When you get to the point where you think life’s for the birds, there’s really just two things to do: come down to vacation on Fort Myers Beach…and then make a beeline for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on nearby Sanibel Island, home to more than 220 (!) different species of birds. This wildlife refuge is a favorite for families and lovebirds alike, and was named by “USA Today” as the top-birdwatching locale in the country.

Yet it’s really much, much more. Dolphins, manatees, and alligators are just some of the other amazing wildlife found in the pristine native vegetation of the refuge, which is set on 6,400 acres of subtropical marshland (and encompasses more than one third of the entire island!). You can tour the refuge by kayak, canoe, or eco-friendly electric pontoon boat through Tarpon Bay; take a leisurely ride by car or bike through Wildlife Drive; or enjoy an educational tram ride throughout the refuge. Guided tours are all hosted by experienced naturalists by your side. There are wildlife presentations throughout the day, and a live “touch tank” for the kids.

Begin at the beginning, though — literally and figuratively! Walking through the Education Center at the entrance to the refuge is a great way to learn about the refuge’s namesake, Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and pioneering conservationist whose story is as important today as it was nearly three quarters of a century ago. Ding’s cartoons with the “Des Moines Register” throughout the 1920s and ’30s illustrated his concerns with dwindling gas supplies, soil erosion, and clear-cutting original growth forests. He supported reforestation, habitate restoration and world peace. He fathered the Federal Duck Stamp program, conceived the National Wildlife Federation, and envisioned a network of refuges that supported birds on the migratory flyways. A frequent winter resident, he led efforts to preserve the area of land that would ultimately be named after him; in 1945, President Harry Truman signed an executive order designating it a National Wildlife Refuge. Every fall, a weeklong festival named “Ding Darling Days” — featuring environmental speakers, editorial cartoon contests, nature photography contests, and the Junior Duck Stamp awards — draws record crowds to the refuge.

GETTING THERE: Ding Darling is located 16 miles (approximately 35 minutes) from the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach; slightly further from other SunStream Resorts located farther south. There is a $6 toll to get onto Sanibel Island.

VISITOR INFO: The gate to Wildlife Drive generally opens one half hour after sunrise and closes one half hour before sunset. NOTE that the Drive is closed on Fridays. The Education Center is open 9-5 November through April and 9-4 in the summer.

The Refuge has an entrance fee program that includes $5 per car and $1 per person for walkers and bikers. Discount fees available. Tram tours are $10 per adult and $7 per child.

Visitors are advised to check in at the Education Center to get the latest information before embarking on the Drive. Call 239-472-1100.

The Tarpon Bay access (kayaks, canoes, bikes, pontoon boat rides) is open 7 days a week. There is no entrance fee and costs vary depending on activity. Call 239-472-8900.