Connecting You to SCCF: RECON Ready for Peak Hurricane Season

Sept. 24, 2025

RECON Back Online for Peak Hurricane Season

During the current peak of hurricane season, our River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) collects data every hour, providing critical information to help model and forecast the rapid intensification of tropical systems.

Recent storms impacting Southwest Florida exhibited rapid intensification within 24-36 hours, including Hurricanes Ian (Sept. 26-28, 2022), Helene (Sept. 26-27, 2024), and Milton (Oct. 7-9, 2024).

RECON was severely compromised during Hurricane Ian, pictured above, and was originally scheduled to be fully back online by the end of 2025. Thanks to the diligence of our Marine Lab and grant funding, all sensors are now fully operational.

Scarlet Snake Documented for First Time on Sanibel

The sighting of a scarlet snake (Cemophora coccinea) by a visiting naturalist from Georgia is the most recent of post-Ian changes to wildlife we've documented. Learn why it's important and which venomous snake it mimics.

Examining Red Tide Impacts on Loggerhead Hatchlings

SCCF's sea turtle team has been examining the long-term impacts of red tide events on loggerhead health. We recently led a collaborative four-year study, and, with a team of experts across Florida, confirmed that (brevetoxins) are transferred from nesting loggerheads to their offspring. Now, we’re examining how these toxins could be impacting loggerhead hatchling fitness, health, and survival.

Sea Turtle Update: 26.5K+ Hatchlings

As of Sept. 23, our sea turtle biologists have documented 26,590 loggerhead hatchlings (Caretta caretta) and 424 green turtle hatchlings (Chelonia mydas) on Sanibel and Captiva. There have been 868 loggerhead nests and 21 green turtle nests laid on the islands.

Sea turtle nesting season lasts through Oct. 31! Keep our beaches clean, dark, and flat and report any issues with sea turtles or nests on Sanibel or Captiva to the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.

Snowy Plover 'White/Blue Back in His Winter Home

One of our fan-favorite snowy plovers (Anarhynchus nivosus), White/Blue, is back in his normal wintering region near Anclote Key Preserve State Park in Pinellas County. SCCF banded White/Blue in 2019, and he has returned to Sanibel every year since to breed. He has fledged 14 chicks in his lifetime, including two this year, making an important contribution to the population of this state-threatened species!

Bank of Islands Returns as Presenting Sponsor for Wines in the Wild!

We are thrilled to announce that Bank of the Islands will once again be the presenting sponsor of our annual Wines in the Wild event, which will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to join Bank of the Islands in supporting our beloved welcome back event at the following levels:

Gold Sponsor ($2,000 or more): Two tickets, sponsor thank you event, special food & wine gift
Silver Sponsor ($1,000): Two tickets, sponsor thank you event

To become a sponsor, please sign up here or contact SCCF Development Coordinator Brianna Frank at bfrank@sccf.org or Development Director Cheryl Giattini at 239-822-6121 to learn more.

Individual tickets will go on sale Oct. 22.

BECOME A SPONSOR

International Cleanup Volunteers Collect 900 pounds of Trash!

This past weekend marked the Ocean Conservancy’s 40th annual International Coastal Cleanup. SCCF’s Coastal Watch organized its own cleanup on Sanibel and Captiva during this global day of action. Thanks to our awesome 350 volunteers, more than 900 pounds of trash were collected!

Future of Conservation 20/20 Uncertain

Lee County did not include funding in its 2025-26 budget for Conservation 20/20, leaving the popular program with $19 million instead of the ordinance-required minimum of $40 million. This means less ability to acquire conservation land at a time when at least 86,000 homes are in the development pipeline.

Lee County Commissioners have promised a workshop to discuss the future of Conservation 20/20, and we’ll let you know when it’s scheduled. READ MORE

SCCF Joins Partners in Urging Fix to Senate Bill 180

On Sept. 18, SCCF joined 40 organizations, chapters, and partners calling on Florida legislators to repeal sections of Senate Bill 180, which is hindering local governments’ ability to manage development or plan for a resilient future.

READ THE LETTER

Preserving Paradise Explores Estuary & Legislative Advocacy

Last week, our Preserving Paradise participants went out on the water with students from Cypress Lake High School Water’s Academy to learn about water quality, oyster reefs, and the science and policy behind protecting our estuarine ecosystems.

Participants also visited the SCCF Marine Lab and dove into the world of legislative advocacy, with talks and panel discussions led by experts from SCCF, Captains for Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, and the SanCap Chamber.

LISTEN NOW

Podcast Answers Your Top 10 Questions on Caloosahatchee Estuary & Lake O Releases

Our latest podcast episode features the top 10 questions that Matt and Allie from our Environmental Policy team are asked about the Caloosahatchee estuary and how releases from Lake Okeechobee, as well as watershed runoff, impact its ecological health.

Sanibel Sea School Finalist in Community's Choice Awards!

Thanks to everyone who voted for Sanibel Sea School in the recent 2025 Fort Myers Community's Choice Awards. We earned regional recognition as one of the best After School & Summer Camp Programs!

SCCF Youth Education Director Shannon Rivard and her husband, Connor, attended the awards event in downtown Fort Myers earlier this month.

Meet the Natives:

American Beautyberry

The American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a quick-growing shrub and a member of the mint family! Its prolific pink-purple berries, which occur in late summer and fall, are an important food source for birds and other wildlife. Beautyberry is an adaptable and easy-to-maintain shrub that typically prefers full sun to part shade and moist to dry, well-draining soils. Purchase your own at our Native Landscapes & Garden Center.

WATCH REEL

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

It's Time to Nurture: Adopt-a-Mangrove this Friday!

Calling all Mangrove Mamas and Propagule Papas! Join us this Friday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Bailey Homestead to adopt your very own mangrove. This program encourages community members to “adopt” mangroves and nurture them in their homes. Read more about the success of this amazing community effort in a recent New York Times article. Any Southwest Florida resident or business is welcome to adopt!

Can’t make it this week? Save the following dates for our upcoming "adoption" days: Oct. 18, Nov. 7, and Dec.12.

Learn All About Volunteering with SCCF on Oct. 16!

Join us for SCCF’s Volunteer Open House on Oct. 16, where you’ll learn about a variety of ways to get involved with our mission of preserving and protecting our local coastal ecosystems.

At this event, you’ll meet staff and current volunteers, explore different volunteer opportunities — from hands-on habitat restoration to assisting biologists in the field — and find the role that’s the best fit for your skills and passions. Whether you have a few hours a month or a few days a week, there’s a place for you in the SCCF volunteer community.

Limited Space for Florida Master Naturalist Course

Deepen your appreciation for our natural world while learning about the habitats, flora, and fauna on our barrier islands and in our coastal communities during a 6-week Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems course led by SCCF this fall. Sessions will occur weekly on Thursdays from Oct. 30 to Dec. 11.

Space is limited to 20 students.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Students Enjoy First Community Camp of the Year!

Yesterday, Sanibel Sea School held its first Community Camp Day of the school year! 30 students spent their day off of school learning all about alligators and crocodiles. Mark your calendars for future dates: Oct 13, Jan 19, and March 13. Themes and registration dates are announced on social media.

LEARN MORE

Check out our Homeschool Programs!

Calling all homeschoolers! 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! Spots available for ages 6-10 and 13-17!

VIEW COURSES & REGISTER

NOW HIRING

Native Landscapes & Garden Center Intern

Equipment & Landscape Technician

Physical Plant Coordinator

LEARN MORE & APPLY