J.N. “Ding” Darling a Sanibel legend, was a man who changed the face of nature preservation on the island and beyond. A Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist, Darling was known for his environmental activism. He was instrumental in founding the National Wildlife Federation in 1936. Born in 1876 in Michigan, Ding Darling (Jay Norwood Darling) developed his appreciation for nature whilst living in Iowa. His family had moved to Iowa so his father could be a minister. He attended college in South Dakota and this is where he got his signature nickname “Ding”. “Ding” was an abbreviation of his last name “Darling” and he would sign off on illustrations he produced for his college yearbook.
 
Darlings’ first professional position was in 1900 at the Sioux City Journal. In 1911, now married to Genevieve Pendleton, he moved to New York where he worked for the New York Globe. He accepted a position with The New York Herald Tribune in 1916, where his cartoons were published until 1949. At this point, he and his family were based in Des Moines with a winter home on Captiva.  His winter home (the Fish House) was later to become the residence of famous artist Robert Rauschenberg. Rauschenberg like Darling, was a huge conservationist and similarly whose work had heavy political leanings. 
 
Ding Darling worked tirelessly for conservation. In 1934 he was appointed the head of the U.S. Biological Survey by President Franklin Roosevelt. Darling started the Federal Duck Stamp Program and designed the first stamp. He also managed to secure 17 million dollars to help with wildlife habitat restoration.

Preserving Sanibel & Captiva

In the 1930s developers started to notice Sanibel and Captiva with intentions to build high-end resorts and accommodations. The land that the wildlife refuge is on was up for sale at 25 cents an acre by the state of Florida. Ding Darling mobilized the island residents to oppose the developers. The land was established as a state wildlife refuge. In 1945 Darling persuaded President Truman to purchase and protect more of the area establishing the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. By the 1960s the area became owned and protected by the federal government and the refuge was maintained by Tommy Wood and Sanibel author, Charles LeBuff. LeBuff lived in the Sanibel Lighthouse as a term of his employment and remained there for 22 years. Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling passed away in 1962.  In 1967, 5 years after his death, the refuge was renamed the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge. The refuge went on to expand developing trails and a visitors center. Currently, approximately 800,000 people visit each year.  

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. It is home to over 245 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and endangered species. The wildlife refuge was created to protect endangered and threatened creatures. Additionally, it was created to sustain and develop the incredible natural habitat of Sanibel Island. The reserve is a vital support system for the wildlife and a unique element of Sanibel Island quite unlike any other.

Blue Bird on Sanibel Island
Ding Darling White Bird on Sanibel Island
Bird at Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel Island
bird at campground on Sanibel Island

Cartoons & Political Satire

J.N “Ding” Darling loved nature and politics and this was very clear in his illustrations. He believed that humor served as a great tool to get his comments on society across. In his lifetime he drew over 16,000 cartoons, his work was also syndicated throughout the country making him a leading voice to a very wide audience. Interestingly he went to school for medicine but, was kicked out for satirizing his professors! He got a job as a reporter and in lieu of photography would sketch his subjects and America’s most popular cartoonist was born!

Ding Darling was also a musician who played the accordion and sang.

J.N Ding Darling Cartoonist

The Fish House

J.N. “Ding” Darling a Sanibel legend, started to suffer from bronchial issues as he entered his 60s. His place of residency was cold and so he took his family down south to Florida to embrace the tropical temperatures. He purchased land from Clarence Chadwick in the 1930s and in 1942 built the Fish House. The dock leading to the house had a draw bridge which he would routinely pull to concentrate on drawing. In 1978 artist Robert Rauschenberg purchased the property and, like Darling appreciated its solace. The Fish House is still used today by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation which runs an artist residency on the property. They hold 8 five-week residencies a year and serve approximately 75 artists.

Fish house Ding Darling

Directions To The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Address: 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957

There are many parts to the refuge throughout the Island but, the free visitor and education center at 1 Wildlife Drive is a great place to start your exploration. Next to the center is the Wildlife Drive, Hiking Trails, and Tram tour. The Center is located approximately 2 miles West of Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel Captiva Rd.