Connecting You to SCCF: Where Are San-Cap Sea Turtles Now?

Jan. 24, 2024

Where Do Sea Turtles Go

When It's Not Nesting Season?

When they’re not nesting on Sanibel and Captiva, where do the islands’ sea turtles go? Below, learn why winter and early spring foraging is crucial for sea turtles and discover loggerhead migration hotspots that SCCF and partners have observed through satellite tagging.

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Rains are Welcome Relief for Freshwater Habitats

The effects of the El Niño weather pattern with lower temperatures and unseasonal rainfall are providing relief to Sanibel’s freshwater interior.

Find out what that means for island wildlife.

How are Rains Affecting Water Quality?

Keep up with the impacts of recent rains on water quality by signing up for SCCF’s Weekly Water Conditions update. Every Friday morning, you’ll get an easy-to-understand snapshot of current water quality conditions, including an aerial photo from Lighthouse Beach.

Click here for last Friday’s edition.

Marine Lab Awarded EPA Grant to Study Macroalgae

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the SCCF Marine Laboratory a grant to study the proliferation of macroalgae in Matlacha Pass and San Carlos Bay and its impact on seagrass.

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SCCF Assesses Off-Island Preserves by Boat

Today, SCCF leaders ventured out by boat to our preserve lands in Cape Coral and various islands in Pine Island Sound to assess restoration needs. They determined that natural recruitment and mangrove restoration will help revive the properties.

SEE MORE PHOTOS

Record Year at Native Landscapes & Garden Center

Sales are booming and housecalls are booked out into April at SCCF’s Native Landscapes & Garden Center.

Check out our new hours and more updates!

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Seeking Sponsors to Support Sanibel Sea School!

Become a sponsor of Cause for the Campus to support post-Ian restoration and enhancements of Sanibel Sea School’s beloved East End buildings and outdoor spaces. A much-needed fundraising gala, the Cause will feature a tented dinner, a lively cause-related auction, and live entertainment on March 2.

Celebrating Mangroves on Arbor Day!

Last week, Coastal Watch joined the City of Sanibel's Florida Arbor Day celebration. Almost all the attendees took home their own baby mangroves as a part of our Adopt-A-Mangrove program.

Announcing Sanibel Sea School 2024 Summer Camps!

SIt's time to start daydreaming about warm water, camp friends, and sunny days of summer vacation. We're excited to announce our lineup of summer camp programs for 2024.

Mark your calendars! Registration opens Feb. 24.

VIEW CAMP DATES & THEMES

Sanibel Sea School Seeking Summer Camp Counselors

Sanibel Sea School is hiring multiple seasonal/full-time Summer Camp Counselors from May 13 to Aug. 23. The role involves leading marine science activities, fostering a safe environment, and promoting positive character development among campers. Candidates should have a background in education or related fields, experience working with children, and relevant certifications.

APPLY NOW!

Catch SCCF at Everglades Coalition Conference!

We’re representing SCCF at the 39th annual Everglades Coalition Conference in Bonita Springs this Thursday through Saturday! CEO James Evans will speak on a panel at 9 a.m. Friday to discuss our new water quality economic report and how clean water through Everglades restoration projects and other measures are essential to our way of life.

SCCF Policy Director to Speak on Right to Clean Water, Microplastic Pollution

Jan. 28: Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis will give a talk during a fundraiser for the Lee County Chapter of Florida Right to Clean Water on Sunday, Jan. 28, from 4-7 p.m.

Feb. 6: DePaolis will speak alongside “Ding” Darling experts on saving our waters and wildlife from microplastic pollution at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 6 at the Captiva Island Yacht Club. He’ll discuss the current state of legislation at the federal, state, and local levels to try and address microplastics.

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

SanCap Resilience Receives Federal Support

SanCap Resilience, a coalition of 16 community organizations including SCCF, was awarded a federal grant to support a multi-stakeholder focus on energy resilience on Sanibel and Captiva.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ON SALE NOW: Elizabeth Kolbert on Feb. 15

Join us for an exciting discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Elizabeth Kolbert — author of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History — at our 2024 Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture on Feb. 15! Tickets are $20 per adult, $5 per student, and free for children 12 and under!

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Jan. 25: Volunteers Needed for Preserve Cleanup!

After a recent site assessment, we found there is still hurricane debris on our 2.2-acre Gretchen C. Valade Preserve. Located on the west end of Sanibel, this land contains a favorable stretch of tropical hardwood hammock with ephemeral pools for wildlife. Help us remove this debris so our local wildlife and native plants can thrive!

Volunteers — join us TOMORROW from 8:30-11 a.m. for a preserve cleanup.

Weeds 'n' Seeds Walks Every Monday!

SCCF’s weekly, free Weeds 'n' Seeds plant walks take place every Monday morning! Join us at Bowman’s Beach on Jan. 29, Hidden Cypress Lake on Feb. 5, or the Bailey Tract on Feb. 12.

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WEEDS ‘N’ SEEDS FACEBOOK GROUP

Join SanCap Resilence Community Event on Feb. 1:

'Emerging from Hurricane Ian Stronger and More Resilient'

Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson and other notable speakers will headline SanCap Resilience’s Feb. 1 event from 6-8 p.m. at BIG ARTS, which will focus on the resiliency of our barrier islands’ power grid, water supply, and wastewater management.

The event will also be livestreamed on the City of Sanibel’s Facebook page.

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Join us for a Sunset Birding Cruise!

Help support the SCCF shorebird program with a beautiful and educational sunset cruise focused on observing shorebirds and seabirds, thanks to our partnership with Captiva Cruises.

Feb. 16: Register
March 4: Register

March 4: New Residents, Businesses & Employees Invited to Orientation

Explore Pine Island Sound by boat, tour SCCF’s properties, and hear from our experts in a free, day-long program on Monday, March 4! This program is targeted to new residents and businesses on Sanibel and Captiva.

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