Thanks for a Wonderful Wines in the Wild! | | |
On Friday, Nov. 14, we welcomed SCCF family, friends, and neighbors into the 2025-26 island season with our 16th annual Wines in the Wild. Under starlit skies, guests enjoyed strolling the beautiful grounds of the Bailey Homestead Preserve while tasting wines specially selected for the evening. Complementing the wine tastings, our favorite island chefs wowed attendees with their delectable food pairings.
This year's Wines in the Wild sparkled with success, thanks to the vision of Co-Founders Linda & Tom Uhler (pictured here), the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Bank of the Islands, and the many sponsors and guests who joined us to make the night unforgettable.
We are grateful to have such amazing community support for our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems!
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What's the Post-Hurricane Status of Sanibel Amphibians?
At Florida SouthWestern State College’s statewide herpetology conference, SCCF wildlife biologists provided an update on Sanibel’s nine frog and toad species post Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton. Learn about the changes these species have experienced due to habitat loss from saltwater intrusion.
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Coastal Watch Director Gives Mangrove Presentation at Annual VCB Meeting
Last week, Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau gave a presentation about our Adopt-A-Mangrove program at the Lee County VCB’s Annual Meeting. She also played a video, produced by Rob Hoovis for SCCF, that captured a recent mangrove restoration trip. VCB businesses had the opportunity to take home their own mangrove to raise in their business, office, or home.
Adopt your own mangrove at our upcoming adoption event on Dec. 12 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Bailey Homestead!
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FWC Honors Sanibel Sea School as "Outstanding Partner"
Sanibel Sea School recently received the “Outstanding Partner” Award from FWC’s Florida Youth Conservation Center Network. This award recognizes organizations that excel in providing youth outdoor recreation and conservation education programs. FWC cited Sanibel Sea School’s “successes in creating the next generation that cares” as a contributing factor for the award.
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Bat Week Features Education & Hammerhead Action
During Bat Week at the end of October, SCCF Wildlife Biologist Mike Mills gave talks to fourth-grade students at The Sanibel School as well as to local Fort Myers Beach residents to highlight bats’ big ecological impact in Southwest Florida. SCCF also worked with the Hammerheads to build two more rocket-style bat homes to install on Sanibel.
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License Plate Grant Funds New Sea Turtle ATV!
We had new wheels for sea turtle nest monitoring this year, thanks to Florida’s Sea Turtle Grants Program! This program is funded by the ‘Helping Sea Turtles Survive’ specialty license plate, which supports vital sea turtle conservation, research, and education projects across the state.
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Check Out Our FY 24-25 Annual Report!
If you are not yet a member of SCCF and didn't receive our Annual Report mailing, we welcome you to read it online! Please check out our publication highlighting our amazing accomplishments during Fiscal Year 2024-25.
We hope that you will be inspired to join our SCCF Family!
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Podcast: Climate Change Theatre Action Festival
Policy Associate Allie Pecenka joins Players Circle Theater Co-Founder and Producing Director Carrie Lund Cacioppo and SCCF Adult Education Director Jenny Evans for an engaging discussion about the worldwide Climate Change Theatre Action festival. SCCF and Players Circle are collaborating to stage our own local performances as part of the festival.
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Sanibel Sea School Shares Ocean Love at Shell Museum's Community Day Event!
Sanibel Sea School attended the Bailey-Matthew’s National Shell Museum & Aquarium’s Shells, Science, and Community Day. Marine Science Educators Austin and Jordyn helped spread Sanibel Sea School and SCCF’s mission to over 800 visitors at the event!
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Meet the Natives:
Skyblue Clustervine
Skyblue clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) is a great vine to add to your garden for some winter interest. This state-endangered vine is a member of the morning glory family, and it produces attractive blue flowers throughout the winter and spring throughout its native range in South Florida. It’s also easier to maintain than other vines! Learn more and purchase your own at our Native Landscapes & Garden Center.
WATCH REEL
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| | UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Climate Change Theatre Action: Dec. 3 & 8
Join us for two inspiring December evenings of Climate Change Theatre Action as Players Circle Theater teams up with FGCU and SCCF to present a series of short plays imagining a world beyond the climate crisis. This year’s theme, “The Time is Now,” will be reflected in performances around the globe as part of the larger Climate Change Theatre Action festival.
Tune into WGCU 90.1 FM or online tomorrow, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m., for a Gulf Coast Life show featuring a discussion about it!
Catch the performances at 7 p.m. at SCCF’s Bailey Homestead on Dec. 3 or at Players Circle Theater on Dec. 8 — and stick around for interactive conversations on climate action led by the cast and SCCF staff!
To order tickets for Players Circle Theater on Dec. 8, please call
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Spread the Word! Our Annual Meeting is Coming up Soon
Join the SCCF Family on Dec. 9, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., as our leaders update us on the state of our organization, recognize incoming and outgoing trustees, and share the exciting direction we’re headed in 2026. Anyone is welcome at the outdoor event at our Bailey Homestead! Drinks and snacks will be served starting at 3 p.m.
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Forget the Gym...Join us for Oyster Restoration on Tuesdays!
SCCF’s Coastal Watch and Marine Lab recently started a three-year project to restore oyster reefs in Tarpon Bay. Every Tuesday, volunteers assist staff in moving over 7,000 pounds of fossilized shell to four different restoration sites in the estuary.
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CCA Hosting Exhibit of Shane Antalick's Photography
A freelance photographer for SCCF since 2020, Shane Antalick is as passionate about capturing the beauty of our coastal ecosystems as he is about protecting them. Born and raised on Sanibel, Shane is an accomplished surfer, photographer, and explorer. We encourage you to check out his photography at the Captiva Civic Center from Nov. 20 - Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., M-F.
Tomorrow, Nov., 20, an opening reception will be held at the CCA from 5 - 7 p.m. SCCF's Coastal Watch team will be there with mangrove babies that need to find loving homes!
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Visit Us at Puschel Preserve for Luminary!
As the grand finale to the City of Sanibel's 50th Anniversary celebration, the Luminary Stroll will be especially festive this year. Be sure to visit us at our Puschel Preserve on Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. to help ring in the holiday season on the islands!
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SCCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded
in 1967 on Sanibel Island, Florida
EIN 59-1205087
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