Helene's Storm Surge Causes Flooding Across Islands | |
City of Sanibel officials explained how flooding across the island was caused by an approximate 5-foot storm surge at yesterday's City Council meeting. SCCF CEO James Evans spoke during public comment, supporting the officials' comments about the immense value of interior wetlands in mitigating the impacts of increasingly frequent and intense storms and sea level rise. | | |
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Recovering Freshwater Habitats Back to Saltwater
While Helene's storm surge and saltwater inundation wasn't island-wide as with Ian, it has impacted freshwater habitats that were well on their way to recovery. Gulf Ridge Preserve, pictured here, has salinity levels close to Gulf waters at this time.
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Storm Surge on Captiva Leaves Main Road Impassable
Captiva also had impacts from Hurricane Helene's storm surge, with some flooding of ground-level homes and businesses, as well as sand pushed onto Captiva Drive. This photo from the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) shows sand removal on Captiva Drive — the island's only evacuation route — in the area from Tween Waters to the curve at Jensen's on the Gulf.
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Where Do Birds Go During Hurricanes?
Florida is known for its abundance and diversity of birds — and also for its vulnerability to hurricanes. So, when there’s a looming threat of a major storm, where do all the birds go? The SCCF shorebird team explains.
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Bald Eagle Nesting Season Now Underway
SCCF works with volunteers to monitor nesting bald eagles on Sanibel, Captiva, and surrounding areas from Oct. 1 to May 15 in partnership with Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program. Last year, the eagles we monitor fledged 13 chicks! We are hoping for another successful nesting season.
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It's Not Too Late to Join as a Sponsor!
A signature SCCF event, Wines in the Wild presented by Bank of the Islands, will be held 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8.
Enjoy specially selected wines and food pairings under the night skies at our traditional welcome back celebration. Sponsorships are still available for this event — please contact Cheryl Giattini at cgiattini@sccf.org or 239-822-6121.
A limited amount of general admission tickets will go on sale beginning 10 a.m. on Oct. 10.
LEARN MORE & BECOME A SPONSOR
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Sea Turtle Update:
846 Nests; 16.2K Loggerhead Hatchlings Have Emerged
In 2024, SCCF has documented 842 loggerhead nests, 3 green sea turtle nests, and 1 loggerhead nest on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. As of yesterday (Oct. 1), 16,246 hatchlings had emerged.
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Sea turtle nesting season lasts through the month of October. Call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 to report stranded hatchlings or issues related to nests, lighting, beach furniture, or holes on the beach. | |
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Biologists Present at South Florida Herpeton Conference
Staff members from our Coastal Wildlife and Wildlife & Habitat Management departments presented at the 2024 Herpeton Conference, which brought together South Florida researchers and advocates for amphibian and reptile conservation. SCCF helped sponsor the conference, which took place at Florida SouthWestern State College.
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Adopt-a-Mangrove 2024-2025
Join Us for Upcoming Adoption Days!
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Cuthbertsons Choose SCCF as Recipient of Bank of the Islands' $2K Gift
SCCF is grateful for the generosity and support of Bill and Kim Cuthbertson, who chose to donate $2,000 to SCCF from Bank of the Islands’ We Love Our Islands program. Each week, a car bearing the We Love Our Islands bumper sticker is selected at random, and the driver gets to select which charitable organization the bank’s donation goes to that week.
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Meet the Natives:
Coontie
Meet coontie (Zamia integrifolia), an increasingly popular evergreen shrub that evolved before bees. It can thrive in full sun or shade but is highly intolerant of prolonged moisture. Despite this plant being toxic to humans and pets, Native Americans discovered a way to make flour from the starchy tubers.
Purchase coontie at SCCF’s Native Landscapes & Garden Center, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
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Homeschool at Sea: Now through November at Sanibel Sea School!
Dive into marine science with Homeschool at Sea! Last week, students explored Marine Food Webs, learning how energy flows in an ecosystem from tiny plankton to ocean giants. After a classroom session with Marine Science Educator Jordyn Sateren, students hit the beach, using seine nets to catch sea creatures and collect natural treasures. The day wrapped up with some creative fun as students turned their finds into unique fish art.
Homeschool at Sea runs now through November — don’t miss out!
REGISTER NOW
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Squid Science at The Sanibel School
Stinky, squishy, and oh-so-inky! Sanibel Sea School Marine Science Educator Izzy Lutz led a squid dissection for students at The Sanibel School last week, and it was full of slimy surprises! From exploring squids' arms and tentacles to learning what makes them one of the fastest invertebrates, students dove into hands-on learning and loved every messy moment.
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We have multiple exciting positions open at SCCF! Join our team and spend your days immersed in our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.
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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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