Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)

SCCF recently hosted the Florida chapter of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group for its first meeting since 2019! Sixteen researchers from around the state joined us to present and discuss recent terrapin research. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDGWcnzx

From Maine to Florida ?????. SCCF biologists recently documented a juvenile herring gull that was banded last summer on Great Duck Island, Maine! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFH3GtEq

Honoring the passing of Norm Zeigler, a local flyfishing legend and longtime water quality advocate. Zeigler was a memorable figure in the flyfishing world, and he was especially dear to those who learned so much from him about fishing the waters of Southwest Florida. As a strong advocate for water quality, SCCF pays tribute to his legacy and encourages those who knew him to join his wife, Libby, and other friends, at a Celebration of Life to honor Norm at the Sanibel Community House on from 12-2 p.m. on March 14.

Advocacy opportunity! ??? Join the Everglades Coalition and SCCF policy staff on Everglades Action Day?on April 7-8, an annual trip to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers and?advocate for Everglades funding, protection, restoration, and supporting legislation. Registration is free, as well as chartered east and west coast buses to the state capitol, with a local west coast pickup in Fort Myers.?Learn more and register by March 21: https://lnkd.in/eKEMPy7Y

Flora Friday ?? Meet the seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), a perennial wildflower. Named for its yellow tubular flower stalks, seaside goldenrod grows best in sandy, moist, well-draining soils, and its high salt and drought tolerance make it a great no-fuss wildflower for coastal landscapes. Learn more or purchase this native plant at our Native Landscapes & Garden Center on Sanibel!

We’re fresh into Florida’s annual Legislative Session, which began Tuesday, and we wanted to give a shout out to three bills SCCF is supporting this year: 1. HB 6023 / SB 836 (Bartleman, Smith) — Would remove state preemption on the regulation of certain auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags. This would allow local governments to regulate single-used plastics that pose a threat to our coastal wildlife and ecosystems. 2. HB 73 / SB 156 (Gosset-Seidman, Rodriguez) — Would improve public notification of potentially unsafe or toxic waters at beaches and other recreational swimming areas. SCCF strongly supported last year’s similar bill, HB 165, which was vetoed. We will work with this year’s bill sponsors to readdress the critical need for these improved water quality and public health protections. 3. HB 209 / SB 80 (Snyder, Harrell) — Written in response to proposed high-impact developments in nine Florida state parks last year. This bill would strengthen conservation protections for state parks, require more public input for development in state parks, and remove vague and unclear language that could lead to loopholes for destructive development. Follow along with us by viewing our real-time Legislative Tracker and signing up for our Action Alerts: https://lnkd.in/esd7He8p

Today's the first day of Florida's 60-day Legislative Session. SCCF's?environmental policy?team will follow along each day to advocate for sound, science-based environmental policy and to empower our communities to contact lawmakers.?Click the link below to view our Legislative Tracker and to sign up for Action Alerts!

Happy World Wildlife Day! ?? Did you know approximately 400 species of reptiles and amphibians, birds, mammals, and interior fish can be found on Sanibel and Captiva Islands? To benefit wildlife, many of SCCF’s preserve lands are closed to the public. ??:?Loggerhead hatchling (Caretta caretta) by Shane Antalick

If you've recently visited Sanibel or Captiva, you've no doubt noticed the drastic change at our McGregor Preserve, where dead black mangroves were knocked down and are now being removed. Thanks to ongoing contributions to our re-greening campaign, SCCF's Habitat Management team and Coastal Watch restoration crews are actively reviving the natural beauty and diverse habitats of our sanctuary islands and all SCCF preserve lands. Learn more about our re-greening efforts, which are occurring across our interior preserve lands: https://lnkd.in/e2WgPgpd

Between Feb. 13-21, SCCF responded to six loggerhead strandings. Of the six, three had no obvious external injuries to determine the cause of stranding. Two others were found with blunt force trauma, likely from vessel strikes, and the last was found with apparent predation injuries. Though the cause of strandings without physical injury can’t be determined without further testing, they could potentially be related to the recent red tide bloom off Sanibel and Captiva, which is no longer present. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/es4JGQz5