Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am saddened and angered by the recent events on Captiva. In case you have not heard, someone drove a vehicle over six of our sea turtle nests — and by ours I mean yours and mine. The incident is under investigation by state and county authorities. Our wildlife is a shared responsibility and a shared gift, and we are blessed with a truly extraordinary array of wild critters on our islands.
In a time where everything seems off kilter, where angst and frustration seem to be the most common public emotions, this destructive event targeting sea turtle nests is particularly disheartening. In the midst of our collective outrage, I hope you find solace knowing that SCCF works day and night to provide a better future for our sea turtles and environment. In this midst of this senseless tragedy against nature, note how nature is once again proving to be the great unifier.
These criminal actions clearly do not represent the intent of the rest of us, and they do feel like an invasion of sorts. We have some of the most invested, dedicated communities you could ever imagine. The arrival of the sea turtles is a beloved annual event, one that Captiva and Sanibel have chosen to celebrate and protect. This upends the joy and hope that these turtles represent for us all. I urge us all to channel this outrage by aiming it toward something good. Let’s be change agents rather than just plain angry. Let’s unite in the cause of helping sea turtles survive for future generations.
The Linsmayer Family has asked me to share the action they have chosen to take to turn this devastating news into a rallying cry for continued care and monitoring of our nesting sea turtles. Linda and Nick have pledged a $1,000 gift towards our coastal wildlife monitoring costs, and hope other concerned islanders will join them. Your generosity will be a strong and positive reply to this sick and as yet unsolved crime.