Author: LeAenSUAREZGroup

Porter Airlines will be launching a new seasonal route between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) starting November 29th, 2024.

This convenient connection, offered up to four times a week, will be the only service between Fort Myers and Montreal, making winter getaways a breeze. Flyers can now easily experience the charm of Montreal – cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene – all within a short flight from Florida’s sunshine state.

This announcement comes alongside Porter Airlines’ previously announced increased service to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) starting October 25th, with up to 14 weekly flights. They’re also adding up to three weekly flights to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) starting November 28th.

The Ding Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) recently acquired a critical 21.5-acre parcel of land on Sanibel Island. Located between Isabel Drive and The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, the property was generously donated by the Pine Rock Foundation of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This acquisition adds to a historic 75-acre property along the bay shores that once belonged to the Symroski pioneer family. Over time, the family sold off portions of the land, forming the foundation of local neighborhoods.

“This acquisition embodies the 42-year legacy of the DDWS: conservation, protection, and education,” said Bill Harkey, DDWS Board President. “We are thrilled to permanently preserve this vital island green space, which provides essential habitat for wildlife.”

The new property connects two existing conservation plots, creating a critical wildlife corridor. The mostly undeveloped land is teeming with native vegetation like mangroves, and serves as a haven for gopher tortoises, bobcats, screech owls, and a diverse array of birds and reptiles. The DDWS plans to install a trail camera to observe and document wildlife activity for research and educational purposes.

“With ongoing development projects like the one at South Seas resort, it’s crucial that we work together to prevent overdevelopment,” said Harkey. “Sanibel’s commitment to conservation and nature is what makes it special. As the island approaches its 50th anniversary of incorporation, protecting these precious spaces becomes even more important.”

The DDWS welcomes donations and land offers that contribute to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge or DDWS holdings. To learn more, contact DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman at [email protected]

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) announced the successful hatching of the first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season on June 26th. This marks the triumphant beginning of hatching season, with many more nests expected to follow suit.

The SCCF has documented a promising nesting season thus far. As of June 25th, they identified a total of 554 loggerhead nests and one leatherback nest. These nests are distributed across Sanibel (422) and Captiva (133).

Supporting a Safe Journey for Hatchlings

Beachgoers can play a vital role in ensuring the safety of nesting females and emerging hatchlings by following these simple guidelines:

• Minimize light pollution: Artificial lights on or near the beach after 9 pm can disorient hatchlings and deter nesting mothers. Keeping lights out or shielded creates a dark pathway for hatchlings to navigate towards the ocean.
• Maintain a flat landscape: Filling in holes, smoothing out sandcastles, and removing beach furniture before nightfall can prevent these obstacles from hindering hatchlings on their journey to the sea.
• Dispose of trash responsibly: Food scraps and litter can attract predators that may harm hatchlings. Always dispose of trash in designated bins.

Reporting Concerns

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

Learn More About Sea Turtle Conservation

For additional ways to protect and care for these magnificent creatures, visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation website: https://sancaplifesavers.org/

Passenger traffic at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) continued its upward trend in May, with an impressive 11% increase compared to May 2023. This marks the second-highest May in the airport’s 41-year history, showcasing continued strong demand for travel to Southwest Florida.

Here are some highlights from the Lee County Port Authority data:

• Over 843,270 passengers traveled through RSW in May.
• Year-to-date passenger traffic is up a significant 21%.
• Delta led the way in May with over 192,204 passengers.
• Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest, American, United, and JetBlue.

While aircraft operations at RSW saw a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to May 2023, the overall growth in passenger traffic paints a positive picture for the airport.

We’re excited to see this continued growth and the positive impact it has on our community. Looking to book your Southwest Florida getaway? Several airlines offer service to RSW, making it easy to find the perfect flight for your needs.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2024-25 state budget on June 12th, allocating significant funding for critical environmental projects.

While the final budget came in slightly lower than the proposed $117.4 billion at $116.5 billion, environmental programs secured over $975 million. This includes:

• Everglades Restoration: A substantial $740 million will be directed towards restoring the Everglades, a vital ecosystem for Florida.
• Land Acquisition: The budget allocates $100 million each for Florida Forever and Rural and Family Lands programs, crucial for land conservation.
• Water Quality Initiatives: $10.8 million goes to the Blue/Green Algae Task Force, and $25 million to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Water School to identify causes of water quality issues.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) points out that the legislative process isn’t quite over. Governor DeSantis has about 50 bills remaining to address before the new fiscal year begins on July 1st. These bills can be signed, vetoed, or allowed to become law without action.

The SCCF will continue to monitor the situation and provide a final evaluation of the legislative session’s impact on our coastal environment’s health and economic well-being.