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Drone Rules for J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel, Florida (FL)
• United States
1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Lat: 26.4466 • Lng: -82.1134
Rules Edit History: J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
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May 30, 2026 7:18 AM
Approved
• Added USFWS drone prohibition for Ding Darling NWR with RSW Class C overlay on Sanibel Island, roseate spoonbill nesting, and manatee surface disturbance context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations at J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, including the USFWS prohibition, roseate spoonbill nesting, and manatee disturbance context, has been approved. This aligns with USFWS regulations prohibiting drone operations within the refuge. The added context enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Unknown | NoFly |
| Summary | — | USFWS prohibits drones on Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. The refuge is one of the most-visited in the US and supports roseate spoonbills, American alligators, and manatees in a 6,300-acre mangrove system. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 61a0d121-433f-4a8a-b475-83a22d93105a |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR, Florida **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. ### Airspace / Site Context - Over 1 million annual visitors; the Wildlife Drive is the most-visited auto tour route in the US refuge system - Roseate spoonbills and great blue herons nest in the mangroves; drone noise from the Wildlife Drive causes documented flush events - Southwest Florida International (RSW) Class C outer ring extends to Sanibel Island; LAANC check required before any Sanibel flight ### Key Rules - RSW Class C covers Sanibel -- LAANC or Part 107 waiver required even for flights outside the refuge boundary - West Indian manatee (threatened) in refuge waters; low-altitude UAS wake creates surfacing interference - USFWS Special Use Permit required for commercial or research UAS; visitor photography permits do not cover drones ### Source - USFWS Ding Darling: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling
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+ ## Drone Rules - J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR, Florida + + **Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Over 1 million annual visitors; the Wildlife Drive is the most-visited auto tour route in the US refuge system + - Roseate spoonbills and great blue herons nest in the mangroves; drone noise from the Wildlife Drive causes documented flush events + - Southwest Florida International (RSW) Class C outer ring extends to Sanibel Island; LAANC check required before any Sanibel flight + + ### Key Rules + - RSW Class C covers Sanibel -- LAANC or Part 107 waiver required even for flights outside the refuge boundary + - West Indian manatee (threatened) in refuge waters; low-altitude UAS wake creates surfacing interference + - USFWS Special Use Permit required for commercial or research UAS; visitor photography permits do not cover drones + + ### Source + - USFWS Ding Darling: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling +