Toni Westland, retired supervisory refuge ranger at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, was awarded this year's Junonia Award. 

The Lee County VCB’s Junonia Award honors individuals who have positively impacted the local tourism community through their exceptional leadership, dedication and unique talents. Created in 2006, the VCB’s Junonia Award is named for the junonia, a treasured shell known for its rarity and exceptional quality that is on every sea sheller’s bucket list.

Westland was the supervisory refuge ranger at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. She retired in May after a 27-year career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  

During her tenure, Ranger Toni brought innovative ideas, like the mobile WoW or Wildlife on Wheels classroom, Roving Ranger mobile visitor center and award-winning Learning Lavatories, to life. From building pollinator gardens in Title-1 schools to mentoring young environmental educators, she’s always believed that nature should be shared and protected by everyone.

In retirement, she continues her environmental education mission as ART Ranger Toni creating hand-painted wearables and home goods inspired by nature and made from repurposed materials.