Business Leaders Delve into Advocacy & Economics

Our Preserving Paradise program — a collaborative initiative to empower business leaders to be water quality stewards — convened again on Aug. 20 to deepen participants’ understanding of water quality advocacy and economics. In the second session of the innovative program co-created by SCCF, Captains for Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, the leaders:

• Examined Southwest Florida’s 2018 red tide crisis and its far-reaching impacts on our communities and businesses
• Discussed the ROI on Everglades restoration and healthy coastal ecosystems
• Explored advocacy challenges and successes, including the 2022 veto of Senate Bill 2508
• Made personal connections during a dinner cruise aboard the Sanibel Harbour Princess

NOAA Satellite Scientists Explore Collaboration

Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association visited the Marine Lab in July to explore potential collaborations with SCCF to improve observations of harmful algal blooms, freshwater discharges, and post-hurricane disturbances through satellite imagery. 

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Nearly 14K Loggerhead Hatchlings; 835 Nests

This season, loggerheads have laid 835 nests on Sanibel and Captiva, and 13,940 loggerhead hatchlings have emerged. Despite nest losses from Tropical Storm Debby, several nests still survived through the storm and produced hatchlings. Season totals to date also include 1 leatherback nest, 40 leatherback hatchlings, and 3 green turtle nests.

Sea turtle nesting season lasts through Oct. 31. Please call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663 to report stranded turtles or issues related to nests, lighting, beach furniture, or holes on the beach.

Exciting Sanderling Sighting!

Our shorebird team recently re-sighted a sanderling that was originally banded in Ica, Peru! This is the second time the bird, known as 4MC, has been sighted on Sanibel since 2022. 

Every year, sanderlings make migratory journeys anywhere from 1,800 to 6,000+ miles between arctic Canada and South America, though some sanderlings stay on Sanibel all winter long! 

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SCCF Takes Part in First-Ever Bat Bioblitz in Florida

SCCF recently took part in Florida's first bat bioblitz in the Orange Hammock Wildlife Management Area, where four species that have also been identified on Sanibel were collected for observations, including the Brazilian free-tailed bat pictured here.

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Individual Sign-Ups Now Open for International Coastal Cleanup

Don't miss your chance to join us for International Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 21! In partnership with Keep Lee County Beautiful, we're committed to keeping our beaches clean and protecting marine life. Following the 8-11 a.m. cleanup, lunch will be graciously provided by Bank of the Islands and Doc Ford's.

Individual sign-ups are OPEN! Register on Point for specific beach sections. Thank you for being a part of this global initiative, and we can't wait to see you on the beach!

Questions? Reach out to coastalwatch@sccf.org.

After-School Adventures Back at Sanibel Sea School!

School’s back in session, and so are our after-school programs! Dive into after-school fun with Sanibel Sea School! Whether you’re paddling, netting ocean critters, or creating beachy art, there’s no better way to unwind after a day in the classroom. Join us Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for rotating activities that keep the fun fresh from September through May.

Visitors welcome!

View our calendar & sign up today 

Thanks for Mangrove Magic at the Gretchen C. Valade Preserve

Shoutout to the amazing high school students from the Greenshore Initiative who planted hundreds of mangrove propagules on Aug. 9!

Thanks to their hard work, we’re one step closer to restoring the Gretchen C. Valade Preserve to its full potential. The future of our coastline is looking greener already.