SCCF's Sanibel Sea School is excited to announce the launch of our SEA (Science Experiments & Activities) Lab—a mobile lab that teaches the joys of marine science on-the-go! The goal of this new program is to expose students to marine science and technology, independent of their location. This mobile lab is equipped with microscopes, a smart TV, touch tank, and a variety of lab equipment for fun, hands-on experiments for all ages. SEA Lab will help facilitate education in two ways—outdoor education in the field and on-the-go, hands-on education at schools, libraries, and community centers—and there’s no limit to where it can go. This summer, SEA Lab will be visiting eight libraries in Lee and Collier counties. READ MORE

To assess the effects of fireworks displays on Sanibel’s beach-nesting shorebirds and wading birds, SCCF monitored two snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus) nests and a wading bird roost site on the evenings of July 3 to July 5. The snowy plover nests were monitored outside the posted protection zone with night-vision goggles. Monitors were also in place at South Seas Island Resort to watch over current sea turtle nests and ensure no nesting females were disoriented by fireworks on Captiva. No impacts to nesting or hatchling sea turtles were documented. READ MORE

SCCF was proud to represent its mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems in the 30th Annual Sanibel & Captiva Islands Independence Day Parade. Throwing candy and koozies with the SCCF logo and the slogan, “Keeping Conservation Cool since 1967,” about a dozen staff members and families enjoyed cheers from the crowd as an SCCF truck and boat joined about 41 other floats in the popular parade. READ MORE

Jordan Water Quality Treatment Park, aka Jordan Marsh, has been operating as a nutrient removal system since January 2019. The City of Sanibel partnered with SCCF to construct this marsh partially on SCCF preserve land to serve as a best management practice for removing nutrients from the Sanibel Slough. Recently, more than 900 water lilies were installed at a high density in two locations within the marsh. Within two hours, the marsh changed, and we hope future water quality monitoring will show better nutrient removal due to the addition of these plants.

Landscaping for wildlife means choosing plants that attract butterflies and birds into my yard. Flowers that the butterflies will use for nectar and host plants for their eggs and caterpillars. Trees with berries that will fill birds’ bellies and thick branches that protect the eggs and hatchlings. Low-growing shrubs, grasses, and vines with fruits that the tortoises and raccoons will eat. It means that at any given time I can look out a window and see wildlife passing by. It also means choosing plants that grow well in the soil where they are planted—that will thrive without the need for fertilizers or additional water. It means growing plants without the use of pesticides that could harm the insects that feed off the flowers and leaves or that could harm the wildlife that eats the berries. READ MORE

The No Child Left on Shore Environmental Education Outreach Project invited 24 teens participating in the Quality Life Center of SWFL summer program out on the water for a day of hands-on learning. No Child Left on Shore—a partnership between SCCF and Captiva Cruises—fills the vital need of providing local youth with an informative and fun way to gain experiential knowledge of the ecology of the region’s marine environment. The enriching initiative enables local youth to form a deeper connection to their coastal surroundings and to spark their curiosity.

Tiffani Kaliko and John Silvia recently hosted a Craft Cocktail Party at the Bailey Homestead Preserve Pavilion based on their successful bid of an auction item at SCCF’s 2021 Wines in the Wild fundraiser. The drinks were specially created using native ingredients by SCCF staffers Jenny Evans and Jeff Siwicke. They included an Elderflower Spritzer, Tequila Sunburn Margarita featuring Bailey Homestead limoncello and bird pepper-infused tequila, Sanibel Sea Grape Special with a native sea grape syrup, and a Cedar Shingle based on the native Red Cedar. Pictured here (L to R) are Wines in the Wild co-founder Linda Uhler, Sam Ankerson, Jeff and Stephanie Muddell, Doug and Jenni Billing, Wines in the Wild co-founder Tom Uhler, Emily Ankerson, Laura and Shawn Shaffer, Tiffani Kaliko, and John Silvia.

SCCF's Environmental Policy team and our Marine Lab keep a close eye on many aspects of water quality. Every Friday, they send an email with the latest data, photos, and graphics to keep you updated. For instance, last week's tracker showed numerous sites in Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee with toxic blue-green algae blooms. And, it cited some red tide counts offshore in Lee County at background levels. Click here to view last week's tracker. Click here to receive it on a regular basis.

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