Bald eagles, woodpeckers, lions, birds, and bees: The 21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series will cover diverse topics from Jan. 22 through April 16, 2026. The free lectures take place at the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center on Sanibel Island, twice daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., on eight select Thursdays throughout the season.
The series opens with Tony Lapi, longtime innkeeper at the historic ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, speaking about famous guests like “Ding” Darling and Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, plus other anecdotes from his book Tales of an Island Innkeeper.
Other highlights include author-photographer Paul Bannick, whose new book Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers releases in September.
Ron Magill, Zoo Miami communications director and wildlife photographer and ambassador, will speak on the topic “Animals Have Emotions,” based on his book The Pride of a Lion: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear and Family (A True Animal Survival Story).
The Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida will present an opportunity to observe live bees in a sealed hive and taste various locally produced honeys.
“We are honored to welcome such an impressive roll call of authors and experts in their nature-related field,” said DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman. “The series started in 2005 to bring more visitors to the refuge following Hurricane Charley in 2004. It is fitting we celebrate our lecture series’ 21st year as we continue to strengthen following Hurricane Ian in 2022.”
Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in to receive a wristband and save their seat and one extra with personal items ahead of lecture times, and then can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or risk being reassigned.
Sales of books and other items will be sold following the lecture. Starred (*) lectures indicate those with book-signings also.
Here is the complete calendar of the season’s lectures:
*Jan. 22 – Author Tony Lapi, Tales of an Island Innkeeper – Sponsor: Bank of the Islands
*Jan. 29 – Conservation Author/Photographer Kirsten Hines, Birds of Florida
*Feb. 19 – Wildlife Ambassador, Author, and Photographer Ron Magill, The Pride of a Lion: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear and Family (A True Animal Survival Story)
*March 5 – Sanibel Author Jeri Magg, The Remarkable Women of Sanibel & Captiva
*March 26 – Author/Photographer Paul Bannick, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers
April 2 – Beekeepers Association of Southwest Florida, “Live Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting”
*April 9 – Author/Conservationist Tina Morris, Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle
*April 16 – Sanibel Author Charles Sobczak, The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) co-hosts the lectures with J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Sponsorships are still available for the lectures. Contact Jeff Decker at Jeff@dingdarlingsociety.org or 310-612-4373 for more information. Partial sponsorships begin at $1,000; full sponsorships are $5,000.