANDS THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE J.N. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. THE PROPERTY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATER BODIES SUPPORT MANY ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR FEDERALLY DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITATS. PROTECTION OF THIS UNIQUE PROPERTY IS CRITICAL. EDUCATION & OUTREACH - THE DDWS AND THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKED EFFECTIVELY TOGETHER DURING THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR IN BRINGING SCHOOL KIDS BY BUS TO THE REFUGE FOR ONSITE FIELD TRIPS. - WHILE THERE WERE STILL HURDLES TO JUMP FROM HURRICANE IAN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THESE FIELD TRIPS WERE INVALUABLE TO INSTILL THE LOVE OF NATURE AND PASSION FOR PROTECTING OUR WILD SPACES WITH OUR YOUNG GENERATION. THIS PARTNERSHIP TRULY SHOWS THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION. - OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 4000 STUDENTS VISIT THE REFUGE EACH YEAR. DUE TO CLOSURES FROM HURRICANE IAN, THE REFUGE SAW APPROXIMATELY 2500 STUDENTS IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. THE ON-SITE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP WITH LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIORITIZES TITLE 1 SCHOOLS WITH A GOAL OF FOUR FIELD TRIPS FROM LEE CO SCHOOLS EACH WEEK. URBAN INITIATIVE - DDWS CONTINUED WORKING WITHIN OUR OFF-ISLAND COMMUNITIES TO BRING THE REFUGE AND CONSERVATION MESSAGING TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES UNABLE TO GET TO THE ISLAND AND REFUGE EASILY. - THROUGH THE WILDLIFE ON WHEELS (WOW), WE EXPANDED OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS THANKS TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. WHEN NOT SPENDING A WEEK OR MORE AT THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS, WOW VISITED LOCAL CHURCHES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND THE REFUGE FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH. - DDWS SUPPORTED THE REFUGE'S "DING" DARLING DAY CONSERVATION CARNIVAL AT LAKES PARK IN APRIL 2023. THE CELEBRATION FURTHERED THE REFUGE'S MISSION TO REACH AND CONNECT WITH UNDERSERVED URBAN COMMUNITIES WHILE CELEBRATING EARTH DAY. VOLUNTEERS - WITH NEARLY 8,000 ACRES TO MANAGE IN THE REFUGE COMPLEX AND APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS (PRE-COVID) FROM AROUND THE WORLD, VOLUNTEERS ARE VITAL TO HELPING THE REFUGE STAFF ACHIEVE THEIR CONSERVATION WORK. VOLUNTEERS HELP IN MANY WAYS AT "DING;" SERVING AS FRONT DESK AMBASSADORS, HELPING IN THE REFUGE NATURE STORE, ASSISTING ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE STAFF, RUNNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SERVING AS ROVERS ON WILDLIFE DRIVE, AND SO MUCH MORE. THE DDWS SUPPORTS THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM BY HELPING TO COVER EXPENSES FOR THIS CRUCIAL INITIATIVE. IN 2022- 23, MANY VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED THE REFUGE THROUGHOUT THE RECOVERY PROCESS FROM CLEAN UPS TO MANUAL WORK TO COVERING PHONES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. "DING" IS INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE VOLUNTEERS WHO REMAINED HELPFUL THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM - WITH A 50% DECREASE IN REFUGE STAFF, THE DDWS CONTINUES EACH YEAR IN HELPING THE REFUGE WITH THE SHORTAGES BY HIRING INTERNS TO ASSIST VISITOR SERVICES, WOW (WILDLIFE ON WHEELS), EDUCATION, AS WELL AS IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR. - IN 2022-23, DDWS SUPPORTED EIGHT INTERNS, AT THE COST OF 18,913 PER INTERN. THREE OF THE EIGHT WERE UNDERWRITTEN BY INDIVIDUAL DONORS, INCLUDING THE SUE TRAY MEMORIAL VISITOR SERVICE INTERNSHIP AND THE HARKEY DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP. THIS SUPPORT IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL AS ALL OF OUR INTERN HOUSING WAS WASHED AWAY DUE TO HURRICANE IAN AND DDWS IS COVERING ADDITIONAL RENTAL COSTS UNTIL NEW HOUSING IS BUILT. THIS OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS INTERNS TO GAIN INVALUABLE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE WHILE WORKING AT THE REFUGE. THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES TO LEARN HANDS-ON ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND REFUGE OPERATIONS, CREATING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION STEWARDS. ADVOCACY - OUR ADVOCACY COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO ATTEND MEETINGS, COALITIONS, AND CONFERENCES AS IT WORKS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. THE DDWS ALSO INVESTS IN ADVOCACY SOFTWARE TO STRENGTHEN OUR OUTREACH TO ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON AND BEYOND. SPECIAL PROJECTS & FUNDING THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY PROJECTS THAT WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING IN THE 2022-23 FISCAL YEAR. - THE ROOST: ON AUGUST 6, 2022, REFUGE AND DDWS REPRESENTATIVES BROKE GROUND ON THE LATEST REFUGE EDUCATIONAL PAVILION. THE ROOST, A 1 MILLION+ PROJECT, WELCOMES VISITORS TO AN OUTDOOR FLEX SPACE FOR A BROAD SPECTRUM OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROOST WAS DELAYED DUE TO HURRICANE IAN BUT WE WERE FORTUNATE TO UNVEIL IT ON OCTOBER 21, 2023. - DDWS ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: DDWS RECENTLY AWARDED 29,200 IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO 13 STUDENTS FROM THE SURROUNDING FIVE-COUNTY AREA. DURING ITS 18-YEAR HISTORY, THE DDWS ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS AWARDED A TOTAL OF 262,400 TO DESERVING STUDENTS. ELEVEN DONORS SPONSORED THE 13 SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2022. THERE ARE CURRENTLY THREE PERMANENT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS, JANE WERNER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP, DR. H. RANDALL DEMING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, AND WIN & MARILYN KLOOSTERMAN SCHOLARSHIP. - ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION POCKET REFUGE GRANT PROGRAM: WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE EIGHT 2021-22 "POCKET REFUGES" AT LEE COUNTY DISTRICT FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B A DRAFT OF THE RETURN IS GIVEN TO THE ORGANIZATION TO REVIEW FOR ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS PRIOR TO ELECTRONICALLY FILING THE TAX RETURN. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, ALL BOARD MEMBERS SIGN A DOCUMENT STATING THAT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A ONE MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS ASSIGNED TO RESEARCH AREA SALARIES BASED ON JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR SIMILAR POSITIONS HELD. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE BOARD REVIEWS THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AGAINST GOALS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD THE YEAR PRIOR. CURRENT YEAR'S SALARY IS BASED ON REVIEW. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, DDWS UTILIZED A RECRUITING FIRM TO PROVIDE A SALARY SURVEY FOR ITS TOP MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. IT ALSO USES DATA AVAILABLE ONLINE TO DETERMINE THE AVERAGE SALARY PAID FOR A PARTICULAR POSITION IN THIS GEOGRAPHICAL AREA AND THEN DETERMINES COMPENSATION BASED ON THAT AVERAGE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B ONE MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS ASSIGNED TO RESEARCH AREA SALARIES BASED ON JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR SIMILAR POSITIONS HELD. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE BOARD REVIEWS THE JOB PERFORMANCE OF KEY EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE GOALS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD THE YEAR PRIOR. CURRENT YEAR'S SALARIES ARE BASED ON THE REVIEW. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24E ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 30,088 0 0 WULFRET 30,000 0 0 URBAN WILDLIFE 24,505 0 0 COMMUNITY CONNECTOR 19,280 0 0 CONSERVATION SUPPORT 18,985 0 0 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 10,906 7,333 0 LECTURE SERIES 17,109 0 0 NATURE STORE EXPENSE 14,464 164 0 SPECIAL EVENTS, REFUGE 12,044 0 0 VISTOR CENTER SUPPLIES 9,675 0 0 GRANT WRITING 4,821 0 1,925 MISCELLANEOUS 1,882 216 0 TOTAL 193,759 7,713 1,925 FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 146,407 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES -146,407