J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge was created to preserve the wildlife found on Sanibel Island, protect endanger species on the island, and to care for the many species of birds.³

Jay Norwood Darling, whom this refuge was named after, played a key role in blocking the sale of the land where the refuge is located to developers of Sanibel Island.³

In 1945, Darling's efforts persuaded President Harry S. Truman to sign an executive order to open the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge.³

"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS), a non-profit Friends of the Refuge organization, supports environmental education and services at the wildlife refuge.⁴

The support role of the DDWS expanded to include financial support of interns, new exhibits and trails in the refuge, and the leading of land acquisitions, and advocacy efforts in Washington D.C.⁴

Bird season typically October through early April, significantly dies down during spring and summer.⁵