Big Win for Everglades Restoration & Water Quality! | | |
Federal Court Upholds Army Corps'
Efforts Against Sugar Industry Challenge
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Yesterday, environmental and civic groups, state and local governments, and advocates for Everglades restoration celebrated a major legal victory in federal court. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, affirming its approval of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area Project.
This decision rejects the sugar industry’s attempt to delay or undermine the progress of Everglades restoration.
“This is a huge win for America’s Everglades and our coastal estuaries that are dependent on the EAA reservoir to provide restorative flows to the River of Grass and meaningful relief from damaging flows from Lake Okeechobee,” said SCCF James Evans at a partner press conference today.
In 2021, SCCF partnered with 11 other organizations by signing an amicus brief filed by the Everglades Law Center in support of the Corps. Partners included Captains for Clean Water, The Everglades Foundation, Florida Bay Forever, Islamorada, Village of Islands, the City of Lake Worth Beach, City of Sanibel, City of Stuart, San Cap Chamber, Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
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Annual Everglades Update Turns to Trivia Next Week
Join us for a casual, free evening to test your knowledge or learn more about America’s Everglades! Our Everglades Trivia Night from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, is a fun way to stay informed and to connect with others who are concerned about Everglades restoration and improved water quality. Beer, wine, and light snacks will be provided!
REGISTER HERE
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Beer in the Bushes Tickets are Going Fast!
Beer in the Bushes tickets are on sale NOW! Join us Saturday, April 19, for our biggest SCCF party of the year.
As a nod to our band this year, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, "cosmos" is the attire theme! Come sporting your best sparkly, starry, shiny, or outer space-inspired clothing and accessories.
Sponsorships, which include tickets, are also still available.
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RECON Weather Stations Back Online Post Ian
All of the SCCF Marine Lab’s River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) weather stations dismantled by Hurricane Ian are now back online.
“The data these stations collect is really important, not only to provide mariners with the most up-to-date information, but also to monitor approaching storm events," said Research Assistant Rachel Wynn.
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Please Keep Eyes Open for Kildeer Nests & Report Them
Although technically a shorebird species, killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) are often found nesting in close proximity to humans in driveways, parking lots, and golf courses — especially since last year’s hurricanes likely impacted some of their usual nesting sites. SCCF’s shorebird team has sighted an uptick in killdeer nests around Sanibel and Captiva and urges you to stay on the lookout for these easy-to-miss nests and eggs! Please contact shorebirds@sccf.org if you see or hear killdeer in the area.
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Army Corps Commander Col. Bowman Tours Estuary
Today, SCCF staff, Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller, and other city and state water quality stakeholders joined U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander Col. Brandon Bowman and his staff on SCCF’s R/V Norma Campbell. The group discussed the needs and pressures facing our islands and explored the ecosystems of our estuary while highlighting the efforts we’re taking to protect and restore them.
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Incredible Journey of Sea Turtles that Nest on Islands
In just about a month, hundreds of nesting sea turtles will begin returning to Sanibel and Captiva’s shores to lay their eggs throughout sea turtle nesting season, which in Florida runs from May through October. Learn about the amazing migration and breeding cycles female sea turtles undergo before they lay their nests.
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Surprising Snake Discovery at Puschel Preserve!
Found in a mulch pile during a planting at our newly opening Puschel Preserve, it's the first sighting of this species since 1977.
Is it a venomous eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) or a harmless scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)?
FIND OUT
| | Thanks again to everyone who celebrated and advanced our efforts to preserve our sanctuary islands at The Cause for Conservation event on March 8. Check out this video that captures the spirit of the evening as well as the debut of the SCCF Family Band! Our sincere appreciation goes out to Sanibel Captiva Trust Company as presenting sponsor and all the sponsors and paddle raisers who made The Cause such a great event once again this year. | | | | |
Community Conversation:
History & Future of SCCF
At 10 a.m. on April 9, as part of the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company's 50th Anniversary Community Conversations, SCCF CEO James Evans will discuss the nonprofit's incorporation in 1967, its leadership in developing the Sanibel Report, and the expansion of the nonprofit's scope over the past five decades. He'll also discuss current strategic initiatives and the nonprofit's future. The FREE event will be held on the back patio at the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.
REGISTER NOW
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Marine Lab Shares Oyster Research at Shell Show
Scientists from the SCCF Marine Lab presented an educational exhibit highlighting oyster reef research supported by grants from the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club at the club’s annual Sanibel Shell Show earlier this month.
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Bill Spotlight: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
Check out SCCF’s deep dive into ‘Regulation of Auxiliary Containers’ (SB 1822/HB 565), a bill currently moving through the Florida legislature that preempts local governments from regulating re-usable or single-use plastics packaging. SCCF opposes this bill and will work with the bill sponsors to address plastic pollution, which has a direct impact on our communities, coastal wildlife, and their habitats.
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ICYMI: Podcast Features Legislative Session & Everglades Action Day
In a new episode of our podcast, SCCF’s policy team talks about Florida’s ongoing legislative session and why you should join them for Everglades Action Day, April 7-8, in Tallahassee.
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Celebrate & Learn About Sea Turtles & Shorebirds!
Join us for our first-ever Nest Fest — a celebration of our islands’ annual sea turtle and shorebird nesting season. You’re invited to join the festivities on April 14 from 5 - 7 p.m. — the evening before our sunrise sea turtle nest monitoring begins. The FREE event at the Sanibel Community House will include kids’ activities, a presentation on all SCCF and our dedicated volunteers do to protect our beloved coastal wildlife, as well as opportunities to support. Please RSVP by April 4.
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Final Marsh Madness Planting on April 4; Thanks for Votes!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Marsh Madness bracket. Thanks to you, we were able to raise over $1,500 towards marsh restoration efforts.
Join us for our last Marsh madness planting at the West Sanibel River Preserve on April 4!
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
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Volunteers Needed for Shoreline Restoration!
For one of the final stages of our shoreline restoration project along Woodring Road — which included the installation of a living shoreline in 2022 — the City of Sanibel and SCCF Coastal Watch are looking for volunteers on March 31 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to help fill the concrete structures with sand and plant mangroves.
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Meet the Natives: Lignum Vitae
Meet the lignum vitae (Guiacum sanctum), a slow-growing, salt-tolerant shrub or tree that’s native to the southern tip of Florida, the Caribbean, and northern South America. In Florida, it’s listed as a state-endangered species.
Find it and all your native plant needs at our Native Landscapes & Garden Center at 1300 Periwinkle Way.
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| | Plan a Private Program with Sanibel Sea School! | | | | |
Experience the ocean’s magic with your family by planning a private program with the Sanibel Sea School! Land-based private programs at Sanibel Sea School can be fully customized to suit your group’s ages, interests, and desired level of activity. One of our marine science educators will lead you into Sanibel’s unique ecosystems for a field-based ocean experience.
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Spring Break in Action at Sanibel Sea School!
Spring break is in full swing and we couldn’t be happier to share ocean love with locals and visitors this season! One of our day course classes this week found their ‘pod’ while learning all about dolphins. Kids got the chance to surf and play while learning about these marine mammals!
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| | Keep up with ongoing SCCF news by following us on social media or by visiting our Latest News webpage anytime. | | |
SCCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded
in 1967 on Sanibel Island, Florida
EIN 59-1205087
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