Connecting You to SCCF: First Snowy Plover Nest of the Season!

April 3, 2024

'Super Dad' Protecting First

Snowy Plover Nest of the Season

SCCF's shorebird team continues to monitor the season's first snowy plover nest on Sanibel. Staff were pleased to find that island-regular snowy plover male White/Blue is the father of this nest! Our biologists and volunteers are currently checking on the nest one to two times a day and educating beachgoers about how they can avoid disturbing these state-threatened shorebirds. Click below to learn what makes this dad so awesome!

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Study Shows Need to Reduce Nutrient Runoff from Watershed

A new publication from SCCF’s Marine Laboratory on nutrient sources and water management shows that Lake O releases have a negative impact on downstream water quality, but that water runoff from the local watershed has an even greater negative effect.

Learn what strategies are needed to decrease the runoff.

Have You Seen a Peter's Rock Agama on the Islands?

SCCF is asking for your help in documenting the post-Ian spread of Peter’s rock agamas (Agama picticauda) into new areas on the islands. If you see this lizard on Sanibel or Captiva, please try to take a picture, note the location, and send it to clechowicz@sccf.org.

Learn how these agamas first arrived after Hurricane Charley.

Lake O Discharges on Hold; Likely to Resume April 13

A two-week rest period from Lake Okeechobee releases started last weekend. After the pause, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is likely to resume discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.

“SCCF is still concerned with the duration of the suggested release schedule because sustained high-volume discharges can have cascading effects for generations on the estuary,” said SCCF Policy & Advocacy Associate Allie Pecenka.

Kealy McNeal Named One of SWFL's Most Influential Sustainability Leaders!

SCCF's Coastal Watch Director Kealy McNeal was honored to be featured as a regional sustainability leader in the April issue of Gulfshore Life magazine. Read all about her work with Coastal Watch and the other featured sustainability leaders who use their resources and influence to ensure a better future for Southwest Florida.

Read the article here.

Thanks for Joining us at Beer in the Bushes!

Hundreds of guests joined SCCF Saturday for Beer in the Bushes — our end-of-season celebration featuring regional craft breweries and food trucks, live music from Railroad Earth, and more! It was wonderful to bring the community together after all our islands have been through. We had a blast being 'Back to the Bushes' with everyone!

Check out more photos here!

Shelly Cove Donates $3,000 to Sea Turtle Program

SCCF extends a huge thank you to clothing company Shelly Cove, which generously donated $3,000 to our sea turtle program! Shelly Cove donates 10% of its net profits to various sea turtle and ocean conservation organizations. We couldn’t be more grateful for this important gift as we approach the beginning of sea turtle nesting season!

Check out Shelly Cove sea turtle T-shirts and learn more!

Be Careful: Native Beauty Bites Back

Spotted water hemlock’s tall stalks and impressive floral display make it a favorite for home landscapes. But, did you realize that it has a sneaky secret?

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EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Exciting Announcement!

First Annual Earth Day BioBlitz

Get ready to explore, discover, and contribute to science like never before! Mark your calendars from April 21 to April 27 for a week-long celebration of nature and community!

Join forces with SCCF, Coastal Watch, and Sanibel Sea School in our inaugural Earth Day BioBlitz! It's a citizen science extravaganza you won't want to miss!

April 8: Affordable, Efficient, and Sustainable Building Practices

SCCF CEO James Evans will speak at a community event hosted by SanCap Resilience at 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, April 8 as part of the Emerging from Hurricane Ian Stronger and More Resilient series.

The discussion at the Sanibel Community House (and live streamed via Zoom) will explore resilient building practices for barrier islands, drawing upon examples from Evans and SCCF, Community Housing and Resources Executive Director Nicole McHale, and Jennifer Languell, Ph.D., an expert in sustainable development and the president and founder of Trifecta Construction Solutions.

April 10: Return Your Mangrove Seedlings to Bailey Homestead

The time has come to bring your mangrove babies back! We're excited to invite you to our upcoming drop-off event on April 10 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Bailey Homestead.

Mark your calendars and join us in returning your seedlings so they can continue their journey in our local restoration efforts. If you're unable to make it to the scheduled event, don't worry! You can drop off your mangroves at any time at SCCF Headquarters.

***If you are a full-time resident, feel free to wait until our next Adoption Day in the fall to exchange your babies. Just email us and let us know!

Sanibel Sea School Programs & Day Courses in April

Registration is open NOW for April day courses and after-school programs. Our day courses will take a break in May so be sure to sign up for our April courses! Visit the links below to view April’s schedules and register!

DAY COURSES

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

April 11: San-Cap Audubon & SCCF Joint Bird Walk!

SCCF and the Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society invite you to an upcoming bird-viewing field trip on April 11 at the Lee County 20/20 Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve (East).

This preserve has some great forested trails with boardwalks. Plenty of wading birds and raptors have recently been seen.

Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer Program Training

Lee County residents passionate about gardening and volunteering can cultivate their skills and give back to the community through the 2024 Master Gardener Volunteer Program Training Course that runs from Aug. 20 through Nov. 20. Certified Master Garden Volunteers dedicate their time to various organizations within Lee County, including SCCF.

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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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