The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) recently highlighted the impactful work of environmental educator Richard Finkel through the No Child Left On Shore program. This joint initiative between Captiva Cruises and the SCCF provides essential environmental education field trips, aiming to connect local youth, who often live near the coast but rarely engage with the marine ecosystem, directly to the ocean.
Recently, 20 middle schoolers from New Horizons of Southwest Florida embarked on an unforgettable journey aboard Captiva Cruises’ motor catamaran, The Playtime. Along the way to Cayo Costa State Park, they were treated to a dolphin encounter before exploring the coastlines and discovering the rich marine life of the area.
Students were excited to find a variety of shells and sea creatures, including sand dollars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and even a rare junonia shell. As New Horizons Chief Executive Officer Linda Cunning noted, “Many of our students have never visited the Gulf or seen these types of shells or wildlife. This trip helps expand their world beyond just their neighborhood.”
For Finkel, the program is the “heart of our mission,” emphasizing that getting kids from underserved communities out on the water is crucial to teaching them to care for and protect our oceans.
Founded in 2010, No Child Left On Shore is now integrated into the Sanibel Sea School’s A Chance to Sea program, continuing the mission to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time. The SCCF is grateful for partnerships like the one with New Horizons, which are vital for reaching students and making these transformative connections possible.
To learn more about this program, visit sanibelseaschool.org/a-chance-to-sea/.
