Connecting You to SCCF: First Loggerhead Hatchlings 🐢

July 2, 2025

Over 600 Sea Turtle Nests & First Hatchlings Emerge

The first loggerhead hatchlings on Sanibel and Captiva this year emerged on June 26! We've documented 604 loggerhead nests and 10 green turtle nests on the islands so far. Our team is also busy deploying satellite tags on nesting loggerheads. Call our Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 to report issues with nests, nesting turtles, or hatchlings.

VIEW OUR TRACKING PORTAL

CEPD Funds SCCF Staff to Assist Sea Turtle Nest Relocation

The SCCF sea turtle team has relocated 40 sea turtle nests ahead of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s (CEPD) beach renourishment project, which begins on the south end of Captiva Island in August. The CEPD has funded five SCCF staff and provided housing to assist with this massive nest relocation effort.

Coastal Watch Featured in The New York Times

SCCF Coastal Watch’s Adopt-A-Mangrove program was recently featured in The New York Times. The article is a part of the Times’ "50 States, 50 Fixes" series.

READ THE ARTICLE

PROTECT OUR ECOSYSTEMS THIS FOURTH OF JULY

Seeking Shorebird Stewards

Help our Coastal Wildlife team safeguard nesting least terns and black skimmers on the Sanibel Causeway by volunteering as a shorebird steward over the busy holiday weekend.

VOLUNTEER AS A SHOREBIRD STEWARD

Have a Flock-Friendly Fourth!

Loud noise and lights on the beachside from fireworks can cause nesting birds to panic, flying away from their nests and chicks. Check out the below tips to share the shore this Independence Day.

WAYS TO SHARE THE SHORE

After the Fouth: Causeway Cleanup

Join SCCF’s Coastal Watch for a community beach cleanup from 8-10 a.m. on July 8 on the Sanibel Causeway Islands. This family-friendly volunteer event will remove debris left behind after the Independence Day weekend.

Have You Seen A Cottontail on Sanibel?

As our Wildlife & Habitat Management team continues to assess changes to island fauna, they're now asking for your help with eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) sightings — a species once believed to not exist on the island. Photo by Audrey Albrecht.

SUBMIT SIGHTINGS

First Post-Ian Zebra Longwing Sighting at SCCF Garden Center

This week, our staff spotted a zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charithonia) at our Native Landscapes & Garden Center — the first sighting of the species at this location since Hurricane Ian in 2022. The butterfly was observed getting nectar from the flowers of a Bahama strongbark tree (Bourreria succulenta).

SCCF Joined 13 Orgs in Letter Against 'Alligator Alcatraz'

Last week, SCCF joined 1000 Friends of Florida, Audubon Western Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Earthjustice, Everglades Law Center, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Everglades, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Tropical Audubon Society, and VoteWater by sending a letter to Gov. DeSantis opposing the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility now located in a remote area of the Everglades. READ THE LETTER.

Deep Sea Mining: What Are the Environmental Impacts?

The SCCF environmental policy team is back on this week's podcast episode to discuss recent federal actions to advance deep sea mining projects that seek to collect rare Earth metals from the sea floor.

LISTEN NOW

Climate Change's Role in Extreme Heat Days

As Southwest Florida residents and visitors know, hot days are par for the course during summer. Some days, though, push the threshold of expected summer temperatures and can be classified as “extreme heat days.”

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Going to Bat for Bats: Mighty Mussels Game to Support SCCF

Join us at the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels game on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m.! $5 of every ticket sold will directly benefit SCCF’s bat conservation and research. Can’t make it? Consider making a gift to SCCF’s bat program instead.

BUY TICKETS

International Coastal Cleanup: Group Signups Open Now!

Join SCCF’s Coastal Watch in participating in the Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 20l. Volunteers will collect trash from Sanibel and Captiva beaches as part of this global effort to contribute to cleaner, healthier waters. Groups larger than five can sign up through July 31. Individual registration will begin Aug. 1.

Counselors in Training Needed!

Is your teen looking for volunteer hours where they can get outside, have fun, and learn? We are looking for teens ages 13 - 17 to participate in Sanibel Sea School's summer camps! There are spots available for next week, July 14 - 18, and July 28 - Aug. 1.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Meet the Intern: Nile McBride

Thanks to funding from the Sanibel FlyFishers, the SCCF Marine Lab's new intern Nile McBride is gaining hands-on experience this summer to realize his dream of protecting the waters he grew up fishing, exploring, and snorkeling.

Doc Ford's Donates $7.5K to Sanibel Sea School

Doc Ford’s recently donated $7,500 to SCCF's Sanibel Sea School through funds raised from the restaurant’s National Yucatan Shrimp Day 7K race on Sanibel. The donation will help support Sanibel Sea School’s “A Week in the Field” teen camp!

Bank of the Islands Donates to SCCF's Summer Programs

Bank of the Islands recently made its latest nonprofit donation through its “We Love Our Islands” program. Longtime islander and Bank of the Islands customer Karen Storjohann was the lucky winner and selected SCCF to receive the Bank’s $3,200 donation.

Keep up with ongoing SCCF news by following us on social media or by visiting our Latest News webpage at any time.

SCCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded

in 1967 on Sanibel Island, Florida

EIN 59-1205087

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