Despite nearly 100 residents speaking out, the Lee County Planning Agency voted to advance changes that would eliminate Community Plans protecting Captiva, Pine Island, Alva, and other unique unincorporated areas.

Here's what happened — and what comes next.

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Royal Tern Tops Species List in Shorebird Counts

3,280 birds, 30 species — and a few familiar faces. During this year's Global Shorebird Counts, SCCF's team resighted royal tern YC5 and piping plover "Pepper," banded birds with years-long histories on our beaches. See who else made the count.

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Podcast Recaps 2026 Shorebird Nesting Season

SCCF Shorebird Biologist Audrey Albrecht and Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis discuss the 2026 shorebird nesting season and the importance of protected nesting zones. They review the season's interesting, unexpected, and record-breaking events and how we can all be better stewards to protect these species. 

Marine Lab Seeking Research Associate in Fish Ecology

Our Marine Lab is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Fisheries Science. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career scientist to develop an independent, field-based research program focused on recreationally important fish species in the estuarine systems of Southwest Florida. We are grateful to Steve King and Sam Boren-King for their generous gift through the CEBA Fund, which allows us to add this critical area of expertise to our research portfolio.  

A Week in the Field: Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Scientists

This summer marked the fourth year of Sanibel Sea School’s A Week in the Field program, a free, application-based camp designed to give high school students an immersive look at what it means to work in marine and environmental science. Made possible this year with support from the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, the program lets students step beyond the classroom and experience the questions, challenges, and unexpected discoveries that come with real field experience through SCCF scientists.

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Meet the Natives:

Buccaneer Palm

This week we are highlighting the beautiful buccaneer palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii). This hardy, medium- to large-sized palm is found in coastal habitats of South Florida and the Keys. Buccaneer palm grows native in tropical rockland habitats, and can tolerate full to part sun, and sandy, well-draining soils. Once established, buccaneer palm is hurricane-wind resistant, drought-tolerant, and salt-tolerant.

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WATCH THE REEL

Be a Part of a Global Effort to Clean Up Our Coasts!

Join us for the Ocean Conservancy’s Annual International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19. Volunteers will collect trash from Sanibel and Captiva beaches as part of this global effort to contribute to cleaner waterways and safe coastal habitats. Be sure to join us after the cleanup at the Bailey Homestead for ice cream sponsored by Sanibel Captiva Rotary. 

Join Us to Restore & Maintain Native Habitats Tomorrow!

Join us TOMORROW for an oyster restoration or a gopher tortoise habitat maintenance volunteer day. By choosing a hands-on, boots-in-the-muck experience to help restore vital oyster reefs in Tarpon Bay, you will improve water quality, create habitat for fish and other marine life, and strengthen the health of our coastal ecosystems. Or, join us for a hands-on “check-up” day at the project site that was the focus of our recent gopher tortoise habitat enhancement efforts this past winter and spring.

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Inshore Slam to Raise Funds for SCCF Mangrove Planting & Oyster Reef Restoration

Take part in the 4th Annual Inshore Slam on Oct. 9-11, and you'll be helping to fund a couple of our mangrove planting events on the rookery islands in San Carlos Bay and to identify new areas for oyster restoration permitting. Hosted by the Southwest Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (SWFAEP), the event features a day of fishing along Southwest Florida's coast, from Anna Maria Island Bridge to Chokoloskee.