The next ‘Ding’ Darling lecture will explore Florida’s invasives invasion. From Burmese pythons to fire ants, Brazilian pepper to lionfish, Sanibel author Charles Sobczak covers them all during his “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” PowerPoints, part of the “Ding” Darling Lecture Series. His free lectures take place Thursday, February 20, starting at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.
Based on information gathered for his three award-winning non-fiction titles, Sobczak’s presentations take an in-depth look at a wide array of non-indigenous species that have invaded Florida over the past 100 years. They also will explore natural migrations, such as the more recent arrival of the African cattle egret and western coyote. While his lectures offer solutions to controlling many of the unwanted visitors, it also clearly demonstrates that some of the unwanted visitors are here to stay.
Sobczak has authored 10 books, including three non-fiction titles, two selected works, and five novels. His varied interests have taken his writing from the Fond du Lac Indian reservations outside of Cloquet, Minnesota, to Istanbul, Turkey.
Sobczak’s non-fiction work focuses on local and regional Florida flora and fauna, including Living Sanibel: A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva. Following his lectures, he will sign copies of his Florida books.
Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in after 9 a.m. for the morning lecture and 12 p.m. for the afternoon and obtain a free entrance wristband so they 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.