![Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Fran Palmeri](https://i0.wp.com/sarasotanewsleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ding-Darling-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Fran-Nov.-2015.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Florida Plant Society chapter invites the public to learn more about Sanibel island’s preserved beauty
In Florida, where development usually runs rampant, Sanibel and Captiva islands near Fort Myers are standout exceptions, thanks to the hard work and generosity of many individuals and organizations, including the City of Sanibel, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).
![The Captiva Conservation Foundation's restored lands on Sanibel Island. Photo by Fran Palmeri](https://i0.wp.com/sarasotanewsleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Captiva-Conservation-Foundations-Restored-lands-on-Sanibel-Island-Fran-Nov.-2015.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
An astounding 67 percent of of Captiva is in conservation.
During the Florida Native Plant Society Serenoa Chapter’s general meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, Chris Lechowicz of the SCCF will tell us how this was done. On Nov. 21 at 9:30 a.m., we will take a field trip along the Sanibel River and visit other areas of the 1,300 acres managed by SCCF. Pack a lunch and afterwards plan to drive (with stops) through Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
![Pollinators work busily on goldenrod at Ding Darling. Photo by Fran Palmeri](https://i0.wp.com/sarasotanewsleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Pollinators-on-goldenrod-at-Ding-Darling-Fran-Nov.-2015.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
The Nov. 16 general meeting will take place at at Marie Selby Gardens on Palm Avenue in Sarasota.
Both events are free and open to the public.
![A display inside Inside the Nature Center at Ding Darling. Photo by Fran Palmeri](https://i0.wp.com/sarasotanewsleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Inside-Nature-Center-at-Ding-Darling-Fran-Nov.-2015.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![Sanibel River at SCCF. Photo by Fran Palmeri](https://i0.wp.com/sarasotanewsleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Sanibel-River-at-SCCF-Fran-Nov.-2015.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)