Connecting You to SCCF: Annual Meeting Highlights Community Support

L to R: Brush of Excellence Committee Chair Sandy Gross, Andrew West, and SCCF CEO James Evans.

Dec. 6, 2023

SCCF Annual Meeting Highlights

Community Embrace of Mission

SCCF CEO James Evans recounted the amazing recovery, regrowth, and resilience the organization has achieved over the past year at yesterday’s Annual Membership Meeting.

“We are extremely grateful for our members and donors who have shown extraordinary generosity in supporting our mission-driven work and made our hurricane recovery possible,” said Evans. “The last year has also shown us that our community as a whole believes in our mission and is united to protect and preserve the unique nature of our sanctuary islands.”

Five new trustees were elected at the meeting, where veteran News-Press photographer Andrew West was recognized as this year’s SCCF “Ding” Darling Brush of Excellence Environmental Art Program prize recipient.

MORE INFO & PHOTOS

Despite Community Opposition, County Approves Amendments

The Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve amendments to the Lee County Comprehensive Land Use Plan today. The vote comes following months of community opposition to the amendments, which are designed to increase building heights and open the door for increased density on Captiva. We'll be sending out more updates and ways to take action soon. Thanks to everyone who has advocated to protect Captiva!

Residents Share Support of Captiva Bill with Legislators

On Nov. 30, the Lee County Legislative Delegation Meeting included discussion of a bill that would create a Captiva Island Conservation Area to protect and maintain Captiva’s current building heights and density.

SCCF Opposes Destruction of Wetlands in Cape Coral

Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis was the keynote speaker yesterday at a meeting opposing the Redfish Pointe Development in Cape Coral that would destroy 110 acres of wetlands. About 100 people attended the meeting.

"Ian devastated our communities, and without the protections afforded by natural wetlands and mangrove systems, we would have been in a much worse position. We now have an opportunity to learn from Ian and protect the remaining wetlands in Lee County," he said.

WATCH STORY on FOX-4

Survey Respondents Value Mangroves & Dunes

SCCF surveyed 323 property owners and renters in Southwest Florida to discover how much these individuals believe their homes and businesses were protected by mangroves or coastal dunes during Hurricane Ian. This work was supported by the SCCF’s Pfeifer Fellowship.

EXPLORE SURVEY RESULTS

Marine Lab Studying Oyster Growth in Caloosahatchee

The Marine Lab is working with FGCU to study how oysters grow in the Caloosahatchee, which can be measured against other factors such as salinity and freshwater flow.

The team tracked the settlement of oyster larvae, growth, and mortality rates from a site at the base of the river near Shell Point.

SCCF Supports Hawksbill Research in Virgin Islands

A new study on hawksbill sea turtle nesting in St. Croix suggests climate stressors could be impacting hatch success and hatchling sex ratios. The research is led by former SCCF intern Sabrina Sorace, and SCCF contributed vital equipment and guidance to the project.

Marine Lab Sampling Water by Chiquita Lock

The Marine Lab is conducting monthly water quality sampling near the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral, which the city is currently holding a hearing to remove. When working properly, the lock helps send polluted canal water through mangroves to capitalize on natural filtration.

SCCF opposes the removal of the lock is advocating for a solution that can protect wildlife and water quality.

Are There Indigo Snakes on Cayo Costa?

SCCF will be returning to Cayo Costa this season to resume surveys that lapsed in 2016, due to the lack of samples. There have been undocumented reports of eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) since then, but there has been no definitive proof of their continued existence.

SCCF Takes Part in Resilient Coasts Solutions Summit

On Dec. 1, Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis attended the University of Florida Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS) Summit on Optimizing Solutions for Resilient Coasts. Thought leaders and students in coastal research and engineering from around the state gathered to share innovative solutions for improving water quality, restoring ecosystems, and building community resilience.

“CCS has been a great partner to SCCF, and I look forward to continuing to work with them on some of the most pressing environmental issues facing Southwest Florida,” said DePaolis, pictured here with CCS Director Christine Angelini.

Native Plant Education with Ms. Sharp's 1st Graders

Last week, Sanibel Sea School spent the day with first graders at The Sanibel School. Our marine science educators taught the class all about native plants and their importance to our environment. The students used magnifying glasses to get an up-close look at the plants, and they even drew their own plant masterpieces!

Master Naturalist in Coastal Systems Course Underway

Twenty individuals are currently taking a Florida Master Naturalist in Coastal Systems course that SCCF Adult Education Director Jenny Evans is leading. The course is being offered in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Nearly 800 Mangrove Adoptions!

Coastal Watch is wrapping up its 2023 Adopt-A-Mangrove 2023 Program with immense gratitude!

Thanks to our wonderful propagule parents, we adopted 787 baby mangroves to 88 loving homes throughout Southwest Florida. Participants will nurture these coastal trees in their home gardens and return them to us next spring so we can plant them in one of our restoration sites.

Stay tuned in 2024 for your opportunity to bring more mangrove babies home!

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A Tiny but Mighty: Dwarf Seahorse

A master of disguise, the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) will attach itself to a piece of coral and grow to camouflage itself in that particular type of coral.

This means that these tiny guys will look completely different depending on where they grew up!

Learn all about dwarf seahorses in Sanibel Sea School's newest blog!

📸: jacobguy.media

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Limited Tickets Left for Pine Island Sounds

Sunset Cruise this Sunday!

The Jon Stickley Trio will perform aboard Captiva Cruises’ Lady Chadwick from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 for SCCF’s second Pine Island Sounds sunset cruise of the season. Ticket sales support SCCF’s water quality efforts, and guests will enjoy light bites and a complimentary cocktail as they revel in the beauty of our coastal ecosystem. Act fast — tickets are limited for this intimate cruise.

DETAILS & TICKETS

Join us for Evenings at the Homestead on Dec. 12!

Our annual Evenings at the Homestead is focusing on creative responses to climate change this year. As the first event of the season, SCCF is collaborating with Players Circle Theater in a global festival, Climate Change Theatre Action. Short plays by playrights from all over the world will be staged on Dec. 11 at Players Circle Theater and on Dec. 12 at the Bailey Homestead Preserve.

The 7 p.m. performances will close with a panel discussion. Join us as we envision a world beyond the climate crisis! Limited tickets are available at both venues.

DEC. 11

DEC. 12

Volunteers Needed to Help with Annual Bird Count

We’re still looking for volunteers to help spot birds, record data, and tally numbers for our annual Christmas Bird Count on Sanibel and Captiva on Saturday, Dec. 16. The event takes place all day beginning at 6:30 a.m. (participants may join whenever), and refreshments will be provided!

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP

Weeds 'n' Seeds Walks to Resume in January

Weeds ‘n’ Seeds Walks Resume in January

SCCF is happy to announce that our weekly, free Weeds 'n' Seeds plant walks will resume on Mondays beginning Jan. 8, 2024, for the first time since Hurricane Ian. Enjoy being out in nature while observing and learning about plants. No reservations or fees required.

Jan. 8: Sanibel Gardens Preserve on Island Inn Road
Jan. 15: Shipley Trail and Native Landscapes & Garden Center
Jan. 22: Frannie's Preserve
Jan. 29: Lakes Park in Fort Myers

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Sunset Birding Cruises: Register for 2024 Dates!

Captiva Cruises and SCCF are partnering to offer educational sunset birding cruises. Three dates next year have already been announced, and you can register below. Proceeds help support SCCF’s shorebird program. These trips sell out quickly — book your tickets soon.

Saturday, Jan. 20: Register

Friday, Feb. 16: Register

Monday, March 4: Register