Loggerhead Nests Reaching Record Level |
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Nearly 900 nests on Sanibel & Captiva so far this season
This nesting season has started slower than 2020—a record-breaking season—but current nest numbers are steadily climbing towards that record. SCCF’s current loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle nest count for Sanibel and Captiva is 896, while last year’s was 917. READ MORE
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Nest Relocation Research Funded by CEPD
With a Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) renourishment project expected to begin Aug. 18, SCCF’s sea turtle team has moved 127 nests and is conducting a research study on hatching success.
The island-wide sand placement project includes a CEPD contract with SCCF to move nests to avoid negative impacts. READ MORE
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'Cookies and Cream' Sighted Again on Captiva
This nesting season provided SCCF sea turtle monitors with a unique opportunity to survey Captiva at night while relocating nests from Captiva to Sanibel for the CEPD beach renourishment project. A side perk of this project was that SCCF monitors were able identify previously tagged turtles that would not have otherwise been seen. “Cookies and Cream,” first tagged in 2017, was located on Captiva for her 11th sighting. READ MORE
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Shorebird Monitoring Begins for Captiva Beach Project
SCCF’s Coastal Wildlife department is conducting shorebird surveys for the upcoming Captiva Erosion Prevention District beach renourishment project. Because it is still nesting season, daily surveys of the work area must be conducted to confirm there are no nesting birds. READ MORE
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SCCF Welcomes New Coastal Resilience Manager
SCCF has hired Carrie Schuman, Ph.D., for the newly created position of coastal resilience manager thanks to a two-year grant agreement with the Captiva Erosion Prevention District. Schuman will perform sea level research, coordinate adaption and resiliency strategies for the bayside of Captiva and the region, and lead efforts toward long-term climate solutions, public education, and outreach when she arrives on Aug. 16. READ MORE
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New SCCF Webpage Features Aerial View of Water Quality
Water quality in Southwest Florida is greatly influenced by freshwater delivered to the Gulf of Mexico from the Caloosahatchee. Today, SCCF launched a new Aerial Water Quality Webpage to visually track water quality conditions around Sanibel Island. READ MORE
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SCCF Marine Lab Hosts UF Researchers for Algae Study |
Patrick Saldana, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Florida (UF), is studying macroalgae decomposition and the effects on dissolved oxygen and nitrogen cycling in shallow environments with a focus on Matlacha Pass in partnership with SCCF’s Marine Laboratory. Macroalgae, commonly referred to as seaweeds, are a natural and common component of seagrass ecosystems, but recent algal blooms have smothered seagrass beds in Charlotte Harbor. READ MORE
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Habitat Projects Move Upland for Rainy Season
Habitat management and restoration of SCCF lands is a year-long effort that must be timed with the wet season, controlled-burn schedules, and the nesting behavior of various wildlife species. Many techniques are utilized to complete these goals. During the wet season, most of these efforts shift to the higher ground where SCCF crews still have access. READ MORE
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Meet the Tech: Megan Reed
Megan Reed, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2019 from Wright State University in Ohio, is enjoying her second sea turtle season stint at SCCF. When it’s completed in early November, she plans to pursue her graduate degree in sea turtle conservation.
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Meet the Natives:
Rosinweed
Fair warning: Simply looking at the native wildflower Starry rosinweed (Silphium astericus) is likely to put you in a good mood. This is a tall wildflower (averaging around three feet), which means you don't have to bend over very far to observe its bright, sunny flowers. It’s also a useful feature because this plant is visited by a number of different pollinator species, including leafcutting bees (Megachile sp.).
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Fight Ocean Trash on Global Coastal Cleanup Day!
Please sign up for a section of beach on Sanibel or Captiva for Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 18. Every year, SCCF keeps track of the amount and kind of garbage collected as part of Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, using the CleanSwell app (preferred) or provided data sheets.. |
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Sanibel Sea School Offers After School Camp
Sanibel Sea School will offer a variety of after-school programs this fall semester. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm and include popular topics such as surfing, seining, and ocean art. These sessions are $20 per student and students can register for one session or sign up for the entire series.
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Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried Tours Estuary with SCCF
On Aug. 2, SCCF took Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried out on its RV Norma Campbell to learn more about the water issues in our area and the River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON). WATCH NOW. |
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Wildlife Photos to Share
Thanks to Melissa Halliburton for sending in this photo of cow nose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) at Silver Key on Sanibel.
DO YOU HAVE WILDLIFE PHOTOS TO SHARE?
Please send your photos to info@sccf.org to be featured in an upcoming issue.
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