Author: LeAenSUAREZGroup

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel Island is excited to reveal its upcoming schedule for community field education programs. Running from August through December, the museum will offer a variety of engaging activities, including Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks, Live Mollusk Counts, Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls, and Beach Walks.

“These summer and fall programs provide wonderful opportunities for education, community science, and enjoyment,” said Jorden Falker, the museum’s Associate Director of Education. “Exploring our beautiful beaches and natural areas in Lee County is a fantastic way to learn and have fun.”

Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks

Join a museum educator for a walk through natural areas in Lee County, where you can observe and document land snails and other wildlife. This data will help scientists understand the distribution of land snail species in Southwest Florida.

Schedule:

• Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. – Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
• Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. – Pond Apple Trail, Sanibel
• Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. – Koreshan State Park, Estero
• Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. – Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, Fort Myers
• Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. – Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East, North Fort Myers

Walks are free, but advance registration is required. Email [email protected] to register.

Live Mollusk Counts

Contribute to community science by helping document living mollusks at some of the year’s lowest tides on Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach. This data is crucial for assessing the health of local mollusk species.

Schedule:

• Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
• Nov. 18 at 8 a.m.

Counts are free, but advance registration is required. Email [email protected] to register.

Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls

Accompanied by a museum marine biologist, participants will stroll along Lighthouse Beach at low tide, learning about local mollusks and their shells while searching for live specimens.

Schedule:

• Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
• Nov. 17 at 7:30 a.m.
• Dec. 16 at 7:30 a.m.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Beach parking is not included. Advance registration is required. Visit ShellMuseum.org/sunrise-stroll to register.

Beach Walks

Led by museum educators, these walks offer an introduction to local shells and shelling, with discussions about the morning’s finds.

Schedule:

• Wednesdays at 9 a.m., starting in December, at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for museum members, and $5 for ages 17 and under. Advance registration is required. For confirmed dates or to register, visit ShellMuseum.org/beach-walks.

For more information about these programs, visit ShellMuseum.org or contact [email protected].

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is located at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

Starting July 18 and continuing through August 2, the vegetation along Sanibel-Captiva Road, including the Shared Use Path, will undergo trimming. Work will take place daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Due to the nature of the work, there may be intermittent lane closures. Drivers and pedestrians should expect possible delays and are urged to proceed with caution when passing through the area where workers are present.

For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at 239-472-6397.

A Remarkable Event on Sanibel Island

On June 28, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) sea turtle team documented a significant event: the hatching of a rare, endangered leatherback turtle nest on Sanibel’s west end. During the inventory of this nest, SCCF biologists and permitted volunteers recorded 113 eggs, with 40 successfully emerged hatchlings.

Historical Context of Leatherback Nesting

Leatherback nesting on the Gulf coast of Florida is a rare occurrence. The SCCF has only documented such nesting in three previous years: 2009, 2015, and 2020. Generally, leatherback nests account for only a few of the more than 1,000 sea turtle nests laid annually in Florida.

“Most leatherback nesting occurs on the east coast of Florida, primarily in Martin and Palm Beach Counties,” stated Kelly Sloan, Coastal Wildlife Director.

In both 2009 and 2015, only a single nest was documented each year. However, in 2020, six nests were laid across Sanibel and Captiva, with additional nests recorded along the central and southwest coasts.

Notable Moments from 2020

The year 2020 was significant for leatherback nesting on the Gulf coast. The first leatherback was satellite-tagged in collaboration with Florida Leatherbacks Inc., earning the name “Juniper.” By the time of her tagging, three nests were already present on the islands. Post-tagging, it was confirmed that Juniper nested multiple times on Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa.

Tracking data from Florida Leatherbacks Inc. showed Juniper traveled approximately 2,300 miles along the Gulf coast after her last nest on June 17, 2020, before her tracker ceased sending signals.

Leatherback Hatchings on Captiva and Sanibel

In 2020, Captiva saw its first leatherback nest, with 51 hatchlings successfully emerging from 89 eggs. This was the only successful hatching among the six nests, which collectively contained 504 eggs. No hatchlings emerged from the other five nests.

Compared to other sea turtle species, leatherbacks generally have a lower hatch success rate, a subject of ongoing research across the state.

The 2023 Leatherback Hatching

With an average of 700 loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Sanibel and Captiva from May to October, this year’s leatherback nest marks only the third time that SCCF has documented leatherback hatchlings on these beaches.

In 2009, SCCF recorded the first leatherback nest hatching on Sanibel’s east end, with 90 hatchlings emerging from 106 eggs. The 2015 leatherback nest, located on Sanibel’s west end, did not hatch due to being washed over nine times, resulting in 57 unhatched eggs and six spacer eggs.

Conclusion

The SCCF continues to play a vital role in monitoring and documenting the nesting activities of endangered sea turtles, contributing valuable data to the ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent creatures. The successful hatching of the leatherback nest this year is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the SCCF team and their volunteers.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that traffic has been successfully moved to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway. The surrounding causeway islands are currently an active work zone and are closed to public access, including access from the water.

WEST FROM TOLL PLAZA

• Protected Birds: Beach-nesting birds are present on the Causeway Islands. Drivers are advised to slow down and stay alert as birds may be flying near the roadway.
• Traffic Interruptions: Expect intermittent traffic stops at the staging area entrance as equipment and materials cross the road for work on the south side of McGregor Boulevard.
• Ongoing Construction: Crews are continuing earthwork and debris removal along the Causeway Islands. Construction equipment will occasionally enter and leave the travel lanes. The contractor aims to minimize interruptions during peak hours.
• Westbound Merge: The westbound merge point is located west of the toll plaza. Drivers should exercise caution and adhere to the 20 mph speed limit. Construction vehicles and equipment are frequently entering and exiting the staging area near this location.
• U-Turn Work: Crews are also working on the off-island U-turn area under Span A.

EAST FROM TOLL PLAZA

• Upcoming Lane Closures: Starting late next week, motorists should expect temporary lane closures as crews prepare for a new McGregor traffic pattern.
• Lane Reductions: Later this summer, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on McGregor for about half a mile near Port Comfort Road. This is to allow crews to reconstruct a pipe crossing. Traffic will shift between the north and south sides as work progresses. Further details will be provided once the schedule is finalized.
• Eastbound Travel: One lane of eastbound travel will remain from the toll plaza to Shell Point Road on the south (beach) side of McGregor. The south/beach shoulder will remain fully closed to allow for the installation of marine mattresses to reinforce the shoreline. This closure will continue through the summer. The contractor may use this lane for materials delivery intermittently.
• Westbound Delays: Westbound motorists on McGregor may experience brief delays as the Florida Highway Patrol stops vehicles to allow materials deliveries to access the staging area at Punta Rassa.

Additional Notes

Many oversized vehicles are using the causeway to aid recovery efforts on the island, leading to slower travel times. Bicyclists are encouraged to find alternative transportation, and pedestrians are not permitted on the causeway. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted 20 mph speed limit throughout the work zone.

For more information about the project, visit Sanibel Causeway Project

The Friends of Randy of Sanibel proudly announced the winners of the 44th annual 4th of July Road Rally, held on July 4th. The event kicked off from the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market on Sanibel and saw enthusiastic participation from numerous teams.

Top Placing Teams

• First Place: Founding Fathers
• Second Place: Caddy Issues
• Third Place: Karas Kruisers
• Coveted Last Place: Tips and Toez
• Best Decorated Car: Founding Fathers

Prizes Awarded

• First Place: Fishing charter courtesy of Whitney’s Bait & Tackle
• Second Place: Weber travel grill courtesy of Forever Green Ace Hardware
• Third Place: $200 in gift certificates from MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, Rosalita’s Cantina, and The Lighthouse Cafe
• Last Place: Free entry for next year’s rally
• Best Decorated Car: Gift card courtesy of the Over Easy Cafe

Additional Team Placements

• 4th Place: Mermaid Mafia
• 5th Place: Lost in Pace
• 6th Place: Santiva Sunshines
• 7th Place: Emeril Explorers
• 8th Place: Get a Clue
• 9th Place: Belding Babes
• 10th Place: Witches of East Lake
• 11th Place: Rip Tide
• 12th Place: Chicka Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
• 13th Place: Gateway 4
• 14th Place: Hooligans
• 15th Place: Papa’s Peeps
• 16th Place: On Island
• 17th Place: Mockingbird Mob
• 18th Place: Carter Clan
• 19th Place: Big Dumb Truck
• 20th Place: Bailey’s — Moon’s Team
• 21st Place: Lost Cheeseburger in Paradise
• 22nd Place: Day Dinkers
• 23rd Place: Wineaux
• 24th Place: Seagals
• 25th Place: Sanibel Supers
• 26th Place: Sanibel Misfits
• 27th Place: Long Shots
• 28th Place: Sanibel Serenity
• 29th Place: Good Sunsations
• 30th Place: Murex Maniacs
• 31st Place: Team Barbie
• 32nd Place: Red Rocket
• 33rd Place: Seaway Samaritans
• 34th Place: Dinkin’ Buddies
• 35th Place: The Poodles
• 36th Place: Pine Tree Drive
• 37th Place: Cabbage Palm Kids
• 38th Place: Fishing for Freedom
• 39th Place: 6 Loose Screws
• 40th Place: The Gateway Four

Special Mentions

• 50/50 Raffle Winners: Kevin and Joie Steele, who generously donated their $500-plus winnings back to the cause.

Beneficiaries

Proceeds from this year’s rally will benefit F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva. Additionally, a donation will be made to Community Housing & Resources to assist families with back-to-school supplies.

The Friends of Randy of Sanibel extend their heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, and volunteers for making this event a resounding success. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Sanibel Island will host runners from around the world this December as the centerpiece of its annual fundraising event, JOG N JAM. Organized by F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, the 10K and 5K race has gained significant international attention.

Last year’s event drew participants from across the United States and as far away as Germany and the United Kingdom, totaling over 530 runners. This year, organizers anticipate another strong turnout.

“We are excited to welcome runners of all ages and abilities to our event,” said Leah Winkler, co-chair of the F.I.S.H. Race Committee. “It’s truly gratifying to see such widespread enthusiasm for our race.”

One international participant, Louise Rushmer, is eager to experience her first U.S. race on Sanibel Island. A long-time runner with a deep connection to the area, Rushmer is looking forward to supporting the community while enjoying her favorite pastime.

The JOG N JAM features a kids’ fun run, a concert by Funk You, and a fireworks display. Proceeds from the event benefit F.I.S.H., a local organization dedicated to providing social services and assistance to island residents.

Registration for the race and concert, as well as information about sponsorships, can be found on the F.I.S.H. website. Visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/jog-n-jam/.

The Sanibel Outlets shopping center is undergoing a significant transformation. As demolition progresses, exciting details are emerging about the site’s future – Calusa Grande. This mixed-use development promises to address a critical need in the area: affordable housing.

A Blend of Residential, Commercial, and Community Spaces

Calusa Grande, planned for a 22.6-acre plot at 20350 Summerlin Road, will encompass a 498-unit apartment complex. Notably, 200 of these units will be designated as affordable housing, providing much-needed relief for the community’s workforce.

Beyond residences, Calusa Grande offers a compelling mix of commercial and community spaces. Plans include:

• 72,025 square feet of office space
• 52,418 square feet of retail space, featuring:
  • 21,209 square feet dedicated to restaurants
• The potential inclusion of a performing arts center

This blend of residential and commercial offerings creates a vibrant, self-contained environment. Residents will have convenient access to shops, restaurants, and potentially, cultural experiences, right at their doorstep.

Addressing Workforce Housing Needs

The project’s commitment to affordable housing is a major positive. Tourism is a cornerstone of the local economy, and a reliable workforce is essential to maintaining its success. These affordable units will provide essential housing options for workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors. This, in turn, can contribute to a more stable and dependable workforce, ultimately benefiting the entire community.

Calusa Grande promises to be a transformative development, offering much-needed housing options, commercial spaces, and potentially, a cultural hub. Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting project progresses!

Click here for more info

The Santiva Islanders offer a variety of activities for adults of all ages. This week’s schedule includes:

• Cardio & Strength: Led by Mahnaz Bassir on Wednesdays (July 17th & 24th) and Thursdays (July 19th) from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel). Bring water and a towel; a mat is not required. Light weights are optional. Cost: $5 per class or $60 per month (members), $10 per class or $120 per month (non-members).
• Social Mahjong: Play Mahjong with other Islanders on Thursday, July 18th, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel). Cost: $5. Contact Beth Funderburg at [email protected] for more information.
• Happy Hour: Mingle with fellow Islanders and enjoy drink and appetizer specials on Monday, July 22nd, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen (1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel). Attendees will order and pay individually.
• Quarterly Book Review: Discuss “Seduced by the Light: The Mina Miller Edison Story” by Alexander Rimmer on Tuesday, July 23rd, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel). Feel free to bring a sack lunch. Contact Susan Talmage at 214-206-6822 with any questions.

General Information:

• The Santiva Islanders welcome all adults on Sanibel and Captiva.
• A yearly membership costs $25.

Learn More:

• Visit the website: https://santivaislanders.org/calendar for a full calendar of events.
• Contact the Santiva Islanders at s[email protected]

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reports high activity for the 2024 sea turtle nesting season on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. As of July 9th, a total of 723 nests have been documented, with the majority laid by loggerhead turtles. Hatchling emergence has also been significant, with over 2,200 hatchlings making their way to the sea.

Lights Out for Hatchling Safety

Artificial lights can disorient hatchlings as they instinctively navigate towards the moonlit horizon to reach the water. The SCCF reminds beachgoers to turn off or shield all lights visible from the beach after 9 pm throughout the nesting season.

Nesting Season Update

Total numbers as of July 9th

• Sea Turtle Nests: 723
  • Loggerhead: 721
  • Leatherback: 1
  • Green: 1
• Emerged Hatchlings: 2,204
  • Loggerhead: 2,164
  • Leatherback: 40
• False Crawls: 1,401
  • Loggerhead: 1,398
  • Green: 2
  • Leatherback: 1

How to Help

The public can contribute to a successful nesting season by following these guidelines:

• Turn off lights near the beach at night.
• Remove trash and equipment from the beach before nightfall.
• Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles to avoid obstacles for nesting females and hatchlings.
• Respect posted nesting areas.

Report Any Concerns

If you encounter any issues with nests, sea turtles, hatchlings, or lighting compliance, contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.

Additional Resources

For further information on sea turtle protection, visit SanCap Lifesavers