Least Tern Nesting Success on Causeway Islands! | | |
In their biggest nesting success on the Causeway Islands since the 1990s, state-threatened least terns (Sternula antillarum) laid at least 200 nests this year, which resulted in 150+ chicks. This wouldn’t have been possible without our shorebird staff, partners at Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and more than 30 dedicated shorebird steward volunteers.
A big thanks to Kate Sergeant and On Island for donating our volunteer shirts this year.
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SCCF Restores Massive Oyster Reef at Mouth of Caloosahatchee
A 3-acre oyster reef has taken shape in San Carlos Bay, thanks to a massive restoration project led by SCCF’s Marine Laboratory. The restored reef is three times larger than other large reefs that SCCF has worked on restoring since 2007!
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More than 15,000 Sea Turtle Hatchlings Have Emerged!
SCCF has documented 865 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests and 20 green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests on Sanibel and Captiva this season. A total of 15,202 loggerhead hatchlings and 147 green hatchlings have emerged — that’s almost 6,500 more loggerhead hatchlings than we reported just two weeks ago!
To report issues with sea turtles or nests on Sanibel or Captiva, please contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at
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SCCF Contributing to Smithsonian-Led Oyster Study
Our Marine Lab researchers are contributing to a large-scale, multi-site study in partnership with a network of federal agencies, NGOs, and universities to study oyster reefs along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) is directed by the Smithsonian’s Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network.
Today, we retrieved three oyster “bioboxes” that have been deployed since June at naturally occurring oyster reefs in Matlacha Pass and San Carlos Bay. Oyster size, associated biodiversity, and other measurements were taken for each site. The data will be compiled with other contributing partners to assess oyster reef health across the region.
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Learn How Coyotes Impact Sea Turtles on Podcast
Our Environmental Policy team talks with Coastal Wildlife Director Kelly Sloan and Sea Turtle Biologist Jack Brzoza about coyotes on the islands and their impact on sea turtles. They discuss the state of coyote populations, the impacts they have on coastal wildlife, and methods used to deter them from sea turtle nest depredation.
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Leaders Learn to Advocate for Improved Water Quality through 2nd Annual Preserving Paradise Program
Last week, SCCF kicked off the second annual Preserving Paradise program with our partners at Captains for Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. This year, 22 business and community leaders will learn how they can get involved in protecting Southwest Florida’s water quality for the future of our ecosystems, communities, and economies.
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Lechowicz Shares Storm Surge Impacts on Turtles at Global Symposium
SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz recently presented his research on how salinity has affected Sanibel’s turtle populations at the world’s largest gathering of non-marine turtle researchers.
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How Our 2025 Coastal Wildlife Team
Protects Sea Turtles & Shorebirds
Learn how this dedicated team of permanent staff and energetic seasonal staff, as well as about 100 passionate volunteers, is protecting sea turtles and shorebirds on Sanibel and Captiva during their respective nesting seasons.
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Sanibel Sea School Resumes After-School Program with Sanibel School
Sanibel Sea School is thrilled to resume our partnership with Sanibel School students ages K-5 with our after-school program! This program is designed to allow students to disconnect from screens and discover the wonders of the ocean. Every Monday and Wednesday throughout the school year, Marine Science Educators pick up students from school and head to the beach to immerse in our marine and coastal ecosystems.
Are you a Sanibel School parent? Learn more about our after school program.
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Meet the Natives:
Railroad Vine
Railroad vine (Ipomea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis) is hard to miss on the beaches of Florida during summer with its long, spreading vines and prevalent purple-pink blooms. This fast-growing groundcover is highly adapted to salt and drought, and is often one of the first plants to recolonize beach dunes following disturbances like hurricanes.
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WATCH REEL
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Going to Bat for Bats Raises Funds for Bat Monitoring!
SCCF staff and supporters had a blast at “Going to Bat for Bats” with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Saturday, Aug. 9. Tickets sold through a special link donated $5 back to SCCF’s bat monitoring and research, raising $575. The funds will be used to purchase new acoustic monitoring equipment to determine bat species' presence and range on the islands.
Watch SCCF Wildlife Biologist Mike Mills throw the first pitch!
SUPPORT OUR BAT PROGRAM
| | UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Join SCCF’s Coastal Watch in participating in the Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 20. Volunteers will collect trash from Sanibel and Captiva beaches as part of this global effort to contribute to cleaner, healthier waters.
Special thanks to our Presenting Corporate Sponsor Bank of the Islands for making this impactful cleanup possible!
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Registration Open for 'Homeschool at Sea'
Looking for interactive classes to add to your homeschool curriculum this year? Join Sanibel Sea School for an immersive program that brings marine science to life for homeschoolers!
The Homeschool at Sea program offers an experiential, hands-on approach to learning about Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. Homeschool sessions include a mix of classroom activities, field excursions, experiments, and art projects.
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Build a Bin with Mind Your Line on Sept. 4!
Join the Mind Your Line team at our first public bin assembly workshop on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 9-10:30 a.m. Monofilament fishing line is strong, thin, and non-biodegradable, meaning it can remain in the environment for hundreds of years if not properly disposed of. When left behind, it can entangle birds, turtles, fish, and other marine animals, often causing injury or death.
Recycling bins provide a designated, easy-to-access place for anglers to responsibly discard used line, which can then be recycled into new products like tackle boxes and park benches. These bins play a vital role in promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting our natural ecosystems. Help us assemble these important receptacles!
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Now Hiring: Physical Plant Coordinator & Landscape Technician
Work for SCCF! We're seeking to fill two open positions — a Physical Plant Coordinator and an Equipment & Landscape Technician.
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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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