Even with the current government shutdown, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island will operate its free Visitor & Education Center from 9 a.m. to 4.p.m., today, Dec. 22, and Sunday, Dec. 23. The Refuge Nature Store is also open.

Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, are federal holidays; the “Ding” Darling Education Center and administration building will be closed.All other federal lands will remain open, including: Wildlife Drive (7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Indigo Trail, the Bailey Tract, Tarpon Bay Recreation Area, including Tarpon Bay Explorers (the official refuge recreation concession). Tarpon Bay Explorers will be open every day except Tuesday, Dec. 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.