The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, in Sanibel, and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge (DDWS) will host Art in the Wild, a celebration honoring the 150th birthday of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling—America’s beloved conservation cartoonist and visionary—from October 20 through 22, 2026. Attendees will explore how art and nature intersect, following in the footsteps of Darling himself more than a century ago.

The event kicks off on October 20 with plein-air artists creating live along Wildlife Drive; an origami project workshop and other nature crafts in The Roost alfresco space and Ranger Toni’s Nature Nook; and Florida Junior Duck Stamp winner Beckett Smith and seven-time Federal Duck Stamp artist Jim Hautman presenting some of their works with Hautman signing his winning 2026-27 stamp.

On the following day—the birthday of the Refuge namesake—“Ding” actor Tim Milligan and President Theodore Roosevelt actor Joe Wiegand will both make 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. presentations and participate in the unveiling of the permanent 3D Donor Wall at The Roost.

The event concludes on October 22 with the judging of plein-air art, photography and birding walks, and an award ceremony for the “Ding” Darling Amateur Photography Contest.

Location: 1 Wildlife Dr., Sanibel. For more information, call 239-472-1100 or visit DingDarlingSociety.org.