Author: LeAneSUAREZGroup

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is teaming up with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Lee County, and dedicated community members to help protect least terns, a state-listed threatened bird species, as they return to nest on the Sanibel Causeway Islands.

These delicate shorebirds nest in colonies on open, sandy beaches—making the recently reopened causeway islands an important, yet vulnerable, habitat. To safeguard their nesting sites, SCCF volunteers will be present on weekends and holidays to educate beachgoers about how to responsibly share the shore with these protected birds.

“The least tern is one of Florida’s most charismatic and vulnerable beach-nesting birds,” SCCF notes. “Protecting their nesting grounds is essential to ensuring their future on our barrier islands.”

How You Can Help

Volunteer: SCCF is actively seeking more volunteers to assist with education and outreach on the causeway. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to engage with the public and protect local wildlife.

To get involved, email: shorebirds@sccf.org

Learn More: For tips on how to enjoy the beach while respecting nesting birds, visit
https://sccf.org/sharing-the-shore/

Since May 2024, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has taken meaningful steps to support the island’s bat population by installing 13 bat houses across Sanibel. These efforts include installations on both SCCF preserves and private properties, with four bat houses built during the community-led “Wood for Wings” event.

One of the most exciting developments? The rocket-style bat house at the Bailey Homestead Preserve has welcomed three confirmed big brown bat residents—a promising sign that these new homes are making an impact.

“This is especially critical now as we have entered bat maternity season, which runs from April 16 to August 14,” said SCCF Wildlife Biologist Mike Mills. “During this time, mother bats will begin giving birth and caring for their flightless pups, so safe and secure roosting sites are very important.”

Why Bat Houses Matter

Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, Sanibel lost many of its mature trees, which served as natural roosting spots for bats. This sudden loss in habitat posed a significant challenge for the island’s native bat population.

“With the building and installing of bat houses, SCCF is providing an alternative to these lost trees,” Mills added.

Beyond installing bat houses, SCCF also encourages the community to support local bat populations by leaving natural roosting materials undisturbed—this includes dead palm fronds, Spanish moss, and other hanging vegetation.

How You Can Help

If you’re a resident or property owner on Sanibel or Captiva, you can contribute to this conservation effort by:

• Installing a bat house on your property (SCCF may offer guidance or assistance).

• Avoiding removal of natural bat roost materials like dead branches or palm skirts.

• Supporting SCCF through donations or participation in future community events.

For more information on SCCF’s conservation initiatives or to get involved, visit https://www.sccf.org.

We’re excited to share that Love Sanibel Back is returning this summer — a heartfelt campaign designed to celebrate and support the resilient local businesses that make Sanibel and Captiva so special.

This island-wide initiative shines a light on open businesses with weekly spotlights, community events, and special promotions, reminding both locals and visitors just how vibrant and welcoming our island community truly is.

“It’s our heartfelt desire that every local business and their employees know how much they are appreciated,” said campaign coordinator Sue Van Oss. “This is about more than just promotion — it’s about restoring connection, visibility, and joy to our island community.”

What to Expect:

• The campaign runs from Memorial Day week (May 25–31) through August.

• Each week, a different neighborhood of businesses will be featured — starting from Sanibel’s east end and moving west, then wrapping up on Captiva.

• Special gatherings and offers will take place on select days in each area.

Kickoff Celebration

May 28 | Historic Lighthouse District, 362 Periwinkle Way
Join us at Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant and The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine to kick things off in style.
11:30 AM – Enjoy a short kickoff celebration outside of Wickies, with free 2025 Love Sanibel Back buttons and other surprises!
Grab a sweet treat, enjoy a delicious meal, and support the nearby businesses that bring so much flavor to our island life.

Save the Date:

The campaign will conclude with the Love Sanibel Community Gathering on Sunday, November 2, from 12–3 PM at The Community House on Sanibel.

A heartfelt thank you to the Charitable Foundation of the Islands for a generous $5,000 grant and in-kind social media support, and to the SanCap Chamber for their partnership.

The Santiva Islanders have a full week of fun, fitness, and social connection planned for adult residents and visitors on Sanibel. Here’s what’s happening:

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Cardio & Strength
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way
Led by Mahnaz Bassiri. Bring water and a towel; light weights optional.

• Cost: $5/class for members, $10/class for non-members

Bunko Party & Potluck Dessert
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Santiva Islanders Place (SIP), 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 17
Enjoy a night of games, coffee, desserts, and prizes. Bring your own dessert and beverage (besides coffee).

• RSVP: Register online

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Breakfast Club
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Jerry’s Café, 1700 Periwinkle Way
Enjoy breakfast and great conversation. Order and pay individually.

• Contact: Dan Hopta at 978-239-4612

Gentle Yoga
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
SIP, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 17
Led by Emery Lowden. Bring a mat, towel, and water.

• Cost: $10/class

Social Mahjong
1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
SIP, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 17

• Cost: $5

• Contact: Beth Funderburg at bfundy4648@gmail.com

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Cardio & Strength
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ
Led by Mahnaz Bassiri

• Cost: $5/class for members, $10/class for non-members

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Cardio & Strength
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ

Lunch & Conversation
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
SIP, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 17
Bring your own lunch and connect with fellow Islanders.

Social Hour
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way
Happy hour specials available. Order and pay individually.

MONDAY, MAY 20

Euchre
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
SIP, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 17

• Cost: $5

• Contact: Les Carlson at 860-983-0155 or lescarlson@comcast.net

Leisure Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Wickie’s Lighthouse Restaurant, 362 Periwinkle Way
Order and pay individually.

• RSVP by May 14: Erika Arnowitz at 239-472-4775 ext. 107 or erika@fishofsancap.org

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Cardio & Strength
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ

• Led by Mahnaz Bassiri

• Cost: $5/class for members, $10/class for non-members

Membership & More

The Santiva Islanders welcome all adult residents and visitors.

• Annual Membership: $25

• More Info: santivaislanders.org or email santivaislanders@gmail.com

The Spring Adult Co-Ed Softball League is gearing up for its highly anticipated season-ending tournament on Tuesday, May 14, hosted at the Sanibel Ball Fields located at the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road.

The tournament will bring an exciting close to a competitive season, with four top teams battling it out for this season’s bragging rights. Here’s how the game schedule is shaping up:

Tournament Schedule – May 14

• Game 1: Team Whitney’s vs. Doc Ford’s – 6:20 p.m.

• Game 2: Traders vs. Bubble Room – 7:25 p.m.

• Championship Game: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 – 8:30 p.m.

Fans can expect a thrilling night under the lights as the top teams hit the field one last time this spring.

Latest Game Recap – May 7

• Bubble Room edged out Traders in a close match, 20-19, setting the tone for an intense rematch in the tournament’s second round.

Final League Standings

1. Bubble Room – 7 Wins, 2 Losses

2. Doc Ford’s – 6 Wins, 3 Losses

3. Team Whitney’s – 5 Wins, 3 Losses

4. Traders – 4 Wins, 5 Losses

5. SCCF Sluggers – 0 Wins, 9 Losses

With a strong regular-season performance, Bubble Room enters as the top seed, but every team has a shot at victory in this single-elimination showdown.

Come Out and Cheer!

The community is invited to come out and support their favorite teams. Whether you’re a regular at the games or new to the league, this is a great opportunity to enjoy local sports and community camaraderie. Bring your lawn chairs, your team spirit, and get ready for an exciting night of softball!

Next week, the island of Sanibel will once again host a meaningful and powerful tradition — the Ride of Silence, an annual event that honors cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives on the road. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m., the ride will begin and end at Sanibel Community Park, located at 2231 Periwinkle Way.

Organized by the Sanibel Bicycle Club and Billy’s Bikes, this year’s ride continues a local tradition that began in 2008 and aligns with a global movement held every third Wednesday in May. Participants will follow a four-mile route along Sanibel’s Shared Use Path, riding in complete silence as a tribute to the lives lost and as a call for safer roads for all.

A Tribute and a Call for Awareness

“Florida now leads the country in bicycling fatalities, with nearly 500 last year,” said Sanibel Bicycle Club President Jim Meyer. “We hope that this awareness program will help slow that fatality rate. This is both for the motorists and the cyclists.”

The event is modeled after the very first Ride of Silence, which took place in 2003 in Dallas, Texas, following the tragic death of cyclist Larry Schwartz. Since then, it has grown into a global effort to promote awareness and encourage a culture of shared responsibility between cyclists and motorists.

Event Details

• When: Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 p.m.)

• Where: Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way

• Route: Periwinkle Way → Casa Ybel Road → West Gulf Drive → Tarpon Bay Road → return to the park

• Distance: Approximately 4 miles

• Pace: Slow and respectful

• Cost: Free and open to the public

• Requirements: All participants must wear a helmet. No headsets, please.

Families and individuals of all ages are welcome. “It’s a short, slow, and very simple ride,” Meyer noted. “We welcome the public — including children — to participate. It’s a tribute to the cycling community we’ve lost.”

Additional Support and Resources

The Sanibel Police Department will be assisting with traffic control to ensure the safety of riders. Billy’s Bikes will provide water, a limited number of safety vests, and a few spare helmets for those who need them. Informational materials about the Sanibel Bicycle Club and membership opportunities will also be available at the event.

“We’re trying to improve the cycling, motorist, and pedestrian environment on Sanibel,” Meyer emphasized. “This event helps us move in that direction.”

For more information, visit www.sanibelbicycleclub.org or contact:

• Jim Meyer at 314-406-0904

• Kevin Connerty at 239-887-2369

If You Go

What:
Annual Ride of Silence

When:
May 21 at 7:00 p.m. (arrive by 6:30 p.m.)

Where:
Sanibel Community Park
2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Details:
Free and open to the public; helmet required

After months of dedicated restoration efforts, The Captiva Island Historical Society’s (CIHS) History Gallery is once again open to the public.

Located inside the Captiva Memorial Library at 11560 Chapin Lane, the gallery had been closed since Hurricane Helene in September, followed by additional damage during Hurricane Milton in October. Both the library and gallery experienced significant storm surge, requiring a full disassembly of the exhibit and comprehensive repairs.

“We had to disassemble the gallery and install new flooring—everything is new,” shared CIHS Board President Tom Libonate.

A Tribute to Captiva’s Rich History

Originally opened in 2014, the History Gallery is a visual and interactive tribute to Captiva’s vibrant past, designed as a replica of the historic Santiva mailboat. Visitors will find historical artifacts and multimedia presentations that trace life on the island—from the ancient Calusa Indians and pioneering settlers to the present-day community.

“It tells the story of life on Captiva,” Libonate added. “From the Calusa Indians and early homesteaders, to current day.”

After the hurricanes, the entire exhibit was carefully taken apart. Salvageable pieces were dried and stored in climate-controlled containers before being reassembled. The gallery was structurally restored by January, with finishing touches completed in time for the library’s April 2 reopening.

What’s New?

While the layout and storytelling remain the same, visitors will notice a refreshed and updated experience:

• New flooring and paintwork

• Improved lighting

• A cleaner, crisper presentation of existing exhibits

“The only difference is that it’s fresher,” said Libonate. “It gave us a chance to tune it up a bit.”

Coming soon is an innovative audio feature: a suspended plastic cone that offers an isolated audio experience. Visitors will be able to stand beneath it and listen to curated content from the exhibit without background noise.

A Community Effort

The restoration was made possible through generous community donations, which fully covered expenses, including the upcoming audio installation.

“Incredibly generous,” Libonate said. “With all the issues that individuals had on their own, we were astounded with the response we received.”

Special thanks were extended to:

• Mike Boris (Board Vice President) and Bob Johnson for coordinating the rebuild

• Trim City for carefully disassembling, storing, and reassembling the exhibit, as well as updating lighting and painting

• Ilie Ruby, a local artist and author, for restoring the gallery’s painted murals—entirely as a volunteer

“They really stepped up,” Libonate emphasized. “Everyone involved gave their time and energy to bring this space back to life.”

Plan Your Visit

Captiva Memorial Library
Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Hours: 10 AM – 12:30 PM and 1 PM – 4 PM

Admission is free, and all are welcome to explore this revived treasure trove of Captiva’s past.

Learn more at: www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org

Every year, from April through October, Sanibel and Captiva Islands come alive with one of nature’s most remarkable events: sea turtle nesting season. This time of year is critical for the survival of several species of sea turtles, including the loggerhead, green, leatherback, and Kemp’s ridley turtles. These ancient mariners have been nesting on these islands for centuries, and as visitors to the area, we all have a role to play in ensuring their continued presence on our shores.

The Importance of Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea turtles are an essential part of the marine ecosystem, playing a key role in maintaining the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. However, their populations are in decline due to a variety of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and human interference. Sanibel and Captiva Islands, with their protected beaches, provide a critical sanctuary for these endangered species.

During nesting season, female sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, which are then incubated in the warm sands until they hatch. The hatchlings, once they emerge, make their way to the sea—a journey that is filled with peril. By protecting the nesting sites and ensuring a safe path to the ocean, we can help give these hatchlings a fighting chance.

What You Can Do to Help

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) monitors the beaches daily during nesting season, ensuring that nests are marked and protected. However, everyone visiting the islands has a part to play. Here are some simple, yet effective ways you can help protect sea turtles during their nesting season:

1. Turn Off or Shield Lights

Sea turtles, especially hatchlings, are attracted to bright lights. Nesting females can become disoriented by artificial lights, which may cause them to abandon their nesting attempt. Hatchlings, upon emerging from their nests, use the moon’s natural light to find their way to the sea. Bright lights on the beach can confuse them, causing them to wander off track and increasing their chances of predation.

Make sure to turn off all lights visible from the beach after 9 p.m. during nesting season. If you must use lights, ensure they are shielded and pointed away from the beach.

2. Avoid Disturbing Nesting Turtles

If you happen to spot a turtle nesting on the beach, keep your distance. Do not approach or try to touch the turtle. Female sea turtles are extremely sensitive during the nesting process and can be easily disturbed. Approach the situation with respect and enjoy the sight from afar.

3. Fill in Holes and Remove Beach Furniture

While spending time on the beach, be mindful of any holes you may dig and make sure to fill them in before you leave. Holes pose a serious risk to nesting turtles, which can become trapped or injured while trying to nest. Similarly, any beach furniture or obstacles can obstruct the turtles’ path to the ocean. Always remove any items you bring with you before you leave the beach.

4. Keep Pets on a Leash

Although pets are a beloved part of family vacations, they can pose a threat to nesting turtles and hatchlings. Dogs may disturb nesting turtles or dig into nests, inadvertently harming the eggs. Keep your pets on a leash and under control at all times when on the beach.

5. Report Turtle Sightings

If you see a turtle or a nest, report it to the SCCF’s Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663. The conservation foundation relies on the public to help track nesting activity, and your reports play a crucial role in ensuring that nests are protected and hatchlings are able to make their journey to the sea.

The Role of Conservation Efforts

The efforts of organizations like the SCCF are vital to the survival of sea turtles. Daily beach patrols help to mark and protect nests, ensuring that eggs remain undisturbed. In addition, the SCCF educates the public on best practices for protecting sea turtles, from proper lighting and nest protection to avoiding harmful human activities on the beach.

Despite the challenges sea turtles face, there is hope. With community involvement, a commitment to conservation, and respect for the natural world, we can help ensure that future generations of sea turtles continue to thrive on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

A Call to Action

As you enjoy the beautiful beaches of Sanibel and Captiva this nesting season, remember that you have the power to make a difference. By following these simple guidelines, you contribute to the survival of these incredible creatures. Let’s work together to protect the sea turtles and preserve the natural beauty of these islands for generations to come.