Heavy Rains as Sea Turtle Nest Count Hits 372 | |
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SCCF has documented 371 loggerhead nests and 1 leatherback nest on Sanibel and Captiva since April 24. Heavy rains and flooding this week due to the wet season's first tropical system don't necessarily mean trouble for the nests — sea turtle eggs are permeable, so a little extra water shouldn’t be an issue and may have a beneficial cooling effect.
The biggest threats to incubating eggs from storms include prolonged inundation or beach erosion and accretion, which can wash out nests or change nest conditions. Luckily, sea turtles lay multiple nests per season at different times so that even if one nest washes away, there’s a high likelihood that others produce hatchlings.
It won’t be long before we see our first hatchlings! Help us protect nesting females and hatchlings by turning off beach-front lights after dark, filling in holes, flattening sandcastles, and removing beach furniture and trash.
To report a suspected new nest or issues with nests/turtles, beach lighting, or beach furniture, please call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.
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Will Beach Renourishment Affect Hatchling Success?
Following the renourishment of Sanibel’s beaches with sand trucked in from a sand mine in Moore Haven, many beachgoers have questioned whether or not sea turtle nesting will be affected.
As part of an ongoing study, the SCCF sea turtle team will analyze how the sand’s characteristics relate to hatchling emergence success.
Learn what the study has already shown.
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What will Wilson's Plover's New Name Be?
Meet the soon-to-be-renamed Wilson’s plover, a unique plover species that’s declining throughout its range. SCCF helps monitor and protect nesting Wilson’s plovers in Southwest Florida and supports Audubon Florida’s petition to designate this species as state-designated threatened.
Learn why it will be getting a new name.
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First Frog Survey Music to Biologists' Ears
Sanibel erupted with the sounds of calling frogs, as puddles and other temporary wetlands filled with water after a heavy downpour on June 3. SCCF's wildlife team documented the calls of eight species as they visited monitoring stations throughout Sanibel.
Find out which species they didn't hear.
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New Study Highlights Need for Integrated Nutrient Monitoring Across Gulf
SCCF’s River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) played a key role in a pilot study for the development of a nutrient monitoring program across Gulf of Mexico estuaries.
The results of the study are featured in Environmental Technology & Innovation's most recent issue.
“The study demonstrated that collecting nutrient data more frequently can provide necessary data on nutrient sources and potential triggers for algal blooms,” said SCCF Marine Lab Director Eric Milbrandt, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
Learn how the study was done.
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Chiquita Lock One Step Closer to Removal Despite Environmental Concerns
Cape Coral can have the permit to remove the Chiquita Lock, an administrative law judge decided Monday. SCCF has remained opposed to removing the lock, which was engineered to send the city’s canal water through mangrove wetlands for natural filtration before flowing into the Caloosahatchee. The decision can still be appealed.
Learn about the June 10 ruling.
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Gov. Signs State Budget
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed Florida's $116.5 billion state budget. The governor vetoed around $900 million in proposed spending, the details of which have not yet been released. For SCCF's forthcoming analysis of the budget, please sign up for our Action Alerts.
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New Water Treatment Tech Installed Near Lake O
Last week, SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka attended an open house for a new project that is intended to reduce total phosphorus loads from the Lake Okeechobee watershed. The technology removes phosphorus from water using galvanic cells.
Learn how many tons of phosphorus will be removed per year.
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Continued Progress at Puschel Preserve! | |
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Nestled along Periwinkle Way, SCCF’s Puschel Preserve has undergone a remarkable transformation since it served as a massive debris staging site following Hurricane Ian. A solar-powered charging station and new pavers have been installed — both signs of progress towards Jan. 16, 2025, when the preserve will open to the public.
Puschel Preserve Plantings Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities in July and August. Exciting times are ahead as we continue to nurture and develop this beautiful space.
Keep an eye out for more details as we work towards these final plans!
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Preschoolers Proud to Hand Over Mangrove Babies! | |
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SCCF's Coastal Watch picked up mangrove babies from the Children's Education Center of the Islands earlier this month and WOW, the students did an amazing job!
Our youngest Adopt-a-Mangrove participants nurtured these little seedlings with so much love and care. Here’s to fostering environmental responsibility and growing the next generation of eco-heroes!
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Sanibel Sea School Summer Camps Off to a Great Start | | |
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Sanibel Sea School summer camps kicked off last week!
Week one campers dove into the theme 'You've Gotta Be Squid-ding Me' and explored the fascinating world of squids through hands-on dissections, creative projects, and fun games about squid anatomy, behavior, and adaptations.
“It’s been a fantastic start to summer camp, with our dedicated staff and passionate campers bringing the beach to life,” said Youth Education Director Shannon Rivard. “Hearing their enthusiasm and seeing their smiles makes every day special.”
See lots of pics and read more!
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Meet the Natives:
Sea Oxeye Daisy
Sea oxeye daisy (Borrichia frutescens), also known as sea marigold, is a hearty, shrub-like wildflower that can survive in a wide range of conditions. Whether you have dry conditions, a seasonally wet space, or get salt-water intrusion, this plant has proven to be a go-to in homeowner’s yards. Naturally occurring in mangrove or coastal habitats, it’s also a great plant to include in the landscape in a pollinator garden, a swale, or on a bank to help with erosion. Sea oxeye daisy spreads by its root system, sending up new shoots as it grows, so you’ll want to make sure you have ample space for this plant. It gets 2-3 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. The blooms are yellow and attract many pollinators, while the seeds are great food for birds and small mammals.
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SCCF & Partners Offer Program for Environmental Leadership
Preserving Paradise graduates will go forward as community spokespersons for clean water and role models for other businesses, setting examples for how businesses can have a positive impact on the environment. Spots are still open for the class that starts in August.
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Last Chance to Take Community Survey!
Have you taken SanCap Resilience’s short survey to inform community resiliency programming and outreach on Sanibel and Captiva? If you’re a full-time or seasonal resident or employee of the islands, take the survey by June 15.
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CEPD Invites You to Bayside Adaptation Meeting #2
Join a free, virtual meeting on June 27, from 1 - 2:30 p.m., where you can give input on The Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan, a proactive strategy aimed at identifying and implementing nature-based solutions, infrastructure projects, and policy measures to mitigate the impacts of erosion caused by recurrent flooding.
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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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